The History of Presbyterianism in the United States Part 2: Centuries of Change A - A Survey of 18 th Presbyterianism

Master Timeline United StatesEurope 1620 – Mayflower lands 1730s-1743 – 1 st Great Awakening – American Rev – 2 nd Great Awakening 1830 – Book of Mormon – 3 rd Great Awakening – American Civil War 1870 – Scottish Common Sense 1889 – Moody Bible Institute 1891 – Briggs’ address 1910 – Pres. G.A.: 5 Fundamentals – World War I 1922 – “Shall Fund.s Win?” 1923 – The Auburn Affirmation 1925 – The Scopes Trial 1929 – Westminster Theo. Seminary 1936 – Orthodox Presbyterian Ch – John Mackay, Princeton Sem – Westminster Confession of Faith – Age of European Enlightenment & of Scottish Common Sense Philosophy 1770s-1900 – Rise of German Higher Criticism – French Revolution 1827 – Plymouth Brethren begin meeting 1833 – Slavery Abolition Act of England Charles Darwin – Origin of Species – Darby travels to the United States 1919 – Rise of Neo-Orthodoxy United States (cont.) 1937 – Death of J. Gresham Machen - Bible Presbyterian Ch. (McIntyre) 1966 – RTS, Jackson, MI 1967 – Confession of ‘67, Book of Confessions 1973 – PCA 1983 – Union of UPCUSA & PCUS

Westminster Conf. of Faith Francis Makemie arrived in MD First Great Awakening – 1730s-1743 College of New Jersey – 1746 Princeton Seminary Second Great Awakening – J. Smith publishes the Book of Mormon War Between the States – Jehovah’s Witnesses st World War – Spiritual Context

Westminster Conf. of Faith Francis Makemie arrived in MD First Great Awakening – 1730s-1743 College of New Jersey – 1746 Princeton Seminary Second Great Awakening – J. Smith publishes the Book of Mormon War Between the States – Jehovah’s Witnesses st World War –

Jonathan Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," called to assist and then follow his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at the Congregationalist Church of Northhampton, MA. * Stoddard had loosened restrictions on Communion and unleashed the “Halfway Covenant” debate. * He called for more authority for clergy. * He condemned drinking & extravagance.

Jonathan Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," called to assist and then follow his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at the Congregationalist Church of Northhampton, MA. struggled with issues of Pastoral leadership: * Last RE died the same year as Stoddard. * Often he was not faithfully paid. * New REs ordained last year of his ministry.

Jonathan Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," called to assist and then follow his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at the Congregationalist Church of Northhampton, MA. studied and wrote about his observations of the Great Awakening and its emphasis on “experience” seeking to separate true from false conversion.

Jonathan Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," called to assist and then follow his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard at the Congregationalist Church of Northhampton, MA. studied and wrote about his observations of the Great Awakening and its emphasis on “experience” seeking to separate true from false conversion. deeply affected by missionary David Brainerd, publishing his memoires as the first biography.

Jonathan Edwards "is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian," Edwards determined to restrict admission to Communion – * not only to official members, but also only to those who displayed a contrite and holy life. * dismissed from his charge by a local committee of clergymen and others.

Jonathan Edwards “[T]he most ambitious attempt ever to justify Calvinism in the midst of the moral and intellectual Enlightenment of the 1700s.” (A. Guelzo) In a letter to John Erskine, July 1750: “You are pleased, dear Sir, very kindly to ask me, whether I could sign the Westminster Confession of Faith, and submit to the presbyterian form of church government; and to offer to use your influence to procure a call for me, to some congregation in Scotland. I should be very ungrateful, if I were not thankful for such kindness and friendship.

Jonathan Edwards “[T]he most ambitious attempt ever to justify Calvinism in the midst of the moral and intellectual Enlightenment of the 1700s.” (A. Guelzo) As to my subscribing to the substance of the Westminster Confession, there would be no difficulty; and as to the presbyterian government, I have long been perfectly out of conceit of our unsettled, independent, confused way of church government in this land;

Jonathan Edwards “[T]he most ambitious attempt ever to justify Calvinism in the midst of the moral and intellectual Enlightenment of the 1700s.” (A. Guelzo) and the presbyterian way has ever appeared to me most agreeable to the word of God, and the reason and nature of things; though I cannot say that I think that the presbyterian government of the church of Scotland is so perfect, that it cannot, in some respects, be mended.”

Jonathan Edwards “[T]he most ambitious attempt ever to justify Calvinism in the midst of the moral and intellectual Enlightenment of the 1700s.” (A. Guelzo) But … he rejected the imputation of Christ’s righteousness and replaced it with a governmental stance. (God never forgave sinners unless they actually deserved it.) Men had the natural will to stop sinning but were not willing to do so. Original sin was merely an identification with Adam and not a curse unto death. (This dealt with the depth of total depravity.)

The Rise of the “New Divinity” or “The New England” or “Congregationalist Theology ” Man is free to choose right or wrong. All sin is over-ruled by God. Imputation of Adam’s guilt/sin is rejected. The atonement of Christ is unlimited. Christians must exercise an outward, holy life. Samuel Hopkins “The real question is whether New England Calvinism shall any longer be tolerated in the Presbyterian Church of this country.” The Christian Spectator ( )

Spiritual Context Westminster Conf. of Faith Francis Makemie arrived in MD First Great Awakening – 1730s-1743 College of New Jersey – 1746 Princeton Seminary Second Great Awakening – J. Smith publishes the Book of Mormon War Between the States – Jehovah’s Witnesses st World War – “Princeton Theological “Princeton Theological Seminary was founded, in large measure, by Presbyterians eager to protect their denomination from influence by the New Divinity.” A. Guelzo

Strategic Theological Compromises Within Conservative Presbyterianism Adopting Act of 1729

The Adopting Act of 1729 Ever since the WCF was written, debate ensued in Scotland and then in Ireland over the question of subscription. In America, the debate was heightened: ▫Congregationalist Puritans claiming liberty of conscience, ▫Varying opinions among Presbyterians, ▫Questions over continuing relationship with the “state” left behind (Erastianism).

The Adopting Act of 1729 The WCF was changed to reflect American sentiments of separation of church and state. The ministerial vow was composed so as: ▫to require complete allegiance to the wording of the Confession ▫to allow for presbyteries to consider and approve of areas where individual scruples might conflict.

A Survey of 18 th c. Presbyterianism Francis Makemie arrived in MD st Presbytery organized, Philadelphia 1730s-43 – 1 st Great Awakening ▫Old Side/New Side Controversy – 1742 ▫College of New Jersey (New Side) ▫Reunion American Revolutionary War st General Assembly, PCUSA s – 2 nd Great Awakening Old School/New School Controversy – War Between the States 1861 – Presbyterians split north to south

A Survey of 18 th c. Presbyterianism Francis Makemie arrived in MD st Presbytery organized, Philadelphia 1730s-43 – 1 st Great Awakening ▫Old Side/New Side Controversy – 1742 ▫College of New Jersey (New Side) ▫Reunion American Revolutionary War st General Assembly, PCUSA s – 2 nd Great Awakening Old School/New School Controversy – War Between the States 1861 – Presbyterians split north to south

John Witherspoon, descendent of John Knox President of College of New Jersey – lectured famously on Moral Philosophy & Christian cosmology - introduced Scottish Common Sense Realism 1776 sermon: “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men” Signed the Declaration of Independence Served in Congress –

Scottish Common Sense Realism defended Sola Scriptura “If, as the Protestants argued against the Catholics, neither the church nor tradition was essential to understanding the Biblical message, then it was necessary to claim that even simple Christians could understand the essential message of the Bible on their own.” Marsden

Charles Hodge, Professor, Princeton Seminary “If natural science be concerned with the facts and laws of nature, theology is concerned with the facts and the principles of the Bible. If the object of the one be to arrange and systemize the facts of the external world, and to ascertain the laws by which they are determined; the object of the other is to systematize the facts of the Bible, and ascertain the principles or general truths which those facts involve.” Systematic Theology

John Witherspoon, descendent of John Knox President of College of New Jersey – lectured famously on Moral Philosophy & Christian cosmology - introduced Scottish Common Sense Realism 1776 sermon: “The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men” Signed the Declaration of Independence Served in Congress –

11 of the 56 signers are Presbyterian. Witherspoon the only minister to sign. 6 of the 55 attending the Constitutional Convention are Presbyterian.

A Survey of 18 th c. Presbyterianism Francis Makemie arrived in MD st Presbytery organized, Philadelphia 1730s-43 – 1 st Great Awakening American Revolutionary War st General Assembly, PCUSA Old School/New School Controversy – War Between the States 1861 – Presbyterians split north to south

New Covenant Presbyterian Church Preaching God’s Sovereign Grace to a World of Need 128 St. Mary’s Church Rd., Abingdon, MD