theologian and the historian, he sets up two new
heroes, Schopenhauer and Wagner.

IV.

We have said that Nietzsche's philosophy is strikingly simple. Its
whole kernel can be expressed in two words. He is a systematic pagan,
and he is an uncompromising aristocrat. As a pagan, he is a
consistent enemy of Christianity. As an aristocrat, he is a bitter
opponent of democracy. He proclaims that Anti-Christ has appeared in
his own person. He hails the advent of the Superman.

First, he is a pagan, a pagan of Greece, or, rather, a pagan of the
Renascence, and, as a pagan, he considers Christianity the real enemy.
Christianity denies life; Nietzsche asserts it. Christianity mainly
thinks of the future world; Nietzsche has his feet firmly planted on
Mother Earth. Christianity glorifies meekness and humility; Nietzsche
glorifies pride and self-assertion. Christianity defends the poor and
the weak; Nietzsche contends that the strong alone have a right to
live. Christianity blesses the peacemakers; Nietzsche extols the
warriors. Christianity is the religion of human suffering; Nietzsche
is a worshipper of life, and proclaims the joyful science, _die
froehliche Wissenschaft_, the _gaya scienza_.

It is impossible within the limits of a short article to discuss
Nietzsche's view of Christianity. We are concerned here not with
discussion, but with exposition. At an early opportunity we hope to
deal at some length in the columns of _Everyman_ with Nietzsche's
criticism of Christianity. For the present, let it be sufficient to
say that no theologian would be prepared to accept his interpretation
of the Christian religion. The everlasting conflict of spirit against
sense and brutal force, which is the essence of Christianity, is
hardly conducive to passivity. It is, on the contrary, a consistent
discipline in modern heroism. There is not much meekness about the
Jesuits or the warrior Popes. Nor is there much melancholy about St.
Francis of Assisi or St. Theresa. The only smiling countenance in a
hospital is the Sister of Mercy. The only active resisters under the
despotism of Henry VIII. were Sir Thomas More and a broken
octogenarian priest, Cardinal Fisher.

V.

The same fundamental instinct or principle, the same defiant optimism,
the same exultation in the pride of life, which makes Nietzsche into
an opponent of Christianity, also makes him into an opponent of
democracy. The same belief in force, in the will to power, whic