Studies in Scottish Church History

Description

In these studies, Alec Cheyne explores the history of the churches of Scotland since the Reformation.Professor Cheyne looks especially at the leaders: among them Robert Rollock, Robert Leighton, William Carstares, Thomas Chalmers, John Tulloch, John Caird, Henry Drummond, John Baillie and Donald Baillie. He illuminates just how much change and diversity in thought, worship, government and culture these four hundred years have witnessed in the churches - far greater than has traditionally been supposed. He also describes the importance of the constant interaction between ecclesiastical and academic affairs, and the very wide influence of the churches on Scottish life as a whole.A significant work of Scottish history and reference.

Alex Cheung is Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Christian Witness Theological Seminary, Concord, California.

'This useful collection of papers from Alex Cheyne brings together items which might otherwise cause a great deal of trouble to hunt down.' Michael Fry, The Herald, Book of the Day. 'This is a work of striking erudition and enormous value. It provides the first historical analysis of the Scottish church's engagement with modern issues that brings the reader right to the present day. As such, both studens of church history and those with a wider interest in religious matters will find in the authority, clarity and cogent reasoning of this book much to inspire and inform them.' Deryck W Lovegrove, Epworth Review 'Throughout these studies one can appreciate afresh the author's depth of scholarship, his concise and graphic expression and his analytical skills. In this volume the qualities which made Professor Cheyne so highly valued and appreciated as a teacher are made available to a wider audience.' Douglas M. Murray, Journal of Ecclesiastical History 'It has been a pleasure to review this book. Its thirteen essays display all the characteristics we have come to expect from Professor Cheyne: elegance of style, clarity of thought, humanity of outlook, breadth and significance of subject matter. [. . .] He deals with weighty themes such as the restatements of credal certainties, the contending methods of debate and criticism between the dogmatic and the conciliatory which were involved, the struggles of churchmen to link their piety with the needs of their age. He lets the people involved speak for themselves by the liberal use of quotations from their works and so gives the reader a good insight into their outlooks, habits of thought, beliefs. Yet he wears such learning lightly and he retains the reader's interest throughout. It must have been wonderful to have been one of his students.' John F. McCaffrey, Theologische Literaturzeitung Theology in Scotland 7.2 (Autumn 2000) Highlights: "...this is a work of striking erudition and enormous value. It provides the first historical analysis of the Scottish church's engagement with modern issues that brings the reader right to the present day. As such, both students of church history and those with a wider interest in religious matters will find in the authority, clarity and cogent reasoning of this book much to inspire and inform them."