The Bible Riots, the Church Question, and Evangelical Theology Alexander Campbell, Charles Hodge, and John Williamson Nevin on the True Church
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The Bible Riots, The Church Question, and Evangelical Theology Alexander Campbell, Charles Hodge, and John Williamson Nevin on the True Church by Lane Madison Scruggs A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Wycliffe College and the Graduate Centre for Theological Studies of the Toronto School of Theology. In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Theology awarded by Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto © Copyright by Lane Madison Scruggs 2018 The Bible Riots, The Church Question, and Evangelical Theology: Alexander Campbell, Charles Hodge, and John Williamson Nevin on the True Church Lane Madison Scruggs Doctor of Theology Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto 2018 Abstract This dissertation begins by examining the ecclesiology of three prominent theologians of the American antebellum period. Alexander Campbell, Charles Hodge, and John Williamson Nevin were all Scotch-Irish Presbyterians by birth who self-consciously moved in disparate theological directions over the course of the early 19th century. Tracing the diverging paths of these thinkers with regard to their understanding of the nature and organization of the Church, this work aims to show the ecclesiological diversity among antebellum evangelicalism and challenge some of the historiographical and theological assumptions of this period. From this inductive study, an ecclesiological typology is constructed through the use of Campbell, Hodge, and Nevin as prototypes of the individual ideal types. This typology is then brought into conversation with three contemporary examples of 21st-century evangelical theology, using the Missional Church movement, The Gospel Coalition, and the Federal Vision. This cross-century comparison is an attempt to test the thesis that contemporary evangelical ecclesiology – despite its repeated claims – is not doing anything new, but instead it finds itself inhabiting the same ecclesiological types evident in the antebellum period. This typological comparison brings to light a more nuanced and fulsome account of the breadth of evangelical ecclesiology and why it matters for contemporary evangelicals. ii Acknowledgements There has been numerous times over the past two years where the writing of this “Acknowledgement” section has motivated me a great deal to complete this dissertation. For the wisdom of my advisor, Ephraim Radner, I am deeply indebted. His academic insight has been matched only by his encouragement and pastoral care for myself and my family. Somehow he has managed to guide me in order to complete a dissertation that is actually more in my voice than it would have been without him. For the persistence of George Sumner, who made it possible for us to “cobble something together” to make the doctorate happen. To Joe Mangina, who was always far more of a mentor than simply a committee member. To Peter Robinson, David Demson, Marion Taylor, Chris Seitz, and Tim Connor and the rest of the Wycliffe College faculty and staff who have offered an undeserved level of encouragement and support. My time at Toronto School of Theology has been life changing and there are several people who have made a particular impact: Mark Toulouse (Emmanuel) who helped train me in the rigors of historical work; David Neelands (Trinity) who, despite his overloaded schedule always took time to visit; John Vissers (Knox) whose career and work I have greatly admired and I am honoured to have had on my committee; and Margaret O’Gara (St. Michaels) who taught me so much in so little time before she joined our Lord in eternity. To the others of my examination committee who were more than charitable in their final word: Michael Utzinger of Hampden-Sydney College and Mark McGowan of the U of T faculty of history: both historians who took it easy on a theologian posing as an historian. I also feel indebted to several doctoral students in the cohort before me who showed me what it takes to complete a doctorate: David Ney, Dane Neufeld, and James Pedlar. To Kelly Carter who persuaded me, not through mere rhetoric, but by his own example, that the church in Canada needs more pastor-scholars. iii To the seemingly indefatigable librarians in the interloan section of Robarts Library, I apologize for my incessant requests and scattered submissions. For those key people who made a memorable research trip a possibility – Robert Steffer, Ruth McLaughlin, and John Imbler, with financial support from the College of Churches of Christ in Canada, the Reid Trust, and a Ketcherside Scholarship from the Disciples of Christ Historical Society respectively. To those archivists who put up with my vague requests and overbearing needs: first and foremost, Shelley Jacobs of the DCHS who is a friend and a constant support; to the staff of the special collections archives at Princeton University and to Ken Henke and Joshua Wilder at PTS – the former for his hospitality in the seminary archives and the latter for sending scanned items from afar. To Meghan Phillips and the ERHS in Lancaster for help in searching through numerous boxes of Nevin-related material. And to Marion Taylor who lent her own files on Old Princeton from her groundbreaking dissertation not so long ago. Thanks to my editor, Rachel Lott, whose sharp eye and tireless attention to detail cleaned this work up considerably. To my family at Hillcrest Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) who sponsored my ordination and endowed me with worthwhile responsibilities. To my pastor, Fred Dizon, one of the good ones, and the friendship of our pastoral associate Ann Stainton. A special thanks to Robert Steffer for the personal care for my ministerial and academic formation. To my carrel partner, study buddy, back-up driver, and friend, Terry Spratt, who at least pretended to listen as I babbled away about my work and defended me when I was shushed in the library. And for the countless other family and friends who kept our family in prayer and offered encouragement that has kept us afloat. To Joan and Frieda (my mother-in-law and grandmother-in-law) who took up decoding and transcribing Hodge’s short-form handwritten notes – a task that saved me dozens of hours iv and numerous headaches and for which I simply was not smart enough to figure out on my own. To my father-in-law who has always claimed that no matter what I write, he will read it. To my sisters-and-brothers-in-laws, who have steadfastly served the young people of two churches while I have selfishly squirreled away in libraries – I have a deep appreciation for your ministries. To my parents, though they are still not quite over the shock of my decision to pursue a doctorate, have offered nothing but unconditional love and support. It is their ecclesial ministry of over 40 years that has shaped me far beyond anything else in this world. To Kelly, thank you for protecting your little brothers. To Ryan, thank you for teaching your little brother to risk. To Sarrah and Jani, for keeping them both in line while we’re separated across the country. To my children – Hudson, Cadence, and Elise. You have been a constant source of care in the midst of a long and sometimes gruelling process. Hudson, your work ethic inspires me. Cadence, your affection reminds me that people are more important than ideas. Elise, your seeming unending joy reorients me constantly. Finally, to you Chantelle, my friend, my helpmate, and my closest advisor. Your quiet determination is a part of your strength. May our adventure together continue to the next stage, hand-in-hand. This is for you. v Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 1: Section 1................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Without Note: The Role of Scripture Within the Bible Riots ................................................................................. 27 The One Best Book and the True Church ............................................................................................................... 31 Campbell: Pattern .............................................................................................................................................. 36 Hodge: Principle ................................................................................................................................................ 46 Nevin: Perichoresis ............................................................................................................................................ 59 Section 2................................................................................................................................................................... 78 Millennialism and the Bible Riots: Religious and Nationalistic ............................................................................. 78 The Millennial Preoccupation ................................................................................................................................. 82 Hodge: Spiritualized History and the Eschaton ................................................................................................. 88 Campbell: Evangelization and Social Amelioration .......................................................................................... 91 Nevin: Divine History and the Interimistic Church ..........................................................................................