The Spread of ‘Believing Criticism’ in Scotland and Its Leading Proponents
Article Sidebar
Issue:
Published:
Apr 1, 2025Keywords:
William Robertson Smith, believing criticism, liberalism, Free Church of Scotland, Henry Drummond, William Robertson Nicoll, James HastingsMain Article Content
Abstract
The introduction of liberal theology came easily in the Free Church of Scotland in the 19th century. Because of the work of A. B. Davidson and William Robertson Smith it found ready acceptance by their students, especially those who had studied also in Germany. Two of her ministers, William Robertson Nicoll and James Hastings, were very influential through their literary and publishing activities. The conservative wing of the church had no one competent to lead an effective opposition, and by 1900, the supporters of ‘believing criticism’ held sway, changing the character of the church that had started out so strongly orthodox in 1843. Even the conservative Highlanders had no adequate response to the new theology.
Article Details
The Author/s grant/s to the Journal the rights to edit the Work and to reproduce and distribute the Work in the Journal, in reprints, as a contribution to a collection published by the Journal, and by means of an Internet or Intranet site over which the Journal exercises effective control, and also by means of third-party online legal information providers. The Author/s grant/s the above rights without claim of royalties or other compensation. The copyright in the Work shall remain with the Author/s and the copyright in the reproduction format shall remain with the Journal. Notwithstanding, the copyright notice in publication shall be stated as belonging to the Journal. The Author/s agree/s not to publish the Work elsewhere without the permission of the Journal for a period of five years commencing from the date of first publication by the Journal.