Philosophical Idealism and Christian Belief

(Hardback)

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There is now renewed and growing interest in post-Hegelian idealism, which was in its heyday at the end of the nineteenth century. This book is concerned with the religious and socio-ethical aspects in the writings of selected idealists. It addresses the question: was post-Hegelian philosophical idealism, in its friendliest guise, more a help than a hindrance to the expression of Christian convictions and the articulation of Christian doctrines In pursuit of an answer, the author discusses the writings of seven British idealists who, if not in every case entirely doctrinally orthodox, were by no means unkindly disposed towards the Christian faith: T. H. Green, Edward Caird, J. R. Illingworth, Henry Jones, A. S. Pringle-Pattison, C. C. J. Webb, and A. E. Taylor. The book opens with an account of the formative intellectual influences upon the seven idealists and their consequent philosophical positions. There follows chapters on God, ethics and society, and Christian doctrine. The conclusion passes some positive and negative judgements upon post-Hegelian idealism in so far as it bears upon, or expresses, Christian belief.

Reviews

'A seminal study in British Idealism.' Reviews in Religion and Theology.

Author Bio

Alan. P. F. Sell is Professor of Christian Doctrine and Philosophy of Religion and Director of the Centre for the Study of British Christian Thought at the United Theological College, within the Aberystwyth and Lampeter School of Theology at the University of Wales.