Syllabus and Notes of the Course of Systematic and Polemic Theology

by Robert Lewis Dabney

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Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Christian

918 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Robert Lewis Dabney (March 5, 1820 – January 3, 1898) was an American Christian theologian, a Southern Presbyterian pastor, and Confederate Army chaplain. He was also chief of staff and biographer to Stonewall Jackson. His biography of Jackson remains in print today.

Dabney studied at Hampden-Sydney College and the University of Virginia (M.A., 1842), and graduated from Union Theological Seminary in 1846.
He was then a missionary in Louisa County, Virginia, from 1846 to 1847 and pastor at Tinkling Spring, Virginia from 1847 to 1853, being also head master of a classical school for a portion of this time. From 1853 to 1859 he was professor of ecclesiastical history and polity and from 1859 to 1869 adjunct professor of systematic theology in Union Theological Seminary, where he later became full professor of systematics. In 1883, he was appointed professor of mental and moral philosophy in the University of Texas.
By 1894 failing health compelled him to retire from active life, although he still lectured occasionally. He was co-pastor, with his brother-in-law B. M. Smith, of the Hampden-Sydney College Church 1858 to 1874, also serving Hampden-Sydney College in a professorial capacity on occasions of vacancies in its faculty. Dabney, whose wife was a first cousin to Stonewall Jackson's wife, participated in the Civil War: during the summer of 1861 he was chaplain of the 18th Virginia regiment in the Confederate army, and in the following year was chief of staff to Jackson during the Valley Campaign and the Seven Days Battles.
After the Civil War Dabney spoke widely on Jackson and the Confederacy. He continued to hold racial views typical in the South before the Civil War, and his continued support of slavery in speeches and a book published after the war and his strong loyalty to the Confederacy until the 1890s made him a visible figure in the post-war South (Hettle, 2003).
While at the University of Texas he practically founded and maintained the Austin School of Theology (which later became Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary), and in 1870 was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States.

Major works

Memoir of Rev. Dr. Francis S. Sampson (1855), whose commentary on Hebrews he edited (1857);
Life of General Thomas J. Jackson (1866)
A Defense of Virginia, and Through Her, of the South, in Recent and Pending Contests Against the Sectional Party (1867), an apologia for the Confederacy.
Lectures on Sacred Rhetoric (1870)
Syllabus and Notes of the Course of Systematic and Polemic Theology (1871; 2nd ed. 1878), later republished as Systematic Theology.
Systematic Theology (1878)
Sensualistic Philosophy of the Nineteenth Century Examined (1875; 2nd ed. 1887)
Practical Philosophy (1897)
Penal Character of the Atonement of Christ Discussed in the Light of Recent Popular Heresies (1898, posthumous), on the satisfaction view of the atonement.
Discussions (1890-1897), Four volumes of his shorter essays, edited by C. R. Vaughan.

Reviews

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good stuff. His common-sense realism, while laughed at by van tillians in the 20th century, is making a comeback today. Has a notorious section on the Lord's Supper. Dabney is very attentive elsewhere to tensions in how we talk about the doctrine of God.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Notwithstanding my prejudices against Robert Lewis Dabney, largely on account of his views of race and American slavery, I really enjoyed reading his Systematic Theology. Given that it was originally a series of lectures, it is remarkably lucid in its style. There are a few areas where I would disagree with Dabney, especially in relation to his weakening of the Reformed view of the Lord's Supper, his rejection of the establishment principle, and even some statements he makes on the atonement (despite clearly affirming limited atonement, he says some things that might lend weight to hypothetical universalism), his work is largely a restatement of standard Reformed doctrine. For readers of Reformed systematic theologies, Dabney's work is one that ought to be on your reading list.

[Miles Foltermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a complete systematic theology per se. The contents are drawn from student notes taken throughout Dabney’s systematic theology course at Union Theological Seminary (Virginia). Because that instruction was, at the time, supplemented by other courses, Dabney deferred some topics for other professors. The doctrine of Scripture receives a light treatment in this book as a result. Nevertheless, many other topics receive a robust exploration and explanation. Dabney is particularly strong in philosophical and polemical theology. I believe his refutations of Anabaptists, Arminians, universalists, sacerdotalists, and others are decisive, but they are conducted in a spirit of gentleness and respect, consistent with the admonition of 1 Peter 3:15-16. This book would serve as a fine addition to any theology library.

[Bob Bingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book - actually the collection of Dabney's lectures on systematic theology. For the full benefit, it would help to have access to the works of the authors cited, as well as a familiarity with Greek. However, there is much to be gained even without these resources. The last lecture would be particularly helpful for those wrestling with "Christian Nationalism." Dabney would not be in favor of it.

[Justin Andrusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not often I give a book a 5 start rating, but this one deserves it. For all intents and purposes it's an exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith. Dabney's lectures are just phenomenal around this subject along with others such as atheism and evolution.

[Robert]

Zondervan Publishing HOUSE 1972

[G Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dabney, despite is views on Red-heads and "blacks", is a man to be admired. This is a classic Southern Presbyterian understanding of theology. While he has written a lot of other worth while material and if you have the time to genuinely read them, space on your bookshelf and discretionary funds, I would encourage that you read them if for no other reason than to get a good snapshot of what it walking with God looked like - at least in America during the war between the states. Also, I think a lot of what he has to say about education, slavery, the American government has a lot of good import for today's America.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

An very thorough treatment of systematic theology from one of the greatest theologians of the 19th century. Not written as a book, but rather a collection of lecture notes. Dabney does a masterful job not just presenting the biblical view of various doctrine, but he also refutes various false teachings.

[Benjamin Glaser · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I like about Dabney's Systematics is that it was originally lecture notes from the classes he taught. While some think this is a defect I actually think this benefits learning in a lot of ways since it allows Dabney to focus on the Pastoral reasons why these things are important.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Southern Presbyterianism" at its finest. Dabney is Reformed and provides us with an excellent systematic theology. Great resourse. Use in combination with the others.