1. Early Life and Education
Charles Augustus Briggs was born in New York City on January 15, 1841, to Alanson Briggs and Sarah Mead Berrian. His early education laid the foundation for his distinguished academic and theological career. He attended the University of Virginia from 1857 to 1860, and then pursued his theological studies at the Union Theological Seminary, graduating in 1863.
During the American Civil War, Briggs served in the 7th Regiment of the New York Militia. After the war, he continued his advanced theological and linguistic studies in Europe, notably at the University of Berlin from 1866 to 1869. This period of study in Germany exposed him to the cutting edge of European biblical scholarship and critical methodologies, which would profoundly influence his later work.
2. Academic and Clergy Career
Briggs' career began with pastoral duties before transitioning into a prominent academic role. In 1870, he was appointed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Roselle, New Jersey, a position he held until 1874. That same year, he accepted a professorship in Hebrew and cognate languages at Union Theological Seminary, where he had previously studied. He taught in this capacity until 1891.
Following this, from 1891 to 1904, Briggs served as a professor of Biblical theology at the same institution. His academic focus later shifted, and he became a professor of theological encyclopaedia and symbolics at Union Theological Seminary. Beyond his teaching responsibilities, Briggs also served as the head librarian for the Burke Library at the seminary, a significant role in one of the leading theological libraries of its time. From 1880 to 1890, he further contributed to theological discourse as an editor of the Presbyterian Review, a notable publication within the Presbyterian community.
3. Heresy Trial and Excommunication
Charles Augustus Briggs faced a major theological controversy that culminated in a highly publicized heresy trial and his excommunication from the Presbyterian Church. The controversy stemmed from his progressive theological views and his application of higher criticism to the Bible, which challenged traditional interpretations of Scripture and divine authority.
3.1. Background and Charges
The background to Briggs' trial lay in the growing tension between traditionalist and liberal theological factions within American Protestantism in the late 19th century. Briggs, a proponent of liberal theology, delivered an inaugural address in 1891 that became the basis for the heresy charges. The charges against him were substantial and directly challenged core tenets of Presbyterian orthodoxy.
Specifically, he was accused of teaching that:
- Reason and the Church are both sources of divine authority, capable of divinely enlightening individuals apart from Holy Scripture.
- Errors might exist in the original text of the Holy Scripture.
- Some Old Testament predictions had been reversed by history, and a significant portion of Messianic prophecy had not and could not be fulfilled as traditionally understood.
- Moses was not the sole author of the Pentateuch, and Isaiah was not the author of the second half of the book that bears his name.
- The processes of redemption extend into the world to come, criticizing Protestant theology for limiting redemption to this life and asserting that sanctification is not completed at death.
These charges reflected Briggs' commitment to scholarly biblical criticism and his belief that theological understanding should evolve with new knowledge, placing him at odds with conservative elements within the Presbyterian Church.
3.2. Trial Proceedings and Verdict
The heresy trial commenced in 1892, with the Presbytery of New York, including figures like James McCook, trying Briggs. Despite the charges, the Presbytery initially acquitted him. However, the case was appealed to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, the highest governing body of the denomination.
After extensive deliberation, which included considerable public posturing and maneuvering, the General Assembly rendered its final verdict in 1893 in Washington, D.C.. The Assembly overturned the Presbytery's acquittal and proceeded to defrock and excommunicate Charles Augustus Briggs from the Presbyterian Church. Some critics of Briggs noted that his communication style, described as belligerent and militant, and the dogmatic and irritating nature of his inaugural address, may have contributed to the General Assembly's decision. This outcome marked a significant moment in American religious history, highlighting the clash between modern scholarship and traditional religious authority.
3.3. Post-Trial Period and Denominational Change
Following his condemnation and excommunication by the Presbyterian Church, Briggs embarked on a new ecclesiastical path. He transitioned towards Episcopalianism, finding a more welcoming theological environment. In 1899, he was ordained as a priest of the Protestant Episcopal Church, allowing him to continue his ministry and academic pursuits within a different denominational context that was more amenable to his scholarly approach to biblical studies.
4. Major Works and Academic Contributions
Charles Augustus Briggs made profound contributions to biblical scholarship through his extensive writings and editorial work, shaping the field of biblical studies in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His publications explored various aspects of biblical criticism, theology, and church history.
His significant works include:
- Biblical Study: Its Principles, Methods and History (1883)
- Hebrew Poems of the Creation (1884)
- American Presbyterianism: Its Origin and Early History (1885)
- Messianic Prophecy (1886)
- Biblical History (1889)
- Whither? A Theological Question for the Times (1889)
- The Authority of the Holy Scripture (1891)
- The Bible, the Church and the Reason (1892)
- The Higher Criticism of the Hexateuch (1893)
- The Messiah of the Gospels (1894)
- The Messiah of the Apostles (1894)
- General Introduction to the Study of Holy Scripture (1899)
- New Light on the Life of Jesus (1904)
- The Ethical Teaching of Jesus (1904)
- A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms (2 vols., 1906-7), a work in which he collaborated with his daughter.
- The Virgin Birth of Our Lord (1909)
- Theological Symbolics (1914, published posthumously)
Beyond his individual authorship, Briggs was instrumental in collaborative projects that became foundational resources for biblical scholars. With Francis Brown and S. R. Driver, he prepared a revised Hebrew and English Lexicon (1891-1905), commonly known as Brown Driver Briggs (BDB), based on the lexicon of Wilhelm Gesenius. This work remains an indispensable reference for the study of the Hebrew Bible. Additionally, alongside Driver, he edited The International Critical Commentary series, a comprehensive collection of scholarly biblical commentaries that continues to be highly regarded.
5. Theology and Biblical Criticism
Charles Augustus Briggs was a leading proponent of liberal theology and the application of higher criticism to the Bible, advocating for a historical-critical approach to Scripture that was revolutionary for his time. His theological perspective emphasized the progressive revelation of God and the importance of human reason and experience in understanding religious truth, alongside traditional biblical study.
Briggs argued that the Bible, while divinely inspired, should be studied with the same rigorous scholarly methods applied to any other ancient text. This led him to assert that the original biblical texts might contain errors, a view that directly challenged the prevailing doctrine of biblical inerrancy held by many conservatives. He also proposed that the Church, alongside Scripture, served as a source of divine authority, suggesting a broader understanding of how God reveals truth to humanity.
His critical examination of the Old Testament led him to dispute the traditional authorship of key biblical books, such as Moses for the Pentateuch and Isaiah for the entire Book of Isaiah. He also questioned the literal fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies, suggesting that some prophetic predictions had been altered or rendered inapplicable by historical events, and that the scope of redemption extended beyond earthly life.
Briggs's theology also put forth the idea that sanctification is not completed at death, which was a significant departure from common Protestant teachings that largely confined the process of spiritual purification to this world. These views, particularly his embrace of higher criticism, caused considerable friction with more conservative theological factions, leading to his highly publicized heresy trial. Despite the controversy, Briggs's work helped to integrate modern scholarly methods into theological education and biblical interpretation, paving the way for future developments in mainstream theology.
6. Honorary Degrees and Recognition
Charles Augustus Briggs received several prestigious honorary doctoral degrees in recognition of his significant contributions to scholarship and theology, even amidst the controversies surrounding his views.
- In 1884, he was awarded the honorary degree of D.D. by the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
- In 1901, he received a second honorary D.D. from the University of Glasgow, also in Scotland.
- In the same year, 1901, he was granted the honorary degree of D.Litt. by the esteemed University of Oxford in England.
These recognitions from leading academic institutions underscored his international standing as a scholar, transcending the denominational conflicts he faced at home.
7. Personal Life
Information regarding Charles Augustus Briggs' personal life is limited in historical records. He was married, though the details of his spouse are not widely documented. One notable personal detail is his collaboration with his daughter on the two-volume work, A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms, published in 1906 and 1907. This collaboration highlights a familial connection to his scholarly endeavors. Beyond this, specific details about his hobbies or family relationships are not extensively recorded.
8. Death
Charles Augustus Briggs died on June 8, 1913. The location and specific circumstances of his death are not widely detailed in available historical sources.
9. Legacy and Assessment
Charles Augustus Briggs left a complex and enduring legacy in American theology and biblical studies. He is widely regarded as a pivotal figure in the introduction and promotion of higher criticism within the American Protestant landscape, challenging rigid dogmatism and advocating for an intellectual approach to faith. His work helped bridge the gap between traditional theological approaches and emerging scientific and historical methods of inquiry.
9.1. Academic Influence
Briggs's academic influence was substantial, particularly through his roles as a professor at Union Theological Seminary and his editorial work. His collaboration on the Brown Driver Briggs Hebrew lexicon provided an indispensable tool for generations of biblical scholars, facilitating more accurate and nuanced interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. As an editor of The International Critical Commentary series, he championed rigorous scholarship and historical-critical methodologies, influencing the direction of biblical studies globally.
His theological views, though controversial in his time, foreshadowed developments in later 20th-century theology, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of inspiration and the human elements within Scripture. His emphasis on the progressive nature of divine revelation and the role of human reason helped to foster a more dynamic and intellectually robust engagement with religious texts.
9.2. Criticisms and Controversies
Beyond the widely known heresy trial, Briggs's approach and views drew other criticisms. While his scholarship was pioneering, his assertive and sometimes confrontational communication style was noted by his contemporaries, including his own colleagues at Union Theological Seminary. His inaugural address, which triggered the heresy charges, was described as "dogmatic and irritating," and his overall demeanor as "belligerent" and "militant." This personal style likely exacerbated the theological conflicts he faced, contributing to the intensity of the debate and potentially influencing the outcome of his trial.
Despite his significant contributions, Briggs's liberal views remained contentious for many conservative Christians, who perceived them as undermining the authority and inerrancy of the Bible. The controversy surrounding his excommunication from the Presbyterian Church served as a major flashpoint in the broader American Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy, illustrating the deep divisions within Protestantism over how to reconcile traditional faith with modern scholarship. Nevertheless, his contributions played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual landscape of American theology.