Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent philosopher and leading figure in the transcendentalist movement, delivered his Divinity School Address at Harvard Divinity School in July 1838. The speech was notable for its radical ideas regarding Christianity and the nature of Jesus Christ. Emerson openly criticized the reliance on biblical miracles, asserting that believing in miraculous accounts contradicted reason and personal experience. Instead, he venerated Jesus as a 'great man' whose teachings were to be admired and emulated, yet he denied Jesus's divinity. This perspective was revolutionary for a time when orthodox Christian beliefs were dominant not just in churches, but in public life as well.

The reaction to Emerson's address was immediate and intense. Many in the Protestant community were outraged by what they saw as a blatant disregard for the foundational elements of Christianity. The address called into question the authority of scripture and the very nature of faith, sparking debates that extended far beyond the academic walls of Harvard. Emerson faced criticism from both religious figures and laypersons who felt that his views could undermine the moral fabric of society and lead individuals away from established religious practices.

This event marked a significant shift within religious thought in America, highlighting the growing tension between individual spirituality and traditional religious institutions. Emerson's thoughts on self-reliance and personal interpretation of spiritual truth would influence a generation of thinkers, writers, and theologians as they navigated the complexities of faith in a rapidly modernizing world.