The Age of Reason · Chapter
XI: Of the Theology of the Christians; and the True Theology explained
Paine contrasts Christian theology, which he calls a species of atheism centered on man rather than God, with true theology derived from the study of nature and science.
What happens
Paine contrasts Christian theology, which he calls a species of atheism centered on man rather than God, with true theology derived from the study of nature and science. He argues that the Christian system obscures reason and replaces the study of God's works with human opinions. Paine emphasizes that scientific principles are eternal and divine, not human inventions, and that the structure of the universe teaches man science and the arts, inviting him to study and imitation.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Organized Religion
Paine condemns the Christian system as a fraud that abandons true theology for superstition.
Deism and Natural Theology
Paine advocates for studying the works of creation as the true theology, emphasizing the divine origin of scientific principles.
Reason vs. Revelation
Paine argues that Christian theology puts reason into shade, while true theology is based on reason and observation of the universe.
Characters to notice
- Thomas Paine
Author and speaker; presents his critique of Christian theology and his deist alternative.
Key passages
“As to the Christian system of faith, it appears to me as a species of atheism; a sort of religious denial of God.”
Paine claims that Christianity is essentially atheistic because it denies God by focusing on a human redeemer.
Paine's central accusation against Christian theology.
“It is the study of the works of God, and of the power and wisdom of God in his works, and is the true theology.”
True theology is the study of God's creation, not human writings about God.
Paine defines his deist theology.
“Man cannot make principles, he can only discover them.”
Scientific principles are eternal and discovered by humans, not invented.
Paine argues for the divine origin of scientific laws.