Thomas Erskine of Linlathen : his life and theology, 1788-1837
Thomas Erskine of Linlathen (1788 - 1870) was an outstanding Scottish lay theologian who combined the roles of leisurely laird and theological author and correspondent. He was brought up as an Episcopalian, but in adult life his connections were mainly with the Church of Scotland and Scottish Congregationalism. Theologically, Erskine travelled from an initial moderate Calvinism of the ~moral government~ variety, through Irvingism, to a final, though far from easy-going, Universalism. His first book, Remarks on the Internal Evidence for the Truth of Revealed Religion (1820), argued that Christianity's truth was demonstrated by its correspondence with man's moral and spiritual needs. It was well received by the orthodox world. His Unconditional Freeness of the Gospel (1828), however, provoked a storm of criticism for its advocacy of a doctrine of universal atonement and pardon. In 1828 Erskine met John McLeod Campbell of Row, and enthusiastically supported him during his trial and deposition from the Church of Scotland. Erskine himself became the principal target of orthodox criticism during the ~Row controversy~ of 1828 - 31. He and Campbell became lifelong friends. Campbell's mature Christology is seminally
Needham, Nicholas R.
Theology of Thomas Erskine
Thomas Erskine of Linlathen : his life and theology, 1788-1837. Thomas Erskine of Linlathen (1788 - 1870) was an outstanding Scottish lay theologian who combined the roles of leisurely laird and theological author and correspondent. He was brought up as an Episcopalian, but in adult life his connections were mainly with the Church of Scotland and Scottish Congregationalism. Theologically, Erskine travelled from an initial moderate Calvinism of the ~moral government~ variety, through Irvingism, to a final, though far from easy-going, Universalism. His first book, Remarks on the Internal Evidence for the Truth of Revealed Religion (1820), argued that Christianity's truth was demonstrated by its correspondence with man's moral and spiritual needs. It was well received by the orthodox world. His Unconditional Freeness of the Gospel (1828), however, provoked a storm of criticism for its advocacy of a doctrine of universal atonement and pardon. In 1828 Erskine met John McLeod Campbell of Row, and enthusiastically supported him during his trial and deposition from the Church of Scotland. Erskine himself became the principal target of orthodox criticism during the ~Row controversy~ of 1828 - 31. He and Campbell became lifelong friends. Campbell's mature Christology is seminally
thomas life theology thomas outstanding scottish lay theologian combine role laird theological author correspondent brought adult life connection mainly church_scotland scottish theologically travel initial moderate moral government variety final though far easy going universalism first book internal evidence truth revealed religion argue christianity truth demonstrate correspondence man moral spiritual need well receive orthodox world unconditional gospel however provoke storm criticism advocacy doctrine universal atonement meet john campbell row enthusiastically support trial deposition church_scotland become principal target orthodox criticism row controversy campbell become lifelong friend campbell mature christology