This week in Christian history: Teen Mania ends, Thomas Tenison dies, missionary Amy Carmichael born
Thomas Tenison dies – Dec. 14, 1715
This week marks the anniversary of when Thomas Tenison, a scholar and former archbishop of Canterbury credited with helping shape the Church of England’s response to the Enlightenment, died at the age of 79.
Raised during the English Civil War and the early Enlightenment, Tenison was ordained a priest in 1659 and appointed archbishop in 1694, serving in that role until his death.
Tenison is credited with preserving unity within the Anglican Church and with advocating religious toleration, as well as with a series of sermons reconciling faith and reason.
“During his lifetime, Tenison's sermons, writings, and administrative reforms significantly impacted clergy training, doctrinal clarity, and social responsibility within the Anglican tradition,” noted Biography Central.
“His approach to balancing doctrinal orthodoxy with intellectual openness helped shape the church’s response to the Enlightenment, ensuring its relevance in a rapidly changing intellectual landscape. His advocacy for education and moral reform influenced the development of Anglican educational institutions and charitable organizations.”
