In reading this book it became obvious that most 19th century theologians like Strauss and Baur were influenced more by philosophy than by the Bible. The author of The Church in an Age of Revolution, Alec R. Vidler, a Church of England priest and Cambridge scholar, explains it this way. This book review was written by Hank Griffith of South Suburban Evangelical Free Church in Apple Valley, Minnesota.
Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England: Penguin Books, 1961
The 19th century and just before it, was a time of great revolution in Europe. Think politically – the French Revolution (1789). Think scientifically – Charles Darwin. Think philosophically – Immanuel Kant. Think theologically – Schleiermacher. Think biblical studies – Bauer and the Tubingen School. All of these revolutionary changes brought challenges to the Christian Church. It was a time of turmoil and adaptation for the Church. In fact, we are still dealing with the consequences of these changes even today in the early 21st century.
As a conservative evangelical, the battle against liberal theology, which entered the Church to a large extent during this period, is of great interest and concern to me personally. In reading this book it became obvious that most 19th century theologians like Strauss and Baur were influenced more by philosophy than by the Bible. The author of The Church in an Age of Revolution, Alec R. Vidler, a Church of England priest and Cambridge scholar, explains it this way
