Heavy-duty ecclesiology

Sebastian Heck · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 07:23 PM

I have been doing some research on books on Presbyterian polity, or Reformed ecclesiology. It seems to me there are quite a few "popular" books, then some "classics". I would like to know if any of you can think of some heavy-duty Presbyterian ecclesiology or polity book? Something comprehensive in scope and academic level.

Anything else but Miller and Bannerman? Anything more recent? Anyone writing something right now?

Ah, the neglect of serious thinking on the church... Where are today's faithful and thinking churchmen?

Contra_Mundum · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 07:40 PM

I would recommend getting your hands on "Paradigms in Polity: Classic readings in Reformed and Presbyterian Church Government" edited by David W. Hall and Joseph H. Hall. It collates a number of excerpts from various sources, but might be most valuable for your stated purpose for the Bibliographical Essay at the end.

As far as the doctrine of the church, R.B. Kuiper's "The Glorious Body of Christ" is simple, yet profound. But popular.

You should probably get "Jus Divinum" (pub. by Naphtali Press, Chris Coldwell on this board). Written contemporaneously with the WCF.

You mentioned "Bannerman". You are aware of both men? James (2 vols) and Douglas (1 vol.)?

Go to the OPC website, and download all the back issues (several years worth) of Ordained Servant. Written for office-bearers. Many useful articles there, a number of which may be of use to you. There is an "index" to the first 10 years I believe in one # of volume 11.

Others will have some more ideas I'm sure.

VirginiaHuguenot · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 11:04 PM

My list of resources on this subject is similar to Bruce's.

Provincial Assembly of London, Jus Divinum Regiminis Ecclesiastici: The Divine Right of Church Government

Thomas Witherow, The Apostolic Church - Which is it?

James Bannerman, The Church of Christ

Douglas Bannerman, The Scriptural Doctrine of the Church: Historically and Exegetically Considered

Thomas Smyth, Presbytery and Not Prelacy: The Scriptural and Primitive Polity

James Moir Porteous, The Government of the Kingdom of Christ: An Inquiry as to the Scriptural, Invincible, and Historical Position of Presbytery

David Hall and Joseph Hall, Paradigms in Polity: Classic Readings in Reformed and Presbyterian Church Government

William Cunningham, Discussions of Church Principles

George Gillespie, Aaron's Rod Blossoming

George Gillespie, One Hundred and Eleven Propositions Concerning the Ministry and Government of the Church

George Gillespie, An Assertion of the Government of the Church of Scotland, in the Points of Ruling Elders, and of the Authority of Presbyteries and Synods

James Guthrie, A Treatise of Ruling Elders and Deacons

Kevin Reed, Biblical Church Government

R.B. Kuiper, The Glorious Body of Christ

Charles Hodge, The Church and its Polity

Charles Hodge, Discussions of Church Polity

Samuel Miller, An Essay, on the Warrant, Nature and Duties of the Office of the Ruling Elder, in the Presbyterian Church

Westminster Form of Presbyterian Church Government

First and Second Scottish Books of Discipline

Samuel Rutherford, The Due Right of Presbyteries

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book IV, Chap. 1

Wilhelmus a Brakel, The Christian's Reasonable Service, Vol. 2

Heinrich Bullinger, Decades, Vol. V

C. Matthew McMahon · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2007, 11:18 PM

The Westminster Minister's Jus Divinum will keep you thinking for the next century. Start there.

Here is a little taste of a smaller document they posed -

http://www.apuritansmind.com/WCF/JusDivinum35Pages.htm

But don't go here if you aren't ready to deal with the logical and practical consequences of having too much information on this.

Ecclesiastes 1:18, "For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."