Christian Evidence Society
Encyclopedia
The Christian Evidence Society is a UK
Christian apologetics
organisation founded in 1870. At its financial peak (in 1883) it had slightly over 400 paying members, but this declined to below 300 by 1897. After 1900 its focus shifted from defending against external attacks to addressing doubts from within Christianity.
society. Its original purpose was described by a contemporaneous source as "meeting, in fair argument, the current scepticism". Its original methods were, in the words of this source:
Its membership consisted of evangelical and moderate churchmen, including Richard Whately
, Archbishop of Dublin and Charles Dickison, Bishop of Meath, as well as prominent scientists, including John Hall Gladstone
and William Henry Dallinger.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
organisation founded in 1870. At its financial peak (in 1883) it had slightly over 400 paying members, but this declined to below 300 by 1897. After 1900 its focus shifted from defending against external attacks to addressing doubts from within Christianity.
Formation
The society was founded to counter atheism in VictorianVictorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
society. Its original purpose was described by a contemporaneous source as "meeting, in fair argument, the current scepticism". Its original methods were, in the words of this source:
- Lectures for the educated
- Classes aimed at the "lower grades of society, to save them from infidelity"
- Circulation of tracts, and offering prizes for engaging in private study followed by competitive examination.
Its membership consisted of evangelical and moderate churchmen, including Richard Whately
Richard Whately
Richard Whately was an English rhetorician, logician, economist, and theologian who also served as the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin.-Life and times:...
, Archbishop of Dublin and Charles Dickison, Bishop of Meath, as well as prominent scientists, including John Hall Gladstone
John Hall Gladstone
John Hall Gladstone FRS was a British chemist. He served as President of the Physical Society between 1874 and 1876 and during 1877–1879 was President of the Chemical Society...
and William Henry Dallinger.