Call number
Publication
New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1937.
Physical description
216 p.; 20 cm
Notes
CONTENTS:
Chapter I — The Essentials of Presbyterianism.
Meaning and use of the name. Importance of organization and definition of authority. Administration of authority in the Church. Representative democracy in Presbyterianism. Machinery of administration in the Church. Unity of the Church. Fundamental principles of Presbyterianism. How old is Presbyterianism?
Chapter II — Presbyterianism in History.
Effect of the New Testament on the beginnings of Presbyterianism. Theories of the definitions of presbyter and bishop. Distinctions between presbyter and bishop. . . .
Chapter III — Presbyterianism in America—Colonial Era.
Earliest Presbyterian organizations in America. Beginnings of the Dutch Reformed Church in America. Restrictions resulting from British seizure of New Netherlands. . . .
Chapter IV — Presbyterianism in America—National Era.
The Church during the Revolution. The question of a State Church. Rise of the American Churches. . . .
Chapter V — Presbyterianism in America—Nineteenth Century.
The new spirit of the Nineteenth Century. Theological differences. The disruption of 1837. Committees or boards? Question of slavery. Division between the North and the South. Constructive work in Biblical study. Rewriting of systematic Theology. Preaching and leadership. The inevitable reunion.
Chapter VI — Presbyterianism in America—Since the Reunion.
Effects of the Reunion. Changes in theological temper and interpretation. . . .
Chapter VII — Presbyterianism and Catholicity.
Origin of the Catholic idea. The term "Catholic" not based on organizational unity. Necessity for unity in the Church. Antiquity of the question for unity. Early unity organic. Reasons for organizational unity. The invisible Church. Protestantism and Catholicity. The national Church idea. Rise of the American idea of denominations. Denominations and Catholicity. Weakness of the Invisible Church conception. Catholicity and Presbyterianism. Scope of Catholicity. Presbyterian Catholicity.
Chapter VIII — Presbyterianism and Doctrine.
Relation of doctrine and polity. Importance of doctrine. Biblical basis of doctrine. Fluidity of form of doctrine. Doctrine as a means to an end. Doctrine as a structure. Doctrine as a vital product. Essentials. Calvinism as standard Presbyterian doctrine. Progressive Calvinism.
Chapter IX — Presbyterianism and Progress.
The idea of progress. Progressiveness in Presbyterianism. Progress in the knowledge and use of the Bible. Inherently plastic system of Presbyterianism. Effects of progress on principles of Presbyterianism. Progress in the history of modern Presbyterianism.
Chapter X — The Future of Presbyterianism.
Prospects for the survival of Presbyterianism. Presbyterianism inextricably linked with the Christian religion. Passing of non-Christian religions. Necessity for adaptability in Presbyterianism. Wisdom of abandoning set terminology. Necessity for retaining in Presbyterianism the tempo of the times. Basic function of the Church in modern civilization. Effect on the Church of the trend of civilization toward consolidation. The future of Presbyterianism.
Chapter I — The Essentials of Presbyterianism.
Meaning and use of the name. Importance of organization and definition of authority. Administration of authority in the Church. Representative democracy in Presbyterianism. Machinery of administration in the Church. Unity of the Church. Fundamental principles of Presbyterianism. How old is Presbyterianism?
Chapter II — Presbyterianism in History.
Effect of the New Testament on the beginnings of Presbyterianism. Theories of the definitions of presbyter and bishop. Distinctions between presbyter and bishop. . . .
Chapter III — Presbyterianism in America—Colonial Era.
Earliest Presbyterian organizations in America. Beginnings of the Dutch Reformed Church in America. Restrictions resulting from British seizure of New Netherlands. . . .
Chapter IV — Presbyterianism in America—National Era.
The Church during the Revolution. The question of a State Church. Rise of the American Churches. . . .
Chapter V — Presbyterianism in America—Nineteenth Century.
The new spirit of the Nineteenth Century. Theological differences. The disruption of 1837. Committees or boards? Question of slavery. Division between the North and the South. Constructive work in Biblical study. Rewriting of systematic Theology. Preaching and leadership. The inevitable reunion.
Chapter VI — Presbyterianism in America—Since the Reunion.
Effects of the Reunion. Changes in theological temper and interpretation. . . .
Chapter VII — Presbyterianism and Catholicity.
Origin of the Catholic idea. The term "Catholic" not based on organizational unity. Necessity for unity in the Church. Antiquity of the question for unity. Early unity organic. Reasons for organizational unity. The invisible Church. Protestantism and Catholicity. The national Church idea. Rise of the American idea of denominations. Denominations and Catholicity. Weakness of the Invisible Church conception. Catholicity and Presbyterianism. Scope of Catholicity. Presbyterian Catholicity.
Chapter VIII — Presbyterianism and Doctrine.
Relation of doctrine and polity. Importance of doctrine. Biblical basis of doctrine. Fluidity of form of doctrine. Doctrine as a means to an end. Doctrine as a structure. Doctrine as a vital product. Essentials. Calvinism as standard Presbyterian doctrine. Progressive Calvinism.
Chapter IX — Presbyterianism and Progress.
The idea of progress. Progressiveness in Presbyterianism. Progress in the knowledge and use of the Bible. Inherently plastic system of Presbyterianism. Effects of progress on principles of Presbyterianism. Progress in the history of modern Presbyterianism.
Chapter X — The Future of Presbyterianism.
Prospects for the survival of Presbyterianism. Presbyterianism inextricably linked with the Christian religion. Passing of non-Christian religions. Necessity for adaptability in Presbyterianism. Wisdom of abandoning set terminology. Necessity for retaining in Presbyterianism the tempo of the times. Basic function of the Church in modern civilization. Effect on the Church of the trend of civilization toward consolidation. The future of Presbyterianism.