William G. T. Shedd Livres

Composed of numerous articles relating "to principles in theology and ethics which are eternal, and vehemently opposed in the standing conflict between orthodoxy and heterodoxy." Shedd notes that in this war "[t]here is nothing new in the orthodoxy of today; and nothing new in the newest heterodoxy. A scholar vested in ancient learning can trace both alike in the antagonisms of the past. Speaking generally, the orthodox respects and cultivates systematic theology; the heterodox contemns and vilifies it. The former maintains the carefully stated creeds of the evangelical denominations; the latter seeks to revise, relax, and nullify them. Orthodoxy defines Christianity to be an exclusive religion, distinct from all others, and intended to convert them; heterodoxy explains it to be a conglomerate of all religions, and destined to be merged and lost in them." "There are no new truths, only new believers; and there are no new errors, only new errorists. W.G.T. Shedd recognized that the contest between truth and error is a constant reality of human history. In this miscellany he confronted the vigorous heterodoxy and apathetic orthodoxy of his day. This contest continues. The cast has changed but the script is the same, which makes this work as useful today as it was a century ago." -Dr. Robert P. Martin

1867. Originally presented as lectures. Contents: Homiletics-Relation of Sacred Eloquence to Biblical Exegesis; Distinctive Nature of Homiletics, and Reasons for Its Cultivation; Fundamental Properties of Style; General Maxims for Sermonizing; Special Maxims for Sermonizing; The Different Species of Sermons; The Nature and Choice of a Text; The Plan of a Sermon; Extemporaneous Preaching; The Matter, Manner and Spirit of Preaching; Reciprocal Relations of Preacher and Hearer; Liturgical Cultivation of the Preacher; Pastoral Theology-Definition of Pastoral Theology; Religious Character and Habits of the Clergyman; Intellectual Character and Habits of the Clergyman; Social and Professional Character of the Clergyman; Pastoral Visiting; and Catechising.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1864.

"Shedd's insights into prevailing trends and their consequences, so eloquently expressed in this book of essays is deserving of repeated close scrutiny. Sufficient for us to say that his material is biblically orthodox, historically defensible, and as important to us today as when it was first penned more than 100 years ago. Truth is timeless, and while the opinions of other writers may be in vogue for a short period, in the final analysis it is the writers who enrich our lives with theological themes that outlast their more popular contemporaries. It is with delight, therefore, that we welcome the reappearance of W.G.T. Shedd's famous essays." - Cyril Barber

William G. T. Shedd starts his monumental work by pointing out that one of the strongest defenses of Christian doctrine is found through examining how various theological concepts have come about and changed over time. This history is the story of how our understanding of God, ourselves, and the relationship between God and us has grown. This two volume set is an excellent work for those who want to examine the history of Christian doctrine over the ages and is a highly recommended purchase for all serious students. "I have often refered to Shedd's 'History of Christian Doctrine' in preparation for class, for personal understanding of difficult issues, and for solid evangelical encouragement." - Dr. Tom J. Nettles