Creed of Presbyterians

by Egbert Watson Smith

Excerpt from Creed of Presbyterians
This is not another essay on The Five Points. Such treatises have their place and value, but they present our system, and only the anti-arminian part of it at that, in its bones. They furnish no adequate con ception of that divinely vital and exuber ant Calvinism, the creator of the modern world, the mother of heroes, saints and martyrs in number without number, which history, judging the tree by its fruits, crowns as the greatest creed of Christen dom.
This historic faith of the Presbyterian Church'has in recent years been assailed with the most searching criticism, the most merciless caricature, the most vivid and eloquent abuse. That in this and every other conflict it will come off more-than conqueror, we have no shadow of doubt.
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Genres: Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, History

239 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2006

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this very much. It is a bit too rah-rah in places, and I read an early version of it (1901), written before the author was bedazzled by Barth. At the same time, it was heartening to be reminded yet again how much good Calvinists have introduced into the world.

[Chad · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the title, I expected an explanation of, or commentary on, the Westminster Standards. I was disappointed to find that not only does it not talk much of them, it hardly discusses doctrine or beliefs at all. It's almost completely about the history of Presbyterianism in Europe and the US. The author fawns over Calvinism; the book is packed with glowing quotes by Christian and secular historians about the positive impact of Calvinism on society and government in in England, Holland (Netherlands), France, New England (American colonies), Scotland, and the US. There's not much substance.

The author says that,

We have endeavored to try Calvinism by Christ's own test of fruitfulness, of practical results. We have examined its workings in many countries and amid conditions the most diverse and adverse. … That conclusion is, that as a character builder, as a purifying, energizing, uplifting force in the life of men and nations, Calvinism stands supreme among the religious systems of the world.

Notes
Covenanters in Scotland and Huguenots in France were equivalent of Puritans in England: sincere Calvinists who truly lived their faith and were willing to die for it.

At time of American Revolution, 2/3 of America was Calvinist (Scotch, Scotch-Irish, Puritan English, Dutch, German Reformed, Huguenot).

"The makers, therefore, of free Holland, free England, free Scotland, were earlier pupils in the same school [Calvinism] that moulded the makers of free America."

[American] common-school system is indebted or its existence to that stream of influence which flowed from the Geneva of Clavin, through Scotland and Holland, to America, and how for the first two hundred years of our history almost every college and seminary of learning, and almost every academy and common school was built and sustained by Calvinists.

Biblical examples of God's sovereign foreordination and human free agency together
Jacob's preference for Joseph
Joseph's brothers hating and selling him (Gen 37, 45:5, 7)
Potiphar's wife's actions
Royal butler's actions
Pharaoh's actions
Joseph's actions in Egypt (Gen 42, 46, 15:13-14)
Paul's shipwreck in Acts 27
Trial and crucifixion of Jesus (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28)

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Were more prebys as secure and sunny as Smith!