ABSTRACT

This essay discusses the principles of bible exegesis elaborated by the Cambridge Platonist, Henry More (1614-87), and the relationship of More’s bible scholarship to the theological principles he sought to defend. Henry More is chiefly associated with the Cambridge Platonists who are best remembered nowadays as philosophers.1 But it is their theology, more than their philosophy, which gives them identity as a group. For while there is a fair degree of variation in the philosophical positions to which they individually subscribed, they all shared a common set of theological principles, which marks them out as theological moderates. Prominent among these are their liberal theology of grace, their acceptance of the compatibility of reason and faith, their benign understanding of the divine attributes, according to which God exercises his will in conformity with his wisdom and goodness. Furthermore, their interest in philosophy was itself coloured by theological concerns, especially as an apology for religion. This is particularly true of Henry More who explicitly proclaimed his role as a philosopher to be that of religious apologist, whose aim was, ‘not to Theologize in Philosophy, but to draw and Exoterick Fence or exteriour Fortification about Theologie’.2 More was a prolific writer, who published many books of philosophy, but he was an equally productive writer on theological matters, notable among which are his studies of the Book of Revelation.3 In this essay I shall

give an account of More’s ideas on bible interpretation to show how he considered the mysteries of Christian faith were compatible with his view of Christianity as a rational religion. In particular, I shall focus on More’s claim that even the most abstruse language of scripture is open to rational interpretation without sacrificing its mystery.