The far-reaching social and intellectual changes in the United States since the Civil War have had a definite effect upon the religious thought of American churches. In this volume, a distinguished scholar and theologian has undertaken an inductive study of theological issues in one of the major denominations, the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. Since this church was in the thick of the social and intellectual ferment that changed the living and thinking habits of Americans, much that transpired in it finds broad parallels in other leading American churches. Thus, the story of the Presbyterian church is, in essence, a kind of theological barometer of American history.
Avoiding sweeping generalizations, Lefferts A. Loetscher briefly traces the history of the Presbyterian church from its founding by New England Puritans on Long Island in the 1640s to the disruption of 1837 and the ‘wedding day’ of Old School and New School Presbyterians in 1870, following the reunion of 1869. From this point, he examines in detail the development of the church, analyzing the controversies that occurred over the years, interpreting the various theological issues that led to disputes.
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Preface
1. The Wedding Day
2. Shadows of Coming Events
3. Biblical Criticism
4. A Theological Journal
5. Revision Attempted
6. The Briggs Case
7. The Smith Case
8. Aftermath
9. The Church’s Seminaries
10. Revision Accomplished
11. The Emerging Issue
12. A New York Pulpit
13. The Special Commission of 1925
14. A Seminary Reorganized
15. Protesters Withdraw
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliographical Index
Topical Index
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Lefferts A. Loetscher was Professor Emeritus of American Church History at Princeton University. He is the author of A Brief History of the Presbyterians.