Английская Википедия:Adam Clarke

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Adam Clarke (1762Шаблон:Snd26 August 1832) was a British Methodist theologian who served three times as President of the Wesleyan Methodist Conference (1806–07, 1814–15 and 1822–23). A biblical scholar, he published an influential Bible commentary among other works. He was a Wesleyan.

Biography

Early life and education

Clarke was born in 1760 or 1762,Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn in the townland of Moybeg Kirley near Tobermore in County Londonderry.Шаблон:Sfn

His father, an Anglican, was a village schoolmaster and farmer; his mother was a Presbyterian.Шаблон:Sfn His childhood consisted of a series of life-threatening mishaps.Шаблон:Sfn After receiving a very limited education he was apprenticed to a linen manufacturer, but, finding the employment uncongenial, he resumed school-life at the institution founded by Wesley at Kingswood.Шаблон:Sfn

In 1778, at the age of fourteen, Rev. John Wesley invited him to become a pupil in the Methodist seminary lately established at Kingswood, Bristol. In 1779, he converted to Methodism after listening to a preacher.Шаблон:Sfn

Career

In 1782, at nineteen he became an itinerant preacher, appointed to the circuit of Bradford, Wiltshire, until 1805.Шаблон:Sfn He afterwards resided chiefly in London, and devoted much of his time to literary research.

While second to none in the labours of the ministry, Clarke was a most assiduous scholar. First the classics engaged his especial attention, then the early Christian fathers, and then Oriental writers; Hebrew, Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, and other Eastern tongues, with the literature which they represented, being among the subjects of his study. Natural science was a favourite subject, and he had an interest in what are called the occult sciences. He contributed to the Eclectic Review from the date of its establishment in 1804, and rendered much literary assistance to the British and Foreign Bible Society.Шаблон:Sfn

In 1807 he received the diploma of M.A. from the university and King's College, Aberdeen.Шаблон:Sfn In 1808 the University of Aberdeen conferred on Clarke the honorary degree of LL.D., the university highest academic honour.Шаблон:Sfn

In 1815, Clarke removed and resided in an estate in Millbrook, for several years. In 1823, Clarke removed to London and afterwards to Haydon Hall, where he resided until his death.Шаблон:Sfn

Ministry

As a preacher, he soon became remarkably popular. He rose to high rank in the Wesleyan body. Clarke was thrice President of the Conference in 1806, 1814 and 1822. At first he was moved from place to place, according to the Wesleyan arrangement, being engaged at various times in Ireland, Scotland, the Channel Islands, and Shetland (1826).Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn Clarke was a preacher of rare power and gifts and particularly in his latter years, he preached to crowded churches.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn

Rosetta Stone

Clarke was an amateur historian and scholar, and was invited by Brandt, secretary of the Royal Society of Antiquarians to see the newly acquired Rosetta Stone.Шаблон:Sfn At that time in 1803, the writing and composition of the stone had not been translated, nor had all three languages been positively identified. Clarke proposed that the stone was basalt, a theory which while recently was found to be incorrect was thought to be correct until the late 1900s when better scanning equipment was developed. He also proposed that the third language was Coptic (it was actually Demotic, an earlier form of the Egyptian language that would become Coptic),Шаблон:Sfn a clue which was used by Jean-François Champollion who successfully completed the translation in 1822.Шаблон:Sfn

Memberships

He was elected a member of six of the most learned societies of his day.Шаблон:Sfn He was a member of the British and Foreign Bible Society,Шаблон:Sfn Fellow of the American Antiquarian Society in 1816,Шаблон:Sfn a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, an Associate of the Geological Society of London, a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society, and a member of the American Historical Institute.Шаблон:Sfn

Death

Clarke died from an attack of cholera on 26 August 1832.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn There is a memorial to Adam Clarke in Portrush, Antrim, County Antrim.Шаблон:Sfn

Theological contribution

Commentary on the Bible

He is chiefly remembered for writing a commentary on the Bible which took him 40 years to complete and which was a primary Methodist theological resource for two centuries.Шаблон:Sfn Comments on this work are mixed, but recognize its erudition.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn By himself he produced nearly half as much material as the scores of scholars who collaborated on the twelve-volume The Interpreters' Bible. His commentary, particularly that on Revelation, identified the Catholic Church with the Antichrist.

Clarke followed Wesley in opposing a Calvinistic scheme of salvation, preferring instead the Wesleyan-Arminian positions regarding predestination, prevenient grace, the offer of justification to all persons, the possibility of entire sanctification, and assurance of salvation.Шаблон:SfnШаблон:Sfn

Theological views

As a theologian, Clarke reinforced the teachings of Methodist founder John Wesley. He taught that the Bible provides a complete interpretation of God's nature and will. He considered Scripture itself a miracle of God's grace that "takes away the veil of darkness and ignorance."Шаблон:Sfn

Perhaps his most controversial position regarded the eternal Sonship of Jesus.Шаблон:Sfn Clarke did not believe it biblically faithful to affirm this doctrine, maintaining that prior to the Incarnation, Jesus was "unoriginated". Otherwise, according to Clarke, he would be subordinate to God and therefore not fully divine. This was important to Clarke because he felt that Jesus' divinity was crucial to understanding the atonement.Шаблон:Sfn

Clarke's view was opposed by many Methodists, notably Richard Watson. Watson and his allies argued that Clarke's position jeopardized the integrity of the doctrine of the Trinity. Clarke's christological view was rejected in large part by Methodist theologians in favour of the traditional perspective.Шаблон:Sfn

Support for abolitionism

He joined with other ministers in being an early critic of slavery. In his commentary of Isaiah 58:6, he writes :

"Let the oppressed go free – How can any nation pretend to fast or worship God at all, or dare to profess that they believe in the existence of such a Being, while they carry on the slave trade, and traffic in the souls, blood, and bodies, of men! O ye most flagitious of knaves, and worst of hypocrites, cast off at once the mask of religion; and deepen not your endless perdition by professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, while ye continue in this traffic!".Шаблон:Sfn

Works

Here are important books written by Clarke.Шаблон:Refn There are also : three volumes of Sermons, besides several single discourses and detached pieces ; and many anonymous articles in the Classical Journal, in the Eclectic Review, and in various other respectable journals. To these may be added the new edition for the Record Commission of Thomas Rymer's Foedera, in folio, of which he saw the first volume, and part of the second, through the press.Шаблон:Sfn The edition was abandoned because of dissatisfaction with his efforts.Шаблон:Sfn

In literature

In 1834, Lydia Sigourney published her poem Шаблон:Ws.[1]

The poetical illustration Шаблон:Ws by Letitia Elizabeth Landon is based on an engraving of an incident in Dr Clarke's life painted by A. Mosses. It is included in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1836 and, as the notes attached refer to Liverpool, it presumably occurred late in his life.[2]

Notes and references

Citations

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Sources

Further reading

External links

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