Discussions of Theological Questions

by John Lafayette Girardeau

Written by John L. Girardeau

Genres: Theology

534 pages, Hardcover

Published December 1, 1998

About the author

John Lafayette Girardeau (14 November 1825 – 23 June 1898) was a Reformed theologian and minister in the Presbyterian Church in the United States. He is notable as a Calvinist defender of libertarianism, the teaching that people have free will to choose between alternatives, and that they could have chosen differently than they actually did, rather than a determinist or compatibilist view.

He was a professor of systematic theology at Columbia Theological Seminary in South Carolina.

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Girardeau was highly regarded as a philosophically minded theologian and especially gifted preacher in the history of American Presbyterianism. This volume is an important "primary source" in understanding Girardeau's unique contributions and refinements of 19th century American Presbyterian theology, especially as it was practiced in the South. The chapters on the definition and division of Theology set Girardeau within the Thornwellian tradition of systematic theology, influenced by both the Scottish Common Sense Realism of William Hamilton and the biblical epistemology and anthropology of John Calvin. The chapters on Scripture, Christology, and Adoption (Soteriology) are important for setting Girardeau in his historical context and recognizing his valuable (and unique) contributions to the development of the doctrine of salvation. Girardeau's work in understanding and applying the doctrine of Adoption is invaluably precious.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read though not a classic by any means. Girardeau is my personal favourite of the Southern Presbyterians of that time period. In American Reformed theologians he ranks with Hodge, Dabney, Thornwell, and Warfield in my own opinion. All that to say I do love me some Girardeau! The good stuff with the book is that it is quite well-researched, it does address several theological topics that were less fleshed out at the time, and Girardeau is quite persuasive in his arguments. The chapter on adoption was absolutely astounding! I've read very few theologians who are as well spoken on that misunderstood and misused doctrine. Therefore, Girardeau does great in those areas and on that topic particularly.
There are areas that are rather disagreeable with Girardeau though. One of those is his interpretation of texts dealing with Roman Catholic understanding of Scripture. He's definitely a historicist (almost all Protestants of the time were), but some of the texts he uses trying to find dates for historical events in the Bible are off-putting at best and downright wrong on others. His definition of theology is a bit too broad, he chalks it up to more of a science than other Reformed theologians (and Aquinas for that matter). His writing style is typical of the 19th century; dense and heady though not unreadable.
I would recommend the book if just for the chapter on adoption. Be wary though, Girardeau was a master theologian and highly intellectually adept. His arguments, even if you disagree with them, deserve to be heard and reasoned with.

[G Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good, but not great... Girardeau is still a standard though in American Calvinistic thought, so he should be read... Very uneven book... some good, some bad, some easy to read, others not... good to have it all though in one place.