In the following pages an attempt has been made to examine anew in the light of God’s Word, some of the profoundest questions which can engage the human mind. Others have grappled with these mighty problems in days gone by, and from their labors we are the gainers. While making no claim for originality, the writer, nevertheless, has endeavored to examine and deal with his subject from an entirely independent viewpoint. We have studied diligently the writings of such men as Augustine and Aquinas, Calvin and Melancthon, Jonathan Edwards and Ralph Erskine, Andrew Fuller and Robert Haldane. And sad it is to think that these eminent and honored names are almost entirely unknown to the present generation. Though, of course, we do not endorse all their conclusions, yet we gladly acknowledge our deep indebtedness to their works. We have purposely refrained from quoting freely from these deeply taught theologians, because we desired that the faith of our readers should stand not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. For this reason we have quoted freely from the Scriptures and have sought to furnish proof-texts for every statement we have advanced

Ao amin’ireo pejy manaraka dia nisy fanandramana natao handinihana indray amin’ny alalan’ny fahazavan’ny Tenin’Andriamanitra, ny sasany amin’ireo fanontaniana lalina indrindra izay mety hahasarika ny sain’olombelona. Ny sasany efa niady tamin'ireo olana goavana ireo tamin'ny andro lasa, ary avy amin'ny asany no nahazoantsika tombony. Na dia tsy nilaza aza ny maha izy azy, dia niezaka nandinika sy niatrika ny foto-keviny tamin'ny fomba fijery mahaleo tena tanteraka ny mpanoratra. Nazoto nianatra ny asa soratr’i Augustin sy Aquinas, Calvin sy Melancthon, Jonathan Edwards sy Ralph Erskine, Andrew Fuller ary Robert Haldane izahay. Ary mampalahelo ny mieritreritra fa saika tsy fantatry ny taranaka ankehitriny ireo anarana mihaja sy manan-kaja ireo. Na dia mazava ho azy aza fa tsy manohana ny fanatsoahan-keviny rehetra izahay, nefa faly izahay miaiky fa tena zakanay ny asany. Ninia tsy nanonona an-kalalahana avy amin’ireo teolojiana nampianarina lalina ireo izahay, satria naniry ny tsy hijoroan’ny finoan’ny mpamaky anay amin’ny fahendren’olombelona, ​​fa amin’ny herin’Andriamanitra. Noho izany antony izany dia naka teny maimaim-poana avy ao amin'ny Soratra Masina izahay ary nitady ny hanome andinin-teny porofo ho an'ny fanambarana rehetra narosonay.