Anglicanism and the Rise of
Deism
Precursors to Deism
Early Deists
Tenets of Deism
[Some] contend [that] some
mysteries may be, or at least seem to be, contrary to reason, and yet received
by faith. [Others contend] that no mystery is contrary to reason, but that all
are “above” it.
On the contrary, we hold that reason is the only foundation of all certitude,
and that nothing revealed, whether as to its manner or existence, is more
exempted from its disquisitions than the ordinary phenomena of nature.
Wherefore, we likewise maintain, according to the title of this discourse, that
there is nothing in the Gospel contrary to reason, nor above it; and that no
Christian doctrine can be properly called a mystery.
John Toland, Christianity not Mysterious
Jesus Christ wrote no
account of himself, of his birth, parentage, or anything else. Not a line of
what is called the New Testament is of his writing. The history of him is
altogether the work of other people; and as to the account given of his
resurrection and ascension, it was the necessary counterpart to the story of
his birth.
His historians, having brought him into the world in a supernatural manner,
were obliged to take him out again in the same manner, or the first part of the
story must have fallen to the ground. The wretched contrivance with which this
latter part is told, exceeds everything that went before it…
It is in vain to attempt to
palliate or disguise this matter. The
story, so far as relates to the supernatural part, has every mark of fraud and
imposition stamped upon the face of it…
That such a person as Jesus Christ existed, and that he was crucified, which
was the mode of execution at that day, are historical relations strictly within
the limits of probability. He preached most excellent morality, and the
equality of man.
Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason
Celebrant: Do you believe
in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his
only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
—Book of Common Prayer (1979), p. 304
Question: Do you turn to
Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer: I do.
Question: Do you put your whole trust in
his grace and love?
Answer: I do.
Question: Do you promise to follow and
obey him as your
Lord?
Answer: I do.
—Book of Common Prayer (1979), pp 302-303.
Joseph Butler (1692-1752)
Joseph Butler
Analogy of Religion (1736)
Some persons, upon pretence
of the sufficiency of the light of nature, avowedly reject all revelation…And
indeed it is certain, no revelation would have been given, had the light of
nature been sufficient…
It is impossible to say, who would have been able to have reasoned out that
whole system, which we call natural Religion, in its genuine simplicity, clear
of superstition…
Christianity is to be
considered…as containing an account of a dispensation of things, not at all
discoverable by reason…it contains also a revelation of a particular
dispensation of Providence, carrying on by his Son and Spirit, for the recovery
and salvation of mankind, who are represented in Scripture to be in a state of
ruin…
And in consequence of this
revelation being made, we are commanded to be baptized, not only in the name of
the Father, but also, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: and other obligations
of duty, unknown before, to the Son and Holy Ghost, are
revealed.
—Joseph Butler, Analogy of Religion
Classical Foundationalism
Deism’s Continuing
Influence
Discussion
Question:
In the 21st Century, how can Anglicans reconcile the claims of
Reason with their belief in the Revelation of God in Jesus Christ?