Painted Windows: Studies in Religious Personality

"Painted Windows: Studies in Religious Personality" by Harold Begbie is a collection of detailed examinations of significant religious individuals in England during the early 1900s. Composed in that period, the book investigates the intricacies of Christianity and its prominent figures, carefully assessing how their individual characters and beliefs impact the religious views and moral standing of the Church in modern society. Opening with a foreword by Professor Kirsopp Lake, the book introduces an exploration of English religious figureheads. Early on, it highlights the diminishing power of the Church and contemplates how new ideas have tested long-standing Christian views, leading to a decline in respected leaders. Lake proposes that, while current religious leaders are genuine and dedicated, they struggle to communicate a comprehensive and convincing message to a society increasingly unmoved by traditional teachings. The beginning underscores the distinct contrast between past certainties and present uncertainties, pointing to a requirement for change within the Church that aligns with current ideas of thought and morality.