Mah, Erwin (2026) Henry Drummond’s Integration of Faith and Science in the Victorian Era. Doctoral thesis.
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Erwin Mah PhD Thesis.pdf - Accepted Version Download (1MB) |
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral thesis) |
|---|---|
| Titel: | Henry Drummond’s Integration of Faith and Science in the Victorian Era |
| Samenvatting (EN): | This dissertation, The Theology of Continuity: Henry Drummond’s Integration of Faith and Science in the Victorian Era, examines the theological thought of Henry Drummond (1851–1897), a Scottish evangelist, natural scientist, and lecturer who responded to the intellectual challenges raised by Darwinian evolution in the nineteenth century. The study argues that Drummond should be understood not only as a popular religious writer, but also as a serious theological thinker who developed a distinctive way of relating christian faith and scientific thought. Central to Drummond’s approach is what this thesis identifies as a theology of continuity: the conviction that the same divine order underlies both the natural and the spiritual realms. Using a qualitative historical-theological approach and a narrative-developmental method, the thesis reconstructs the formation of Drummond’s thought through his life, writings, intellectual influences, and Victorian context. It pays particular attention to his major works, especially Natural Law in the Spiritual World and The Ascent of Man, to show how his theological framework developed in response to modern science. A central finding is that Drummond did not simply reject evolutionary theory, nor did he merely adapt Christianity to fit science. Rather, he sought to integrate both by arguing that natural law and spiritual law reflect the same divine rationality. This is especially evident in his treatment of concepts such as biogenesis, altruism, and involution, through which he interpreted evolution not only as struggle, but also as pointing toward moral and spiritual fulfilment in Christian love. This dissertation contributes to scholarship by showing that Drummond’s work represents a deliberate theological methodology for engaging scientific thought, not merely a popular religious adaptation of Victorian science. More broadly, it suggests that Drummond remains relevant today as an example of how Christian theology may engage scientific change without surrendering its doctrinal convictions. |
| Number of Pages: | 212 |
| Theologische Universiteit: | Theologische Universiteit Apeldoorn |
| Trefwoorden (NL): | Drummond, Henry (1851-1897) |
| Date Deposited: | 29 Apr 2026 10:19 |
| Last Modified: | 29 Apr 2026 10:19 |
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