Locke’s Christology as a Key to Understanding His Philosophy

Abstract

I begin with some remarks about the title of this chapter, and note that Locke’s Christology is billed only as a key, one among many, that unlocks one of several doors to his mind. Or, I might have said, a light that illuminates the several pathways of his mind. Various keys, or lights, might be employed for this purpose: his doctrine of ideas, substance scepticism, his nominalism, his epistemology as preparation for the new science, personal identity, toleration or political individualism. These ­several themes, to which others might be added, represent Locke’s characteristic concerns and achievements. To label them ‘keys’ is to express the belief that they are not only interesting in themselves, but that they can also be used to gain access to other parts of Locke’s mind, even to the whole of it. Each theme offers a different mode of access to his philosophical thought and, hence, a different prospect. I propose to show, or, more modestly put, to explore the ways in which Locke’s beliefs concerning Christ are integral to his thinking about the central issues that concerned him. What I am undertaking is not without precedent. It is especially appropriate to acknowledge that I am merely moving along a pathway opened up by John Dunn, and that I am proceeding according to his directive to consider how Locke’s Christianity may assist our understanding of his particular texts.