An Able and Faithful Ministry: Samuel Miller and the Pastoral Office

by James M. Garretson

Samuel Miller (1769–1850) played an integral part in founding Princeton Theological Seminary, which became one of the most influential training grounds for Presbyterian ministers in the nineteenth century. While Miller is most commonly remembered for his writings on church office, he also played a significant role instructing students and shaping their theology of preaching and pastoral ministry. In the present volume, Jim Garretson highlights the narrative of Miller’s life and the major ministerial emphases found in his published writings, sermons, and unpublished lecture notes. As a result, readers will come to know the spiritual convictions of Miller’s heart and understand the theology of ministry he imparted over the course of his lifetime.


James M. Garretson serves as ministry director for the Christian union at Harvard Law School.


“James Garretson has already provided erudite and welcome additions to the history of American pastoral theology with his work on Archibald Alexander. Now he has moved on to look at the life and teaching of another Old Princeton giant, Samuel Miller. Once again, his contribution to antebellum American religious history is remarkable. By contextualizing Miller’s pastoral teaching within his larger life and historical setting, Garretson reveals much to us about why Miller was so hugely influential among Presbyterians (and others) during his lifetime. Miller himself would appreciate Garretson’s emphasis on the practical uses of religious biography and history for contemporary readers. It is a profoundly welcome work on an Old Princeton figure who has received far less attention today than he deserves.”— Paul Gutjahr, professor and chair, Department of English, Indiana University

“There is much debate today about exactly what the pastoral ministry should look like, what its priorities should be, what the tools of its trade are, and what kind of man should hold it. Once again, Jim Garretson has enriched the literature on this topic by opening up the world of the Old Princetonians for us. This book is not only a moving portrait of one of the great nineteenth-century Presbyterian pastors and thinkers but also a stimulus to practical reflection on how the traditional ordinary-means-of-grace model of church and pastor can be applied today. A wonderful volume.”— Carl Trueman, Paul Woolley Professor of Church History, Westminster Theological Seminary

“James M. Garretson’s book on Samuel Miller and his teaching on the pastoral office brings one of the founding fathers of American Presbyterianism back to life. Herein, Miller enriches us with his piety, guides us with his wisdom, and equips us to be more able and faithful preachers of God’s Holy Word. This study will clarify your call to gospel service or serve as a refresher course on the godly practice of Reformed ministry.” — Peter A. Lillback, president, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia

“James Garretson’s An Able and Faithful Samuel Miller and the Pastoral Office enhances the growing study of Old Princeton by bringing to our attention Samuel Miller’s contributions to theological education. His courses ‘Composition and Delivery of Sermons’ and ‘Pastoral Care’ show how Miller and his colleagues construed pastoral ministry as a spiritual calling. With ample illustrations, Miller unfolds the ministry’s ‘Grand Design’ as ‘preaching the Gospel.’ His detailed lectures on sermon content and delivery focused on careful explication of the text and applying the truth of the Bible to daily life. Garretson thereby demonstrates Princeton’s view of Christian ministry before it was professionalized in the twentieth century."— W. Andrew Hoffecker, emeritus professor of church history, Reformed Theological Seminary,Jackson, Mississippi

Genres: History, Biography

384 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2014

Reviews

[Peyton Gunter]

Sam Miller is a basic name, but he was kinda goated, ngl

[Grant Carter]

This says 'hardcover' but that is a lie. I read this digitally through Apple books. Didn't want to lead y'all astray

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this book itself is not particularly compelling, the life it narrates is. Samuel Miller is presented as a godly pastor and seminary professor with a deep concern for the ministry of the Gospel. Because the book is composed of long citations from his published work, which makes it somewhat awkward to read, the reader comes away with a profound respect for Miller the man, pastor, and professor. Especially for those involved in ministerial training, Miller is a model of a man who was not just concerned for the intellects of his students but for their characters and the influence their character would have on the churches they served. One wonders how much the churches today would be different if a similar emphasis on character was part of ministerial training.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samuel Miller, a "for the city" Presbyterian before it was cool. He pastored in NYC and was one of the founding faculty members at Princeton Theological Seminary. He was known for his emphasis on experiential Christian faith, along with experiential preaching, and on the need for an educated ministry.
"The glory of his life was his piety."

This book could be considered a "Samuel Miller reader," being 400+ pages in length due to the extensive quotations from Miller's writing.

[Coleson White · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars for the man more than the book.

[Tim Tumutod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading about Samuel Miller’s life and ministry. 5 stars for the man, not the book.

[Peter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Samuel Miller was a Presbyterian pastor for ten years, helped found Princeton Theological Seminary in 1812, and then became the 2nd professor there in 1813 where he spent the rest of his life. The book focuses on his class notes, sermons, lectures, and other writings that address pastoral ministry. Several things stood out. First, Miller loved his denomination, but did not hate other denominations. There was a wonderful balance of defending presbyterianism in a way that avoided being too polemical. Second, he was practical. He taught his students how to preach, but he also taught them how to visit the sick and dying, what type of woman they should marry, how to interact with the rich, how to write, how to bring up religious subjects in regular conversation, and when not to, how to evangelize, what to preach on when in someone else's pulpit, etc. Third,the call to study and learn was always at the forefront of his teaching. He hated the intellectual laziness that was already beginning to characterize Christian ministry. Fourth,and perhaps most striking, was how serious he took the ministry and the call to holiness that makes ministry effective. Miller felt and impressed upon his students the weight of the call. Too many young ministers today do not take the call as seriously as they should. We can learn from Miller without drifting into the excessive dourness of his day.

This is not a biography. It does cover some aspects of Miller's life, but the author's focus is on what he taught and exampled to ministers. There is very little about his family life or the controversies that swirled in the Presbyterian church at the time.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography not only describes Samuel Miller's life, but it also effectively gives the reader a taste of his writings and teachings, especially with regard to pastoral ministry. This is often done by summarizing a written work by Miller by using extended quotes with commentary in between the quotes. In this way, the reader gets a good flavor of Miller's writings, though it makes the book a little longer and a litter harder to read than some might like. Miller was a good writer, but he did like to string his sentences together (making extended quotations more often needed).

[Pete Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent biography of a man who his probably not as well known as he should be, despite the fact that he played such an important role in the history of the U.S. church as one of the founders of Princeton Seminary. Very inspiring work. Highly recommended, especially for those who have been called into pastoral ministry or Christian academics. Was meant as a companion to Garretson's bio of Archibald Alexander.

[Todd Ruddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Mr. Garretson is to be commended for an instructive, and lively read. The chapter on the close of Prof. Miller's life is especially moving. A good and instructive example to any reformed minister.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storehouse of pastoral wisdom and a biography that stirs the heart.

[mpsiple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good thoughts on pastoral ministry.