Conclusion

In order to gain a solid foundation for the argument demonstrating the divine origin of the Christian religion, we had first to examine the nature of religion as such. We have seen that religion, defined as reverent consecration to God, or complete submission to His will as that of the supreme Lord and Ruler of the universe, is essential for the perfection of man. Human nature contains all the faculties and powers necessary for an active religious life. Religion is a historical phenomenon of such universality that we must regard it as a strong confirmation of a need existing deep down in every human heart.

These are the preliminary conditions on the part of man for the reception of a supernatural revelation. Natural religion, in other words, imposes on man the obligation of submitting himself unreservedly to God. This circumstance favors the acceptance of a supernatural religion when it pleases God to reveal Himself. As soon as man recognizes with sufficient certainty that a supernatural revelation has been made, he is bound to accept it at the peril of his soul’s salvation.

The original purity of Monotheistic religion was greatly obscured by the aberrations of Paganism, but this sad consequence of human weakness makes a supernaturally revealed religion all the more desirable. For the supernatural aid granted to man by God furnishes a certain guaranty that humanity, when put back upon the right way, will more clearly perceive its supernatural goal and use with greater zeal the means of reaching it.

Thus we find in the universality of natural religion the foundation of supernatural religion, and the almost equally universal aberrations of Paganism in the hands of Providence become efficacious means of rendering the free will of man more favorable to the reception of a supernatural revelation.

In the second volume of this work we will show that humanity actually received from God a supernatural revelation, together with certain moral precepts which must be embraced and followed by all who wish to save their souls.