Alan P. F. Sell: Philosophical Idealism and Christian Belief

University of Wales Press, 1995

Back Cover:

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 doctrine?

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 fomrative intellectual influences upon the seven idealists and their consequent philosophical positions. There follow 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. It also broaches the underlying question of the method of Christian thought vis à vis the general intellectual environment.

About the Author (Back Flap):

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 of the University of Wales.

His academic career has included periods as Theological Secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (Presbyterian adn Congregational), Geneva, and incumbent of the Chair of Christian Thought at the University of Calgary.

His prolific output of publications includes pamphlets, many academic articles, reviews and books. Of his books the most recent include Defending and Declaring the Faith: Some Scottish Examples, 1860-1920 (Exeter and Colorado Springs, 1987); The Philosophy of Religion 1875-1980 (London and New York, 1980); Dissenting Thought and the Life of the Churches: Studies in an English Tradition (San Francisco, 1990); and Commemorations: Studies in Christian Thought and History (Calgary and UWP, Cardiff, 1993).

JOB’s Comment:

Valuable discussion by a distinguished Christian scholar of some British idealists, most of whom I too have written about, from a different perspective.