The Presbyterian Church (USA) has gone from being the second largest denomination in the United States at the time of the revolution to being within a generation of disappearing altogether. What is wrong and what can be done about it?

The problem isn't Christianity. Christianity is growing world wide and in the United States. It's not Presbyterian theology. Presbyterian churches are thriving everywhere abroad. Yet in the United States, the denomination has lost over a million members and 600 churches since the northern and southern churches were united in 1983.

"The Presbyterian Prescription" is a comprehensive discussion of the problems individual churches and the denomination are facing. It lays out a practical guide for individual churches to use to rejuvenate themselves regardless of whether they have pastoral leadership and it proposes changes for the denominational government to make it more representative and effective.

Charles Hodge, William Henry Green and others from Princeton Seminary said, "The excellent Commentaries of Dr. Melancthon Jacobus have deservedly attained a high reputation, and their wide circulation proves how well they are adapted to the wants of both ministers and laymen. They present, in a brief compass, the results of extensive erudition, abound in judicious exposition and pertinent illustration, and are, moreover, distinguished by doctrinal soundness, evangelical character, and an eminently devout spirtit."

"When studying Romans, I usually reach for Shedd first. Highly valued in past generations, Shedd's careful treatment of the original text is succinct and yet richly suggestive of profitable lines of exposition. A must have for serious study of Paul's most important letter." Dr. Robert P. Martin, Pastor, Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church, Seattle, Washington, Editor, Reformed Baptist Theological Review

GOD'S WILL, MAN'S WILL, AND FREE WILL Is it possible for a creature to have a free will and to continually exercise that will in complete conformity to the will of God? Yes Are the creatures who thus conform their wills continually to the will of God in servitude? Are they slaves? Yes If God plans, fore-determines and predestinates each and every deed of a man's life, powerfully controlling all circumstances, all persons, even all forces of whatever variety and magnitude that affects his life, can that one be free? Yes In this little book the large subject of God's Will, Man's Will, and Free will is keenly examined by five different authors who make use of the Holy Scriptures to answer the multitude of questions, and of objections to what is written HORATIUS BONAR notes three things about men without Christ: 1. Their souls are not at rest. 2. Their conscience is not at work. And, 3. They do not tremble at the Word of God. The Lord has spoken. There is no room to question when His voice is heard. JONATHAN EDWARDS notes that God is the Supreme Orderer of all things, but that His ordering of all things (His orderings of the heart and fixing the steps of a man - Proverbs 16:1, 9) does not interfere with a man's ability to choose. C. H. SPURGEON notes that men will not come to Christ that they might have LIFE because they are dead in trespasses and sin. Can there be a soul that will not become wiser from these discussions? Edwards (1703-1758) is by far the best known American theologian. After graduating from and teaching at Yale University, he began a very fruitful ministry at Northampton, MA. The church was the scene of the explosive revival of 1734, 35, and burned fiercely for Godunder Edwards for several years. Edwards then went to pastor the lowly Indians. But at last he was called to be the first president of Princeton University, where he served only 5 weeks, dying of smallpox. C. H. Spurgeon (1834-1892) was not only the famed preacher for whom The Metropolitan Tabernacle was built, but he wrote a host of books, published a magazine, was a colporteur, was an expositor, etc. Horatius Bonar (1809-1899) was a Presbyterian minister in Scotland and the author of many excellent books of much practical value. Jay P. Green, Sr. (1918-) is Translator and Editor of The Interlinear Hebrew-Greek-English Bible and the translator of the Modern King James Version of the Holy Bible, The Teenage Version of the Holy Bible, and the Literal translation of the Holy Bible. He has written numerous books on textual criticism.

Even beyond the 500th anniversary of 2009, Calvin and the consequences of the Reformation associated with his name have lost none of their fascination. Current questions and research projects revolve around the life, work and thoughts of the early modern theologian. The work contains the lectures of the tenth International Congress for Calvin Research (Bloemfontein 2010) and represents the latest state of Calvin research. The first part consists of all lectures by leading scientists from the history of the Reformation and theology, including Luca Baschera, Tony Lane and Wim Janse. They deal with the main topic of the congress, reconciliation. The thematically diverse second part contains short lectures, such as on Calvin's concept of theology or Calvin's understanding of freedom. Mimako Saito writes about Calvin's legacy in Japan. Like the publications of previous Calvin Congress lectures, this edition is intended to serve as a source and guide for future studies. The selection of the title, Calvinus clarissimus theologus, continues the tradition of quoting from an exchange of letters to Calvin. The title echoes the words of Johannes Storm, who praises Calvin as an "astute and learned theologian." Based on these words, Herman J. Selderhuis expresses the honorable commemoration of the Calvin expert and long-time secretary and member of the Presidium Wilhelm Heinrich Neuser, who died a few weeks before the start of the congress.

How did Dardenne Presbyterian become a regional leader?

"We fill our pews, we visit our sick, we welcome the new, we keep preaching God's word, we pray together and we work together to build Dardenne Presbyterian Church."
--"The Dardennaire," August 1973

Follow the 185-year story as prairie pioneers struggle to survive and keep their church alive despite epidemic, fire and scandal. Then pray with them as they continue their "Journey of Faith" into the 21st century.

Jonathan Edwards continues to capture the interest of many as one of America's greatest theologians. However, the very thought of reading the works of such an intellectual giant can be intimidating. In this book, W. Gary Crampton renders a clear and concise introduction to the thought of Jonathan Edwards in an enjoyable conversational format. By posing questions and crafting answers from selected quotations, Crampton provides a comfortable atmosphere for surveying the life and thought of Edwards. This dialogue makes an excellent resource for those looking for a brief and accessible guide on Edwards. W. Gary Crampton holds the degrees of Th.M. and Th.D. from Whitefield Theological Seminary, and Ph.D. from Central School of Religion, in Surrrey, England. He is an ordained teaching elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church and the author of several books, including Meet Jonathan Edwards, What the Puritans Thought, and What Calvin Said.

This collection of essays expands knowledge about the diversity of the UCC, and connects the UCC with many significant developments in American religious and ethnic history. It explores such areas as Native American Protestantism, black Christian churches, a schism in the German Reformed Church, Armenian congregationalism's missionary beginnings, German congregationalism, blacks and the American Missionary Association, Deaconess ministries, the Schwenkfelders, the Calvin Synod (Hungarian), women's work and women's boards, and Japanese-American congregationalists.

Originally published in 1940. Contents Include - CALVINISM AS A DOGMATIC SYSTEM - The Knowledge of God - Knowledge of Gog and Self-Knowledge - The Knowledge of God from Natural Religion - The Biblical Doctrine of Creation and Providence - Man's Fallen State - The Perfect Standard of Righteousness in the Law - The Mediation through Christ - The Appropiation of Salvation through Christ - The Holy Spirit and Faith - Repentance - Justification by Faith - The Nature of Justification - Christian Liberty - Prayer - The Eternal Election - Church and Sacraments - The Nature of the Church - Preaching and the Sacraments - Baptism - The Lord's Supper - CALVINISM AS AN ECCLESIASTICAL SYSTEM - The Organization and the Ministry - Calvinism on the Continent of Europe - At Geneva - The Reformed Church in Swittzerland, Germany and the Netherlands - Caqlvinism in France - Calvininsm in the English Speaking World - SOME ASPECTS OF CALVINISM - The Calvinism View of Scripture - The Principle of Authority in Calvinism - The Calvinisic Way of Life - Calvinism and the Social Order - Church and State - The Revived Interest in Calvinism

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. This book presents various viewpoints, values, and commitments found throughout the denomination. Discussion and reflection questions at the end of each chapter make this book ideal for individual and group study.

This book addresses the age old controversy between to completely opposite positions in theology. Who is right, the Arminian view which gives man the credit for his salvation and all his good works that qualifies him for that great blessing - OR - is the Calvinist view that is correct which teaches that God is the one that should get credit for any person that comes to Jesus as Lord - that all man's work mean nothing in the sight of God as far as qualifying him to be one of God's saved ones? The authour explains the view of both sides but deals plainly in favour of Calvinism.

Thine Is My Heart brings together a year's worth of meditations from the writings of John Calvin, carefully selected to reveal his devotional side. Taken from his commentaries, correspondences, and sermons, these selections demonstrate that practical application of Christian truth was never far from his mind. Let these daily portions be an encouragement to you to offer your heart to the Lord, promptly and sincerely.

"Why Election Is Not My Gospel" is a controversial diatribe that explores and answers these questions: Does the Gospel consist in a real and sincere promise by God to all without exception, or an invitation to the elect alone? Is there a clear distinction between God's desire (command) and God's intention (purpose)? Does God in any sense desire that Reprobates be saved? Is Election part of the Gospel, or necessary to be believed as the immediate object of justifying faith? And many more...

After years spent deceived in the circles of "Hyper-Calvinism," author E.D. Manard marks his public exodus from this spiritually fatal movement, and repudiates his former association with it, proving it as a departure from God's Gospel addressed to, and designed for, lost sinners.

Mr. Manard takes on the editor of "Outside The Camp Newsletter, " Marc Carpenter, directly, and counters Carpenter's denial of the "free offer" of the Gospel, demonstrating that such denial is anti-historical, anti-biblical, and anti-evangelistic.

Pulling no punches, Mr. Manard shows conclusively from God's Testimony which evangelistic message God's ministers are commissioned to preach to lost sinners exactly, and why "Election" is not it.

Lloyd Geering, a minister and professor in the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, was tried for heresy in 1967 followng his article "What Does the Resurrection Mean?". Found innocent, he became the foundation professor of religion at Victoria University. This is a reflective and honest account of his personal journey. In "Wrestling With God" Geering writes movingly of the interior and family life that form the backdrop to his controversial public life.

This brief, accessible guide for confirmation in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) examines the process of confirmation, what it means, and its ongoing importance in the church. This essential resource, which includes discussion and reflection questions at the end of each chapter, is perfect for individual or group study. It is ideal for those being confirmed, their parents, and all those assisting individuals who are being confirmed.

The Oxford Handbook of Reformed Theology looks back to past resources that have informed Reformed theology and surveys present conversations among those engaged in Reformed theology today. First, the volume offers accounts of the major historical contexts of reformed theology, the various relationships (ancient and modern) which it maintains and from which it derives. Recent research has shown the intricate ties between the patristic and medieval heritage of the church and the work of the reformed movement in the sixteenth century. The past century has also witnessed an explosion of reformed theology outside the Western world, prompting a need for attention not only to these global voices but also to the unique (and contingent) history of reformed theology in the West (hence reflecting on its relationship to intellectual developments like scholastic method or the critical approaches of modern biblical studies). Second, the volume assesses some of the classic, representative texts of the reformed tradition, observing also their reception history. The reformed movement is not dominated by a single figure, but it does contain a host of paradigmatic texts that demonstrate the range and vitality of reformed thought on politics, piety, biblical commentary, dogmatic reflection, and social engagement. Third, the volume turns to key doctrines and topics that continue to receive attention by reformed theologians today. Contributors who are themselves making cutting edge contributions to constructive theology today reflect on the state of the question and offer their own proposals regarding a host of doctrinal topics and themes.

Twenty-two more complete sermons from Joseph Addison Alexander (1809-1860), the brilliant and godly giant from Old Princeton, are here published for the first time in more than a century. Charles Hodge said of his colleague, "In the death of Joseph Addison Alexander we have lost our great glory and defense. Permit me to express my own individual convictions. I regard Dr. Joseph Addison Alexander as incomparably the greatest man I ever knew--as incomparably the greatest man our church has ever produced. His thorough orthodoxy, his fervent piety, humility, faithfulness in the discharge of his duties, and reverence for the Word of God, consecrated all his other gifts. He glorified the Word of God in the sight of his pupils beyond what any man I ever saw had the power of doing."

John Calvin has been the subject of numerous studies, but most have focused on one aspect of his thought or a limited selection of his writings. This study of Calvin adopts a uniquely holistic approach.
Randall Zachman begins with a brief biography and considers Calvin's own understanding of his ministry as a teacher and pastor. From this perspective, he surveys Calvin's writings and their place in the work of reforming the church--both through the training of clergy and the instruction of the laity. Zachman then considers Calvin as a theologian. In contrast to Martin Luther, Calvin sought to balance the verbal proclamation of the Word with an emphasis on the visible manifestation of God--both in creation and in Christ.
This study will be of great interest to Reformed clergy and to students of the Reformation and Calvinism.

There is a large demand for a textbook on the history and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, to be used in the Sunday Schools, Pastors' study classes, and the study classes of Young People's and Women's Societies. In casting about for such a book the Presbyterian Committee of Publication found ready at home that charming little book The Creed of Presbyterians, by the Rev. Egbert Watson Smith, D. D., Executive Secretary of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the United States. It is worthy of note that this book has already had a far larger circulation than any other book ever written in America on Presbyterianism. However, The Creed of Presbyterians is written in popular style for the general reader and was not primarily intended for a textbook, but the Committee of Publication hit upon a happy idea, and that was to convert it into a textbook by dividing it into lessons and adding a list of questions to be used in connection with each lesson. So we have in this new edition a book which has all the charm of the original edition and which can be read without any thought of the classroom, but at the same time a book which can be instantly converted into a textbook, by turning to the lesson divisions and questions in the back. With this new adjustment we believe that The Creed of Presbyterians will meet in an admirable way the demand for a textbook on the history and doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. Practically every question on each lesson can be answered by a careful study of the pages assigned to that lesson, and it is not necessary for members of the class to have any other book in connection with the course. But it will be found helpful to make frequent reference toencyclopedia articles and to such histories as members of the class may have. It will also be found helpful to have at hand an exceedingly interesting and informing book entitled, The Burning Bush: A Story of the Presbyterian Church, by J. R. Fleming. With these suggestions we send The Creed of Presbyterians out upon its new mission as a textbook with the sincere hope and conviction that it will fill a long felt need. The questions were prepared by Rev. W. L. Lingle, D. D., of Union Theological Seminary, Moderator of the General Assembly of 1920. Presbyterian Committee of Publication Richmond, Va.

Many years ago, the papers of James S. Stewart were lodged in the library of New College, Edinburgh, by 'J.S.S.' himself under a twelve year embargo. Recently permission was granted for this embargo to be lifted and the material finally to be made available. Among the papers were some exceptional set piece sermons-examples of work upon which James S. Stewart bestowed such labour, which he honed and polished. Readers who remember his distinctive voice, and those who have learned about this magnificent preacher, may now hear the vibrant accents of his passionate delivery through the printed word. For twenty years the late James S. Stewart was Professor of New Testament Language, Literature and Theology, University of Edinburgh (New College). Former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland (1963-64), he is considered to be one of the Kirk's greatest communicators of the Gospel. As a scholar, family man and public figure, his may become a historic memory, a legend of a more spacious era of church life when men and women went on Sundays to 'hear' preachers of their day. This volume of sermons by James S. Stewart is offered as a lasting testament to his life and times.