Charles Fletcher Dole, Liberal Theology, and Reform: A Life Well Lived

Charles Fletcher Dole was a Unitarian minister who advocated for reforms such as temperance, women's suffrage, improved race relations, anti-imperialism, and pacifism, influenced by Darwinism and radical Unitarian theology. His radical theology was shaped by his socio-economic position.

Format: Hardback
Length: 330 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Charles Fletcher Dole, a prominent figure in the field of liberal theology and reform, lived a life marked by significant contributions to both religious and social causes. Born into an "ultra-orthodox" religious family, Dole struggled to reconcile his beliefs with the strict Calvinist theology of his relatives. While attending Harvard College, he was deeply influenced by the intellectual currents of Darwinism, which led him to explore the radical wing of Unitarian theology. As a minister in the Unitarian Church, Dole was deeply committed to promoting reforms that aligned with his parents' and other relatives' beliefs, including temperance, women's suffrage, improved race relations, anti-imperialism, and pacifism. This historical recovery and interpretation of Dole's life and theology argues that while his radical theology was the source of his civic engagement, his iteration of the social gospel was also shaped and delimited by the socio-economic position he occupied. Dole's commitment to social justice and reform was driven by a moral imperative that called upon the faithful of any religious tradition to live in ways that helped further the divine plan. His advocacy for temperance, women's suffrage, improved race relations, anti-imperialism, and pacifism reflected his belief in the importance of addressing social and economic inequalities and promoting a more just and equitable society. Dole's legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary discussions on religion, social justice, and reform, highlighting the enduring relevance of his ideas and the impact of his life's work.

Weight: 636g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666928709