THE COLLECTED WRITINGS OF JAMES HENLEY THORNWELL [Four volumes]

Volume 1: Theological The [first] volume contains sixteen lectures in theology. All these constitute his discussion of that portion of theology which relates to God and to moral government essentially considered, or to the same as modified by the Covenant of Works. To this volume, by way of appendix, are added his Inaugural Discourse, his Questions on the Lectures to his classes, his Analysis of Calvin's Institutes and his examination questions thereupon. The next volume will discuss that portion of theology which relates to moral government as modified by the Covenant of Grace. These two volumes are not a treatise on theology written by our distinguished professor, but consist of all that he left behind him upon those topics, gathered together since his decease by the hand of friendship, and systematized as well as possible according to his conception of the science of theology. Volume 2: Theological and Ethical The sixteen lectures may be reckoned his very latest productions. Upon some of the topics in the second volume, what we have to present the reader will be some of his earlier writings; there is not one of them, however, but bears the same impressive genius--not one of them but his instinct with the same unction of the Spirit of truth and love. Accompanying what the second volume will contain upon the Doctrines of Grace, there will be found a partial discussion of the morals which necessarily flow out of those doctrines. Volume 3: Theological and Controversial The third volume will contain an elaborate discussion of the canon, the authority of Scripture, papal infallibility, the mass, the validity of popish baptism, and the claims of the Romish church to be reckoned any church at all. In the discussion of popish baptism the author was led into a thorough consideration of the Christian doctrine of justification, and hence that whole argument might well be placed in the second volume. Connected as it was, however, by other ties with the Romish controversy, it was judged best, after mature reflection, to place it in the volume of the theological and polemic writings. Volume 4: Ecclesiastical In the fourth volume will be gathered whatever else Dr Thornwell has left behind him touching the question of the church. -- From the editor's preface.

It is impossible to understand the developments and controversies in American Presbyterianism in the nineteenth century without some grasp of the thought and importance of the distinguished Southern theologian and educator James Henley Thornwell (1812–1862). Three times he served as a pastor, and twice as a professor in the College of South Carolina, before he was called to the presidency of the college in 1851.

From 1855 until his death at the age of 49 he held the chair of theology in the Theological Seminary in Columbia, South Carolina. During his relatively short lifetime he was widely recognized as a great preacher, a brilliant theologian, and an effective and influential churchman. Although Thornwell preferred the spoken to the written word, and did not live long enough to complete a work covering the whole system of theology, his Collected Writings, 1871–1882, edited by John B. Adger and John L. Girardeau, and now republished in full, have long been prized. The lectures, sermons, addresses, and articles which they contain abundantly confirm that among the many expositors of the theology and experimental religion which came to classical exposition in the Westminster Confession of Faith, Thornwell is one of the most erudite and powerful.