Progress of Theology in America: William Ellery Channing

Introductory Posting

William Ellery Channing (1780-1842), The Essence of Christian Religion.

Channing served as minister of the Federal Street Church in Boston from 1803 until his death and came to be recognized as the greatest leader of the Unitarians. This sermon, delivered in the winter of 1830-31, shows his moderate Unitarianism in practice - a rational simplicity in theology that still leaves room for reverence for Christ and belief in miracles (p.115).

There is one great, central truth and principle of Christianity – God purposes to perfect the human soul. In the proportion that we pursue this central truth, we are pursued by it. Because of this central truth we are able to comprehend and attain to a living faith. God purposes the elevation of men to a diviner being. The religion of Jesus Christ is a religion suited to fulfill the wants of every human being. What God wills is our perfection “which I understand the freest exercise and perpetual development of our highest powers – strength and brightness of intellect…” Christianity reveals the greatest purpose of God is the moral perfection of man. Man is capable of great things. No longer should he be mired under the weight of original sin as it is not befitting of the rational person. But instead, he should focus on spiritual perfection. He should do so because this religion is not an unintelligible deduction of philosophy, but rather it is sealed by miracles. Miracles are the proofs of a religion which announces the elevation of man to spiritual perfection. “The miracles approve themselves at once to my intellect and my heart.” They are reasonable. Through miracles, all men comprehend the being that is mightier than nature, the mind that is powerful. The mind may ascend to a perfection which nature cannot give. “Christianity, in its miracles and doctrines, is the very character and pledge which I need of this elevation of the human soul.” Miracles are proof that man can rise to more.

Tomorrow: Charles Grandison Finney