"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.

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.

This book contains eleven great sermons by the great Welsh itinerant preacher, John Elias (1774-1841), all newly and ably translated from the Welsh by Owen Milton. Here you will find a feast of biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical food that shows how great preachers in ages past proclaimed the whole counsel of God over a period of time while remaining faithful in expounding individual texts in accord with their major themes. These sermons, which richly expound nearly every major doctrine of grace, are as relevant and helpful as when they were first written. Here you will find the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man persuasively expounded. Such themes as God's sovereign calling of sinners, the experiential knowledge and fullness of Christ, the dangers of ignoring the gospel call, earnest prayer for the Spirit, the greatness of God's peace, the believer's love for Christ, the blessing of a contrite spirit, and the immanency of the Second Advent are set forth with convicting power. Practical themes such as how to listen to preaching and how to respect governmental authority are also expounded with fresh clarity. Elias's sermons exhibit all the strengths of a godly preacher-pastor-writer. Read them slowly and prayerfully, and, with the Spirit's blessing, you will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

A lay-friendly introduction to Presbyterian beliefs, practices, and history. Helps readers grasp what it means to be a (conservative) Presbyterian in a postmodern age.

Liberals don't have all the facts about HOMOSEXUALITY Neither do Conservatives Is your congregation studying the issues surrounding ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people? Have you run into a dead end looking for authoritative, current curricular material? You'll be astonished at the information that has been known for years in seminaries and universities but has been unavailable to lay readers. Until now. This book presents the broad range of Biblical, theological, and scientific source material that churches are seeking for their study of these critical issues. * What does the Bible say about sexual orientation and behavior? Look at a variety of interpretations * What does science say about the effectiveness of conversion therapy? Read the studies and weigh the evidence Can members of a congregation engage with the questions of ordination standards; study, analyze, and weigh the data; come to their own conclusions; and still remain friends at the end of the day? The authors of this book did. And now we are sharing these resources with you, so that you can explore primary sources and consider a broad range of viewpoints regarding the issues that are raised by

This is a full-scale life of the controversial Reformation leader and influential theologian. Even granted the present high level of biographical writing, it stands out. - CP Snow, Financial Times. John Calvin, the French Protestant theologian, had planned a life of quiet, scholarly study. But while travelling to Strasbourg in 1536, a local war forced him to make a detour through Geneva. Here he stayed, apart from a short period of exile, until the end of his life. His time in Geneva was marked by long, bitter struggles over the independence of the Church from the State and the rules Calvin tried to impose on Geneva as a whole. Calvin's reputation as a controversialist is strong even today. In this major biography, he is seen against the background of the turbulent times in which he lived. By putting Calvin in his context, the book brings to life the quiet, 'timid scholar' whose ideas took Europe by storm.

John Calvin transformed the Western theology and law of sex, marriage, and family life. Building on a generation of Protestant reforms, Calvin constructed a comprehensive new theology and law that made marital formation and dissolution, childrenbs nurture and welfare, family cohesion and support, and sexual sin and crime essential concerns for both church and state. Working with other jurists and theologians, Calvin drew the Consistory and Council of Geneva into a creative new alliance to govern domestic and sexual subjects. Together, these authorities outlawed monasticism and mandatory clerical celibacy, and encouraged marriage for all fit adults. They set clear guidelines for courtship and engagement and mandated parental consent, peer witness, church consecration, and state registration for valid marriage. They radically reconfigured weddings and wedding feasts and reformed marital property and inheritance, marital consent and impediments. They created new rights and duties for wives within the bedroom and for children within the household. They streamlined the grounds and procedures for annulment and introduced fault-based divorce for both husbands and wives on grounds of adultery and desertion. They encouraged the remarriage of divorcees and widow(er)s. They punished rape, fornication, prostitution, sodomy, and other sexual felonies with startling new severity and put firm new restrictions on dancing, sumptuousness, ribaldry, and obscenity. They put new stock in catechesis and education, created new schools, curricula, and teaching aids, and provided new sanctuary to illegitimate, abandoned, and abused children. They created new protections for abused wives and impoverishedwidows. Many of these reforms of sixteenth-century Geneva were echoed and elaborated in numerous Calvinist communities, ultimately on both sides of the Atlantic, and a good number of these reforms found their way into our modern civil law and common law traditions. This volume and its sequels analyzes and documents this transformation of sex, marriage and family life in Geneva using many newly-discovered theological and legal materials.

The Historical Roots of the Presbyterian Church in America is a Presbyterian Primer, one of a series of books by Don Clements that has been written in non-academic style, specifically designed to reach new or previously unread Church members. It lends itself quite well as an easy-to-read training manual for church officers or as an interesting introduction for persons new to church history. Topics covered in this volume include a pithy overview of the Protestant Reformation, the birth of Presbyterianism, the branching of Reformed denominations, the theological decline into liberalism by various branches, the founding of the Presbyterian Church in America and the rejoining of branches as the roots come back together. Dr. Clements offers a list of characteristics of the PCA that makes it "who it is" and calls others to solidify such an anthology in order to firmly establish a distinct foundation for leadership and a legacy for future generations. Reading this book will inspire you to appreciate the service, sacrifice and martyrdom of those who have gone before, and whet your appetite for Christian history, even if you don't enjoy or see the importance of spending time on learning about the past.

"The Presbyterian Trustee" is a brief, highly useful handbook for trustees in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the first to examine the office. Modeled after "The Presbyterian Elder" and the author's own "The Presbyterian Deacon," this book explores the biblical models of trustees, the historic background of the office, and the responsibilities of trustees today. Added features include a liturgy for the installation and recognition of trustees, a glossary, and a list of other recommended resources.

"We need say no more than get it, and you will find abundance of suggestions for profitable trains of thought. Dickson is a writer after our own heart. For preachers he is a great ally. There is nothing brilliant or profound; but everything is clear and well arranged, and the unction runs down like the oil from Aaron's head." - C.H. Spurgeon "I have taken all my good deeds, and all my bad deeds, and cast them through each other in a heap before the Lord, and fled from both, and betaken myself to the Lord Jesus Christ, and in him I have sweet peace." In these words David Dickson expressed his faith as he was on his death-bed. It is with such words of grace that Dickson expounds the Epistle to the Hebrews.

This book has been written to commemorate 175 years of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. It intends to provide a balanced account of the role of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana since the early nineteenth century, and as such, sheds much light on the history and development of Ghana over the past two centuries. It covers the contributions of the Basel missionaries and their Scottish successors, and emphasises the contributions of the locals to the mission, particularly in developing local languages, translating sacred texts and compiling dictionaries and proverbs. It illuminates the achievements of the Church and the contributions it has made to the development of moral and spiritual life, education, agriculture, health, Ghanaian languages and music. However criticism of the missionaries is not reserved, being levelled at the rigidity and intolerant attitude of the missionaries towards the indigenous culture.

An English translation of university lectures (1930-1945) that give a tightly formulated introduction to Calvinist philosophy. Translated by John H. Kok. Introduction by Anthony Tol. Preface by Calvin Seerveld

This is a thorough study of Calvin's conception of Christian philosophy, his exposition of insights of classical philosophy, and his evaluations of classical philosophers. Special attention is given to the doctrines of providence and predestination.

A brief overview of the major works on the offices in the Scottish Presbyterian Church to-date reveals that there is a need for a comprehensive historical and theological study on the Presbyterian offices, which this work intends to provide. Chapter one gives attention to contemporary documents expressing the views of the Scottish reformers on the ministry in the local congregation. The second chapter deals with the question present at the beginning of the reformation: who represented Christ - the bishop or the Presbyter? The third chapter considers how the documents of the Westminster Assembly of Divines determined the future courses of Scottish Presbyterian ecclesiology. The following chapters analyse the development of the offices within the context of the established Presbyterian Church, providing an overview of the role and functions of the offices of the minister, elder and deacon in Scottish Presbyterianism. Finally the study considers the involvement of the Church of Scotland in twentieth century ecumenical discussions.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. 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 for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

"This fine study exemplifies the best kind of historical theology: penetrating in its reading of the texts, attentive both to the detail and to the scope of its subject-matter, and, above all, alert to the fact that in the history of Christian thought we are in the sphere of theology, church and faith. A wide circle of new readers will find great profit in studying this rich account of a rich theme." John Webster, University of Aberdeen

In "Leading from the Center," sociologist William Weston provides an enlightening look at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the tensions that exist between key groups in the denomination. Weston defines the key groups as conservatives, liberals, and loyalists and structures his view of the denomination around the third group. Defining "loyalists" as the largest and those who have no wish to see the denomination split apart, Weston argues that while conservatives may consider splitting the church over doctrinal issues and liberals may consider splitting the church over social issues, the loyalists want to work for peace and unity in an effort to hold the church together. His in-depth analysis examines the "left" and "right" sides of the church and their competition to win the loyalist center to their respective sides. Meticulously researched but engaging and insightful, "Leading from the Center" is a concise sketch of the denomination that is often surprising and always revealing.

In this Very Short Introduction, Jon Balserak explores major ideas associated with the Calvinist system of thought. Beginning during the Protestant Reformation in cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Basel, Calvinismaalso known as Reformed Theologyaspread rapidly throughout Europe and the New World, eventually making its way to the African Continent and the East. Balserak examines how Calvinist thought and practice spread and took root, helping shape church and society. Much of contemporary thought, especially western thought, on everything from theology to civil government, economics, the arts, work and leisure, education, and the family has been influenced by Calvinism. Balserak explores this influence. He also examines common misconceptions and objections to Calvinism, and sets forth a Calvinist understanding of God, the world, humankind, and the meaning of life. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

This accessible introduction to the Christian faith offers a hands-on look at the whole story of the Bible in an effort to help the person in the pew grapple with what it means to be a Christian in a world of conflicting ideologies and competing claims. "This We Believe" presents eight beliefs that form the basis of the Christian faith in the Reformed and Presbyterian traditions. This thought-provoking book is sure to inspire conversations and prayers concerning the story of the Bible, our theological heritage as Reformed Christians, and the changing culture in which we live.

Published during the tenth anniversary of the "Book of Common Worship" (1993), "The Companion to the Book of Common Worship" is a practical guide, answering questions such as how do I use the "Book of Common Worship" to its fullest advantage? and how can the "Book of Common Worship" form a congregation into a community that glorifies and enjoys God?

Biblical Church Government is a Presbyterian Primer, one of a series of books by Don Clements that has been written in non-academic style, specifically designed to reach new or previously unread Church members. Originally released in 2003, this second edition has been updated and reformatted to allow space in the margins for notes. It lends itself quite well as an easy-to-read training manual for church officers or as a more in-depth study for persons considering church membership. One pastor says this is the one book actually read consistently by leadership candidates in his church. Topics covered in this volume include "The Importance of Leadership in the Church," "Church Government in the New Testament," "Christ the King," "How Many Offices Are There in the Church?" "The Function of Elders," "The Tasks of Elders," "Power and Authority in the Church," "The Necessity of Church Discipline," "The Origin, Function and Tasks of Deacons," "The Role of Women in the Church," "Qualifications for Office" and "The Confessional and Connectional Nature of the Church." Clements uses the English Standard Version throughout for references. In his book, Dr. Clements distinguishes between the various forms of church government, making a biblical case for the Presbyterian form. He offers the reasoning and need for officers in the organized church, and presents a thorough study of the leadership structure and duties delineated in the Bible. This book is the only one in print today that explains the unique 'two office' (elder and deacon) view of Presbyterian government that is practiced in the Presbyterian Church in America. Lots of practical caveats gained from many years of experience are included alongthe way.