An Inquiry Concerning the Origin of Christianity

Charles Christian Hennell (1809–1850) was a theological writer best known for his association with and influence on George Eliot. First published in 1838, this volume contains Hennell's deconstruction of the Bible to separate the historical character of Jesus from later myths which became incorporated into Christianity. Hennell examines the Gospels and other parts of the New and Old Testaments which are concerned with Jesus, demonstrating that all miraculous events can be explained without reference to supernatural intervention and emphasising the importance of the historical context. Despite Hennell's unorthodox conclusions this volume is not intended as an attack on Christianity, which Hennell praises as the 'purest form of natural religion'. This volume is described as his most important theological work and is one of the Biblical criticisms which inspired George Eliot to question her faith in the 1840's. Hennell's 1839 work Christian Theism is also included in this volume.