TYLER, BENNET: Congregational theologian; b. in Middlebury (then a part of Woodbury), Conn., July 10, 1783; d. at East Windsor, Conn., May 14, 1858. He was graduated at Yale College in 1804; spent a year as teacher in Weston, Conn.; studied theology with the Rev. Asahel Hooker at Goshen, Corm.; was licensed in 1806; began to preach in 1807 at South Britain, where he was ordained in 1808; became president of Dartmouth College in 1822; succeeded Dr. Payson as pastor of Second Congregational Church, Portland, Me., in 1828; was elected president of the Theological Institute of Connecticut, now Hartford Theological Seminary, in 1833 and inagurated May 13, 1834, when the cornerstone of the new edifice was laid in East Windsor, Conn.; resigned this position July 16, 1857, and died suddenly at the house of his daughter. In
all these positions Dr. Tyler was successful; and though much of his public life was spent in theological controversy, his Christian character was recognized even by his opponents, while his friends testify as to his genial temper, unaffected candor, genuine humility, and cheerful piety.
Dr. Tyler's name was conspicuous in connection with a theological controversy among the Congregationalists of Connecticut, which was occasioned by a discourse of Nathaniel William Taylor (q.v.; Condo ad clerum, General Association, 182$), professor in the divinity school of Yale College. On a visit to Connecticut in 1829 (he was then pastor at Portland), Dr. Tyler began a correspondence with Dr. Taylor (who had been a classmate at Yale), which passed into a public discussion, continuing for years, and finding its practical issue in the formation of the Pastoral Union of Connecticut (Sept. 10, 1833), and the establishment of the Theological Institute.
The germ of the controversy was the position, attributed to Dr. Taylor, " that no human being can become depraved but by his own act, and that the sinfulness of the race does not pertain to man's nature." In connection with this, regeneration was regarded as the act of man's own will or heart; and the primary cause of this right choice was found in self-love, or a desire for the greatest happiness. (Some of these positions have been disclaimed by Dr. Taylor and his friends.) He claimed to be in accord with the New England Calvinism, represented by the two Edwardses, Bellamy, Hopkins, and Dwight. His position on the doctrine of original sin was not Augustinian: over against Dr. Taylor he asserted depravity of nature and the federal headship of Adam, but did not accept immediate imputation. He denied the self-determining power of the will, or the power of a contrary choice, and would not limit the definition of sin to voluntary transgression of known law. He accepted the distinction of Edwards between . natural and moral ability, and denied most resolutely the " happiness theory." By discriminating between an unlimited atonement and limited redemption, he sought to preserve the doctrine of individual election. Regeneration he regarded as " effected, not by moral suasion, or by the efficiency of any means whatever, but by the direct agency of the Holy Spirit, changing the moral disposition, and imparting a new spiritual life to the soul." The controversy, as was usual at that time, was carried on with speculative and dogmatic weapons, though both parties appealed to Scripture. '
In later times Dr. Tyler became engaged in discussion with Dr. Bushnell, and his own orthodoxy was called in question before the Pastoral Union in 1856. From this charge he was almost unanimously exonerated.
Dr. Tyler contributed largely to the theological controversy above named; published many sermons and addresses, and contributed many articles to the religious periodicals of the day. Mention may be made of his Hist. of the New Haven Theology (Hartford, 1837); Memoir of Rev. Asa3eel Nettleton (1844); Treatise on the Sufferings of .Christ (New York, 1845); Treatise on New England Revivals
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Bibliography: See New England Theology, v., § 1, and consult: the Memoir by N. Gale, ut sup.; E. A. Lawrence, in New Englander, 1859; A. H. Quint, in Congregational Quarterly, 1860; A. E. Dunning, Congregationalists in America, pp. 312, 388, New York, 1894; W. Walker, in American Church History Series, iii. 358-381, 366, New York, 1894; idem, New England Leaders, pp. 400-436, New York, 1901; F. H. Foster, New England Theology, pp. 386-393, Chicago, 1907.
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