DOCSLIB.ORG

The Plymouth Brethren of Whom I Am at the Time S Eakin M Obiserva P G, Y

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Plymouth Brethren of Whom I Am at the Time S Eakin M Obiserva P G, Y ' T H E PLYMOUTH BRETHREN THEIR HISTORY AND HERESIES . BY JAM ES GR AN T, AU H or u O U R HEAVEN LY HO M E ! “ RU HS FO R THE DAY or T OR , T T LIFE AN D THE HO U R or DEA H ! “ THE HIS Y or T , TOR ” THE N EW SPAPE P ESS 6m and EDI or R R , , TOR D THE CHRISTIAN STAN DAR . L O N D O N IN O H 24 PA ER N O S ER R O W . WILLIAM M AC T S , , T T P R E F A C E . THE bulk of this publication appeared some time a o in a w ork of mine in Tw o V olumes entitled g , , , The R eligious Tendencies of the Times . It attracted great and general attention when it a eared but the ric e— welve Shillin s—of the pp , p T g volumes revented man who w ere desirous of , p y reading the w ork from obtaini ng a perusal of its H n e a reat um er of a lications pages . e c g n b pp “ have been made to me to reprint the History an d r n With the Heresies of the Plymouth Breth e . urgent requests thus made I have at length c om lied makin man im ortant additions to the p , g y p matter of whi ch the publication originally con ‘ sisted. Having a profoun d persuasion that Ply mouth Brethrenism as tau ht and ractised b , g p y the Dar section of that o d is essentiall at by b y, y variance with the spirit and doctrines of the reli ion of Christ and that it is w orkin reat g , g g mi hi f wherever it has ot a footin I ho e sc e g g, p that by republishing what appeared in my eli ious enden ies of the Times with the R g T c , iv R EFACE P . n umerous additions I have made to it in this form and ein rou ht out at the rice of , b g b g p O ne Shillin reat ood to the cause of the tru h g, g g t as it is in Jesu will there e done I ha e s by b . v remark ed elsewhere but it ma be w ell to state , y the fact here that w herever no mention is made , by me of the party of the Plymouth Brethren of whom I am at the time s eakin m obiserva p g, y i l h D r t ons re ate to t at section of which M r. a by is the recogniz ed leader. JAM ES GR AN T . 35 Cornw all R oad W , , . tober 1 874 1 5th O c , . PLYM O U TH BR ETH R EN . CHAPTER FIR ST . THEIR O R IGIN AN D EAR LY HISTO R Y . THE zPlymouth Brethren are a sect of w hom we hear a d rea ea but of w m the u kn w but v r t . g t l , ho p blic o e y li tle Even er re us en m nat n s w ho m t be su oth ligio d o i io , igh p se to be w e ac u a nte w t e r r n t e r po d ll q i d i h th i o igi , h i m n s r t e r nu m ers t e r r na v ew s and e r i i t y, h i b , h i doct i l i , th i f rm O f ur vern men n ssess ver m e infor o ch ch go t, o ly po y li it d mation in regard to these and the other points on which t e ffer fr h y di om other religious bodi es . The m ut re ren so far as res e s se era of e r Ply o h B th , p ct v l th i tr n a v ew s ex s e for s me ears ef re e w ere doc i l i , i t d o y b o th y c a e i s n at name . e r r n n se se ll d by th Th i o igi , thi , took a e in relan and the me ma be u e s mew ere pl c I d, ti y q ot d o h etw een th d 1 8 4 The n erva e w een b e years 1 828 an 3 . i t l b t the first and last of these six years w as one o f great c o m m t n in the re us w r d a t u the mm t n o io ligio o l , l ho gh co o io w a bu I s t little observed beyon d the evangelical pale . t chi efly arose from the pulpit ministration s and publishe d w r s f E w ar rv n an d his ex u s n fr m o the R ev . o k d d I i g , p l io o ’ the S ur h R e ent s S u are f we his cotch Ch c , g q , ollo d by excommunication from the Church o f Scotlan d by the res ter o f n nan to w C ur and res er he P by y A , hich h ch P byt y e n H s x u n and ex mmun a n w ere b lo ged . i e p lsio co ic tio cause d by his hav ing introdu ced no t only a new style o f rea n bu t mu m r an new r na ma er. p chi g , ch i po t t doct i l tt ’ I am s ure I w ill receive the reader s permission if I pause here j ust for a single moment to say that it w as my M r n u n w . rv privilege to be person ally acq ai ted ith I i g, because it furni shes me w ith the opportunity o f remarking that I never met w i th a man w ith w hose thorough sincerity in all hi w m r m res se or o f w se s vi ew s I as o e deeply i p d, ho personal piety I had a more exalted opinion ; w hile with A 2 THE HISTOR Y AND HER ESIES O F re ar to his a earan e and manner in the ul t ave g d pp c p pi , I h never seen so remarkable a mingling o f maj esty w ith ‘ mo s as in him. Even at t s stan e o f time an de ty hi di c , I c _ a ne ear the nes o f his ma n fi en v e and see im gi I h to g i c t oic , is e oun enan e ra an w t w s m era h nobl c t c , di t i h hat ee ed lit lly fr m e ven en e w an x r f n e a light o h a , bl d d ith e p ession o be ol n e w no one who n e w ness u ver v e c , hich o c it ed it co ld e for et. Hhad em race M l n rianism w a a me e b d i l , hich t th t ti had f un its w a n but ver few ul ts e er i n the o d y i to y p pi , ith m o of Bu the s m f in ul Establish ent or ut it. t i ple fact o c a n the d r ne o f the ers n a re n Of C r t o n c ti g oct i p o l ig . h is f r a usan ears u not of tse f av ause earth o tho d y , wo ld i l h e c d ’ the excitement produced by M r . Irving s pulpit mi nistra u w r s The sens n w h r ate tions and p blished o k . atio hich e c e d ar se e fr m his w e n in a m s ever serm n o chi fly o d lli g , l o t y o , w all the ntense earnes n ess an d all the trans n en t ith i t , ce d uen e w hara ter e his rea n on his ew eloq c hich c c iz d p chi g, n ly a e e ef t a r s m me to our w an dopt d b li , h t Ch i t ight co orld y da and at an ur bu t w u mos er a nl me in y , y ho , o ld t c t i y co at enera n ere t a v s e n d m on eart ver th g tio , to c i ibl ki g o h , o w He H mse f w as to re n ers n hich i l ig p o ally .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Exclusive Brethren Separated from the Open Brethren in 1848 And
    The Exclusive Brethren separated from the Open Brethren in 1848 and follow a rigid code of practice that among other things restricts the contact their members can have with those outside their group. The Open Brethren believe that their individual churches should have freedom in their dealings with others. The two groups remain separate and do not hold joint events. There are about 6,000 Exclusive Brethren living in New Zealand at the moment, which is about three times their estimated numbers in 2006, although exact figures are not available. The majority of local Exclusive Brethren live in Wellington’s northern corridor. The Wellington Exclusive Brethren has a growing congregation of over 300 members, using temporary premises in Linden as their Church. The building fits the description of their typical church with its frosted windows, high security fence and no signage on the premises to identify it as a Brethren church. Exclusive Brethren children attend Plymouth Brethren Christian Westmount schools. The local Johnsonville School (Decile 8) has about 100 students from Year 3 to 13. Education is conducted as per the New Zealand curriculum. Their schools get very good reports. Parents take a very active interest in the education of their children showing that they are like all parents who consider the education of their children as being very important. The Exclusive Brethren treat girls and boys equally at their schools. They “focus on recruiting and retaining quality teachers and offer an attractive package with competitive remuneration, good student discipline, proven academic performance and small class sizes” (www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org/ ).
    [Show full text]
  • 'Exclusive' Brethren: an Educational Dilemma
    'Exclusive' Brethren: an educational dilemma 19901 Dr. Stephen Bigger University of Worcester Journal of Beliefs and Values, 1990: 11/1, pp.13-15; additional material © Stephen Bigger 2007. Preface (2007) This paper had its origin in discussions with a group of Exclusive pupils and their parents in the comprehensive school at which my wife, Jean Bigger, was Deputy Head. This was the time when the National Curriculum was being developed, and guidance documentation was appearing thick and fast. The Exclusive parents were suddenly presented with a problem. I had some vague inkling of what this problem entailed from my own upbringing (which had been very negative to Exclusives) but set up some interviews in two Exclusive communities, Oxford and Swindon. The word ‘community’ is a pertinent one: because of teachings outlined below, Exclusives need to live and work closely together: their rules do not allow association with others, even for eating, so young Exclusives tend to be employed by Exclusive firms. There are several such firms in Oxford, and one in my own village in Swindon. Marriages interlink these communities. The biblical requirement for women to cover their hair when praying is applied to all aspects of the day since the whole of life should be prayerful. So Exclusive girls and women wear a simple headscarf. Education up to 18 is encouraged and valued so long as the content is not corrupt (for example sexually explicit). The media, and expecially television, is regarded as potentially corrupting so parents ask for their children to be excused from lessons involving video (although to listen but not watch is considered acceptable).
    [Show full text]
  • Thesis Hum 2002 Jansen Al.Pdf
    The copyright of this thesis vests in the author. No quotation from it or information derived from it is to be published without full acknowledgementTown of the source. The thesis is to be used for private study or non- commercial research purposes only. Cape Published by the University ofof Cape Town (UCT) in terms of the non-exclusive license granted to UCT by the author. University 11 The Influence of Fundamentalism on Evangelicalism in South Africa with Special Reference to the Role of Plymouth Brethrenism amongst The Cape Coloured Population Town Cape By Alan Lance Jansen of Thesis Presented for the Degree of UniversityDoctor of Philosophy in the Department of Religious Studies Faculty of Humanities University of Cape Town APRIL, 2002 Abstract This dissertation is a study of Christian fundamentalism in South Africa looking at its character, history, major influences, development, resilience and resurgence. The study focuses on the Plymouth Brethren who thrived among the coloured communities of the Cape in the early decades of the twentieth century. The Brethren provide more than a useful case study on a subject which is complex and multi­ faceted, because their influence has been significant in the rise of fundamentalism in this country as has been the case in North America and Europe. This influence arises from their distinctives: dispensationalist millenarianism, literalist hermeneutics, ecclesiastical separatism, and their lay- based governance structure. Part One commences with a brief overview, in chapter one, of the character of fundamentalism showing that it has distinguishable features Townvis a vis evangelicalism. The second chapter shows that fundamentalism, influenced by millenarianism, found a ready breeding ground in the deprivation and marginalistion experienced by the disenfranchised coloured community at the Cape.Cape Fundamentalism especially as expressed by the Brethren offered certainty in the face of chaos, hope of a bright, eternal future, and empowerment throughof the non-hierarchical leadership structures.
    [Show full text]
  • Who Are the Brethren? File:///C:/Users/John 2/Desktop/John's Files/Writings/Who Are the Brethr
    Who are the Brethren? file:///C:/Users/John_2/Desktop/John's files/writings/Who are the Brethr... Who are the Brethren? exploring their origins and history, beliefs and practices, present condition and future prospects, lessons to learn and conclusions to draw Introduction Perceptions Origins Influences Developments Division Closed and Open Brethren Survey of the Closed Brethren Survey of the Open Brethren Open Brethren worldwide expansion Cohesiveness of the Open Brethren Open Brethren practices Open Brethren doctrines Today’s Open Brethren - the UK Today’s Open Brethren - worldwide What of the future? Concluding remarks More information Bibliography And finally on a personal note Introduction What follows is an account of a group of Christian believers who have often been referred to as the “Plymouth Brethren” (PB), from which two distinct, separate branches have arisen: “Open” (OB or “Christian”) and “Closed” (or “Exclusive” (EB or XB)). Although there have been many groups, down the ages, who have been called “Brethren” or have practised PB principles (some argue, including the early church), these do not fall under the PB banner and will be discussed only in passing. Both PB strands will be considered, although concentrating on the Open, nowadays much the bigger of the two groups (although not when the division occurred). The term “Brethren” will be used as it conveniently identifies our subjects, just as one would need to do so in order to satisfy officialdom (for example, those signing up to serve in His or Her Majesty’s Armed Forces might have had Plymouth Brethren stamped over their papers, under the heading of religion), although many members, maybe most, would prefer not to be so labelled.
    [Show full text]
  • Brethren Attitudes to Authority and Government
    BRETHREN ATTITUDES TO AUTHORITY AND GOVERNMENT WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO PACIFISM BRETHREN ATTITUDES TO AUTHORITY AND GOVERNMENT WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO PACIFISM ELISABETH KAY WILSON B.A. (HONS.), DIP. ED., A. MUS. A. DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA NOVEMBER 1994 2 This thesis contains no material which has been accepted for the award of any higher degree or graduate diploma in any tertiary institution and to the best of my knowledge and belief it contains no material previously published or written by another person, except when due reference has been made in the text of the thesis. Signed______________________________________Date___________ ELISABETH KAY WILSON CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 5 ABBREVIATIONS 7 INTRODUCTION 8 Chapter 1 BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE BRETHREN: HISTORY AND 11 PRINCIPLES Chapter 2 BRETHREN AND THE STATE 16 (i) Brethren relations with the state (including voting) 16 (ii) Brethren writing on the state 22 (iii) Brethren writing on war 30 (iv) Links with the Anabaptist tradition 43 Chapter 3 WORLD WAR I 45 (i) Conscientious Objection 45 (ii) Brethren responses to World War I 50 Chapter 4 WORLD WAR II 59 (i) Conscientious Objection 59 (ii) Brethren responses to World War II 62 (iii) Reasons for responses 77 (iv) The situation in Germany 81 Chapter 5 THE POST WAR PERIOD 83 CONCLUSIONS 86 APPENDICES A Darby's letter of 1870 89 B Brethren and trade unions 91 C List of respondents, informants, etc. 95 D Examples of Camp Christian Fellowship Work Circulars 99 E Sample letter and Questionnaire 103 F Other books and tracts on this topic 106 G Respondents and voting 108 BIBLIOGRAPHY 110 4 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the help of many people around the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Living Our Beliefs
    Living our beliefs The lives of the Plymouth Brethren in a modern world Foreword Eternal Salvation Welcome to an official publication of the Every soul needs salvation from God’s Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, who judgement that is to come, for all people are also known as Exclusive Brethren, have sinned. Salvation is in the Lord Jesus Plymouth Brethren IV or sometimes Christ who can save from both the guilt simply Brethren. and the power of sin. This booklet seeks to provide a straightforward account We believe that all who call on His name confessing of Plymouth Brethren beliefs, and the way their sins, and who have faith in His blood, of life Church members lead to honour these beliefs. are saved eternally. The Brethren are peaceful, respectful, contributing God gave His Son to die for us. Jesus became the citizens, and are good family people that hold the Substitute for every offence and for everything in same faith as every true Christian. the sinner that is offensive to God. On this basis, He is able to grant repentance, forgiveness and eternal John Nelson Darby broke with the established life to sinners who believe on Him and He gives the church in 1827 to hold the Lord’s Supper in Dublin. Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. For a sinner saved Shortly after, around 1830, he came to Plymouth by grace and who loves the Saviour, the main objective where the congregation grew rapidly. This large in life is to be a witness for Christ and to fulfil the duty non-denominational Christian congregation hosted to serve Him here in a world that crucified Him.
    [Show full text]
  • The Brethren Movement in the World Today
    THE BRETHREN MOVEMENT IN THE WORLD TODAY THE CHRISTIAN BRETHREN RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP CONTENTS Preface Feature Essay: "THE BRETHREN MOVEMENT IN THE WORLD T()'DAY" By Donald Tinder 5 Book Editor Christianity Today Responses to Paper by Tinder 17 Some Inadequacies of Present-day Brethren (lames Berney) A Missionary Point of View (Leroy Birney) Gifts Given to the Churches (Nick Britton) Second Thoughts on the Comprehensivist Church (F. Roy Coad) Inescapable Problems (H. L. Ellison) The Diminution of the Authority of Scripture (Bill Mitchell) A Pardonable but Unwarranted Idealism (fanS. Rennie) Unity on the Basis of the Common Life in Christ (Harold H. Rowdon) A Good Street to Pass Through (J. Ernes! Runions) Christian Churches Instead of Brethren Assemblies (Timothy Stunt) To Listen and Obey, Not to Pronounce Judgment (Donald M. Taylor) Unity of the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church (Wafter R. Thorson) The Need to be Right (Glenn Wyper) Plymouth Brethren (Christian Brethren) 42 By Arthur C. Piepkorn Professor of Systematic Theology Concorrlia Theological Seminary Copyright © September 1973 The Christian Brethren Research Fellowship PREFACE The feature essay of the present issue of the Journal originated as a lecture given by Dr. Donald Turner, Book Editor of Christianity Today, at Granville Chapel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Because of the widespread interest shown among the local Brethren assemblies at the time and the subsequent interest on the part of many others,* it was thought that Dr. Tinder's paper should be given a wider circulation and that it might provide an excellent occasion for dialogue among a wide vari­ ety of people either associated with the Brethren or who have a special interest in the Movement.
    [Show full text]
  • BR-BX Outline
    OUTLINE BR1-1725 Christianity BR60-67 Early Christian literature. Fathers of the Church, etc. BR115 Christianity in relation to special subjects BR130-133.5 Christian antiquities. Archaeology. Museums BR140-1510 History BR160-481 By period BR160-275 Early and medieval BR280 Renaissance. Renaissance and Reformation BR290-481 Modern period BR323.5-334.2 Luther, Martin BR500-1510 By region or country BR1600-1609 Persecution. Martyrs BR1609.5 Dissent BR1610 Tolerance and toleration BR1615-1617 Liberalism BR1620 Sacrilege (History) BR1690-1725 Biography BS1-2970 The Bible BS11-115 Early versions BS125-355 Modern texts and versions BS125-198 English BS199-313 Other European languages BS315-355 Non-European languages BS315 Asian languages BS325 African languages BS335 Languages of Oceania and Australasia BS345 American Indian languages BS350 Mixed languages BS355 Artificial languages BS410-680 Works about the Bible BS500-534.8 Criticism and interpretation BS535-537 The Bible as literature BS546-558 Bible stories. Paraphrases of Bible stories. The Bible story BS569-580 Men, women, and children of the Bible BS580 Individual Old Testament characters BS585-613 Study and teaching BS647-649 Prophecy BS650-667 Bible and science BS670-672 Bible and social sciences BS701-1830 Old Testament BS705-815 Early versions vii OUTLINE The Bible Old Testament - Continued BS825-1013 Modern texts and versions BS1091-1099 Selections. Quotations BS1110-1199 Works about the Old Testament BS1160-1191.5 Criticism and interpretation BS1200-1830 Special parts of the Old Testament BS1901-2970 New Testament BS1937-2020 Early texts and versions BS2025-2213 Modern texts and versions BS2260-2269 Selections. Quotations BS2280-2545 Works about the New Testament BS2350-2393 Criticism and interpretation BS2415-2417 The teachings of Jesus BS2430-2520 Men, women, and children of the New Testament BS2525-2544 Study and teaching BS2547-2970 Special parts of the New Testament BS2640-2765.6 Epistles of Paul BT10-1480 Doctrinal Theology BT19-37 Doctrine and dogma BT93-93.6 Judaism BT95-97.2 Divine law.
    [Show full text]
  • Theology and Religion
    RELIGION RELIGION RELIGION 1.01 Religion in general: Series 1.1 General works 1.2 Dictionaries. Encyclopaedias 1.3 Philosophy, psychology and sociology of religion Religious experience. See also 43.4, 43.6, and 55.9 1.5 Comparative religion: Religions of the world. Primitive religions 1.7 Natural theology: Theism. Nature and attributes of Deity. Providence 1.8 Religion and Science. See also 37.4, 43.6, and 379.4 HISTORY AND PRINCIPLES OF RELIGIONS See also Anthropology and Mythology, 464 2.01 Series 2.1 Oriental religions: general works 2.2 Indian religions: general works 2.3 Hinduism. Brahmanism: Sacred Books (Western translations) 2.33 History and treatises (incl. Yoga. Tantra) 2.35 Vaishnavism and other sects (Aryasamaj. Brahmasamaj) 2.5 Buddhism: sacred books (Western translations) 2.55 History and treatises 2.7 Jainism: sacred books (Western translations) 2.75 History and treatises 2.8 Sikhism: Sacred books (Western translations) 2.82 History and treatises 3.1 Zoroastrianism. Parseeism. Mazdeism. For Manichaeism see 51.45 Sacred books (Western translations) 3.3 History and treatises 3.5 Mithraism 3.7 Semitic religions. For Judaism, see 7-10; for Islam, see 13-14 4.1 China: religions, general. For Buddhism, see 2.5 4.2 Confucius and Confucianism 4.3 Lao-Tze and Taoism 4.4 Other religions 4.5 Japan: religions, general. For Buddhism, see 2.5 4.6 Shinto 4.7 Other Asiatic religions 5.1 Africa: native African religions For Ancient Egypt, see 512; for the Coptic church, see 66.1; for Islam, see 13-14 JUDAISM JUDAISM 5.4 America: North America: native religions 5.5 Central American: native religions (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • On Being Charismatic Brethren: Roots and Shoots of Pentecostal Evangelicalism in Tanzania
    ON BEING CHARISMATIC BRETHREN: ROOTS AND SHOOTS OF PENTECOSTAL EVANGELICALISM IN TANZANIA by ALLAN SMITH McKINNON A thesis submitted to the University of Birmingham for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies Department of Theology and Religion University of Birmingham December 2017 University of Birmingham Research Archive e-theses repository This unpublished thesis/dissertation is copyright of the author and/or third parties. The intellectual property rights of the author or third parties in respect of this work are as defined by The Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 or as modified by any successor legislation. Any use made of information contained in this thesis/dissertation must be in accordance with that legislation and must be properly acknowledged. Further distribution or reproduction in any format is prohibited without the permission of the copyright holder. ABSTRACT Pentecostal and charismatic expressions of Christian faith among Christian Brethren churches of northern Tanzania are the focus of this study. By tracing the historical developments of the Open Brethren and Pentecostal Movements, the work highlights similarities and distinctives which continue in the present to shape a new rising African Christianity that has been defined as ‘pentecostal evangelicalism’. Historical origins in mission endeavour shed light on the indigenous development of these Charismatic Brethren and Pentecostal Evangelicals. This new expression of faith is shown to be well adjusted to an African religious and cultural milieu in the given Tanzanian context. It is not denominationally situated but rather bears the marks of revivalist movements. The study incorporates an analysis of opinions expressed by Tanzanians through use of a Q Method survey and thereby attempts to define ‘pentecostal evangelicalism’.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of the Plymouth Brethren
    A HISTORY OF THE PLYMOUTH BRETHREN BY WILLIAM BLAIR NEATBY, M.A. (first published 1901) CONTENTS Preface ...................................................................................................................................... 2 I The Beginnings Of Brethrenism—The Dublin Movement ............................................ 4 II Causes And Conditions ................................................................................................ 16 III The Expansion Of Brethrenism—The Movement In England..................................... 25 IV The Expansion Of Brethrenism—Groves In The East ................................................. 36 V The Expansion Of Brethrenism—Darby In Vaud—Müller At Stuttgart ..................... 41 VI The Strife At Pymouth In 1845 .................................................................................... 53 VII The Doctrinal Controversy At Plymouth...................................................................... 66 VIII The Strife At Bristol In 1848........................................................................................ 79 IX The Epoch Of Exclusivism—The Supremacy Of Darby ............................................. 91 X High Church Claims Of Darbyism—The Walworth-Sheffield Discipline .................. 99 XI The Theological Position Of Brethrenism.................................................................. 112 XII Darby’s Strange Corrective To Newtonianism-The Secession Of 1866.................... 117 XIII Life Among The Brethren .........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 'Outside the Camp': Brethren Spirituality and Wider
    BAHNR 2:17-33 ‘OUTSIDE THE CAMP’: BRETHREN SPIRITUALITY AND WIDER EVANGELICALISM IN THE 1920s Ian Randall The spirituality of the Brethren has often been affected by developments within the wider Christian community and has itself influenced such developments. In the 1830s the emergent Brethren movement owed much to leaders who left the Church of England. Links existed between seceders of differing theological hues in the first half of the nineteenth century.1 J. N. Darby, a former Anglican clergyman, was shaped by his original Calvinistic theological milieu and claimed to have been the means of the conversion of a high Calvinist seceder, J. C. Philpot, who became an erudite spokesman for Strict Baptist ecclesiology.2 Edward lrving’s views about eschatology and the gifts of the Spirit were also part of this mosaic. In the 1830s and 1840s H. B. Bulteel (who, until the Bishop of Oxford removed him, was at St Ebbe’s, Oxford) was associated in turn with high Calvinists, the Irvingite connection and Brethren.3 These separatist groups were also wracked by their own internal tensions. The 1840s saw Darby denouncing certain Brethren leaders over alleged Christological deviations, the upshot being the Exclusive and Open division.4 In 1859-60 a similar split took place among Strict Baptists.5 The Brethren mirrored larger patterns within nineteenth- century evangelicalism. In this century, especially in the years after the First World War, the story was a similar one. Brethren found their experiences inextricably entwined with those of other movements shaping evangelicalism.6 It was a period when the Brethren were growing.
    [Show full text]