Page 95 - History of Christianity - Student Textbook

information, he would develop into a model citizen and contribute greatly toward the progress of society. He
denied the innate sinfulness of man called original sin.

Voltaire (1694-1778) –
Born in 1694, in Paris, France, Voltaire established himself as one of the leading writers of
the Enlightenment. His famed works include the tragic play Zaïre, the historical study The Age
of Louis XIV and the satirical novella Candide. Voltaire and the Marquise analyzed the Bible
and concluded that much of its content was dubious. Voltaire's critical views on religion are
reflected in his belief in separation of church and state and religious freedom, ideas that he
had formed after his stay in England.

John Locke, 1632-1704
John Locke was among the most famous philosophers and political theorists of the
17 century. He is often regarded as the founder of a school of thought known as British
th
Empiricism, and he made foundational contributions to modern theories of limited
government.

Both his parents were Puritans and as such, Locke was raised that way. Because of his
father's connections and allegiance to the English government, Locke received an
outstanding education.

In Locke's landmark, Two Treatises of Government, put forth his revolutionary ideas concerning the natural
rights of man and the social contract. Both concepts not only stirred waves in England, but also impacted the
intellectual underpinnings that formed the later American and French revolutions.

Later in his life, Locke wrote A Letter Concerning Toleration in which he wrote that it was impossible for the state
to referee competing religious claims. When the state enforces religion, it always leads to the opposite effect of
the desired religion. Imposing uniformity is far worse than allowing a diversity of thought. He was a proponent
of allowing total religious freedom of thought and practice.

In his The Reasonableness of Christianity, he argued that the beliefs of Christianity were rational and open to
investigation. He taught that through the revelation of Jesus Christ, man can find God. He said that God
revealed His Word through Jesus Christ, and this revelation is reasonable to the common mind.

The French Revolution: Crash Course European History

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