The duty of love to God: The spiritual theology of John Leadley Dagg (1794-1884)

This dissertation argues that the duty of love to God is the central theme that shaped John Dagg's life, doctrine, and ministry. Chapter 2 defines Dagg's concept of the duty of love to God. This chapter serves a fundamental function in the dissertation as it identifies the precise nature of the duty of love to God. Chapter 3 surveys Dagg's writings with a view to how the duty of love to God is expressed in each of them. Chapter 4 investigates Dagg's doctrine of God in relationship to the duty of love to God. Chapter 5 explores Dagg's understanding of doctrine itself. This chapter explains that it is Dagg's emphasis on doctrine as the divine communication of the Trinity that leads to his experiential theology. Chapter 6 transitions from the doctrine of God to the doctrine of man. This chapter reveals that Dagg's focus on the duty of love to God permeates his anthropology. Chapter 7 concerns Dagg's soteriology. Dagg's understanding of saving grace is shaped by his understanding of the duty of love to God. Chapter 8 brings the duty of love to bear on Dagg's ecclesiology. This chapter examines Dagg's understanding of the local and universal church. Chapter 9 concludes the dissertation stating its significance.