Robert L. Edwards, in his...
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Robert L. Edwards, in his engaging biography of Horace Bushnell titled Of Singular Genius, Of Singular Grace, contrasts what he calls the "strange pair" -- Charles Finney and Horace Bushnell.
Finney was the flaming evangelist who stirred controversy wherever he went with his "New Measures" in nineteenth century revivalism. Bushnell was the settled pastor in Hartford, Connecticut, and a pioneer in what we call Christian education today. They both came from Litchfield County farms in Connecticut. Both had pursued the vocation of law before responding to a call to Christian ministry.
But beyond that the similarity ended. Finney was older by ten years and was six-foot two-inches tall, with a booming voice. He towered over Bushnell, who was of moderate height and spoke in more refined tones. Yet despite these differences the two men supported each other. They did not see eye-to-eye on many theological points; nonetheless, there seemed to be mutual admiration.
Once when asked how he could say good things about Finney, Bushnell responded, "I do not know how it is, but I am drawn to this man, despite ... the greatest dissimilarity of tastes." On further reflection, however, Bushnell did know: "It is because I find God with him."
How much better was Bushnell's attitude than that of James and John who argued with one another about who would have the greatest honor in the kingdom of God.
-- Hasler
Finney was the flaming evangelist who stirred controversy wherever he went with his "New Measures" in nineteenth century revivalism. Bushnell was the settled pastor in Hartford, Connecticut, and a pioneer in what we call Christian education today. They both came from Litchfield County farms in Connecticut. Both had pursued the vocation of law before responding to a call to Christian ministry.
But beyond that the similarity ended. Finney was older by ten years and was six-foot two-inches tall, with a booming voice. He towered over Bushnell, who was of moderate height and spoke in more refined tones. Yet despite these differences the two men supported each other. They did not see eye-to-eye on many theological points; nonetheless, there seemed to be mutual admiration.
Once when asked how he could say good things about Finney, Bushnell responded, "I do not know how it is, but I am drawn to this man, despite ... the greatest dissimilarity of tastes." On further reflection, however, Bushnell did know: "It is because I find God with him."
How much better was Bushnell's attitude than that of James and John who argued with one another about who would have the greatest honor in the kingdom of God.
-- Hasler
