ABSTRACT
The uniting factor in the backgrounds of many proponents of Christian radicalism was their conviction of the authority and verity of the Scriptures. The coherence of Christian radicalism may be seen in a shared understanding of particular Scriptural themes as they related to nineteenth-century society. While some individuals were awakened to political activism through the exhortations of clerics and other such middle-class reformers, they took the exegesis offered by commentators much further. A consideration of international affairs and peace issues was evident in the writings of political radicals prior to 1850. After 1850, those who had been involved in Christian radicalism thus pursued a number of different paths. Christian radicalism also influenced the broader development of radicalism itself. The anti-Christian strand of radicalism was such that no influence was likely. Patrick Brewster continued his involvement in political and social issues which concerned the poor and oppressed.
