The Everlasting Man · Chapter
Prefatory Note explained
The author clarifies that the book is historical rather than theological, and does not directly address his personal religious change.
What happens
The author clarifies that the book is historical rather than theological, and does not directly address his personal religious change. He argues that the claim that Christ and Christianity are merely similar to other myths and religions is a stale formula contradicted by fact. He acknowledges his reliance on scholars and congratulates Mr. H. G. Wells on his work while noting their differences.
Themes in this chapter
Historical Continuity and Renewal
The author emphasizes the historical approach of the book, contrasting the continuity of Christianity with the stale formula that it is merely one myth among many.
Characters to notice
- Mr. H. G. Wells
The author congratulates Mr. Wells on his courage and constructive imagination, and notes their differing views on history.
Key passages
“This book needs a preliminary note that its scope be not misunderstood. The view suggested is historical rather than theological, and does not deal directly with a religious change which has been the chief event of my own life; and about which I am already writing a more purely controversial volume.”
The author clarifies that this book is historical, not theological, and does not directly address his personal religious conversion, which he is covering in another work.
Sets the scope and intent of the book.
“Much of it is devoted to many sorts of Pagans rather than any sort of Christians; and its thesis is that those who say that Christ stands side by side with similar myths, and his religion side by side with similar religions, are only repeating a very stale formula contradicted by a very striking fact.”
The book focuses on pagans rather than Christians, arguing that the claim that Christ and Christianity are just like other myths and religions is an outdated idea refuted by clear evidence.
States the central thesis of the book.