S Donald Fortson

Being Presbyterian involves multiple layers of identity and connection. As Christians, Presbyterians are ""catholic,"" sharing the common heritage of ancient Christianity with all believers, of all times, in all places. Presbyterians are Protestant by conviction sharing the rich spiritual heritage of the sixteenth century and the unique contributions of the Reformed Tradition. Historically, Presbyterians are also part of the evangelical movement, embracing the legacy of the eighteenth-century revivals (awakenings) in America and Britain. Each of these historic layers is equally important to Presbyterian identity and this book will seek to underscore that reality. ""This is a succinct history of Christianity, including the story of Presbyterianism, that will be valuable to a larger audience than Presbyterians. Thorough, yet readable, it should find a useful place in every Presbyterian home."" Luder G. Whitlock, Jr. Author of Divided We Fall: Overcoming a History of Christian Disunity ""Don is a preeminent twenty first-century historian of Presbyterian in America. A thorough and thoughtful scholar, he presents the history of our branch of the church in a way that meets the high standards of academic scholarship and is understandable and enjoyable for the layperson who wants to learn more about how our past has shaped our church today."" Jeff Jeremiah Stated Clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church ""The Presbyterian Story is a great introduction to the Presbyterian tradition, mediated to this country from the British and Continental Reformations. I especially appreciate the way in which Fortson highlights robust orthodoxy and evangelical warmth as natural allies over the past centuries."" Kenneth J. Stewart Professor of Theological Studies, Covenant College, PCA S. Donald Fortson, III is Professor of Church History and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the author of The Presbyterian Creed and served as editor for Colonial Presbyterianism.

Being Presbyterian involves multiple layers of identity and connection. As Christians, Presbyterians are ""catholic,"" sharing the common heritage of ancient Christianity with all believers, of all times, in all places. Presbyterians are Protestant by conviction sharing the rich spiritual heritage of the sixteenth century and the unique contributions of the Reformed Tradition. Historically, Presbyterians are also part of the evangelical movement, embracing the legacy of the eighteenth-century revivals (awakenings) in America and Britain. Each of these historic layers is equally important to Presbyterian identity and this book will seek to underscore that reality. ""This is a succinct history of Christianity, including the story of Presbyterianism, that will be valuable to a larger audience than Presbyterians. Thorough, yet readable, it should find a useful place in every Presbyterian home."" Luder G. Whitlock, Jr. Author of Divided We Fall: Overcoming a History of Christian Disunity ""Don is a preeminent twenty first-century historian of Presbyterian in America. A thorough and thoughtful scholar, he presents the history of our branch of the church in a way that meets the high standards of academic scholarship and is understandable and enjoyable for the layperson who wants to learn more about how our past has shaped our church today."" Jeff Jeremiah Stated Clerk of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church ""The Presbyterian Story is a great introduction to the Presbyterian tradition, mediated to this country from the British and Continental Reformations. I especially appreciate the way in which Fortson highlights robust orthodoxy and evangelical warmth as natural allies over the past centuries."" Kenneth J. Stewart Professor of Theological Studies, Covenant College, PCA S. Donald Fortson, III is Professor of Church History and Practical Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the author of The Presbyterian Creed and served as editor for Colonial Presbyterianism.

The American Presbyterian creed up until the second half of the twentieth century has been the confessional tradition of the Westminster Assembly (1643-48). Presbyterians in America adopted the Westminster Confession and Catechisms in 1729 through a compromise measure that produced ongoing debate for the next hundred years. Differences over the meaning of confessional subscription were a continuing cause of the Presbyterian schisms of 1741 and 1837. The Presbyterian Creed is a study of the factors that led to the ninteenth-century Old School/New School schism and the Presbyterian reunions of 1864 and 1870. In these reunions, American Presbyterians finally reached consensus on the meaning of confessional subscription that had previously been so elusive.

The American Presbyterian creed up until the second half of the twentieth century has been the confessional tradition of the Westminster Assembly (1643-48). Presbyterians in America adopted the Westminster Confession and Catechisms in 1729 through a compromise measure that produced ongoing debate for the next hundred years. Differences over the meaning of confessional subscription were a continuing cause of the Presbyterian schisms of 1741 and 1837. The Presbyterian Creed is a study of the factors that led to the ninteenth-century Old School/New School schism and the Presbyterian reunions of 1864 and 1870. In these reunions, American Presbyterians finally reached consensus on the meaning of confessional subscription that had previously been so elusive.