Theology Thursday: The future of liberalism

Whilst we might instinctively feel we know the answers to such questions it is highly insightful to see if history corresponds to theory. And it does!

In this highly interesting and informative article, Barry Shucksmith traces the historical development of Liberalism in the Church and the decline of Church life that resulted from it alongside the story of Victorian Evangelicalism with a particular focus on the 1857-1860 revival in Great Britain.

Shucksmith traces the growth the development of Liberalism in its rationalistic and romantic laissez-faire forms reciting the story from Schleiermacher, to Strauss, to Wellhausen and Ritschl. He then looks at the accompanying down-grade controversies in the Free-Churches and the Anglican Church and the failed attempts of Gore and the Lux Mundi writers to respond to the secularisation of the Church.

Following this, Shucksmith traces the history of the Victorian missionary movements and their connection to Evangelicalism, how such movements lead to the translation of the scriptures, the conversion of people all over the world and great acts of social good being done throughout Britain and the world.

However this piece is more than just a history tour, though valuable in itself; it is also a great encouragement and stimulus to faithful gospel ministry and prayer that the God who intervened against a secular age in the 1800s might do it again. Why not take a few minutes to read this educational and heart-warming piece?

Shucksmith, Barry. “Nineteenth Century Liberalism and the Modern Missionary Movement.” Churchman 107, no. 3 (1993): 197–214.