An Ecclesiastical Catechism of the Presbyterian Church for the use of Families, Bible-classes and Private Members - Softcover

Thomas Smyth

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0977344231 ISBN 13: 9780977344239

Publisher: Reformation Christian Ministries, 2007

Synopsis

Originally printed in 1843, "An Ecclesiastical Catechism of the Presbyterian Church" is a definitive text giving insight and instruction regarding the form of church government known as presbyterianism, or rule of elders. Replete with Scripture references, "An Ecclesiastical Catechism of the Presbyterian Church" is serious reading for all wanting to learn about this historic form of church government.

About this title

About the Author

Thomas Smyth (1808-1873) was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland where he spent his youth. He began his higher education at Belfast College (1827-1829). In 1829, he entered Highbury College in London, where he studied in the classics and theology completing his education at Princeton Seminary in United States in 1831. He was ordained in 1831 and labored for forty years as the pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina. From his research in his own extensive library (said to be one of the largest private collections in the United States at the time) he wrote several massive volumes on church officers. His love of scholarship persuaded him to leave an endow¬ment for the Smyth Lectureship at Columbia Theological Seminary. He was a scholarly pastor and an Old School Presbyterian. He ardently supported the cause of the Confederate States of America and survived the War Between the States by some years. His study and experience combined to lead him to the belief that confusion in the offices creates strife in the church. The goal of his writing was to clearly define and distinguish the offices and functions continu¬ing in the church. Dr. Smyth is little known today. Those who have heard of him, may have read his Argument for Church-Boards in The Collected Writings of James Henley Thornwell, Vol. 4, Appendix A. However, his articles written for The Biblical Repertory and Princeton Review and North Carolina Presbyterian compiled in Theories of the Eldership are still a relatively unknown refutation of the views of ruling eldership commonly known today as the two-office view in the United States. The editor of the North Carolina Presbyterian, had this to say about his Theories, Dr. Robt. L. Dabney, to whom they were mainly addressed, was then Professor in Union Theological Seminary, Virginia. Drs. J. H. Thornwell and John B. Adger, frequently mentioned in the discussion, were Professors in the Columbia Theological Seminary. Drs. Smyth and Adger were brothers-in-law. The debate in the Southern church on these subjects continuing until about 1878, was a battle between giants. Dr. Smyth was the leader on one side. He showed himself a skillful warrior, mighty and well-armed. Many believe that though the votes were finally against him, he won the victory on the field of truth and history for the theory he defended. His position was to maintain the view of eldership found in the Form of Government from the Westminster Assembly. He viewed the others as a departure. Dr. Thomas Smyth was also the author of Lectures on the Apostolical Succession; Presbytery and not Prelacy, the Scriptural and Primitive Polity; Ecclesiastical Republicanism and many other items in his ten volume Complete Works collected posthumously (1908-1912).

Edition details

• Publisher: Reformation Christian Ministries
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0977344231
• ISBN 13: 9780977344239
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 104
• Editor: Geoffrey Donnan