Silanus the Christian

"A book of absorbing interest and deep religious significance....A study in spiritual conversion which recalls 'Philochristus' both in the chaste beauty of its language and a restrained dramatic power....The expression of genuine difficulties - difficulties both critical and religious, which are presenting themselves again in a very similar form to the modern mind. It is one of the chief merits of Dr. Abbott's able and stimulating book that, while it does not ignore these difficulties or treat them as foolish or unreal, it exhibits them in their true religious perspective, as belonging to the fringe rather than the essential revelation of the Gospels." -Manchester Guardian "Interesting on account of the literary skill with which he presents innumerable points of exposition and criticism, and on account, too, of the beauty and strength of many of its passages." -Athenaeum "Many nowadays are seeking a way to discard what is called the miraculous element in Christianity and yet to retain its essential doctrines of God's fatherhood, the divinity of Christ and his spiritual presence with his Church. Such an attempt is made by Edwin A. Abbott in 'Silanus the Christian,' which is at once an historical romance of the second century and an exposition of the author's own opinions in regard to the essence of the Christian faith....Little or nothing is attempted in the way of local color, and the interest of the story is almost exclusively philosophical. By securing this detachment from modern conditions the author is able to make his points effective and in a true historical connection....The book may be commended for its clarity and grasp of the relations of thought." -The Congregationalist and Christian World "A deeply interesting theological book in the form of a story....Dr. Abbott contrives, with real dramatic ability, to make it appear natural that all his characters should be for the time being completely obsessed by their subject....The gist of its teaching...is summed up in the words of Clemens, 'It has been said that the religion of the Christians is a person - and nothing more. I should prefer to say the same thing differently. Our religion is a person - and nothing less.'" -The Spectator "The book is an able and delightful one. We know nothing so vivid and so good on Epictetus....The strength and the weakness of the character and system of that wonderful teacher are set forth with unrivaled power and with graphic simplicity. So also is the teaching of the New Testament in some of its aspects....We appreciate the scholarship, the literary art, the high character, and the reverence of the book." -Aberdeen Free Press "The form of fiction which Dr. Abbott employs undoubtedly adds a lively force of persuasion and reality to the highly critical and even technical arguments with which his study abounds....Valuable...as a contribution to the criticism of the doctrines and ethics of Stoic and Christian." -Outlook "No one with any sympathy for the subject will read this book without feeling its charm and appreciating its strong and fresh presentation not only for the spiritual teaching of Jesus, but of the doctrine of Epictetus." -Glasgow Herald "The impress of genius is everywhere manifest....A noble book, and one which we venture to think will afford relief to those who are staggered with the idea of the supernatural." -Baptist Times "An exceedingly interesting study of psychology illustrating the history of thought in the time of Jesus." -Birmingham Daily Post