author
Athanase Coquerel
1820–1875
A leading voice in 19th-century French Protestant liberalism, he was known for thoughtful preaching, lively public debate, and a deep interest in how faith and modern ideas could speak to each other.
1 Audiobook
Christianity and Modern Thought
by Henry W. (Henry Whitney) Bellows, James Freeman Clarke, Athanase Coquerel, Orville Dewey, Charles Carroll Everett, Frederic Henry Hedge, James Martineau, Andrew P. (Andrew Preston) Peabody, George Vance Smith, Oliver Stearns
About the author
Born in Amsterdam in 1820, Athanase Josué Coquerel became a French Protestant pastor, theologian, editor, and writer. He studied theology in Geneva and Strasbourg, then early in his career took over the journal Le Lien from his uncle. He also helped launch the Nouvelle Revue de théologie, described as the first French periodical devoted to scientific theology.
Coquerel served in ministry in Nîmes and later in Paris, where he became especially associated with the liberal Protestant movement. Contemporary reference works and later Protestant histories describe him as an influential preacher who strongly opposed compulsory confessions of faith and took an active role in public religious debate.
He died in 1875 at Fismes. Remembered as one of the notable liberal Protestant voices of his time, he left behind sermons and religious writings that reflect both pastoral work and a commitment to intellectual freedom within Christianity.