James Denney (1856-1917) - Biopic (2)

Born on 5th February 1856 in Paisley, near Glasgow in Scotland, James Denney grew up in the sea-port of Greenock, on the Firth of Clyde. His family were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, the small denomination also known as the Cameronians, and which had its origin in the courageous controversies which gripped Scotland towards the end of the 17th century. His early education was at the Highlanders' Academic in Greenock, a large school which provided a thoroughly sound but plain education at a low cost.  He later became a pupil-teacher there.  He matriculated as an Arts Student at Glasgow University in November 1874, took an eminent position from the first, studied there for five years, and had the rare distinction of gaining a "double first" honours degree in Classics and Philosophy.  This was followed by four years of theological training at Trinity College where he acquitted himself well in his studies.  His teachers under whose stimulating instruction he came, included profs A. B. Bruce, J. S. Candlish, and T. M. Lindsay, though it was perhaps Bruce who most influenced Denney.

During an eleven year parish ministry at Broughty Ferry, Dundee, he gave his theological lectures in Chicago, which were later published in 1895 under the title, Studies in Theology.  Also at that time, he wrote his commentaries on the letters of Paul to the Thessalonians (1892), and on Second Corinthians (1894).  Then followed his commentary on the Greek text of Romans, The Death of Christ, and Jesus and the Gospel.  His book of sermons, The Way Everlasting, presents his characteristic thoughts with marked simplicity and power, and has taught many ministers how the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is to be preached.  He was then elected to the Chair of Systematic and Pastoral Theology in the Glasgow College in 1897, and two years later, transferred to the Chair of New Testament, which was his field of specialism.  He occupied this position until his death in 1917, the last two years of which as principal of the College.

An examination of Denney's works will reveal that his scholarly mind has grappled with the impact of philosophical empiricism and theological liberalism on orthodox theology, particularly in the person of Albrecht Ritschl, the father of theological liberalism.  There can be no doubt that Ritschl, himself, came under strong philosophical influences, which have left their mark on his theology, and whose theology, in turn, has marked most of the major Christian denominations in the western world.

(Extract from J. E. Hazlett Lynch's unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, 1990).