CHAUNCY, CHARLES
(l January 1705, Boston, MA-I0 February 1787, Boston, MA). Education: B.A., Harvard College, 1721; M.A., Harvard College, 1724. Career: Minister, First Congregational Church, Boston, 1727- 87.
Charles Chauncy is often regarded as one of forerunners of the Unitarian church. Just as Congregationalism finds its roots in the thought of sixteenth and seventeenth-century theologians who were nominally Anglican, nineteenth century Unitarianism may be said to have had its beginnings in the theology of Congregationalists Chauncy and Jonathan Mayhew*.
Chauncy emerged as the leading advocate for liberal religion during the Great Awakening, when he led the opposition to religious enthusiasm. His Seasonable Thoughts was one of the most influential criticisms of revivalistic preaching. Chauncy stressed the disorder of the Awakening to the extent that he seemingly rejected any role for the affections in religion. While his opponent Jonathan Edwards* carefully distinguished between valid spiritual emotions and self-indulgent "enthusiasm,"· Chauncy argued that the only sure and orderly basis tor religion was reason. Chauncy is said to have wished that Paradise Lost were available in prose, so that he could understand it. He prayed that he might not dilute his preaching with oratory, a prayer that one Boston humorist said was amply fulfilled.
Chauncy's love of reason and order led him to a number of related theological positions. Because humanity was endowed with reason, Chauncy believed people could do much through good works to secure their salvation. God must be reasonable, because his creation, humanity, was. Chauncy justified the ways of God to man by describing a benevolent deity who was willing to save all people, and he put these ideas into an unpublished manuscript, known to its readers as "the pudding." It circulated privately for three decades before Chauncy published it in 1784 as The Mystery Hid from Ages and Generations. In it he argued that God regarded punishment as redemptive. The Lord did punish men and women for their sins after death, but in time they were purified and worthy of heaven. Such thoughts were attractive in an age that tended to measure divine justice by human reason.
Chauncy is also remembered as one of the leading supporters of the American Revolution. Although he may have been at odds with some of his fellow Congregationalists on doctrinal issues, he was at one with them in attacking the Anglican Church for its condescending attitude towards the Congregationalists and its efforts to establish a colonial episcopate.
The course of history may suggest that Chauncy represents Unitarianism in embryo. But another view is possible. Congregationalism from its beginnings synthesized piety and intellect. During the earliest days of New England some ministers stressed the sternness of God, and others God's mercy. Often the same person stressed different aspects of the deity at different times. Sometimes the holders of extreme views were "spun off' from Congregationalism into other denominations. But Chauncy, it should be remembered, expressed his views while ministering within the community of the Congregational church. As such, he can be seen as the spiritual ancestor of another great liberal, Horace Bushnell*, who helped shape Congregationalism a half century after Chauncy's death.
Bibliography
A: Enthusiasm Described and Cautioned Against (Boston, 1742); Seasonable Thoughts on the State of Religion in New-England (Boston, 1743); Twelve Sermons (Boston, 1765); A Reply to Dr. Chandler (Boston, 1768); A Reply to Dr. Chandler's Rejoinder (Boston, 1770); Salvation for All Men Illustrated and Vindicated (Boston, 1782); The Benevolence of the Deity (Boston, 1784); The Mystery Hid from Ages and Generations (London, 1784; New York, 1969); Five Dissertations on the Scripture Account of the Fall (London, 1785).
B: AAP 8, 8-13; DAB 4,42-43; DARB, 98-99; NCAB 5, 168; SH 3, 22-23; UU, 223; Williston Walker, Ten New England Leaders (New York, 1901); Edward M. Griffin, Old Brick: Charles Chauncy of Boston, 1705-1787 (Minneapolis, 1980); Charles H. Lippy, Seasonable Revolutionary: The Mind of Charles Chauncy (Chicago, 1981).
Charles Chauncy is often regarded as one of forerunners of the Unitarian church. Just as Congregationalism finds its roots in the thought of sixteenth and seventeenth-century theologians who were nominally Anglican, nineteenth century Unitarianism may be said to have had its beginnings in the theology of Congregationalists Chauncy and Jonathan Mayhew*.
Chauncy emerged as the leading advocate for liberal religion during the Great Awakening, when he led the opposition to religious enthusiasm. His Seasonable Thoughts was one of the most influential criticisms of revivalistic preaching. Chauncy stressed the disorder of the Awakening to the extent that he seemingly rejected any role for the affections in religion. While his opponent Jonathan Edwards* carefully distinguished between valid spiritual emotions and self-indulgent "enthusiasm,"· Chauncy argued that the only sure and orderly basis tor religion was reason. Chauncy is said to have wished that Paradise Lost were available in prose, so that he could understand it. He prayed that he might not dilute his preaching with oratory, a prayer that one Boston humorist said was amply fulfilled.
Chauncy's love of reason and order led him to a number of related theological positions. Because humanity was endowed with reason, Chauncy believed people could do much through good works to secure their salvation. God must be reasonable, because his creation, humanity, was. Chauncy justified the ways of God to man by describing a benevolent deity who was willing to save all people, and he put these ideas into an unpublished manuscript, known to its readers as "the pudding." It circulated privately for three decades before Chauncy published it in 1784 as The Mystery Hid from Ages and Generations. In it he argued that God regarded punishment as redemptive. The Lord did punish men and women for their sins after death, but in time they were purified and worthy of heaven. Such thoughts were attractive in an age that tended to measure divine justice by human reason.
Chauncy is also remembered as one of the leading supporters of the American Revolution. Although he may have been at odds with some of his fellow Congregationalists on doctrinal issues, he was at one with them in attacking the Anglican Church for its condescending attitude towards the Congregationalists and its efforts to establish a colonial episcopate.
The course of history may suggest that Chauncy represents Unitarianism in embryo. But another view is possible. Congregationalism from its beginnings synthesized piety and intellect. During the earliest days of New England some ministers stressed the sternness of God, and others God's mercy. Often the same person stressed different aspects of the deity at different times. Sometimes the holders of extreme views were "spun off' from Congregationalism into other denominations. But Chauncy, it should be remembered, expressed his views while ministering within the community of the Congregational church. As such, he can be seen as the spiritual ancestor of another great liberal, Horace Bushnell*, who helped shape Congregationalism a half century after Chauncy's death.
Bibliography
A: Enthusiasm Described and Cautioned Against (Boston, 1742); Seasonable Thoughts on the State of Religion in New-England (Boston, 1743); Twelve Sermons (Boston, 1765); A Reply to Dr. Chandler (Boston, 1768); A Reply to Dr. Chandler's Rejoinder (Boston, 1770); Salvation for All Men Illustrated and Vindicated (Boston, 1782); The Benevolence of the Deity (Boston, 1784); The Mystery Hid from Ages and Generations (London, 1784; New York, 1969); Five Dissertations on the Scripture Account of the Fall (London, 1785).
B: AAP 8, 8-13; DAB 4,42-43; DARB, 98-99; NCAB 5, 168; SH 3, 22-23; UU, 223; Williston Walker, Ten New England Leaders (New York, 1901); Edward M. Griffin, Old Brick: Charles Chauncy of Boston, 1705-1787 (Minneapolis, 1980); Charles H. Lippy, Seasonable Revolutionary: The Mind of Charles Chauncy (Chicago, 1981).
