You know, as I sit here reading this, I am becoming more and more engaged. First, Bressler [pretty sure she is the only she amongst our readings] is an excellent storyteller, engaging and flowing.
Secondly, bringing Ballou and Channning together contextually was wonderful. I was so pleased to get that viewpoint of the two great men.
Third, the parts on Edwards that illustrate the wedge between Ballou and Channing are great. I took church history classes at an evangelical seminary. I knew going in that, amongst other characters, this Edwards guy was one who I as a liberal had to be on the lookout for. When we got to his part, I guessed that it must have been due to his presentation or style because in theology or doctrine, he actually came across as reasonable. I just assumed that I had been spending too much time around these evangelicals! Turns out, maybe my first sense was not that far off! I can see how liberal seminarians can prefer Channing's sensibility over Ballou's though.
Other readings made it seem that nothing was really going on with Universalists. I was glad to read of their discussions (squabbles) about restoration and that they had a newspaper and that they engaged the Transcendentislts.
I think, of all the people we are learning about here, the one who I wish I could have met and talked with is Ballou.
Little revelation: Channing and the elite Unitarians didn't latch onto universal salvation in practice due to its leveling characteristics and the fact that it was too close tot the Awakening's Calvinism!
Interesting quotes:
Appealing to those who strained under the strictures of traditional Calvinism, Universalism was a faith that sought to reconcile popular rationalist stirring with a fervent pietism.
The doctrine of universal salvation was God's way of influencing human affections and turning naturally self-centered human beings to the love of God and the greater creation.
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