Herbert Butterfield and the Reinterpretation of the Christian Historical Perspective

This study is a critical but sympathetic look at the important themes that Butterfield developed as a Christian historian. Based largely on the extensive collection of Butterfield papers at the Cambridge University Library, this study breaks with previous works on Butterfield by McIntyre and Coll on several points. It explores the radical dimensions of his thought on Christianity and demonstrates that he was not only trenchantly critical of political and religious establishments, but also held some unconventional views about biblical criticism and the role of Providence. It also explores systematically his 'scientific' approach to history, arguing that he was highly influenced by Leopold von Ranke.