This is the second in a unique four-volume series which takes the reader on a journey to explore how the Christian faith has spread in Britain since the Reformation.

Britain’s evangelical century

It’s a mammoth venture, the first volume of which covered the near 300 years from 1516 to 1791. This follow-up study essentially focuses on just one century – the nineteenth.

And what a colossal work it is! Running at over 700 pages, there is no questioning the significance the author places on the 19th century for the Church in Britain. As a lawyer, there’s no questioning his thoroughness of research either. Thomas leaves no stone unturned as he brings to light the plethora of influences on the Church throughout what was clearly ‘Britain’s evangelical century’.

Gospel advance

Section One examines the many developments that took place in British Christendom between 1791 (the book’s starting point) and 1859. The changes are quite staggering.

These were decades of phenomenal evangelical enterprise and innovation, seeing the rise of a multitude of gospel initiatives; among them, The Religious Tract Society, the Bible Society, Home mission societies, the SPCK, city mission societies (London, Glasgow, etc), the YMCA, and many more. As well as these, open-air preaching, colporteurs, ragged schools, numerous other educational and social initiatives are all discussed at some length.

In addition, the work and influence of William Wilberforce and the Clapham Sect is highlighted; as is the growth of various fledgling church groups (e.g., Methodists, Baptists) and the beginnings of numerous more (e.g., Primitive Methodists, Brethren, Free Church of Scotland).

Revival … and resistance

It is precisely this whirlwind of evangelical activity that Thomas believes helped lead to the remarkable outpouring of God’s Spirit across all four nations of the United Kingdom in 1859. Thomas calls this “the zenith of evangelical influence”, the highpoint of Christianity in the nation.

But all this came at a cost. Despite the turning of many to Christ, the majority of the population still lay in heathen darkness. Thomas discusses in depth the rising tide of secularisation in the latter half of the 19th century, particularly due to developments in science (notably Darwin) and philosophy (e.g., Herbert Spencer). He considers also doctrinal dissension within the Church, the growth in religious alternatives (such as the appearance of Mormonism, Unitarianism, Spiritualism) and the challenges of Tractarianism and Ritualism.

Onward Christian soldiers

The third and final section of the book looks at the ongoing zeal, sacrifice and creativity of the churches in the midst of these challenges, including the rise of the Salvation Army, and the advance of new revivalistic measures, as portrayed in the mass missions of Moody & Sankey in the 1870s.

It would appear that nothing is left out of this striking, pioneering study; even those who know their church history well will be amazed at how much they will learn from these pages.

Scope of study

And yet, one cannot but note a deficiency. The book is intended as a history of Christianity in Britain. But as the author himself admits, his focus is primarily England, “where the bulk of the British population resides” (p. 37). Northern Ireland is excluded, being part of the UK but not of the British Isles. Information on Scotland and Wales is often added at the end of sections on England, “to illustrate developments of wider significance” (p.37). Sometimes this works, other times it doesn’t do justice to these lands, whose spiritual histories were at times quite different to that of England.

As a notable example, the 1859 revival was the most widespread in Scotland’s history, extending to every county of the land, including the north and western isles.¹ The movement was equally potent in Wales. In comparison, England was barely moved. Yet, somewhat ironically, Thomas gives little more than a single paragraph to the spread of this awakening across each of the Celtic nations, but devotes several pages to events in England.

A perusal of the Index (which comprises 60 pages no less!) is also revealing. Under ‘Specific churches/chapels’, there are around 130 geographic references. Of these, the vast majority are in London. Only three are to be found in Scotland, and none in Wales. Admittedly, these issues will be more of a concern to a non-English reader (such as this Scot), but it is certainly something to note.

Tour de force

Yet such shortcoming fails to dampen the overall beauty of this meticulously researched work. Although scholarly in nature, it is very readable, and fairly easy to navigate. While perhaps too detailed for the average reader to plough through, it does act as a very handy single volume reference book (note, there’s no bibliography; rather, copious footnotes).

‘The Nation’s Gospel’ is a tour de force of English church history (with additional information on Scotland and Wales); a masterpiece of historical and theological scholarship. For pastors, church history students and theologians alike, I have little doubt this will quickly be recognised as an authoritative work; a definite ‘go-to‘ reference for decades to come.

‘The Nation’s Gospel’ (721pp) is published by Wilberforce Publications, and is available at the reduced price of £14.99 (inc. p&p) from 10ofthose.

1. Entire books - such as this one, almost as lengthy as the study under review - have been written on it.