John Wesley Hanson
Encyclopedia
John Wesley Hanson was an American Universalist minister and a notable Universalist historian advancing the claim that Universalism was the belief of early Christianity. He was born at Boston
.
He is also notable for his eyewitness accounts of his time as chaplain to one of the Unattached Companies Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
during the American Civil War
and for publishing his own New Testament "Hanson's edited New Testament" (1885), which was a revision of the English Revised Version with "baptism" changed for "immersion
" and other changes.
His sister was Harriet Hanson Robinson (1825–1911) husband of William Stevens Robinson (1818–1876), social reformers in Malden, Massachusetts
.
In 1845 he arrived in Wentworth, New Hampshire
as Universalist minister. In the 1860s he was chaplain to the Sixth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers. In the 1870s he went as a Universalist missionary to Britain, becoming the pastor of St. Paul's Universalist Church, Glasgow, Scotland. He then became minister of the Universalist New Covenant Church of Chicago, where he worked on his New Testament.
He is best known for his history arguing that universalism dominated early church thought before Augustine; Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church (1899) which followed Universalist Hosea Ballou
's Ancient History of Universalism, (1828) His view of early church history was carried on by George T. Knight
. Hanson is cited as a primary source in the 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
(1908–14) articles on Universalism
. However in recent years Hanson and Knight's reading of church history has been challenged.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
He is also notable for his eyewitness accounts of his time as chaplain to one of the Unattached Companies Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
Unattached Companies Massachusetts Volunteer Militia
The Unattached Companies of Massachusetts Volunteer Militia were units of infantry raised for the defenses of the eastern coast ofMassachusetts during the American Civil War...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and for publishing his own New Testament "Hanson's edited New Testament" (1885), which was a revision of the English Revised Version with "baptism" changed for "immersion
Immersion
Immersion may refer to:* Immersion therapy overcoming fears through confrontation* Baptism by immersion* Immersion Games a developer of video games...
" and other changes.
His sister was Harriet Hanson Robinson (1825–1911) husband of William Stevens Robinson (1818–1876), social reformers in Malden, Massachusetts
Malden, Massachusetts
Malden is a suburban city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 59,450 at the 2010 census. In 2009 Malden was ranked as the "Best Place to Raise Your Kids" in Massachusetts by Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine.-History:...
.
In 1845 he arrived in Wentworth, New Hampshire
Wentworth, New Hampshire
-External links:* * * * *...
as Universalist minister. In the 1860s he was chaplain to the Sixth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers. In the 1870s he went as a Universalist missionary to Britain, becoming the pastor of St. Paul's Universalist Church, Glasgow, Scotland. He then became minister of the Universalist New Covenant Church of Chicago, where he worked on his New Testament.
He is best known for his history arguing that universalism dominated early church thought before Augustine; Universalism: The Prevailing Doctrine of the Christian Church (1899) which followed Universalist Hosea Ballou
Hosea Ballou
Hosea Ballou was an American Universalist clergyman and theological writer.-Biography:Hosea Ballou was born in Richmond, New Hampshire, to a family of Huguenot origin...
's Ancient History of Universalism, (1828) His view of early church history was carried on by George T. Knight
George T. Knight (Universalist)
The Rev. George T. Knight, D.D, was an American Universalist teacher at the Crane Theological School, a Universalist seminary at Tufts University.-References:...
. Hanson is cited as a primary source in the 1911 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
The 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...
(1908–14) articles on Universalism
Universalism
Universalism in its primary meaning refers to religious, theological, and philosophical concepts with universal application or applicability...
. However in recent years Hanson and Knight's reading of church history has been challenged.
Works
- Historical sketch of the old Sixth regiment of Massachusetts volunteers during its three campaigns in 1861, 1862, 1863, and 1864. by John W. Hanson, Chaplain. Boston, Lee and Shepard, 1866.
- Bible Proofs of Universal Salvation 1877
- Aiōn-Aiōnios: an excursus on the Greek word rendered everlasting, 1880
- New Testament "Hanson's edited New Testament" 1885