History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology

J >> John F. Hurst >> History of Rationalism Embracing a Survey of the Present State of Protestant Theology

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[TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: Greek words in this text have been
transliterated and placed between +marks+. A complete list of changes
follows the text.]

HISTORY

OF

RATIONALISM

EMBRACING

A SURVEY OF THE PRESENT STATE OF PROTESTANT
THEOLOGY.

BY JOHN F. HURST, D. D.

With Appendix of Literature.

THIRD EDITION, REVISED.

New York:
PUBLISHED BY CARLTON & PORTER,
200 MULBERRY-STREET.
1867.

Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1865, by
CHARLES SCRIBNER & CO.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Southern District of New York.

The Rationalists are like the spiders, they spin all out of
their own bowels. But give me a philosopher who, like the bee,
hath a middle faculty, gathering from abroad, but digesting
that which is gathered by its own virtue.--LORD BACON.

* * * * *

The Bible, I say the Bible only, is the religion of
Protestants.... There is no safe certaintie but of Scripture
only, for any considering man to build upon. This therefore,
and this only I have reason to beleeve; this I will professe;
according to this I will live, and for this I will not only
willingly, but even gladly loose my life, though I should be
sorry that Christians should take it from me. Propose me
anything out of this book, and require whether I believe it or
no, and secure it never so incomprehensible to humane reason,
I will subscribe it hand and heart, as knowing no
demonstration can be stronger than this, God hath said so,
therefore it is true. In other things I will take no man's
libertie of judgment from him; neither shall any man take mine
from me. I will think no man the worse man nor the worse
Christian. I will love no man the lesse for differing in
opinion with me. And what measure I meet to others I expect
from them againe. I am fully assured that God does not, and
therefore that men out not to require any more of any man,
than this: to believe the Scripture to be God's word, to
endeavor to finde the true sense of it, and to live according
to it.--CHILLINGWORTH.

* * * * *

Are those enthusiasts who profess to follow reason? Yes,
undoubtedly, if by reason they mean only conceits. Therefore
such persons are now commonly called _Reasonists_ or
_Rationalists_ to distinguish them from true reasoners or
rational inquirers.--WATERLAND.

PREFACE.

There were no prefatory remarks to the first and second editions of the
following work. It was thought, when the printer made his final call for
copy, that a preface might be written with more propriety if the public
should indicate sufficient interest in the book to make its improvement
and enlargement necessary. That interest, owing to the theme rather than
the treatment, has not been withheld. The investigation of the subject
was pursued in the midst of varied and pressing pastoral duties, with a
pleasure which no reader of the result of the labor can enjoy; for,
first, the author felt that Rationalism was soon to be the chief topic
of theological inquiry in the Anglo-Saxon lands; and, second, he
regarded the doubt, not less than the faith, of his fellow men as
entitled to far more respect and patient investigation than it had
usually received at the hands of orthodox inquirers.

The author would probably never have studied the genetic development of
Rationalism in Germany, and its varied forms in other countries, if he
had not been a personal witness to the ruin it had wrought in the land
of Luther, Spener, and Zinzendorf. In compliance with the instruction
of a trusted medical adviser, he sailed for Germany in the summer of
1856, as a final resort for relief from serious pulmonary disease. But,
through the mercy of God, he regained health so rapidly that he was
enabled to matriculate in the University of Halle in the following
autumn, and to be a daily attendant upon the lectures of such men as
Tholuck, Julius Mueller, Jacobi, and Roediger. From some theologians he
heard Rationalism defended with an energy worthy of Wolff and Semler;
from others with a devotion worthy of the beloved Neander. In the
railroad car, the stage, the counting-room, the workshop, the parlor,
and the peasant-hut, Rationalism was found still lingering with a
strong, though relaxing grasp. The evangelical churches were attended by
only a few listless hearers. His prayer to God was, "May the American
Church never be reduced to this sad fate." The history of that movement,
resulting in such actual disaster to some lands and threatened ruin to
others, took a deep hold upon his mind; and if he has failed in any
respect to trace it with an impartial pen, his hope is that his failure
will not cause any bright color of the truth to be obscured for a
moment. For no man and no cause can ultimately triumph by giving an
undue prominence to favorite party or principles; it is only by justice
to all that the truth can win its unfading laurels.

Criticism was to have been expected, from the very nature of the topic
of investigation. But the author has endeavored, as a student at the
feet of his judges, to derive the largest possible benefit from
criticism. No word of censure, however wide of the mark, has been
unwelcome to him, whether from the sceptical or orthodox press. To all
questioned passages he has given a careful re-examination, in some
instances finding cause for alteration, but in others seeing his ground
more strongly sustained than was at first imagined. He has, for example,
been informed by many esteemed persons that his representation of
Coleridge was hardly just; and, in obedience to that suggestion, he has
given that author's works a more careful study than ever, having
previously resolved to completely reverse his judgment of that profound
thinker's faith, if he found his own utterances would justify him in
that course. The result was, as far as he can now recall, that he could
alter but one adjective in the entire section relating to Coleridge. Of
course, the author finds no fault with those who differ from him on
Coleridge, or on any other writer who has come under treatment; but he
must be granted by others what he concedes to them. For the criticism,
as a whole, which he has received both through the press and private
sources, he owes a debt of gratitude which he cannot hope to pay. It
gives him profound pleasure to know, that the highest theological
journals in the United States which wage open war against orthodoxy,
have conceded, with marked unanimity, the general correctness of his
statements, though they naturally take issue with his conclusions.

Every effort has been bestowed on the present edition to make it as free
from blemishes as possible. The appendix of literature has been slightly
enlarged, many typographical errors--occurring in consequence of the too
rapid passage of the work through the press, and the abundance of words
of different languages with which the printer was not always well
acquainted--have disappeared; and, in many cases, the narrative has been
brought down to the present time. In the prosecution of revision, a
large number of the stereotype plates have been cancelled; and no labor
has been wanting to make this edition worthy of the goodwill expressed
toward the two editions which have preceded it.

Through a strange providence the author is now about to commence a term
of theological instruction in Germany, where Rationalism first excited
his attention, and where his apprehensions were first raised that Great
Britain and the United States might be seriously invaded by it. His
presence at its old hearthstone leads him to indulge the hope that, in
some future though distant day, if life be spared, he may be able to
enlarge this history greatly, and thus to render it better adapted to
its purpose, more approximative to his first ideal, and more
commensurate with the present universal interest in religious and
theological themes.

BREMEN, GERMANY, _November 5, 1866_.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION.
PAGE
Systematic History of Infidelity, 2-3
Best Method of refuting Rationalism, 3-4
Rationalism not an unmixed Evil, 4-6
Definitions of Rationalism:
Wegscheider, 8
Staeudlin, 11
Hahn, 12
Rose, 13
Bretschneider, 14
McCaul, 16
Saintes, 19
Lecky, 22
Classes of Rationalists, 24-26
Causes of the success of Rationalism, 26-32
Four Considerations in Reference to Rationalism, 32-35

CHAPTER I.

CONTROVERSIAL PERIOD SUCCEEDING THE REFORMATION.

Causes of the Controversial Spirit, 38
The Controversies described, 39, 40
George Calixtus, 40-45
Jacob Boehme, 46-49
John Arndt, 49-51
John Gerhard, 51-53
John Valentine Andreae, 53-55

CHAPTER II.

RELIGIOUS CONDITION OF THE PROTESTANT CHURCH AT THE
PEACE OF WESTPHALIA.

Description of the Thirty Years' War, 56-59
Religious Decline of the Church, 59-61
Neglect of Children, 62-65
Defects of Theological Literature, 66-68
Low State of Theological Instruction, 68, 69
Imperfect Preaching of the Time, 69-73
Immorality of the Clergy and Theological Professors, 73-77
Religious Indifference of the Upper Classes, 77-80

CHAPTER III.

PIETISM AND ITS MISSION.

Philosophy of the Period, 82
Improvement dependent on Individuals, 84, 85
What Pietism proposed to do, 85-88
Principles of Pietism, 88, 89
Philip Jacob Spener, the Founder of Pietism, 89-93
University of Halle, 93
Augustus Hermann Francke, 93-95
The Orphan House at Halle, 95-97
Influence of the University of Halle, 97, 98
Arnold and Thomasius, 98, 99
New Generation of Professors in Halle, 99, 100
Cause of the Decline of Pietism, 102

CHAPTER IV.

THE POPULAR PHILOSOPHY OF WOLFF.--SKEPTICAL TENDENCIES
FROM ABROAD.

Leibnitz, Founder of the Wolffian Philosophy, 103, 104
Wolff and the Popular Philosophy, 104-111
The School of Wolff, 111
Toellner, 112
English Deism in Germany, 113-117
English Deism in France 117, 118
Voltaire and Frederic the Great, 119-123
Frederic's Regret at Skepticism in Prussia, 123, 124

CHAPTER V.

SEMLER AND THE DESTRUCTIVE SCHOOL.--1750-1810.

Influence of Foreign Skepticism on the German Church, 125, 126
Semler and the Accommodation-Theory, 126-131
Semler's Private Life, 135-137
Influence of Semler's destructive Criticism, 137, 138
Edelmann, 138, 139
Bahrdt,--his Writings, and depraved Character, 139-143

CHAPTER VI.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY.

Prevalence of Semler's Opinions, 144, 145
Mental Activity of the Times, 145
Adherents to the Accommodation-Theory, 147, 148
Literary Agencies:
Nicolai's Universal German Library, 147, 148
Rationalistic Spirit in Berlin, 148
Wolfenbuettel Fragments, 149-156
Philosophical Agencies:
Kant and his System, 156-162
Service rendered by Kant, 162
Jacobi, 162, 163
Fichte, 163
Schelling, 164
Hegel, 164, 165
Grouping of the Philosophical Schools, 165-167

CHAPTER VII.

THE REIGN OF THE WEIMAR CIRCLE.--REVOLUTION IN EDUCATION
AND HYMNOLOGY.

Harmony of the prevalent philosophical Systems, 169
Karl August of Weimar and his literary Circle, 169-171
John Gottfried Herder, 171-179
Schiller, 179-182
Goethe, 182, 183
Deleterious Change in Education, 184
Basedow, and his Philanthropium, 184-187
Campe and Salzmann, 187, 188
Rationalistic Elementary Books, 189-193
Alteration of the German Hymns, 194, 195
Decline of Church Music, 195
Inability of Orthodox Theologians to resist
Rationalism, 195, 196

CHAPTER VIII.

DOCTRINES OF RATIONALISM IN THE DAY OF ITS STRENGTH.

Desolate Condition of the Church, 197, 198
Rationalism without a Common System, 198, 199
Opinions of the Rationalists:
Religion, 199
Existence of God, 199, 200
Doctrine of Inspiration, 200-202
Credibility of the Scriptures, 203-206
Fall of Man, 206, 207
Miracles, 207-211
Prophecy, 211-214
Person of Christ, 214-218

CHAPTER IX.

RENOVATION INAUGURATED BY SCHLEIERMACHER.

Protestant Germany at the Commencement of the Nineteenth
Century, 220-222
Fichte, and his Popular Appeal, 222-224
Schleiermacher, 224-229
The Romantic School, 230
Ecclesiastical Reconstruction inaugurated by Frederic
William III., 230, 231
The Union of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, 231, 232
Claus Harms--his 95 Theses, 232-236

CHAPTER X.

RELATIONS OF RATIONALISM AND SUPERNATURALISM.--1810-1835.

The Task before the New Church, 237
Rationalism strengthened by Roehr and Wegscheider, 238
The terms, Rationalism and Supernaturalism, 239
Tittmann, 239, 240
Tzschirner, 240
Schott, 241
Schleiermacher's _System of Doctrines_, 241-244
Effect of Schleiermacher's Teaching, 245, 246
De Wette, 246-249
Neander, 249-253
His personal Appearance, 253-254

CHAPTER XI.

THE REACTION PRODUCED BY STRAUSS' LIFE OF JESUS.--1835-1848.

Hyper-criticism of the Rationalists, 255, 256
Influence of Schleiermacher and Hegel, 256, 257
The threefold Division of the Hegelian School, 257, 258
David Frederic Strauss, and his _Life of Jesus_, 258-269
Replies to the _Life of Jesus_:
Harless, 271
Hoffman, 271
Neander, 272
Ullmann, 273
Schweizer, 273
Wilke, 273
Schaller, 273
Dorner, 273, 274
Literature occasioned by Strauss' _Life of Jesus_, 274, 275
Strauss' _New Life of Jesus for the People_, 275-278
The Tuebingen School, conducted by Ferdinand Christian
Baur, 278-280
The Influence of the French Revolution, 280, 281
Strauss' _System of Doctrine_, 281, 282
Feuerbach, 282
The Halle Year-Books, 282, 283
The "Friends of Light," 283, 284
The "Free Congregations," 284, 285
Rationalistic Leaders of the Revolution of 1848, 285, 286
Their Failure, and its Cause, 286, 287

CHAPTER XII.

THE EVANGELICAL SCHOOL: ITS OPINIONS AND PRESENT PROSPECTS.

The Mediation Theologians, or Evangelical School, grouped:
Ullmann, 288, 289
Dorner, 289-292
Tholuck, 292-295
Lange, 295, 296
Twesten, 297
Nitzsch, 297-299
Rothe, 299-303
Schenkel--his recent Adoption of Rationalism, 303-305
Hengstenberg, 305-307
Theological Journals, 307
Improved Theological Instruction, 307-310

CHAPTER XIII.

PRACTICAL MOVEMENTS INDICATING NEW LIFE.

Charities of German Protestantism, 311
Relation of Philanthropy to Religious Life, 312
John Falk, 312-316
Theodore Fliedner, 316-318
Evangelical Church Diet, 318-323
Immanuel Wichern, 324-329
Louis Harms, 329, 330
The Gustavus Adolphus Union, 330, 331

CHAPTER XIV.

HOLLAND: THEOLOGY AND RELIGION FROM THE SYNOD OF DORT
TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE PRESENT CENTURY.

Former Political Influence of Holland, 332, 333
Rise of Rationalism in Holland, 333
Influence of the Synod of Dort, 334
Corruption of Ethics, 335
Low state of Homiletic Literature, 335, 336
Cocceius, 336-339
Voetius, 339, 340
Controversy between the Cocceians and Voetians, 340-343
Favorable Influence of the Huguenot Immigrants, 343, 344
Popular Acquaintance with Theology, 345, 346
Bekker, 347, 348
Roell, 348, 349
Van Os, 349
Influence of English Deism, 350-353
Influence of French Skepticism, 353, 354
Napoleon Bonaparte's domination, 354, 355

CHAPTER XV.

HOLLAND CONTINUED: THE NEW THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS, AND THE
GREAT CONTROVERSY NOW PENDING BETWEEN ORTHODOXY
AND RATIONALISM.

The Political Subjugation of Holland, 356
Inactivity of Orthodoxy, 356, 357
Rupture produced by the New Hymn-Book, 357, 358
The Revival and the Secession:
Bilderdyk, Da Costa, Capadose, Groen Van
Prinsterer, 359-361
De Cock, the Leader of the Secession 362, 363
Failure of the Secession, 363, 364
The Groningen School: 364
Its Characteristic, 364
Hofstede de Groot, and Pareau, 365, 366
Doctrines of the Groningens, 366, 367
The School of Leyden: 367
Scholten, 368-371
The School of Empirical-Modern Theology:
Opzoomer, 371
Pierson, 371-374
Doctrines of this School, 374, 375
The Ethical Irenical School: 375
Chantepie de la Saussaye, 375-377
Van Oosterzee, 377-379
The Present Crisis and its Causes, 381-383
Increase of Evangelizing Agencies, 383-385

CHAPTER XVI.

FRANCE: RATIONALISM IN THE PROTESTANT CHURCH--THE
CRITICAL SCHOOL.

Present Activity of Religious Thought in France, 386, 387
Coldness of Orthodoxy at the Commencement of the
Nineteenth Century, 387, 388
Influence of Wesleyan Missionaries, 388, 389
Cartesianism and the Positive Philosophy, 390
Light French Literature, 391
The Critical School of Theology: 391-394
Reville, 394-396
Scherer, 396-400
Larroque, 400
Rougemont, 400, 401
Colani 401, 402
Pecaut, 402, 403
Grotz, 403
Renan, and his _Life of Jesus_, 403-406
A. Coquerel, jr., 406-409
Influence of French Skepticism upon the Young, 409, 410

CHAPTER XVII.

FRANCE CONTINUED: EVANGELICAL THEOLOGY OPPOSING RATIONALISM.

Agencies Opposing Rationalism, 411
De Pressense, 411-416
Guizot, 416-419
Success of the Evangelical School, 419-421
Improvement of the French Protestant Church, 422, 423
Charitable and Evangelizing Societies, 423, 424

CHAPTER XVIII.

SWITZERLAND: ORTHODOXY IN GENEVA, AND THE NEW SPECULATIVE
RATIONALISM IN ZUeRICH.

Prostration of the Swiss Church at the Commencement of
the Nineteenth Century, 425, 426
Neglect of Theological Instruction, 426, 427
The Theological Academy in Geneva, 428
The Evangelical Dissenting Church, 428
Gaussen, 428, 429
Vinet, 429
Present Religious Condition of Geneva, 429, 430
Lectures in the Genevan Theological Academy, 431, 432
Religious Declension of Zuerich, 432
Zuerich the Centre of Swiss Rationalism: 433-435
The Speculative Rationalism:
The Holy Scriptures, 435
Christ, 435-437
Sin, 438
Faith, 438, 439
German Switzerland influenced by German Theology, 439