This volume is a collection of essays on church history by John Williamson Nevin (1803–86), the theological creator of Mercersburg Theology. Nevin and his colleague Philip Schaff were attempting to reorient American ecclesial thought to be more historical. Most American theologians of the period posited a period of spiritual decline soon after the New Testament, lasting until the Protestant Reformation. They believed the ongoing task of the children of the Reformation was to remake the church in the mold of the apostolic faith. In these essays, Nevin was seeking to establish a more unified historical narrative that saw the Reformation as an essential outgrowth of the medieval Catholic church. Nevin’s search for an answer to the church question—what is the church?—demanded a focus on history as an unfolding, teleological journey. Nevin’s search for history is part of his larger search for catholicity in the American Protestant church. These writings are an important part of the larger theological project that is known as Mercersburg Theology, which is being explored in the volumes of this series.

Can Christians and churches be both catholic and Reformed? In this volume, two accomplished young theologians argue that to be Reformed means to go deeper into true catholicity rather than away from it. Their manifesto for a catholic and Reformed approach to dogmatics seeks theological renewal through retrieval of the rich resources of the historic Christian tradition. The book provides a survey of recent approaches toward theological retrieval and offers a renewed exploration of the doctrine of sola scriptura. It includes a substantive afterword by J. Todd Billings.

This book offers a clearly written, informative, and fair critique of Roman Catholicism in defense of the catholic faith. Two leading evangelical thinkers in church history and philosophy summarize the major points of contention between Protestants and Catholics, honestly acknowledging real differences while conveying mutual respect and charity. The authors address key historical, theological, and philosophical issues as they consider what remains at stake five hundred years after the Reformation. They also present a hopeful way forward for future ecumenical relations, showing how Protestants and Catholics can participate in a common witness to the world.

A learned and uniquely constructive book that gently urges "suspicious" Christians to reclaim the patristic roots of their faith. This is the first book of its kind meant to help Protestant Christians recognize the early church fathers as an essential part of their faith. Writing primarily to the evangelical, independent, and free church communities, who remain largely suspicious of church history and the relationship between Scripture and tradition, D. H. Williams clearly explains why every branch of today's church owes its heritage to the doctrinal foundation laid by postapostolic Christianity. Based on solid historical scholarship, this volume shows that embracing the "catholic" roots of the faith will not lead to the loss of Protestant distinctiveness but is essential for preserving the Christian vision in our rapidly changing world.

This volume is a collection of essays on church history by John Williamson Nevin (1803-86), the theological creator of Mercersburg Theology. Nevin and his colleague Philip Schaff were attempting to reorient American ecclesial thought to be more historical. Most American theologians of the period posited a period of spiritual decline soon after the New Testament, lasting until the Protestant Reformation. They believed the ongoing task of the children of the Reformation was to remake the church in the mold of the apostolic faith. In these essays, Nevin was seeking to establish a more unified historical narrative that saw the Reformation as an essential outgrowth of the medieval Catholic church. Nevin's search for an answer to the church question--what is the church?--demanded a focus on history as an unfolding, teleological journey. Nevin's search for history is part of his larger search for catholicity in the American Protestant church. These writings are an important part of the larger theological project that is known as Mercersburg Theology, which is being explored in the volumes of this series.

These essays by John Nevin, theologian of Mercersburg Theology, are united by two primary themes: Part 1 documents Nevin’s noteworthy and innovative application of idealist philosophy to Reformed theology in antebellum America. American Christians largely rejected any inherited philosophical discipline or categories, claiming the right to invent moral and religious reality without attention to Christian tradition. The paradoxical result was authoritarian rationalism: religious doctrines imitated scientific reasoning (“common-sense” philosophy) but were imposed by ecclesiastical fiat. In contrast, Nevin summoned his fellow theologians to pay fresh attention to the Idea: the rational unpacking of transcendent truths in being, moral right, and revelation. Part 2 then documents his criticism of the predominant Christian alternatives in the mid-nineteenth century. Such alternatives were deeply flawed, Nevin thought, as they necessitated that supernatural reality be experienced through an external authority demanding assent and obedience—the pope, a body of bishops, an authoritative Bible. But for Nevin, “supernature” is Jesus Christ himself who generates and sustains the reality of which the church speaks. Thus the highest Idea was Jesus Christ, now incarnate in the history and sacramental and liturgical life of the church.

Endorsements: "Liturgical Presbyterians? No, this is not an oxymoron. D. G. Hart has written a lively polemic against the well-intentioned dumbing-down of worship by advocates of church growth. This book is going to make some people very mad, and it will make others very glad. Those who have thrown away the theological substance of the great Reformed tradition of Christian worship ought to be mad. Hart shames them. And yet, for those whose privilege it is to praise and serve God in a church that enjoys the Reformed way of worship in all its depth, glory, and joy, this book is a great summons to faithfulness in our time." --WILLIAM H. WILLIMON, Duke Divinity School "Beginning to realize just how much they have been shaped by non-Reformed influences, conservative Presbyterian and Reformed churches are now being forced to decide between a generic 'low-church' Protestantism, a 'high church' tradition, or, oddly enough, a more traditional Reformed and Presbyterian approach. D. G. Hart believes that Reformed theology provides resources not only for understanding that we are saved, but also for how we worship and mature in the Christian faith. There's a lot of wisdom here, and whether one agrees or disagrees with Hart, his well-considered arguments cannot be responsibly ignored by adherents of Reformed Christianity." --MICHAEL HORTON, Editor in Chief, Modern Reformation "Unabashedly writing to inform, rouse, and serve his fellow Presbyterians, D. G. Hart has nonetheless produced a book that is properly and profoundly ecumenical. Christians from all communions who take seriously the identity and nature of the church will learn from Hart's analysis of the complex arrangement under God of cult and culture, form and content, church and state, praise and proclamation, cross and crown. Hart reminds us that the chronicles of the people of God always offer encouragement to strengthen feeble arms, weak knees, and lazy minds." --KEN MYERS, host and producer of the Mars Hill Audio Journal "Hart's book combines world-class scholarship with keen social and ecclesiastical awareness and should be read and reread by those who want to transmit the piety and ethos of the Reformed tradition to the next generation." --TERRY L. JOHNSON, Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia

In Contesting Catholicity, Curtis W. Freeman offers an alternative Baptist identity, an "Other" kind of Baptist, one that stands between the liberal and fundamentalist options. By discerning an elegant analogy among some late modern Baptist preachers, seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Baptist founders, and early patristic theologians, Freeman narrates the Baptist story as a community that grapples with the convictions of the church catholic.

This volume is a collection of essays on church history by John Williamson Nevin (1803-86), the theological creator of Mercersburg Theology. Nevin and his colleague Philip Schaff were attempting to reorient American ecclesial thought to be more historical. Most American theologians of the period posited a period of spiritual decline soon after the New Testament, lasting until the Protestant Reformation. They believed the ongoing task of the children of the Reformation was to remake the church in the mold of the apostolic faith. In these essays, Nevin was seeking to establish a more unified historical narrative that saw the Reformation as an essential outgrowth of the medieval Catholic church. Nevin's search for an answer to the church question--what is the church?--demanded a focus on history as an unfolding, teleological journey. Nevin's search for history is part of his larger search for catholicity in the American Protestant church. These writings are an important part of the larger theological project that is known as Mercersburg Theology, which is being explored in the volumes of this series.

Over 3 million copies sold! Essential reading for Catholics of all walks of life. Here it is - the first new Catechism of the Catholic Church in more than 400 years, a complete summary of what Catholics around the world commonly believe. The Catechism draws on the Bible, the Mass, the Sacraments, Church tradition and teaching, and the lives of saints. It comes with a complete index, footnotes and cross-references for a fuller understanding of every subject. The word catechism means "instruction" - this book will serve as the standard for all future catechisms. Using the tradition of explaining what the Church believes (the Creed), what she celebrates (the Sacraments), what she lives (the Commandments), and what she prays (the Lord's Prayer), the Catechism of the Catholic Church offers challenges for believers and answers for all those interested in learning about the mystery of the Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a positive, coherent and contemporary map for our spiritual journey toward transformation.