Animated Son of Liberty

Animated Son of Liberty
Author: Walter McGinty
Publisher: Arena books
Total Pages: 446
Release: 2012-08-06
Genre: History
ISBN: 1909421065

This is an account of a leading 18th century Scottish churchman, the Reverend John Witherspoon. His already colourful and eventful life took an unusual turn when in 1768, as a Minister of the Church of Scotland in a Paisley parish, he was persuaded to accept the office of President of the College of New Jersey, now Princeton University. Within a year of taking up this academic post, he became involved in the Colonies' struggle for Independence. He was elected to Congress in 1775 and in 1776 was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. During his time of office as a Congressman, he served on over one hundred and twenty Congressional Committees and occupied key positions on both the Board of War and the Foreign Affairs Committee. He had a hand in drafting two of the foundation documents of the thirteen United States: the Articles of Confederation and the Declaration of Independence. Later, he was to provide the Instructions to the United States Delegates at the Paris Peace Conference in 1783. He was only prevented from participating in the Constitutional Convention which resulted in the production of the Constitution of the United States of America in 1789, because he had been already commissioned by the Presbyterian Church in America to Chair the Committee that was to produce its Confession of Faith and Books of Church Order and Discipline. Witherspoon transformed the College of New Jersey by broadening its curriculum to offer courses that would provide a substantial education for any one preparing for any of the Professions, or to engage in public life. He was a colleague of the first four Presidents of the USA: Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Madison (teaching Madison for four years and also Aaron Burr, who became a Vice-President). He was branded as a traitor by Britain, but won huge respect in America. This is a long-awaited biography giving a unique insight to interesting aspects of an important age.

The Religious Formation of John Witherspoon

The Religious Formation of John Witherspoon
Author: Kevin DeYoung
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2020-02-05
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1000044955

This book explores in unprecedented detail the theological thinking of John Witherspoon during his often overlooked ministerial career in Scotland. In contrast to the arguments made by other historians, it shows that there was considerable continuity of thought between Witherspoon’s Scottish ministry and the second half of his career as one of America’s Founding Fathers. The book argues that Witherspoon cannot be properly understood until he is seen as not only engaged with the Enlightenment, but also firmly grounded in the Calvinist tradition of High to Late Orthodoxy, embedded in the transatlantic Evangelical Awakening of the eighteenth century, and frustrated by the state of religion in the Scottish Kirk. Alongside the titles of pastor, president, educator, philosopher, should be a new category: John Witherspoon as Reformed apologist. This is a fresh re-examination of the intellectual formation of one of Scotland’s most important churchman from the eighteenth century and one of America’s most influential early figures. The volume will be of keen interest to academics working in Religious History, American Religion, Reformed Theology and Calvinism, as well as Scottish and American history more generally.

The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning
Author: Hugh Binning
Publisher: Good Press
Total Pages: 1473
Release: 2020-03-16
Genre: History
ISBN:

Learn about the profound wisdom and theological insights of Rev. Hugh Binning in this collection of his timeless works. From 'The Common Principles of the Christian Religion' to 'The Sinner's Sanctuary' and 'Fellowship with God', Binning's writings delve into the essence of faith, the nature of God, and the path to spiritual enlightenment. With meticulous exposition and heartfelt sermons, Binning explores topics such as God's glory, sin and redemption, the Trinity, and the power of Christian love.