Christianity The Final Religion by Samuel M. Zwemer

Samuel Zwemer’s main contribution to Christian missions, according to Ruth Tucker, “was that of stirring Christians to the need for evangelism among Muslims. This short book contains seven of his addresses in which he attempts to demonstrate that “the Old Gospel is the True Gospel”.

Samuel M. Zwemer [1867-1952], Christianity the Final Religion. Addresses on the Missionary Message for the World today, showing that the Old Gospel is the Only Gospel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1920. Hbk. pp.109. Click to Download in PDF.

The Wikipedia article on Samuel Zwemer referenced above does not list this book is its bibliography – perhaps someone could add it and the link to the on-line version here.

Contents

1 – Earliest Christianity
2 – Thinking Gray in Missions
3 – The Solidarity of the Race
4 – The Impact of Christianity on Non-Christian Religions
5 – What Is the Apostolic Gospel?
6 – The Stumbling Block of the Cross
7 – Christianity as the Final Religion

Preface

Fanatics have been defined as those who redouble their energies when they have forgotten their aim. Doubtless all who are interested in the missionary enterprise are in these days putting forth new energy and advocating more rapid movement to attain their object. Have not some, however, forgotten the goal in their earnest effort to press forward? Is there not some danger lest we run so fast that we forget to carry the message? Will the broader outlook diminish deep insight?

A brilliant writer in the Atlantic Monthly (May, 1920) characterized the modern missionary as one whose “first concern is always something deeper, something more vital than questions of theological and metaphysical speculation relating to the Person and the Work of Christ, to the Virgin Birth (in which, together with other miracles he may or he may not believe); to the fine distinctions between the humanity, the divinity, the deity of Christ; to the nature of the Trinity; to the Atonement. Upon just one thing he insists: that which touches not the bene esse of the Christian faith, but its esse: the personal assimilation in the disciples’ life of the teaching and of the spirit of Jesus.” [Continue reading]