Augustus Hopkins Strong and the Struggle to Reconcile Christian Theology with Modern Thought

Augustus Hopkins Strong worked to bring modernists and traditional Christians together but found the task more difficult than many imagined. He was a Baptist theologian who considered himself a defender of orthodoxy but also shifted his thinking in later editions of his Systematic Theology. Strong's journey had a significant impact on the direction of Rochester Theological Seminary.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 23 July 2021
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

In the late 19th century, Augustus Hopkins Strong embarked on a challenging mission: to bridge the gap between modernists and traditional Christians. However, the task proved to be more complex than many had anticipated. The publication of Darwin's Origin of Species in 1859 marked a significant turning point in Christianity, as it challenged the traditional understanding of the faith. The rise of Darwinism, coupled with the pervasive influence of German idealism, compelled many professing Christians to reevaluate their beliefs. Among those who faced the apparent conflicts between modern thought and traditional orthodoxy was Baptist theologian Augustus Hopkins Strong (1836-1921).

As the president and professor of systematic theology at Rochester Theological Seminary for forty years (1872-1912), Strong held a prominent position among the Northern Baptists. However, as author John Aloisi reveals in this insightful study, Strong remains a perplexing figure. Despite his self-proclaimed allegiance to orthodoxy, Strong oversaw a transition at the seminary towards a more modern and arguably less orthodox interpretation of the Christian faith. His Systematic Theology, which went through eight editions, reflected this shift in thinking. Strong grappled with the task of reconciling Christian theology with modern ideas while also addressing internal tensions within his own theology. He sought to unite modernists and traditional Christians around a concept he termed ethical monism, believing that it could provide a common ground for dialogue and understanding.

In the end, while Strong's journey suggested that the task was more difficult than many had imagined, his efforts had a profound impact on the direction of Rochester Theological Seminary. This book, freely available in digital formats, offers valuable insights into Strong's life and work, shedding light on his complex and multifaceted legacy.

Weight: 274g
Dimension: 153 x 228 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648250224