The Creed of Presbyterians

by Egbert Watson Smith, C. Presbyterian Committee of Publication

There is a large demand for a textbook on the history and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, to be used in the Sunday Schools, Pastors' study classes, and the study classes of Young People's and Women's Societies. In casting about for such a book the Presbyterian Committee of Publication found ready at home that charming little book The Creed of Presbyterians, by the Rev. Egbert Watson Smith, D. D., Executive Secretary of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. It is worthy of note that this book has already had a far larger circulation than any other book ever written in America on Presbyterianism. However, The Creed of Presbyterians is written in popular style for the general reader and was not primarily intended for a textbook, but the Committee of Publication hit upon a happy idea, and that was to convert it into a textbook by dividing it into lessons and adding a list of questions to be used in connection with each lesson. So we have in this new edition a book which has all the charm of the original edition and which can be read without any thought of the classroom, but at the same time a book which can be instantly converted into a textbook, by turning to the lesson divisions and questions in the back. With this new adjustment we believe that The Creed of Presbyterians will meet in an admirable way the demand for a textbook on the history and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Practically every question on each lesson can be answered by a careful study of the pages assigned to that lesson, and it is not necessary for members of the class to have any other book in connection with the course. But it will be found helpful to make frequent reference toencyclopedia articles and to such histories as members of the class may have. It will also be found helpful to have at hand an exceedingly interesting and informing book entitled, The Burning Bush: A Story of the Presbyterian Church, by J. R. Fleming. With these suggestions we send The Creed of Presbyterians out upon its new mission as a textbook with the sincere hope and conviction that it will fill a long felt need. The questions were prepared by Rev. W. L. Lingle, D. D., of Union Theological Seminary, Moderator of the General Assembly of 1920. Presbyterian Committee of Publication Richmond, Va.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Nonfiction, History

228 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2006

Reviews

[Douglas Wilson]

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]

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]

Were more prebys as secure and sunny as Smith!