John Spencer (priest)

John Spencer (1630 – 1693) was an English clergyman and scholar, known primarily for his work De Legibus Hebraeorum Ritualibus et Earum Rationibus (Concerning the Ritual Laws of the Hebrews). He is considered a founder of the field of comparative religion, using a rationalist approach to study and compare ancient Hebrew laws and customs with those of other ancient cultures, particularly Egyptian and Greek.

Spencer was born in Bocton-under-Blean, Kent, and educated at the King's School, Canterbury, and Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he became a fellow in 1655 and earned his Doctor of Divinity in 1667. He served as Master of Corpus Christi College from 1667 until his death. He also held the positions of Archdeacon of Sudbury and Prebendary of Ely.

De Legibus Hebraeorum Ritualibus et Earum Rationibus, published in two volumes (1683 and 1685), was his major work. In it, Spencer argued that many of the Mosaic laws were adapted from contemporary pagan practices, arguing that God had condescended to use familiar forms and symbols to wean the Israelites away from idolatry. This approach, while groundbreaking in its comparative methodology, was controversial at the time, as it seemed to diminish the divine origin and uniqueness of the Hebrew laws. Despite the controversy, the work was influential and established Spencer as a significant figure in the intellectual history of religious studies.

Spencer’s work laid the groundwork for future scholars of comparative religion and biblical criticism. He advocated for a reasoned and historical approach to understanding the Bible and religious practices, influencing subsequent generations of theologians and scholars. He died in Cambridge in 1693.