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The mixing of Calvinistic emigrants from many countries into the uniquely traditional Southern outlook and the society of the Southern United States gave Calvinism in that area a distinctive flavoring.To this original Calvinistic gumbo is added slavery, Jim Crow, and the widespread Southern aristocratic planter outlook that made a Calvinism somewhat unique in America.(For example, the ladies of New Orleans often went to Calvin's church services dressed in ball gowns and jewels.)

Through a series of vignettes of Southern Presbyterians, a unique tradition emerges and is traced. It held over a hundred years and, in a sense, still lingers. It is Calvinistic, yes, but something more. ... Read more

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Spurgeon in his Commenting and Commentaries, highly recommended all of Durham's commentaries and sermons. The Lectures on Job are perhaps one of the rarest and hardest to obtain of the many Puritan works of that time. ... Read more

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First founded three centuries ago by British Dissenters and French Huguenots, Johns Island Presbyterian Church was built on a promise of religious freedom and tolerance offered by the South Carolina charter. The church is one of the oldest continuously active congregations of any denomination in North America, and it has survived multiple wars and the clash of different cultures to endure into the twenty-first century. Join Dr. Charles Raynal in this informative history as he pays homage to a Lowcountry religious icon. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Book of Confessions Superb Resource
For anyone serious in their study of theology and, especially as historical resources apply to Presbyterianism, the "Book of Confessions" is a must read.The history leading up to each confession or creed is presented, which sets the stage for the resulting work and a number of important confessions or creeds are all in one collective edition, which is nice.

A sort of autobiography of Presbyterianism
As a nondenominational Christian, I've become interested lately in the actual theology of the Church.I've been reading/searching for general histories and expositions, primarily from a Protestant point of view.Although this book is specifically a Presbyterian publication, beginning basically with the Scottish Reformation, it does a nice job of explaining the historical circumstances/motivation behind each document.The result is a very logical presentation of how Presbtyerian beliefs have gone from A to B over the past 300+ years.

The major theological confessions...in one volume
Regardless of denominational affiliation, this book is a winner!The "Book of Confessions: Study Edition" takes most of the major Reformed theological treatises (and then some) and puts them in one handybook.Although this book was written by PC(USA) (of which I am a member)and therefore contains some of its theological biases in it (femaleordination, "A Brief Statement of Faith," &c.) those in moreconservative Presbyterian denoms (such as the PCA, Cumberland P.C.,Covenanters, et al.) will find this book equally useful.This is a greatresource in truly *knowing* the Presbyterian Christian faith. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Disappointed
I ordered a used "in good condition" leather bound edition of the Presbyterian Hymnal at a cost of $31.90 from Your On Line Bookstore what I received was a standard hard cover hymnal which retails new for about $14.00.Very disappointing.

Disappointed
I had ordered a used "in good condition" leather bound edition of the Presbyterian Hymnal at a cost of $31.90 from Your On Line Bookstore. I received, (very promptly), a standard hard cover hymnal which retails new for about $14.00. I emailed the company asking that they send the product I ordered. They replied that they did not have the leather bound edition and that I should send the hardcover version back to them - "return receit requested" postage. The cost of the postage was about $8.00. So I'm out $8 and without the hymnal I wanted. Certainly not the end of the world - but to descirbe my experience - I would say, "Disappointed".

Congratulations to the Presbyterians
The Presbyterians have assembled, in a substantial, attractive format, music from many streams of Christianity, Catholic and protestant, ancient and modern.The font is large and easy to read, the arrangements accessible without being banal, and the book stays open on the piano.And even better, some good angels protected many texts from the demons of political correctness and exclusive language that have ravaged so many hymnals in the last decade.Some hard-to-find jewels are here (Jerusalem).There's silliness here too, (Earth and All Stars) but it's a good collection. ... Read more

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Beginning with the motto "The Church Reformed and Always Being Reformed," thirteen Presbyterian leaders and representatives of a number of different groups across the theological spectrum offer their reflections on the current state of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and what the denomination needs today. The book presents various viewpoints, values, and commitments found throughout the denomination. Opening essays by Robert H. Bullock Jr. and Anna Case-Winters orient the volume. Ideal for individual as well as group study, the book includes discussion and reflection questions at the end of the chapters. Contributors include Fahed Abu-Akel, Scott D. Anderson, Jerry Andrews, Susan Andrews, John Buchanan, Jack Haberer, William Stacy Johnson, Curtis A. Jones, Richard Ray, Laird J. Stuart, Michael Walker, Barbara G. Wheeler, and Parker T. Williamson. ... Read more

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This extensive reference work, hailed by the Journal of Religion as "a book long needed by historians of American religion", offers "a unique contribution to this often-told story by providing an in-depth analysis of seven persons intimately involved in the controversy" (Theology Today). 13 halftone illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A sad story, but not to be forgotten
I wish that every Christian in the United States would read this book. The story of the downfall of the Presbyterian Church USA is one of the most compelling cases for the practical importance of sound doctrine, and it comes through clearly in Longfield's account, even though he is not particularly sympathetic to the one character, Machen, who more clearly than any other saw the consequences of the perfidious doctrines of liberalism. Longfield tells the story primarily through short biographies of six of the most prominent figures of the controversy, which I think is helpful because it presents the family background as well as the theological roots of each of them. The book is also extensively documented.

No one should read this book without reading Machen's "Christianity and Liberalism" first, which is the classic statement of Biblical Christianity against liberalism. Longfield tells the story of Machen and his allies' fight for this Biblical Christianity. They fought both against the liberals and against the moderates who were mostly theologically conservative, but primarily by accident, since if their commitment to the historic doctrines of Christianity had sprung from a deep conviction of their truth they would have stood up for those convictions. As it was, they didn't care, and the battle was lost as a result.

It is very interesting to read Longfield's take on the current situation in the mainline denominations, as he is obviously not sympathetic theologically to conservatives, but concedes they were right in forseeing the inexorable consequences of jettisoning the historic doctrines of the faith. In the last paragraph of the book, he suggests that perhaps the church needs to "affirm a normative middle theological position with clear boundaries." One wonders where any such normativity or boundaries could even conceivably come from once it has already been decided that it will most certainly not come from the Bible as the normative revelation of God. The infinite morass of subjectivity to which religion then immediately descends does not seem likely to be balanced out by "affirming a normative middle theological position" that would necessarily be every bit as subjective as any other potential position.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely, and I think Longfield does a reasonable job of at least trying to be sympathetic to all sides. Obviously, when the sides are so fundamentally opposed ideologically it is impossible to be truly sympathetic to all sides, and I think the picture he paints of Machen is not altogether fair. For instance, he suggests that Machen's joy on the final split from the PCUSA was a joy over schism for its own sake, which is nonsense: if all Machen wanted was a split he wouldn't have had to fight for his life for twenty years to do that. His joy was due to finally being free from an apostate church. I also highly recommend listening to Prof. Godfrey's lecture after reading this book. It is available at an org site called radioapologia, and it balances this book brilliantly.

A Look At The Past Toward The Future
With the rise of the so called "emergent church" movement, we are beginning to see the seeds of the seeker movement coming to fruit.Liberalism has a new name, a new face, and a new title.But historically where did it come from?What laid the roots long before Bill Hybells or Rick Warren introduced the church to their deadly doctrines?

The answer lies in the early 20th century with the divisions seen in one of the United States oldest denominations, the Presbyterian Church.While the Presbyterians were not 100% united in the 19th century, there were basic tenets from the Westminister Confession that they held to.While they might disagree over immersion, infant baptism, and church polity, they each held the Westminister Confession and the Scriptures dear.

In the 20th century, the fruits of liberal teachings from Europe begin to seep into the Presbyterian churches.From Princeton to the average church, the Presbyterians found themselves in a battle over which direction they would take.In the end, the churches split with the liberals joining the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the conservatives joining the Presbyterian Church in Ameirca (PCA) and the Associate Reformed Presbyterians (ARP).But the battle continues.

With the rise of the emergent church, its good to learn from history.I fear that the emergent church is nothing more than liberalism with a new name.We can learn from what took place in the Presbyterian Church at the turn of the 19th century.We can learn to stand against error by staying true to the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-4:6).I pray that we will learn from the past and resist the errors of this age (1 Timothy 4:1-16).I highly recommend every disciple of Jesus to read this informative book.

A Diplomatic Attempt
Longfield attempts to fairly and finely balance the most pivotal denominational split of 20th century America.He does so by briefly biographing and documenting the interaction of the PCUSA's main players at that time.The documentation is excellent.The problems enter when Longfield interprets and implies motives.The main problem is Longfield succumbing to the whole problem Machen was fighting against in the modernist contrversy: historical consciousness.As a result the reader is not given an objective account.Machen is categorized as a fundementalist in the same category with William Jennings Bryan.Anyone familiar with Machen's intense new testement scholarship and political stances know otherwise.And to someone like myself who greatly admires Machen, such a depiction is borderline blasphemy.Machen was a brilliant and faithful standard bearer, not a demagogue or reactionary (as implied by fundementalist label).I recommend this book with serious reservations to discerning readers.'Toward a Sure Faith' by Chrisope serves as an excellent account setting the stage for Machen's latter battles.

Key insights for Mainline decline.
An insightful and enjoyable survey of the people and ideas which split the Presbyterian Church in the 1930s.Through careful research and a captivating style, Longfield studies indepth the main characters of theFundamentalist/Moderist controversary in the Presbyterian Church. Sympathetic to both sides, he shows how relaxing theological standardsbegan to blunt the church's ability to speak to its members and society. Important reading for anyone trying to discover the roots of decline inmainline churches in America today. ... Read more

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This volume contains 123 documents which illustrate the early history ofthe American Presbyterian Congo Mission and its struggle for human rights inthe Congo from 1890-1918. The documents, many of which have never previouslybeen published, are crucial to a full understanding of both the work of thePresbyterian Mission and its impact on the social, political, and religiouslife of the Congo. The book is divided into four parts. Part One documents thefounding and early history of the Presbyterian Mission from 1890 to 1898. PartTwo documents the deterioration of social conditions in the Congo under KingLeopold, and the reform campaigns initiated by the American Mission in Britainand the United States. Part Three consists of documents related to the 1909libel trial of William M. Morrison and William H. Sheppard, the principalleaders of the American Mission. Part Four documents the Mission's reaction tocontinuing human rights abuses, particularly religious persecution, underBelgian rule to 1918. The documents are annotated and the volume contains anintroduction and an index. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great resource for all Presbyterians!
This book is a wonderful resource for those wishing to understand Presbyterian Worship and those preparing to lead such worship, especially lay leaders.Easy to read and understand as an introduction to more "heavy" reading.

A notable work on liturgy
Weaver, in producing this work, has contributed a great deal to the existing library of works on liturgy. Though the title indicates that the book is intended for clergy, this book is crucial to the lay leader's and, indeed, the layperson's, understanding of worship and should not be relegated to the dusty shelves of the seminary bookstore. Indeed, all vital and vibrant churches should have at least one copy of Presbyterian Worship in their libraries. Seminarians alone should not have the privilege of enjoying this timely and exciting book.

Hands down, the best book on worship today
This book is a must-have for any preacher's library. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Deepen your worship experience
As a lifelong Presbyterian, I guess I thought I didn't need this. On a recommendation from a friend, though, I read it and am so glad I did. Many aspects of worship have become more meaningful to me. I think any Presbyterian could benefit from Dr. Chapman's insights. ... Read more

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In a brief, narrative survey, Balmer and Fitzmier trace the history of the Presbyterian tradition, from its roots in Europe to its manifestations in contemporary America. The six chapters cover the European origins of Presbyterianism; the growth of Presbyterianism in the Northern and Southern states during the nineteenth century; and the development of Presbyterianism in twentieth-century America. Concluding with a Chronology and Bibliographic Essay, this is an ideal text for courses in Church History, American Religious History, or American social and cultural history. ... Read more

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The Perfect Pastor? by D. Thomas Owsley, D.Min., is an engaging new book about the realistic, humorous, and poignant life experiences of a fictional pastor. More than just a wonderful story, the book is a tool for church members and pastors alike. It equips laypeople with the insights to relate to and support their pastor while providing pastors with a solid understanding for how to address the various expectations of church members.Dr. Owsley draws upon four decades of church experience, as both a member and pastor, to clarify the biblical requirements, roles, and responsibilities of a pastor. He taps into this wisdom to reveal what the Bible illuminates as a healthy, balanced relationship between pastor and church members. Through compelling anecdotes and profound observations, The Perfect Pastor? improves relationships between church members and their pastors and drives both groups to a greater proximity to God's purposes.D. Thomas Owsley (M. Div. Westminster Seminary California, D. Min. Geneva Theological Seminary) has been active with various lay ministries in local churches since he became a Christian in high school. He has served as a teacher, a deacon, and an elder before he walked the world of a pastor through service as youth director, pastoral intern, interim pastor, church planter, and senior pastor. These roles and the role of founder-principal of a Christian school paved the way for his "up-close and personal" view of the pastor. His search for "the perfect pastor" continues as he currently serves as senior pastor at Cornerstone Community Church (PCA) in Artesia, California. He and Lois, his wife of thirty years, have two precious daughters. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Might Make You Feel Better
The Perfect Pastor? is a well-written exploration of a pastor's adventures in a troubled church. Though a bit didactic at times, it provides a realistic day-to-day exploration of the life of an individual in professional church leadership. For many who are professional church leaders the book will prove encouraging simply by allowing them to compare the protagonist's struggles with their own: They will likely find their struggles light in comparison. For those not in professional church leadership, this book will certainly help them identify and understand some of the interpersonal struggles and challenges faced by anyone involved in shepherding a church. A great read with excellent appendices!

Great book for sheep and shepherds alike.
The book is drawn from the collected true-to-life experiences of a pastor and his family in a conservative denomination. What Dr. Owsley provides is a revealing look at the day-to-day struggle of a pastor who seeks the best for his family and congregation but must overcome prejudice, legalism and other un-Christian behavior from his fellow elders and congregants.

One of the most humbling aspects of the book, apart from the appalling behavior of the 'christians' under the pastor's care is the fact that the pastor must, in counseling an intern warn him about the dangers of the ministry.

This book is excellent for sheep as well as shepherds and I recommend it to both ministers and their flocks to provide insight into the proper care and feeding of a pastor. I too have learned much from Dr. Owsley, both from this book and from our friendship, and found this book helpful in my walk as a believer and as one under the authority of a pastor.

Perfect Pastors!
Funny I remember talking to the author before this book was in the works. I told him I was leaning towards the ministry and he said "I would not wish this on another person."I assume he was in deep research for the book at that time.
I talked to him after he wrote the book and he is a new man...
Years aftert the first conversation as I read this book after I made the decision to study for to be a pastor I am glad I read it.

This book made me mad, made me yell and made decide there is no way I'd ever become a preacher.It also makes me laugh made my heart sing, my soul cry out in happiness and help me solidify my original decision to be a minister.It also helped know why it was I wanted to be a Pastor.

This might be one of the best books for a person thinking about entering into the call who don't need the clinical list of question but need to see how it can be to be a pastor.This book not only tells a story of a fictional pastor's trials but his victories and his path to become a great not `perfect pastor'.
Scripturally sound. Pray fully delivered. Well written. Fun to read and the most educational down to earth book I have read on entering into and growing within the ministry.This book should be required reading by every person investigating the call.

I read many books and have met many authors. Most disappoint as they write only from an educated investigated researched place for the money.But a few write from all those things but also write from the heart and D Thomas my friend I call Don is one who live from his heart. The man who taught me my first scripture (Hebrews 4:12) and gave me my only bible I ever had most of my adult life. Don is for real, a true leader, a true writer a true Christian a true Pastor.Thanks Don for a great Book!

An eye-opener for pastors and their true encouragers
If the fact of conflict in the local church makes you uneasy, don't pick up this book. But if you truly care about your church, and if you intend to be a source of substantive encouragement to your pastor, The Perfect Pastor? is essential reading. I know because I am a pastor who was engulfed by some of the same conflicts portrayed in these pages. My wife and I read this book to each other aloud, and it helped us endure and gave us courage to persevere in ministry.

The Perfect Pastor? is a compilation of the many details of a pastor's work held together by a narrative and supplemented with copious practical appendices and forms. The book examines not merely the tasks of pastoral work but the complex number of relationships which pastors must juggle within the context of serving as preacher, shepherd, and ministry organizer to his congregation. The author relates a variety of real ministry circumstances which would make an aspiring pastor eager to get started, and other true situations which would drive a sane man away from considering such a career.

In the midst of describing how a minister's work affects himself, his family, his leaders, his followers, his admirers and his detractors, the author sets forth the work of pastoring by largely focusing on the character qualities of the pastor himself, his church officers, and the young disciples who all fall under his care. Some of the narrative seems too extreme to be true, except that the situations and people involved are taken from true-life experiences of the author and other real pastors.

While purportedly written for an audience of lay people, this book could prove to be discouraging for the uninitiated and timid.Nevertheless, for those who have actually experienced the joys and tribulations of pastoral service to the kingdom of God, The Perfect Pastor? is a source of encouragement and practical application.

Helpful resource
Pastors are people too. That's the message of D. Thomas Owsley's book, The Perfect Pastor? (Understanding and Relating to the Life and Work of a Pastor). The very nature of the position means that people often expect quite a bit of a pastor. But what they expect might have nothing to do with what the Bible says a pastor should be or do and much more to do with people's (accurate or not) preconceived notions regarding the office. Those entering the pastorate also often have their own ideas of what the job will be like. Entering into the reality can be like having a bucket of cold water thrown at you. Owsley's goal in this book is to help congregants understand what it is a pastor does all week (and why it's important) and to help new pastors, or those thinking of pursuing such a position, get a more realistic picture of what might be in store for them.

No Perfect Pastor? is essentially three books in one. The overall form of the book is a story -- that of a pastor, Dan, who loves what he does, but who struggles with a few members in his congregation who, through money and influence, attempt to force their own agenda upon the church. Within this overarching story is a guidebook, or textbook, that explores such things as the Biblical qualifications of a leader; the roles of the pastor, elders, and members of the church and how they work together; and the scope of a pastor's responsibilities and duties within the church. And at the end of the book is a series of appendices (A - S! I've never seen so many appendices in a book!) that essentially make up a resource handbook for a pastor or the leadership in a church. The appendices include such things as recommended questions that a pastoral search committee should ask of their candidates, a sermon evaluation form, how a congregation can work together to make corporate decisions and how to care and support your pastor.

I found the overall story to be interesting, particularly because this story was written by, and somewhat follows the life of, the new pastor of our church. Though he'd mentioned some of his experiences as he was candidating with us and as we got to know him after calling him to be our pastor, reading them in a story form and seeing not only what was happening in his previous congregations, but also getting a sense of his thought processes as he dealt with these issues, was instructive as well as indicative of the kind of man he is. He openly admits that he didn't always deal well with the situations he was put in. He struggled with wanting to simply avoid the problems and the people who were causing them. But in the end he realized that he had to cop to his own faults, not just recognizing them but admitting them to those he had wronged. And he needed to seek reconciliation. The story is a good way to get a sense of the trials and tribulations of a pastor as well as to get a sense of a pastor's joys and encouragements.

The guidebook, or textbook, part of the book was interspersed within the overall story. I personally found these parts to be rather arduous to get through, probably because I've studied a lot of these topics quite a bit in the past. (Including quite recently as we prepared as a pastoral search committee to begin our search for a new pastor.) However, for someone who hasn't studied these topics, this part of each story would be a good chance to slow down and explore what the Bible says about the role of leadership within the church.

I should add that Owsley doesn't just assume that pastors are good and it's the congregants who cause troubles. He clearly describes when a pastor, or another person in church leadership, has overstepped or made a misstep in their leadership role. And through the story he describes steps that can and should be taken to deal with a person in leadership who is either not living up to their role as a leader or who is abusing their leadership position.

The appendices are excellent and a fantastic resource not only for those in leadership in a church (or other religious organization) but also helpful for "plain old" members.

Obviously, this book isn't going to appeal to people who aren't church goers. But for anyone that is involved in a church (particularly a Christian church), this book is a good resource both for leaders and congregants. Though Owsley speaks often from the point of view of his own denomination, he always makes it clear when he is doing that. So, though there are differences in the form and format of leadership in various denominations, I think this book will still cross denominational boundaries without too much trouble. ... Read more

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This reproduction was printed from a digital file created at the Library of Congress as part of an extensive scanning effort started with a generous donation from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.The Library is pleased to offer much of its public domain holdings free of charge online and at a modest price in this printed format.Seeing these older volumes from our collections rediscovered by new generations of readers renews our own passion for books and scholarship. ... Read more

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The question of how one can be both Hispanic and Protestant has perplexed Mexican Americans in Texas ever since Anglo-American Protestants began converting their Mexican Catholic neighbors early in the nineteenth century. Mexican-American Protestants have faced the double challenge of being a religious minority within the larger Mexican-American community and a cultural minority within their Protestant denominations. As they have negotiated and sought to reconcile these two worlds over nearly two centuries, los Protestantes have melded Anglo-American Protestantism with Mexican-American culture to create a truly indigenous, authentic, and empowering faith tradition in the Mexican-American community. This book presents the first comparative history of Hispanic Methodists, Presbyterians, and Baptists in Texas. Covering a broad sweep from the 1830s to the 1990s, Paul Barton examines how Mexican-American Protestant identities have formed and evolved as los Protestantes interacted with their two very different communities in the barrio and in the Protestant church. He looks at historical trends and events that affected Mexican-American Protestant identity at different periods and discusses why and how shifts in los Protestantes' sense of identity occurred. His research highlights the fact that while Protestantism has traditionally served to assimilate Mexican Americans into the dominant U.S. society, it has also been transformed into a vehicle for expressing and transmitting Hispanic culture and heritage by its Mexican-American adherents. ... Read more