EVANGELICALISM IN TRANSITION: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE WORK AND THEOLOGY OF D. L. MOODY AND HIS PROTEGES, HENRY DRUMMOND AND R. A. TORREY Mark J Toone EVANGELICALISM IN TRANSITION: A comparative analysis of the work and theology of D. L. MOODY and his protégés, HENRY DRUMMOND and R. A. TORREY ABSTRACT By the turn of the twentieth century, British and American evangelical Christianity was sharply divided over, among other things, the issues of biblical authority, the nature of the person and work of Christ and the validity of modern scientific thought. Dwight L. Moody, the major evangelical figure of the late nineteenth century, found himself in the centre of this controversy. As a man of conservative theology yet ecumenical spirit, both the Fundamentalists and the liberal evangelicals 'claimed' him for their cause. The tension which developed between these two sides is well illustrated in the lives and ministries of Moody's protégés, R. A. Torrey and Henry Drummond, who ended up on opposite sides of the modernist/Fundamentalist debate, one perpetuating Moody's theological beliefs and the other his broad, irenic spirit. Having examined the religious historical context in both Scotland and America, this study will consider Moody's development as an ecumenically minded evangelist. Furthermore, both in the Scottish and in the American settings, it will consider the work of Drummond and Torrey, examining Moody's influence upon them and tracing the development of each man's thought and career from the time of their early contacts with the great evangelist. It will explore the nature of the modernist/Fundamentalist controversy within late nineteenth century evangelicalism as illustrated in the lives of these three men: Moody the mentor-father figure and Torrey and Drummond as unlikely stepbrothers. In addition to the theological issues, it will be concerned to investigate the spirit in which this debate was carried on. Most importantly, it will argue that, contrary to the claims of Fundamentalists to the present day, their movement did not perpetuate the work of D. L. Moody because it lost the warm catholicity which was integral to Moody's ministry. Page 1 of 345 EVANGELICALISM IN TRANSITION: A comparative analysis of the work and theology of D. L. MOODY and his protégés, HENRY DRUMMOND and R. A. TORREY PREFACE I certify that Mark James Toone has fulfilled the conditions of the Resolution of the University Court, 1967, No. 1 (as amended), and is qualified to submit this thesis in application for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _______________________________ Signature of supervisor I was admitted as a research student under Ordinance 350 (General No. 12) on 1st October, 1985 and as a candidate for the degree of Ph.D under Resolution of the University Court, 1967, No. 1 (as amended) 8th October, 1986. The following thesis is based on the results of research carried out by myself, is my own composition, and has not previously been presented for a higher degree. The research was carried out in the University of St Andrews under the supervision of Dr. Lovegrove. ________________________________ Signature of candidate In submitting this thesis to the University of St Andrews I understand that I am giving permission for it to be made available for use in accordance with the regulations of the University Library for the time being in force, subject to any copyright vested in the work not being affected thereby. I also understand that the title and abstract will be published, and that a copy of the work may be made and supplied to any bona fide library or research worker. Page 2 of 345 EVANGELICALISM IN TRANSITION: A comparative analysis of the work and theology of D. L. MOODY and his protégés, HENRY DRUMMOND and R. A. TORREY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The opportunity to do research in Scotland is a long-standing dream which I never expected to realize. Many people have contributed to the successful completion of this project and to them I am deeply indebted. I was most fortunate to have been assigned a supervisor as conscientious as Dr. Deryck Lovegrove. His astute analysis of my work and laborious attention to detail were of immeasurable assistance. He wielded his editorial pen ruthlessly and painstakingly, for which I am grateful; his suggestions inevitably strengthened the study. Whatever merit this work possesses is due, in large measure, to his responsible oversight. Additionally, he and his family were friends to an innocent abroad; their support and encouragement went far beyond the call of duty. My research took me to the Scottish National Library, Edinburgh University, Haddo House in Aberdeenshire, Glasgow University, Oxford University, Princeton University, University of Maryland, Yale Divinity School, Library of Congress in Washington D. C., Harvard University and Fuller Theological Seminary. I found, almost without exception, the library staffs of these institutions to be extremely helpful. Special thanks are due to the staffs of St. Andrews University library and New College library, who were particularly accommodating. The courteous and capable assistance of Mr. Walter Osborne of Moody Bible Institute was invaluable. Two of Henry Drummond's descendants, Mr. H. J. H. Drummond and Mr. A. Irvine Robertson, kindly opened their homes and libraries to me during my research. Another Drummond relative, Mr. Kenneth Macrae, graciously allowed me to borrow Henry Drummond's study bible. To all three I express my appreciation. I doubt that there are two people living who are more devoted to the study and perpetuation of Henry Drummond's work than the Reverend and Mrs. Finlay J. Stewart. Their interest, encouragement, suggestions and friendship were most appreciated. Above all, I owe an inexpressible debt to my family. Their loving support and unfailing confidence carried me along during the times when I wavered. This is nothing new; they have undergirded all my endeavours with similar constancy. No one laboured more diligently in this cause than my mother, who invested hundreds of hours in proofreading and typing. Without her assistance the outcome of this project would have been questionable and to her I dedicate this dissertation. Page 3 of 345 EVANGELICALISM IN TRANSITION: A comparative analysis of the work and theology of D. L. MOODY and his protégés, HENRY DRUMMOND and R. A. TORREY ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................................. 1 PREFACE ..................................................................................................................................................... 2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 3 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 1. THE NINETEENTH CENTURY AMERICAN RELIGIOUS SETTING .................... 18 CHAPTER 2. D. L. MOODY: EVANGELICAL, ORTHODOX AND ECUMENICAL ....................... 39 CHAPTER 3. RELIGION IN VICTORIAN SCOTLAND ..................................................................... 58 CHAPTER 4. THE SCOTTISH MISSION OF MOODY AND SANKEY 1873-4 ............................ 91 CHAPTER 5. HENRY DRUMMOND: A PILGRIMAGE TO LIBERALISM .................................. 149 CHAPTER 6. R. A. TORREY: PATRIARCH OF FUNDAMENTALISM ........................................ 220 CHAPTER 7. MOODY, DRUMMOND AND TORREY: A COMPARISON ................................... 287 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................ 320 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................................................... 324 Page 4 of 345 EVANGELICALISM IN TRANSITION: A comparative analysis of the work and theology of D. L. MOODY and his protégés, HENRY DRUMMOND and R. A. TORREY INTRODUCTION The nineteenth century was a period of difficult transition for both British and American evangelical Christianity.1 An ever widening breach separated the traditionalists from the modernists2; several issues were at stake. For one, confidence in the bible as the verbally inspired, inerrant word of God was eroding. As one evangelist of the time put it: Thirty years ago pretty much everybody believed that the Bible was true. They did not attack it or question it. They believed that the Lord Jesus Christ by dying on the cross had done something for them, and that if they received him they would be saved. And my work was to bring them to a decision to do what they already knew they ought to do. But all is different now. The question mark is raised everywhere, and there is need for teachers who shall teach and show the people what the gospel is.3 The work of biblical critics such as Ferdinand C. Baur(b.1792) and Julius Wellhausen(b.1844) challenged traditional beliefs about the authorship, dating and unity of biblical material. Secondly, Darwinism and the resultant scientific inquiry cast increasing doubt on the reliability of the Genesis account of creation. And the proximity of these threats seemed to grow nearer as the century progressed. Names like Baur and Wellhausen and places like Tubingen and Marburg had seemed, to the English speaking world, rather remote, mysterious and, consequently, not very threatening. But when men with names like