Evidences of christianity william paley biography
•
Evidences of Christianity by William Paley
•
Evidence Of Christianity
April 29, 2023
For Holy Week, I decided to read this 1794 Christian apologetics book, by Rev. William Paley, (Anglican) Archdeacon of Carlisle. What struck me most is how contemporary the arguments sound. Paley spends great length on the historical reliability of the New Testament, the readiness of the Apostles for martyrdom, the high regard in which the early church held the Scriptures, the prophecies, and similar topics which I've seen in numerous modern apologetics books. It's sad but unsurprising that the arguments on both sides have scarce progressed in the last two centuries.
The main difference I see (aside from mere style) is how Paley argues. More modern apologists, when appealing to secular support, usually quote multiple contemporary historians and summarize conclusions from archaeology. Paley, living before modern archaeology and perhaps being better-read than modern apologists, at least as often quotes ancient sources at great length to support

The main difference I see (aside from mere style) is how Paley argues. More modern apologists, when appealing to secular support, usually quote multiple contemporary historians and summarize conclusions from archaeology. Paley, living before modern archaeology and perhaps being better-read than modern apologists, at least as often quotes ancient sources at great length to support
•
William Paley
18th/19th-century English Christian philosopher (1743–1805)
This article is about the philosopher and Christian apologist. For the filmmaker, see William C. Paley. For the American media mogul, see William S. Paley.
The Reverend William Paley | |
---|---|
Portrait by George Romney | |
Born | July 1743 Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England |
Died | 25 May 1805 (1805-05-26) (aged 61) Bishopwearmouth, County Durham, England |
Nationality | English |
Alma mater | Christ's College, Cambridge |
Known for | Contributions to moral philosophy, political philosophy, ethics and philosophy of religion |
Awards | Members' Prize, Cambridge (1765) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Natural theology |
Institutions | Giggleswick Grammar School, Christ's College, Cambridge, Giggleswick Parish, Carlisle Cathedral, Lincoln Cathedral, Durham Cathedral |
William Paley (July 1743 – 25 May 1805) was an English Anglican clergyman, Christian apolog