By Honour and Dishonour: The Story of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church

by Ernest C Brown

No up to date history of our denomination has been available since the Origin of Witness of the Irish Evangelical Church in 1945. This new book by Ernest C Brown gives the background of our formation in 1927, the reason for our existence, the journey to the present and some challenges for the future. The book is hardback, has over 400 pages and is full of detailed information. You may even see yourself in one of the many photographs throughout!

'Those interested in the history of Presbyterianism in general and Irish Presbyterianism in particular should purchase a copy of Ernest Brown’s history of the EPC, By Honour and Dishonour. It is a labour of love and a wonderful history of a tiny but tough denomination that, like the OPC, has punched above its weight. Central to the narrative is the Davey heresy trial and the role of the student of Machen, WJ Grier who, after the split from the PCI, was to minister in Stranmillis for many years. A number of theologians offer reflections on the trial and its aftermath -- a section worth the price of the volume in itself.

Seriously, a great book. Congratulations – and much gratitude – are due to Ernest Brown for his labours on this project. May it enjoy a wide readership. A reminder that fidelity to the truth is neither glamorous nor often easy but is that to which all Christians are called.' Carl R Trueman

544 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Ethan McCarter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A labour of love and my own denomination's history book. It'd be a bit hard to find in certain areas since it was written for folks in the EPC or for folks interested in our history. If you want the authoritative work on how the EPC came to exist, why it exists, and what it stands for then this work is for you. Brown is extremely attentive to details, even breaking down individual youth camp numbers during the Summer, and it shows in this work. Sometimes it's a bit much that makes for boring reading. It's a dense book stretching back, briefly, to the beginnings of Presbyterianism in Ireland moving onward to Henry Cooke and the Arian controversy and ending with the history of the EPC until around 2014. There's been some extra stuff to occur since then, adding a church plant, a new church, and closing one, with some new faces coming into the denom, but it is a great book for the EPC of course. This book isn't for everyone, but it does hold a special place for me since this is the denom I serve personally.