Colonial Presbyterianism: Old Faith in a New Land

by S. Donald Fortson III (editor)

'Colonial Presbyterianism' is a collection of essays that tell the story of the Presbyterian Church during its formative years in America. The book brings together research from a broad group of scholars into an accessible format for laymen, clergy, and scholars. Through a survey of important personalities and events, the contributors offer a compelling narrative that will be of interest to Presbyterians and all persons interested in colonial America's religious experience. The clergy described in these essays made a lasting impact on their generation both within the church and in the emerging ethos of a new nation. The ecclesiastical issues that surfaced during this period have tended to be the perennial issues with which Presbyterians have been concerned ever since that time. Now at the three-hundredth anniversary of Presbyterian organization in America, 'Colonial Presbyterianism' is a timely reengagement with the old faith for a new day.

"Since Leonard Trinterud published his fine book on colonial Presebyterianism more than fifty years ago, there has been no other comprehensive study of this formative period in American Presbyterian history. This new book edited by Donald Fortson offers an excellent collection of essays that goes a long way toward updating the subject and showing its ongoing contemporary importance for church structure and Christian life. The book's authors are learned, yet chapters are clear and accessible. The book deserves a wide readership."
--Mark A. Noll
Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History
University of Notre Dame

"This commemorative volume of the three-hundredth anniversary of the first Presbytery in America is a fitting tribute to the vitality and diversity of Presbyterianism over three centuries. The contributors are all experts who bring their knowledge to bear on the figures and events that shaped a dominant spiritual force through the early colonies. This unique book will be valued by those who recognize the theological, ecclesiastical, and cultural significance of Presbyterianism. They will frequently consult it, delighting in it as a rich resource for describing themes that emerged in colonial times and which, in varied ways, are of ongoing significance today."

--Donald K. McKim, editor of the Encyclopedia of Reformed Faith

S. Donald Fortson III is Associate Professor of Church History and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Genres: History, Church History, Theology

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Shane Hatfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good survey of the key figures and events that established Presbyterianism in America. But unless you are a seminary student or historian it probably won't do much for you.

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed some of the history but several portions are fairly dry.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book on early Presbyterianism in America. It's a little discombobulated by the various authors' different writing styles, but the information is absolutely fascinating.

[JR Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall decent essays. but they are a little unbalanced–some are very specific, some general, some very historical, some technical. Some focus on a particular person (The themes of John Witherspoon, say) without much reference to his Presbyterianism or how his thought was relevant to Presbyterianism, and some focus entirely on Presbyterianism. I understand that these are essays by different scholars from different theological viewpoints, but still.

Another possible quibble is that certain themes (Adopting Act, Log College) are repeated in similar ways that I think could have been avoided. I don't know if this is an editing issue or endemic to the freedom of each author to decide what to write and the editors desire to preserve that freedom.

Overall, decent essays about foundational issues in the colonial Presbyterian church. The most enlightening was C.N. Wilborn's on the Pietism and its negative influence via Gilbert Tennant. Dr. Fortson's article on the Adopting act was also instructive.

In general, the New Side/Old Side controversy over the Great Awakening should serve as a case study of how the Work of the Holy Spirit should be viewed. Issues like Continuitionism are not modern issues, they just pop up every few hundred years, ever since the Montanist controversy in the 3rd century!

A couple typos in the paperback edition, 2007: page 30 (no comma after Clowney) and page 113 (identify).

[Robert Hasler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, it's a well-researched, readable volume and relatively balanced regarding subjects like subscription and evangelicalism. I found the essays by David Calhoun, C. N. Wilborn, and D. G. Hart about the Log College, Gilbert Tennent, and the Old Side / New Side Controversy respectively to be particularly enlightening.

It remains difficult to speak of American Presbyterianism as a singular entity. However, this volume underscores some of the general themes in its beginnings on this continent including religious toleration, energetic and experiential religion, fidelity to the Westminster Standards, and the role of religion in the civil sphere. As the book details, flashpoints occurred when these various themes intersected and resolutions didn't always ease the antecedent tensions.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some essays are better than others. The essay on the Hemphill trial is fascinating. Particularly Benjamin Franklin's involvement. By far the best line was Franklin's reaction to finding out Hemphill had plagiarized some of his sermons (paraphrase): "I'd rather hear a good plagiarized sermon than keep hearing these bad sermons we're used to." Unsurprisingly, Franklin was mainly a fan of Hemphill's Diest tendencies as well of his emphasis on virtue formation (albeit not on the honesty front...).

Interesting stuff but definitely a lot of inside baseball. Probably not of interest to many.

[Tyler Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Presbyterian, this was a really fun read. 10 authors look at 10 topics or key figures from pre-revolutionary war figures in the Presbyterian Church. There is some overlap between the chapters; for those unfamiliar with the storyline, this is actually quite helpful. Most of the authors are conservative reformed Presbyterians, so there’s a bit of bias on that end in their evaluation.

[Matthew Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are not a Presbyterian, you will probably find this book somewhat dull. However, Fortson's chapter on the Adopting Act is very good and brings up an important discussion about the relationship between unified doctrine and church unity, which applies in principle to any denomination.

[mpsiple · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read two chapters (on Dickinson and G. Tennent) for a seminary class. LeBeau's chapter on Dickinson was dry, offering little insight beyond the bare facts of names and dates. Willborn's chapter on Tennent was helpful. He showed GT's commendable public turn around on the revivals and the value of the Presbyterian church.

[Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable reference work. Especially helpful for those studying Presbyterianism.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating but limited, technical in scope.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good! Insightful.

[Dónal Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid historical articles on the movers and shakers of the Presbyterian church in America and through the formative years that were marked by the Great Awakening and the oncoming Revolution. Was a bit dry in parts though and as an Irish Baptist I found it hard in parts to relate to it as a subject of interest. Some articles did a better job of grounding things a bit more in lessons to learn for everyone today and were well written (Logan, Makemie, Tenant and Tait), but much of it was solid research but difficult to get through from a literary perspective. Overall a good book with good lessons to learn from history but probably more applicable to American Presbyterians in understanding their history and polity