19
June 1878 A.D. Presbyterian Theologian, Charles Hodge, Passes
Graves, Dan. “Theologian Charles Hodge Won
Hearts.” Christianity.com. Jul
2007. http://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1801-1900/theologian-charles-hodge-won-hearts-11630590.html.
Accessed 3 May 2014.
When Charles
Hodge was asked to teach polemic theology* at Princeton, he kept quiet during
the discussion. He did not think his own wishes should have anything to do with
the matter; what the church wanted should come first. However, he wrote to his
brother, "To you, however I may say in confidence, that I would give five
thousand dollars, if I had them, to be let off. The new arrangement knocks all
my plans in the head, and will increase my official labors for years to come
fourfold."
He was
already burdened with work as the teacher of oriental and Bible literature, and
of another theology course. Polemical theology would require him to deal
directly with the controversies that divide Christians.
Once the
appointment was made, however, he threw himself heart and soul into the effort.
As a result, he became known as one of the greatest theologians America has
produced. Near the beginning of his career he visited Europe and learned what
he could from the most notable teachers and Bible critics of the day. In his
mature years, he wrote a six-volume systematic theology. A Bible believer, he
insisted that whereas others interpreted the Bible in light of philosophies or
science, he would interpret philosophy and science in light of Scripture.
"The
proposition 'Thy word is truth' is equivalent to, the Scriptures are true; all
they teach concerning God, man, his character and state, his relation to God,
concerning the person and work of Christ, the plan of salvation, the future
life, and the future state of the Church is true. Everything conforms to what
is real. Everything may be confidently relied upon. Nothing will ever disappoint
legitimate expectation."
Perhaps more
than most men Charles looked to God as a father. His own father had died when
he was six. His mother was a devout Christian and he came to know Christ as a
young man. "As far back as I can remember, I had the habit of thanking God
for everything I received, and asking him for everything I wanted. If I lost a
book, or any of my play things, I prayed that I might find it. I prayed walking
along the streets, in school and out of school, whether playing or studying. I
thought of God as an everywhere-present Being, full of kindness and love, who
would not be offended if children talked to him. I knew he cared for sparrows.
I was as cheerful and happy as the birds and acted as they did..."
One of the
nice things about Charles was that he didn't reject people who disagreed with
him. Too many theologians do. Warm and affectionate, he accepted as Christians
those who loved Christ whether or not they were in agreement with his
understanding of the Bible. "The experience of one Christian is the
experience of all. This is the conscious bond of their union." It is
disappointing to note, however, that this great theologian supported slavery.
In May of
1878, Charles Hodge began to fail physically. His family gathered around him in
June. Seeing one of his daughters crying, he reached out his hand to her and
said, "Why should you grieve, daughter? To be absent from the body is to
be with the Lord, to be with the Lord is to see the Lord, to see the Lord is to
be like Him." He died on this day, June 19, 1878.
Three days later he was buried and all of Princeton's businesses closed in his
honor.
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*polemic theology aggressively challenges other theological systems.
*polemic theology aggressively challenges other theological systems.
Bibliography:
1. Anderson, Robert. "A Short Biography of Charles Hodge."
http://www.wrs.edu/journals/jour897/hodg_bio.html
2. Battle, John. "Charles Hodge: Inspiration, Textual Criticism, and
the Princeton Doctrine of Scripture."
http://www.wrs.edu/journals/jour897/text.html
3. Hodge, Charles. "Christianity without Christ." The Princeton Review, April
1876. http://www.markers.com/ink/chnochrist.htm
4. "Hodge, Charles." The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, edited
by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone. Oxford, 1997.
5. Patton, Francis L. "Hodge, Charles." Schaff-Herzog
Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker,
1949 - 1950.
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