Alfredo Torres
Mod 6
Essay Response
11/21/2023
Darwinism suggested that all species evolved from pre-existing species. With Charles Darwin’s
Theory of Evolution, the thought of religious beliefs had been challenged. Religious people impugn their
beliefs because of Darwin’s theory. Biblical narratives became doubted as science opened a door to a
new understanding of mankind. Darwinism affected the study and view of the Christian Bible because
science posed a threat to religious scripture.
Crawford Howell Toy examined the biblical text and concluded the accuracy of the text. Toy
stated that the Old Testament was written by several authors. He believed that the Old Testament
contained several errors. Toy’s teaching and the Old Testament errors became a controversy amongst
the people. His views and teaching were condemned, and no further criticism should be addressed. Toy
taught a higher level of biblical criticism. A key factor Toy focused on was the Documentary Hypothesis.
The Documentary Hypothesis is 5 books of the bible that were written by different authors.
Charles Briggs, like Toy, supported higher criticism of the Bible. Briggs created a controversy with
his address, “Theological Liberalism.” He believed that religion should be open to new developments.
The address created new debates and controversies amongst Christians. Briggs taught a higher level of
biblical criticism. A key factor he focused on was open-mindedness in regard to religious beliefs.
Christians suffered several issues socially and culturally because of Theological Liberalism.
Christians had a strong embracement of evangelism and missions. Evangelism submerges out of the
Theological Liberalism Movement. Worship practices maintained the same although the controversy
abrupted.