Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program. ... Read more

Product Description
Contents include: The Nicene Creed, The Apostles' Creed, The Scots Confession, The Heidelberg Catechism, The Second Helvetic Confession, The Westminster Confession of Faith, The Shorter Catechism, The Larger Catechism, The Theological Declaration of Barmen, The Confession of 1967, and a Brief Statement of Faith--Presbyterian Church (USA). ... Read more

Product Description
Publisher: New Providence ChurchPublication date: 1921Subjects: Maryville, TennHistory / United States / State ... Read more

Product Description
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

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

Product Description
This book offers laity and clergy a succinct and thorough introduction to the history of Presbyterianism. Smylie provides a fresh look at the uniquely Presbyterian contibution to American history and culture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Definitive History
As a former student of Dr. Smylie, I can attest to his passion for history, in particular the history of the Presbyterian Church in all its forms. With words and pictures, A Brief History helps us understand the foundations of our denomination. It is an invaluable tool for teaching and explaining our journey in the waters in the Reformed Tradition.

a good synopsis
As a lifelong Presbyterian, I have been seriously lacking in knowing its historical background.I found this to be a good quick way for me to begin a journey in understanding the roots of mydenomination.

Not for the lay person
This book is written by a professor of Theology and in my opinion is geared more toward an audience of academicians. It is not an easy read as it is very wordy - to the point of being choppy and lacking flow. I can see it being useful for students of Theology for purposes of research papers as it is filled with a wealth of information. However, this is not a book for the casual reader that is just looking to learn more about the history of the Presbyterian religion. While it provides the information you're probably looking for, it reads like a college text book. This is definitely a book for clergy and the world of academia, NOT for the lay person or casual reader.

Utterly Amazing
This little book is jam-packed with as near a complete history of Presbyterian Heritage as is accesible to the average laity.I was very impressed with the clarity and description, and the charts and photos greatly enhanced my understanding.As a religion student I would highly reccomend this to all my Presbyterian brethern.This is a truly good read.

Excelent Resource
Excelent resource I am useing it for a research paper it great for putting dates in prespective. ... Read more

Product Description
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

Product Description
Popular Presbyterian author and editor Don McKim returns with a follow-up to the Geneva Press best seller Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers. This study-friendly guide articulates the basic tenets of the faith and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about being a Presbyterian. The comprehensive volume is divided into the following sections: "About Presbyterians," "Presbyterians and Others," "Presbyterian Theology," "Christian Life," "Worship and Sacraments," "Social-Ethical Issues," and "The Future." ... Read more

Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from the publisher's website (GeneralBooksClub.com). You can also preview excerpts of the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Publisher: Philadelphia : Presbyterian Board of Publication and Sabbath-School Work; Publication date: 1904; Subjects: Presbyterian Church; United States; Pennsylvania; New York (State); Religion / Christianity / Presbyterian; ... 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
Explore the Book of Order as a story of people together seeking ways to carry out their call by God to faithful unity in the midst of diversity. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

More!
This is an excellent, if dated, introduction to a small, but potent force in American Presbyterianism.Of interest is the influence of continental Reformed tradition on Machen and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.The group that some classify as a "right wing minority" can be more generously labeled as thoughtful men who provided a gentle impetus to put the "O" in "Orthodox."

It seems the time has come for an update: When are we going to hear about the last 30 years of OP history?

How can this be the same Hart who wrote "Defending the Faith"?
For more than ten years now Hart has written some of the best American church history around.His scholarly biography of Machen was widely acclaimed and in some ways set the standard for its genre.

But this book is so utterly foreign to that Hart writing I have come to love.Balance, and indeed charity, often seems discarded for the sake of savaging the majority views of the OPC during their many controversies.Hart not only consistently sides with the right-wing minority camps within the OPC, but he shows little respect for the majority.I gotta say -- you should proceed with humility when your view is one of a minority (right-wing camp) within a minority (OPC) within a minority (conservative Reformed folk) within a minority (confessional Christians)!

The OPC has a long, interesting and, in many cases, heroic history.Despite the editorializing, much of that wonderful story shines through on these pages. ... Read more

Product Description
The Presbyterian Handbook provides historical and theological information about Presbyterian beliefs alongside fun-filled facts and practical tips on being a churchgoing follower of Jesus Christ. Complete with illustrations, this book presents a wonderful combination of vast truths, complex details, and bits of humor about the Presbyterian understanding of the Christian life. This unique and incredibly handy resource is perfect for Presbyterian youth, adults, students, families, and all those interested in learning about what encompasses life in the church. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Great for Study
I am using this book for elder education as it covers a wide variety of topics from theology to Pastoral Care. My elders have found it funny and thought provactive

Old elders learn new things
I've been both and elder and an employee of the church off and on for over 4o years. I'v taught classes and even given a sermon or two on laymen's Sunday. I found this handbook to very handy, full of good solid information and a handy reference when the old memory begins to fail me. My fellow session members are beginning to pick up on this book and ordering them. There was a proposal that we buy them for all new elders. Hope it passes.

Facts and funny
If you want basic information about Presbyterian theology with a lot of humorous subjects in between, buy this one.We bought copies to give to new members.Learn what to bring for potluck suppers (by region); how to pass the collection plate; what to wear under choir robes in the hot summer plus excellent factual information on who we are as Presbyterians.

A helpful book for Presbyterians.
This is easy-to-read and to understand.A helpful book for those who want to understand Presbyterian beliefs and practices.

Uneven, but full of decent insights
About 200 pocket-sized pages. Unpretentious and casual, but in a self-conscious, studied way. It is openly derivative of the Worst-Case Scenario-style books. But it probably is about ten years too late. The cover is a simple dark blue with an cartoon of John Calvin in glasses. The subheadings are "Church Stuff", "Bible Stuff", "Everyday Stuff." It has the feel of your 60 year old, pleasant but annoying uncle, trying to be cool and funny to the teens at Thanksgiving.

The contributors include Donald McKim. The bibliography is mostly McKim, his old friend ('progressive evangelical,' recently turned homosexual rights advocate) Jack Rogers, and their crowd.

The content -- its tone and quality -- varys wildly from section to section. It feels sewn together from a load of contributors. At times it is very helpful and clear (such as where it explains the levels of Presbyterian church government), at other times extremely goofy, at others incomplete or wrong, at others irrelevent. The only consistent feature is that most sections are concise.

The theological values are basically middle of the road for PCUSA. That means what is defined as "THE Presbyterian" is occasionally unrecognizable to other (non-PCUSA) Presbyterians. But in general it is fairly supportive of the theological heritage and of the Scripture's importance and trustworthiness. My biggest complaint (other than some mild comments questioning the historicity of certain Biblical accounts) is the sometimes overly LOW view of the sacraments.

In any case, MANY, MANY decent tips, comments. I especially like a few of the charts (Bible translations) and lists (esp. Bible ones, like the 12 Apostles summaries, and practical tips for having a regular schedule of Bible reading. etc.).

A few random negative comments, some very picky, I know:
* Dozens of topics big and small (How to pass the plate, what to bring to potlucks) YET ZERO on church discipline.
* No index
* P. 27 Under How to Sing a Praise Song, intentionally 1960s looking illustration bears the caption "Beware of especially passionate worshipers who might raise their hands too quickly." The goofy uncle trying to be funny again.
* Pp. 35-36 -- WAY too brief of an explanation on baptism. The description as it stands does not address re-baptism.
* P. 37 -- Lord's Supper -- states the cup is "usually grape juice." Uggh.Wish they had advocated for wine!
* P. 39 -- States that traditionally Presb. celebrate quarterly or monthly. That may be true, but I wish they had at least mentioned that some have always celebrated weekly, including some of the Reformers.
P. 47-48 on how to stay alert in the service (drink water before, but not too much, etc.). Hard to tell if its trying to be funny.
P. 51 -- What to bring to a church potluck: Cereals: Southeast - cornflakes, Midwest - cornflakes, Northeast - cornflakes, West Coast: TOFU flakes. Desert - Cleveland - fudge brownies w/ fudge frosting; Kansas City - triple fudge w/ fudge sauce and a side of fudge. Los Angeles - TOFU fudge.... Painful. Uncle Floyd at open mike night at the local comedy club.
P. 60 -- The section is entitled History's Six Most Notorious Heretics. But then the choices are a mixture of famous and obscure. How can Hatuey (-1511) be included in the top six? Well, because he is Native American. Similarly, Hypatia of Alexandria (370-415) makes the cut. Why? "Her mistakes were to prefer study to marriage, to know more than the bishop, and to be a female teacher of males." Maybe, but she actually happened to be a powerful and prominent Neo-Platonist pagan too, which had something to do with it. Similarly, Joan of Arc was not declared a heretic for just being a "better army leader than men," was she? Probably more about her political value, or maybe even the bizarre visions.

And here the truly unorthodox (Pelagius) are lumped together with the merely controversial (Luther).

p. 62-63: "How to Avoid Getting Burned at the Stake" section: mocks the concept of heresy.

p. 65: World Religions: list 22 groups, some with less than a million members, but not JWs or Mormons. Makes me think they have incorrectly lumped these two into the 'Xian' category.

p. 68: Family Tree of Xianity is a muddled, misleading mess

p. 69: Xian Denominations -- lumps together all Baptists into one, all Methodists into one, etc., YET Pentecostal/Charismatic AND Assemblies of God each get separate categories. Then the number for Adventist is given as just 100,000! 7th Day Adventists alone are almost a million, never mind the dozens of other Adventist groups. Lots of the numbers on this page are way, way, way off.

p. 70 -- comparative denominations chart: too many problems to list. Rip those pages out.

p. 107ff. "How to choose a spouse" etc.: Oprah-level psychobabble. Trite pop wisdom, with little reference to a Biblical worldview.

p. 189 -- states with indignaion to beware that some Reformation confessions of faith 'prohibited women from baptizing.' This, it explains, was an historic accident of the debates with Roman Catholics. Actually, all of the Reformers did not think women should preach or do any of the roles reserved for ministers. And every side of every debate agreed.

Helpfully ends with blank pages for "Notes & Stuff"

These are mostly negatives. There is lots and lots of good and helpful information in there too. I just don't think it is a reliable tool for the uninformed, nor adds much knowledge or perspective for the more informed.

A whole lot better (though just a tad more difficult) is Sean Michael Lucas' brand new On Being Presbyterian (2006). ... Read more

Product Description
Based on the correspondence of missionaries in the field, this book offers valuable insight unto understanding Protestant attitudes toward the American Indians in the nineteenth century. By focusing upon the work of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., the book portrays a major Protestant denomination's evangelical program to take the Indian from heathenism to gospel light.

From its founding in 1837 the board sent over 450missionaries to at least nineteen diverse and widely separated Indian tribes, with a goal of uplifting them into the Protestant tradition of Christian civilization. These zealous men and women sent back thousands of detailed and often highly personal letters from the Indian field, and this book is based primarily upon that store of correspondence.

Seeking to fill the need for critical case studies of individual missionary organizations, this book depicts the missionaries as cultural revolutionaries in the deepest human sense. Moved by a nearly absolute ethnocentrism, they denounced almost every aspect of tribal culture. Among the Indians they found virtually nothing worth incorporating into the codes of Christian civilization. Yet these missionaries resisted racial explanations for what they saw as Indian failings and retained a conviction that individual tribal members were both eligible for eternal salvation and capable of attaining citizenship in the United States.

In this book the author places the work of the Board of Foreign Missions in a historical context and presents the goals, methods, backgrounds and motivations of the missionaries. He also examines the cluster of ideas which constituted the Presbyterian definition for Christian civilization. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful variety but some serious flaws
This compact hymn supplement contains a wonderful variety of hymns and songs for contemporary and blended worship in the Reformed tradition.But it suffers from several serious flaws that limit its usefulness in actual worship:

1.To save space, many of the songs require the singer to understand the musical notation that sends one to a different part of the text, either backward or forward, such as the coda, and alas, few congregations will understand this.
2.Many of the songs have only the refrain, with the notation "stanzas included in other editions."Fine, but what if you want everyone to sing the stanzas?
3.There is only one index, for first lines and common titles, leaving the worship planner who is seeking an alternate tune or a song to fit a particular theme or Scripture reading to leaf aimlessly through the book in hope of finding something.Look in the back of most standard hymnals and you will see a number of indexes designed to help with worship planning that this book lacks.
4.Unlike the Presbyterian Hymnal there is no digital version (to my knowledge, at least) leaving the pastor with limited musical knowledge having to hunt somebody to play a new song on the piano or other instrument in order to hear what it sounds like.Admittedly the digital version is a bit of a luxury but it would in itself make the indexing problem less of an issue.
5.Finally, and most disconcertingly, sometimes the song in the accompanist's edition has significant differences from the pew edition.This is catastrophic if only discovered in the moment of singing in worship.

For these reasons I only rate it a 3 star item.But in its favor, it contains a diverse selection of music with texts that adhere theologically to the Reformed tradition (well, for the most part - but that's the best you can say of any Presbyterian hymnal!).Many of them are very singable and a surprising number are set to familiar tunes.There are a number of contemporary Christian music pieces as well.It's definitely worth acquiring as a supplement for a choir, or a desk item for pastors and music directors, but think carefully before purchasing a large number for congregational use and never forget to match the accompanist's edition version with the pew edition's version before you include a song in worship.This is the voice of experience speaking.

Great Worship Resource
This is a great supplement to the Presbyterian Hymnal. Pastors and music directors should have it on their bookshelves. It would even be a great resource to add to the pew racks! ... Read more