James Lindsay (theologian)

James Lindsay (1852 – 1923) was a Scottish United Free Church minister and theologian. He is best known for his works on apologetics, philosophy, and the relationship between science and religion.

Lindsay was born in Edinburgh and educated at the University of Edinburgh, where he studied philosophy and theology. He was ordained as a minister in the United Free Church of Scotland in 1876 and served in several parishes throughout Scotland.

Lindsay's theological perspective was broadly evangelical and emphasized the importance of both reason and revelation in understanding religious truth. He engaged extensively with contemporary philosophical and scientific thought, seeking to demonstrate the compatibility of Christian faith with modern knowledge. He defended theism against materialism and agnosticism, arguing for the rationality of belief in God.

Key Works:

• Progressiveness and the Religious Crisis (1892)
• Recent Advances in Theistic Philosophy of Religion (1897)
• Momenta of Thought (1902)
• Studies in European Philosophy (1909)
• The Philosophy of Evolution and the Crisis of Faith (1909)
• New Essays Literary and Philosophical (1912)
• God as Reason (1916)
• Arthur James Balfour: Philosopher and Thinker (1920)

Lindsay's works reflect a commitment to intellectual rigor and a desire to engage with the challenges posed by modern thought to traditional Christian belief. He sought to bridge the gap between faith and reason, contributing to the ongoing dialogue between theology, philosophy, and science. He remains a figure of interest to scholars studying the history of apologetics and the intellectual landscape of late 19th and early 20th century Scotland.