Boyle Lectures
Encyclopedia
The Boyle Lectures were named after Robert Boyle
, a prominent English/Irish natural philosopher of the 17th century. Boyle endowed a series of lectures in his will, which were designed as a forum where prominent academics could discuss the existence of God
.
The very first such lecture was given in 1692 by Richard Bentley
, who turned to and received four letters from Isaac Newton
. The first letter from Newton to Bentley begins
Their design, as expressed by the institutor, is to prove the truth of the Christian
religion against infidels, without descending to any controversies among Christians; and to answer new difficulties, scruples, etc. Some lecturers targeted Christian Deism
. A learned theologian within the Bills of Mortality
, was to be elected for a term, not exceeding three years, by Thomas Tenison
(later Archbishop of Canterbury
) , and three others. To support the lectures, Boyle assigned the rent of his house in Crooked Lane. But the fund proving precarious, the salary was ill-paid. To remedy this, Archbishop Tenison procured a yearly stipend of 50 pounds, forever, to be paid quarterly, charged on a farm in the parish of Brill
, Buckinghamshire
.
The Boyle lectures were revived in 2004 at St Mary-le-Bow
church in the City of London
by Dr Michael Byrne. They take place annually in February.
Robert Boyle
Robert Boyle FRS was a 17th century natural philosopher, chemist, physicist, and inventor, also noted for his writings in theology. He has been variously described as English, Irish, or Anglo-Irish, his father having come to Ireland from England during the time of the English plantations of...
, a prominent English/Irish natural philosopher of the 17th century. Boyle endowed a series of lectures in his will, which were designed as a forum where prominent academics could discuss the existence of God
Existence of God
Arguments for and against the existence of God have been proposed by philosophers, theologians, scientists, and others. In philosophical terms, arguments for and against the existence of God involve primarily the sub-disciplines of epistemology and ontology , but also of the theory of value, since...
.
The very first such lecture was given in 1692 by Richard Bentley
Richard Bentley
Richard Bentley was an English classical scholar, critic, and theologian. He was Master of Trinity College, Cambridge....
, who turned to and received four letters from Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
. The first letter from Newton to Bentley begins
"Sir, When I wrote my Treatise about our System, I had an Eye upon such Principles as might work with considering Men, for the Belief of a Deity; nothing can rejoice me more than to find it useful for that Purpose."
Their design, as expressed by the institutor, is to prove the truth of the Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
religion against infidels, without descending to any controversies among Christians; and to answer new difficulties, scruples, etc. Some lecturers targeted Christian Deism
Deism
Deism in religious philosophy is the belief that reason and observation of the natural world, without the need for organized religion, can determine that the universe is the product of an all-powerful creator. According to deists, the creator does not intervene in human affairs or suspend the...
. A learned theologian within the Bills of Mortality
Bills of Mortality
The London Bills of Mortality were the main source of mortality statistics, designed to monitor deaths from the plague from the 17th century-1830s. They were used mainly as a way of warning about plague epidemics....
, was to be elected for a term, not exceeding three years, by Thomas Tenison
Thomas Tenison
Thomas Tenison was an English church leader, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1694 until his death. During his primacy, he crowned two British monarchs.-Life:...
(later Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
) , and three others. To support the lectures, Boyle assigned the rent of his house in Crooked Lane. But the fund proving precarious, the salary was ill-paid. To remedy this, Archbishop Tenison procured a yearly stipend of 50 pounds, forever, to be paid quarterly, charged on a farm in the parish of Brill
Brill
Brill is a village and civil parish in Aylesbury Vale district in Buckinghamshire, England, close to the boundary with Oxfordshire. It is about north-west of Long Crendon and south-east of Bicester...
, Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire
Buckinghamshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan home county in South East England. The county town is Aylesbury, the largest town in the ceremonial county is Milton Keynes and largest town in the non-metropolitan county is High Wycombe....
.
The Boyle lectures were revived in 2004 at St Mary-le-Bow
St Mary-le-Bow
St Mary-le-Bow is an historic church in the City of London, off Cheapside. According to tradition, a true Cockney must be born within earshot of the sound of the church's bells.-Bells:...
church in the City of London
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
by Dr Michael Byrne. They take place annually in February.
The Lectures
- 1692 - A Confutation of Atheism, by Richard BentleyRichard BentleyRichard Bentley was an English classical scholar, critic, and theologian. He was Master of Trinity College, Cambridge....
- 1693-4 - A Demonstration of the Messias, in which the Truth of the Christian Religion is proved, especially against the Jews, by Richard KidderRichard KidderRichard Kidder was an English Anglican churchman, Bishop of Bath and Wells from 1691 to his death. He was a noted theologian.He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was a sizar, from 1649, graduating 1652. He became a Fellow there in 1655, and vicar of Stranground,...
- 1695-6 - John WilliamsJohn Williams (Bishop of Chichester)-Life:He was born about 1636 in Northamptonshire, matriculated from Magdalen Hall, Oxford, on 24 June 1653, graduating B.A. on 14 December 1655 and M.A. on 11 June 1658. He was incorporated at Cambridge in 1660, and was created D.D. of Cambridge, comitiis regiis, in 1690.On 4 September 1673 he was...
- 1697 - The Certainty of the Christian Revelation and the Necessity of believing it, established, by Francis GastrellFrancis GastrellFrancis Gastrell was bishop of Chester and a writer on deism. He was a friend of Jonathan Swift, mentioned several times in A Journal to Stella, and chaplain to Robert Harley, when Harley was speaker of the House of Commons.-Life:...
(Bishop of ChesterBishop of ChesterThe Bishop of Chester is the Ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Chester in the Province of York.The diocese expands across most of the historic county boundaries of Cheshire, including the Wirral Peninsula and has its see in the City of Chester where the seat is located at the Cathedral...
) - 1698 - The Atheistical Objections against the Being of God and His Attributes fairly considered and fully refuted, by John HarrisJohn Harris (writer)John Harris was an English writer, scientist, and Anglican priest. He is best known as the editor of the Lexicon Technicum: Or, A Universal English Dictionary of Arts and Sciences , the earliest of English encyclopaedias, and as the compiler of the Collection of Voyages and Travels which was...
- 1699 - The Credibility of the Christian Revelation, from its intrinsick Evidence, by Samuel BradfordSamuel BradfordSamuel Bradford was an English churchman and whig, bishop successively of Carlisle and Rochester.-Life:He was the son of William Bradford of London and was born in St. Anne's, Blackfriars. He was educated at St Paul's School; and when the school was closed, owing to the Great Plague and the Great...
(Bishop of RochesterBishop of RochesterThe Bishop of Rochester is the ordinary of the Church of England Diocese of Rochester in the Province of Canterbury.The diocese covers the west of the county of Kent and is centred in the city of Rochester where the bishop's seat is located at the Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
) - 1700 - The Sufficiency of a Standing Revelation, by Offspring Blackall
- 1701 - Truth and Exellency of the Christian Religion, by George StanhopeGeorge StanhopeGeorge Stanhope was a clergyman of the Church of England, rising to be Dean of Canterbury and a Royal Chaplain...
- 1704 - A Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God, by Samuel ClarkeSamuel Clarkethumb|right|200px|Samuel ClarkeSamuel Clarke was an English philosopher and Anglican clergyman.-Early life and studies:...
- 1705 - The Evidences of Natural and Revealed Religion, by Samuel Clarke
- 1706 - Arguments to Prove the Being of a God, by John Hancock
- 1707 - The Accomplishment of Scripture Prophecies, by William WhistonWilliam WhistonWilliam Whiston was an English theologian, historian, and mathematician. He is probably best known for his translation of the Antiquities of the Jews and other works by Josephus, his A New Theory of the Earth, and his Arianism...
- 1708 - The Wisdom of God in the Redemption of Man, as delivered in the Holy Scriptures, vindicated from the chief Objections of Modern Infidels, by John Turner
- 1709 - Religion no Matter of Shame, by Lilly Butler
- 1710 - The Divine Original and Excellence of the Christian Religion, by Josiah WoodwardJosiah WoodwardJosiah Woodward was a Church of England clergyman and moral reformer. He was a devout Anglican and his advocacy of stringent adherence to Christian moral ethic is evident in the vast majority of his works.-Religious Views:...
- 1711-2 - Physico-Theology, or a Demonstration of the Being and Attributes of God from his Works of Creation, by William DerhamWilliam DerhamWilliam Derham was an English clergyman and natural philosopher. He produced the earliest, reasonably accurate estimate of the speed of sound.-Life:...
- 1713-4 - On the Exercise of Private Judgment, or Free-Thinking, by Benjamin Ibbot
- 1717-8 - Natural Obligations to Believe the Principles of Religion and Divine Revelation, by John LengJohn Leng (bishop)John Leng was an English churchman and academic, bishop of Norwich from 1723.-Life:He was born at Thornton le Dale, near Pickering, in Yorkshire. He received his early education at St. Paul's School, and obtained an exhibition at Catharine Hall, Cambridge, where he was admitted as a sizar 26 March...
- 1719 - An Enquiry into the Cause and Origin of Evil, by John ClarkeJohn Clarke (dean of Salisbury)John Clarke was an English natural philosopher and Dean of Salisbury from 1728 to his death in 1757.-Life:He was a younger brother of Samuel Clarke, and was born at Norwich, his father being Edward Clarke, textile manufacturer and alderman , who married Hannah, daughter of Samuel Parmeter. After...
- 1720 - On the Origin of Evil, by John Clarke
- 1721-2 - The pretended Difficulties in Natural or Revealed Religion, no Excuse for Infidelity, by Robert Gurdon
- 1724-5 - A Demonstration of True Religion, in a Chain of Consequences from certain and undeniable Principles, by Thomas BurnettThomas BurnettThomas Burnett may refer to:*Thomas Burnet , theologian*Sir Thomas Burnett, 1st Baronet *Sir Thomas Burnett, 3rd Baronet , MP for Scotland 1707–1708*Sir Thomas Burnett, 6th Baronet...
- 1730-2 - The Gradual Revelation of the Gospel from the time of Man's Apostacy, by William Berriman
- 1736-8 - The History of the Acts of the Holy Apostles, confirmed from other Authors, and considered as full Evidence for the Truth of Christianity, by Richard BiscoeRichard BiscoeRichard Biscoe was an English clergyman. Initially a Dissenting minister, he later was an Anglican, Boyle Lecturer, and President of Sion College.-Life:...
- 1739-41 - Leonard Twells
- 1747-9 - Christianity justified upon the Scripture Foundation; being a Summery View of the Controversy between Christians and Deists, by Henry StebbingHenry StebbingHenry Stebbing was an English churchman and controversialist, who became archdeacon of Wiltshire.-Life:Baptised at Walton, Suffolk on 19 August 1687, he was the fourth son of John Stebbing , a grocer of Walton, by his wife Mary , daughter and coheiress of Richard Kenington...
- 1750-2 - John JortinJohn Jortin-Life:Jortin was the son of Renatus Jordain, a French Huguenot refugee and government official, and Martha Rogers, daughter of Daniel Rogers. He was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he became a Fellow in 1721. He was Rede lecturer at Cambridge in 1724, and Boyle lecturer in 1749...
- 1756-8 - Thomas NewtonThomas NewtonThomas Newton was an English cleric, biblical scholar and author. He served as the Bishop of Bristol from 1761 to 1782....
- 1763 - A Discourse upon the Being of God against Atheists, by Ralph Heathcote
- 1766-8 - The Evidence of Christianity deduced from Facts and the Testimony of Senses throughout all Ages of the Church to the present time, by William WorthingtonWilliam Worthington (clergyman)William Worthington was an Anglican priest and theological writer.-Life:Worthington was born in 1703 and educated at Oswestry School before moving to Jesus College, Oxford. He matriculated in 1722 and obtained his BA degree in 1726...
- 1769-71 - The Intent and Propriety of the Scripture Miracles considered and explained, by Henry OwenHenry OwenThe Reverend Dr. Henry Owen was a Welsh theologian and Biblical scholar. Perhaps his most significant contribution to biblical scholarship is his discussion of the date of publication and the form and manner of the composition of the four canonical gospel accounts...
- 1778-80 - An Argument for the Christian Religion, drawn from a Comparison of Revelation with the Natural Operations of the Mind, by James WilliamsonJames WilliamsonJames Robert Williamson is an American guitarist, songwriter, record producer and electronics engineer who is best known for his contribution to the protopunk rock band Iggy & The Stooges.-Early years:...
- 1802-5 - An Historical View of the Rise and Progress of Infidelity, with a Refutation of its Principles and Reasonings, by William Van MildertWilliam Van MildertWilliam Van Mildert was the last palatine Bishop of Durham , and one of the founders of the University of Durham...
- 1812 - William Van Mildert
- 1814 - Frederick NolanFrederick Nolan (theologian)-Life:Born at Old Rathmines Castle, County Dublin, the seat of his grandfather, on 9 February 1784, third son of Edward Nolan of St. Peter's, Dublin, by his wife Florinda. In 1796 he entered Trinity College, Dublin, but did not graduate, and on 19 November 1803 matriculated as a gentleman commoner...
- 1821 - The Connection of Christianity with Human Happiness, by William Harness
- 1845-6 - The Religions of the World; and Their Relations to Christianity Considered in Eight Lectures - Frederick Denison Maurice
- 1854 - Christopher WordsworthChristopher WordsworthChristopher Wordsworth was an English bishop and man of letters.-Life:Wordsworth was born in London, the youngest son of the Rev. Dr. Christopher Wordsworth, Master of Trinity and a nephew of the poet William Wordsworth...
- 1857 - Eight discourses on the miracles, by William Gilson HumphryWilliam Gilson Humphry-Life:Humphry was born at Sudbury, Suffolk, on 30 January 1815, son of William Wood Humphry, barrister-at-law, and brother of George Murray Humphry. Humphry was educated at Carmalt's school, Putney, and then at Shrewsbury School, under Dr. Samuel Butler, becoming captain of the school. In 1833 he...
- 1861 - The Bible and its Critics: an Enquiry into the Objective Reality of Revealed Truths, by Edward GarbettEdward GarbettEdward Garbett , was a divine.Garbett was born in Hereford on 10 December 1817, being the sixth son of the Rev. James Garbett , custos and prebendary of the cathedral. He was educated at Hereford Cathedral School, whence he proceeded to Brasenose College, Oxford . He proceeded B.A. in 1841, coming...
- 1862 - The Conflict between Science and Infidelity, by Edward Garbett
- 1863 - The Divine Plan of Revelation, by Edward Garbett
- 1864 - The conversion of the Roman empire, by Charles MerivaleCharles MerivaleThe Very Reverend Charles Merivale was an English historian and churchman, for many years dean of Ely Cathedral...
- 1865 - The Conversion of the Northern Nations, by Charles MerivaleCharles MerivaleThe Very Reverend Charles Merivale was an English historian and churchman, for many years dean of Ely Cathedral...
- 1866-7 - Christ and Christendom, by Edward Hayes PlumptreEdward Hayes PlumptreEdward Hayes Plumptre was an English divine and scholar, and was born in London.-Life:This son of E.H. Plumptre was born in London. A scholar of University College, Oxford, he graduated with a double-first class degree in 1844. In the same year he was elected Fellow of Brasenose College. Married...
- 1868 - The Witness of the Old Testament to Christ, by Stanley LeathesStanley LeathesStanley Leathes was an English theologian and Orientalist.He was born at Ellesborough, Buckinghamshire, and was educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1852, M.A. 1853. In 1853 he was the first Tyrwhitts Hebrew scholar...
- 1869 - The Witness of St. Paul to Christ, by Stanley Leathes
- 1870 - The Witness of St. John to Christ, by Stanley Leathes
- 1871-2 - Moral Difficulties Connected with the Bible, by James Augustus Hessey
- 1874-5 - Christianity and Morality Or the Correspondence of the Gospel with the Moral Nature of Man, by Henry Wace
- 1876 - What is Natural Theology?, by Alfred BarryAlfred BarryDr. Alfred Barry was the Third Bishop of Sydney, who over the course of his career served as headmaster of several independent schools, Principal of King's College London, and founded several prominent Anglican schools....
- 1877-8 - The Manifold Witness for Christ, by Alfred BarryAlfred BarryDr. Alfred Barry was the Third Bishop of Sydney, who over the course of his career served as headmaster of several independent schools, Principal of King's College London, and founded several prominent Anglican schools....
- 1879-80 - The Evidential Value of the Holy Eucharist, by George Frederick Maclear
- 1884 - The Scientific Obstacles to Christian Belief, by George Herbert Curteis
- 1890 - Old Truths in Modern Lights (The Present Conflict of Science and Theology), by T. G. BonneyThomas George BonneyThomas George Bonney FRS was an English geologist.-Career:Bonney was the eldest son of the Reverend Thomas Bonney, master of Rugeley Grammar School...
- 1891 - Christian Doctrines and Modern Thought, by T. G. Bonney
- 1893 - Ascent of Faith or the Grounds of Certainty in Science and Religion, by Alexander James Harrison
- 1895 - The Gospel of Experience Or the Witness of Human Life to the Truth of Revelation, by W. C. E. Newbolt
- 1903-5 - The Testimony of St. Paul to Christ Viewed in Some of its Aspects, by Richard John Knowling
- 1935-6 - God, Creation and Revelation, by Allen John MacDonald
- 1965 - The Christian Universe, by Eric MascallEric Lionel MascallEric Lionel Mascall OGS was a leading theologian and priest in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England. He was a philosophical exponent of the Thomist tradition and was Professor of Historical Theology at King's College London . His name was styled as E.L...
- 2004 - Darwin, Design, and the Promise of Nature, by John F. Haught
- 2005 - Darwin’s Compass: How Evolution Discovers the Song of Creation, by Simon Conway MorrisSimon Conway MorrisSimon Conway Morris FRS is an English paleontologist made known by his detailed and careful study of the Burgess Shale fossils, an exploit celebrated in Wonderful Life by Stephen Jay Gould...
- 2006 - The Emergence of Spirit: From Complexity to Anthropology to Theology, by Philip ClaytonPhilip ClaytonThe Reverend Philip Thomas Byard Clayton CH was an Anglican clergyman and the founder of Toc H....
, response by Niels Gregersen - 2007 - 'Cosmology of Ultimate Concern', by John D Barrow, with a response by Martin Rees, Baron Rees of LudlowMartin Rees, Baron Rees of LudlowMartin John Rees, Baron Rees of Ludlow, OM, FRS is a British cosmologist and astrophysicist. He has been Astronomer Royal since 1995 and Master of Trinity College, Cambridge since 2004...
- 2008 - 'Psychologising and Neurologising about Religion: Facts, Fallacies and the Future', by Malcolm JeevesMalcolm JeevesProf Malcolm Jeeves CBE FRSE is Emeritus Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Andrews, and was formerly President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh. He established the Department of Psychology at St...
, with a response by The Revd Dr Fraser Watts - 2009 - 'Misusing Darwin: The Materialist Conspiracy in Evolutionary Biology', by The Revd. Professor Keith WardKeith WardKeith Ward is a British cleric, philosopher, theologian and scholar. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and an ordained priest of the Church of England. He was a canon of Christ Church, Oxford until 2003...
, with a response by The Revd Dr John Polkinghorne - 2010 - 'The Legacy of Robert Boyle - Then and Now', by Professor John Hedley BrookeJohn Hedley BrookeJohn Hedley Brooke is a British Historian of Science specialising in the relationship between science and religion.-Biography:...
, with a response by Professor Geoffrey CantorGeoffrey CantorGeoffrey N. Cantor is emeritus professor of history and philosophy of science at the University of Leeds and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Science & Technology Studies at University College, London.... - 2011 - Is the World Unfinished? On Interactions between Science and Theology in the Concepts of Nature, Time, and the Future, by Professor Jurgen Moltmann.
- 2012 - 'Christ and Evolution: A drama of wisdom', by Professor Celia Deane-Drummond, with a response by Professor Fount LeRon Shults
External links
- Boyle, Robert, and the Boyle Lectures, in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious KnowledgeSchaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious KnowledgeThe Schaff–Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge is a religious encyclopedia. It is based on an earlier German encyclopedia, the Realencyklopädie für protestantische Theologie und Kirche. Like the Realencyklopädie, it focuses on Christianity from a primarily Protestant point of...
, Vol. II (CCELChristian Classics Ethereal LibraryThe Christian Classics Ethereal Library is a digital library that provides free electronic copies of Christian scripture and literature texts....
)