[226] Hegel means not so much the history in which the whole totality of events is comprised as that aspect of human history which declares its universal significance as infinite spirit.
[227] That is, of self-consciousness in all that it implies—the personality of Christ, for example.
[228] Hegel does not further dwell upon this relativity. But the next paragraph explains what is really in his mind. The important question, however, how far such events are worthy of credence as objective history, to say nothing of the inadequacy of their artistic presentation, one cannot but feel is deliberately evaded. What Hegel would say no doubt was that the bare historical aspect was only of relative importance. The main question was their significance in the spiritual process. It is in this direction that much of our noblest modern thought finds a certain indissoluble unreality of statement.
[229] That is in Christ.
[230] Gleichkeit. Equality, reciprocity.
[231] We are reminded of our treasures in Christian art such as the Virgin and Child in Tintoret's "Flight into Egypt," Rafael's San, Sisto Madonna and the rest.
[232] In other words as regarded at a later date by the Church.
[233] This statement hardly does justice to the profound idealism of the epistles of St. Paul.
[234] Perhaps "the infinite form of subjectivity" is better. He means "the infinite form of individual self-consciousness."
[235] That is, characterized by personality.