The Scriptures: The Mirror of Faith

Abstract

In the opening decades of the nineteenth century, the Bible emerged as the most accessible book in English society. The work of Bible societies (part of a wider, burgeoning evangelistic culture) and the technological and economic advances of the publishing industry brought Bibles to nearly every parish and home in England. Yet, just as Bibles were freely dispensed, so, too, was a doctrine of inspiration that often reduced the text to a product of mechanistic, divine dictation. Some theologians began to question received doctrines of Scripture, especially those in contact with German criticism. Controversies beset the churches in England amid the escalating intellectual and spiritual ferment. Meanwhile, in Coleridge’s view, the Bible suffered neglect: “A single word characterizes the Religion of this Country. It is idealess.—i.e. no Religion. The Ideas, that constitute Religion, neither exist for the Clergy nor in the Laity.—But as Leighton finely observes—The cold & the Darkness are often greatest just before the Break of Dawn” (CN V 5607). Coleridge attempted to set a new course for English Christians through a renewed vision of “revealed” religion.

There have been moments (alas! how soon swallowed up in bodily Languor!) when I have seemed to hear myself called to the perilous Heraldry—when the Spirit of Luther has pointed to—a Trumpet. Truth! the Truth! the whole Truth! So only can a People be made free.

S. T. Coleridge (CN V 5607)