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I: INTRODUCTION. The need for the study

Purpose

Procedure

Previous research

Definitions

Personal factors influencing Briggs' thought

II: THE SHAPE OF BRIGGS' THOUGHT. Nineteenth century understandings of assurance and certainty of divine truth

Truth : Princeton and common sense

rational certainty ; The Ritschlian alternative

theological agnosticism ; Charles Briggs and religious certainty

spirit assured faith

The loci of divine authority : The church ; The reason ; The interrelationship of the loci

The nature of divine involvement in history : Divine immanence in the world ; Historical development under the auspices of the spirit ; Christ

the goal of history

III: THE LOGOS INCARNATE. The Ritschlian Christ

The sources of Briggs' Christology : Henry Boynton Smith's Christocentricity ; Isaac August Dorner and the Gradual incarnation

The theanthropic person : Consubstantial with the Father ; Was made man ; The virgin birth ; The kenosis

IV: THE LOGOS WRITTEN. The nature of scriptural inspiration : Rejection of verbal inspiration and inerrancy ; Scripture as revelation ; Scriptural infallibility

The question of canon : Canon determination ; Canonical openness

Biblical theology : the means to the divine message

Biblical authority : scripture as a means of grace

Jesus Christ > History of doctrines > 19th century.

Bible > Criticism, interpretation, etc. > United States > History > 19th century.

Theology, Doctrinal > United States > History > 19th century.

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

History.