Routledge Politicians in the Pulpit: Christian Radicalism in Britain from the Fall of the Bastille to the Disintegration of Chartism (Routledge Revivals)

First published in 1999, the world of Christian radicalism in the first half of the nineteenth century is reconstructed here with thorough research by Eileen Groth Lyon. Christian radicals, during this period, sought to incite political action through the use of Scripture, using such themes as the rights of man as founded in God’s gift of creation, the deliverance of oppressed peoples, and the perceived favour towards the poor shown in the Gospels. The author tracks the origin and fate of the movement for the first time, from its beginnings in the eighteenth century, through its implementation in the major politic agitations of the early and mid-nineteenth century, to its fruition in the achievements of the campaigns for parliamentary, factory and poor law reform. By focusing on the Christian radical programme, Politicians in the Pulpit advances a new understanding of the most important political initiatives of early Victorian Britain. Review '...provides a much needed analysis of the world of Christian radicalism in the first half of the 19th century.' Teaching History '...an extremely learned treatise...based upon a huge range of primary materials both in print and in manuscript, and there is no reader who will not add to his knowledge by reading it.' Ecclesiastical History, vol, 51/3 'Lyon has produced an interesting and valuable study of the usual suspects...' Victorian Studies '... a substantial contribution to our understanding of religious politics...' Journal of Religious History