Abstract

An examination of the emotional rejection of the cultural and intellectual force of science that threatened the acceptance of revelation as the true measure of human nature and only basis for religion by prominent Christian theologian John Henry Newman. Newman argued from the pulpit and in writing as a member of the Church of England early in his career and later as a Catholic cardinal, that science violated religious dogma and negated the authority of the Church under the guise of obtaining information only God could possess. Deeply pessimistic, he criticized the British Association for the Advancement of Science for legitimizing natural theology, embracing the optimistic view of man’s ability to improve life through discovery, and advocating ecumenical and commercial aspects of scientific knowledge. Newman called for contemporary Christians to maintain their obedience to God, reject natural theology as a true religion, refuse to substitute science for religion, and dismiss the belief that advancing knowledge could lead to a higher religious standard.