Liberal Catholicism and the Modern World

This volume, published in 1934, was inspired by the English publication, Essays Catholic and Critical (1926). The volume stressed the Catholic tradition and a liberal, critical approach to biblical and historical studies. Liberal catholics wanted “to preserve the best of the past in the light of the best of the present so as to build for the best future.” Liberal catholics encouraged the use of literary and historical criticism. The editor and guiding spirit of the book was Frank Gavin, then Professor of Ecclesiastical History at General Theological Seminary. Among the contributors were Frederick C. Grant, Wilbur M. Urban, Granville M. Williams, and Cuthbert A. Simpson.