John Gale (theologian)
Encyclopedia
John Gale was a British
Baptist
theologian. He was not widely known until the controversy over William Wall's
work on infant baptism
appeared.
He studied at Leiden University
and received a Master of Arts
degree and Ph.D.
in 1699. At Leiden, there had not been a doctorate granted in memory, and the university revived the degree specifically for Gale. After studying at Leiden, Gale went to Amsterdam
, where he met Le Clerc. Leiden offered him a doctor of divinity
if he agreed to Puritan
doctrine. He would not, on principle.
His work against infant baptism was composed in 1705–1706 as a series of letters to Wall. These were collected and published in 1711 as Reflections on Mr. Wall's History of Infant Baptism. Gale was a superb scholar of Hebrew
, Greek
and Latin
, and he combatted Wall's patristic readings by arguing that the antiquity of infant baptism is not certain. He also accused Wall of doing what Wall said he most sought to avoid: elevating a minor doctrinal point into a matter of schism. William Wotton
praised Gale's work.
Gale began preaching at Paul's Alley Barbican, but he was never ordained and would not accept a regular position. Instead, he traveled from one Baptist congregation to another, speaking. He also joined the "Society for Promoting Primitive Christianity." He was introduced to Benjamin Hoadly
and the Lord Chancellor Peter King
. In 1721, when he was just forty-one years old, he caught a fever and died. He left little money for his widow, and congregationalists collected a subscription to enable her to open a coffee shop
in Finch Lane, London.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
theologian. He was not widely known until the controversy over William Wall's
William Wall (theologian)
William Wall was a British priest in the Church of England who wrote extensively on the doctrine of infant baptism. He was generally an apologist for the English church and sought to maintain peace between it and the Anabaptists.He was born in Kent, got his BA from Queen's College, Oxford in 1667...
work on infant baptism
Infant baptism
Infant baptism is the practice of baptising infants or young children. In theological discussions, the practice is sometimes referred to as paedobaptism or pedobaptism from the Greek pais meaning "child." The practice is sometimes contrasted with what is called "believer's baptism", or...
appeared.
He studied at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
and received a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
degree and Ph.D.
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in 1699. At Leiden, there had not been a doctorate granted in memory, and the university revived the degree specifically for Gale. After studying at Leiden, Gale went to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, where he met Le Clerc. Leiden offered him a doctor of divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
if he agreed to Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
doctrine. He would not, on principle.
His work against infant baptism was composed in 1705–1706 as a series of letters to Wall. These were collected and published in 1711 as Reflections on Mr. Wall's History of Infant Baptism. Gale was a superb scholar of Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
, Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, and he combatted Wall's patristic readings by arguing that the antiquity of infant baptism is not certain. He also accused Wall of doing what Wall said he most sought to avoid: elevating a minor doctrinal point into a matter of schism. William Wotton
William Wotton
William Wotton was an English scholar, chiefly remembered for his remarkable abilities in learning languages and for his involvement in the Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns. In Wales he is remembered as the collector and first translator of the ancient Welsh laws.-Early years:William Wotton...
praised Gale's work.
Gale began preaching at Paul's Alley Barbican, but he was never ordained and would not accept a regular position. Instead, he traveled from one Baptist congregation to another, speaking. He also joined the "Society for Promoting Primitive Christianity." He was introduced to Benjamin Hoadly
Benjamin Hoadly
Benjamin Hoadly was an English clergyman, who was successively Bishop of Bangor, Hereford, Salisbury, and Winchester. He is best known as the initiator of the Bangorian Controversy.-Life:...
and the Lord Chancellor Peter King
Peter King, 1st Baron King
Peter King, 1st Baron King PC, FRS was an English lawyer and politician, who became lord chancellor of England.-Life:He was born in Exeter in 1669....
. In 1721, when he was just forty-one years old, he caught a fever and died. He left little money for his widow, and congregationalists collected a subscription to enable her to open a coffee shop
Coffeehouse
A coffeehouse or coffee shop is an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages. It shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria. As the name suggests, coffeehouses focus on...
in Finch Lane, London.