F. D. Maurice (1805-1872) was, and perhaps still is, recognised as the most important English theologian of his generation, with the exception of J. H. Newman who famously converted to Rome. But Maurice’s name is not much remembered now and his contribution to doctrine even less so. This is partly due to the opacity of his writings, partly to the absence of any complete and coherent theological system emerging from his pen and partly to the controversies he aroused. But he also aroused great fidelity among his followers, who admired his character even if not always understanding his teachings, and great respect among many who valued his political and economic commitments, if not his theology. And he did have theological insights to offer, even if not complete systems; they are now largely forgotten and some, if not all, deserve to be rescued and re-examined. And the offering most ignored, though perhaps the most valuable, was eschatological and concerned with the afterlife and particularly that part of it which occurs after individual physical death but before the general judgment at the second coming of Christ – a period sometimes known as ‘the intermediate state.’ Most of the reformed Christian churches had little to say about that period, rejecting the concept of purgatory which allowed the Roman Catholics to claim a much larger number of souls to be saved than the reformed churches could do. Maurice’s teaching offered an alternative, namely that the probation, on which humans are theologically placed during their physical lifetimes, continues after their deaths. That challenged the orthodoxy of his time, as it challenges ours now. This thesis will explore Maurice’s teaching and also his understanding of the revelation of Christ to human creatures, the value of other religions, the importance of human relationships and the proper and improper uses of scripture. Above all, it will stress Maurice’s understanding of the centrality of Christ in all things.
A MORE GENIAL PROPHET: THE DOCTRINAL LEGACY OF F. D. MAURICE
Norris, W. (Author). 1 Jun 2023
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy