John Kennedy and the Development of Evangelicalism in the Scottish Highlands, 1843–1900
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Date
02/07/2019Author
Macleod, Alasdair Johnston
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Abstract
Between the Disruption in 1843 and 1900, the evangelical Presbyterianism of
the Highlands of Scotland diverged dramatically and enduringly, in theology,
worship, piety and practice, from that of Lowland Scotland. That divergence
was chiefly the product of change in the Lowland Church, as evangelicals
increasingly rejected Calvinistic theology, Confessional subscription, church
establishment, conservative practices in worship, high views of the inspiration
of Scripture, and emphasis on Divine sovereignty in evangelism. This thesis
addresses the question why this divergence occurred: why did the Highlands
follow so different a course with regard to this process of change?
In addressing the question, the thesis argues for the significance of the
leadership of John Kennedy (1819–84), minister of Dingwall Free Church, the
‘Spurgeon of the Highlands’. The thesis demonstrates that by his preaching,
writing and ecclesiastical leadership Kennedy helped to guide the trajectory of
evangelicalism in the Highlands in a conservative direction that continued to
emphasise the authority of Scripture, Divine sovereignty and the need for
personal self-examination, and that maintained sacramental practices
reflecting these priorities. In his historical and biographical writings, Kennedy
challenged readers of his own day to uphold the same priorities as the historic
Highland Church, and the thesis shows that he helped to build a new
confidence and cohesion around its distinctive practices in opposition to
trends in wider evangelicalism. In his leadership of the Highland part of the
constitutionalist party, the thesis proves that Kennedy was significant in
forging a resolute commitment amongst the majority of the Highland Free
Church in opposition to any change to the constitutional position of 1843. In
various controversies, Kennedy consistently opposed movements for change,
and helped to unite the Highland people of the Free Church in general
opposition to the revolutions of the Victorian Church. These he saw as a
single movement of departure from the Reformation heritage that he was
determined to maintain.
The thesis concludes that Kennedy’s legacy was evident in the divergence
between Highland and Lowland evangelicalism during his own lifetime, but
even more so in the divisions of 1893 and 1900, when his heirs took up
separate institutional forms to maintain these principles.