Originally published in 1888-94. This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies. All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume.
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61 of 62 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.,
This review is from: Dogmatic Theology (Hardcover)
In order to write this review, I have to tell you a personal story.
Back in my early 20's, having come out of a church tradition that was not Reformed, and to be honest, somewhat anti-intellectual, 6 of us jumped in the car one Saturday morning to drive from Rochester, NY - about 2-1/2 hours, to Herkimer, NY. A sleepy little town in Upstate NY, Herkimer was also home to a Reformed Baptist church (I didn't know what that was at the time) pastored by Fred Heubner. There, in the balcony of Fred's church, was the seed of what a lot of us know today as Cumberland Valley Bible Books Service. Back then, it was just Fred's passion to get the best Puritan and Reformed literature he could into the hands of likes of these 6 yahoos. We had begun the quest. We were soon to be junkies. And Fred was our Pusher. Stepping, pawing and drooling over stacks of books, commentaries and other publications, the likes of which I was certain belonged only to a by-gone era; Pastor Heubner patiently listened to and answered the questions of these reformational neophytes - gently guiding and explaining as we went. We had come to buy. Each had set extra bucks aside for this literary excursion. And there was SO much. What to buy? What would do me the most good? What would I get the most mileage out of? I wanted to get a grasp of Reformed theology - a base, a system. And then I saw it. Glistening in all of its shrink-wrapped glory. A little 3-volume, hardback set with these imposing words on the spine in golden ink "Dogmatic Theology", "Shedd." "How' bout this?" I asked Pastor Heubner. He smiled the smile of a man who knew I had bitten off too much, but that once I had gotten the taste in my mouth - I just wouldn't be able to spit it out. To be completely frank, no one set of writings has ever impacted my life as much since. Nor do I think any will. Which is why I will really begin my review with this statement: Alan Gomes has performed a service of incalculable value to the body of Christ in the editing and re-issuing this incomparable work - Shedd's Dogmatic Theology. I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have encouraged young men looking to truly master theology to read Shedd. And up until this new edition, Shedd's Dogmatics had been pretty much out of print since the 70's. I was always lending my copies and counseling others to keep their eyes open for sets wherever they could. One company photocopied them and I think they owe me a huge commission for the number of sets I sold for them. What rests between the covers is a rare confluence of engaging literature, sound doctrine, riveting logic, Biblical philosophy and scientific exegesis. Shedd, to say the least is solidly Reformed. Some have argued he stands second among the greatest of the American Theologians - Edwards occupying first place, and R. L. Dabney the third. But for accessibility, lucidity and usefulness, I personally set Shedd at the head. What I discovered, and I hope so many of you will discover, is the thrill of reading well organized, exquisitely argued theology from someone who both loved his subject, and the art of communicating it in writing. These qualities make him immensely readable, even though his 19th century prose sometimes requires a second take. He loves truth. He loves Biblical truth above all. And He loves to make it understandable, reasonable, and cohesive. Gomes writes: "Shedd's value for the modern student. "Careful study of Shedd's Dogmatic Theology is, I dare say, much more than an intellectual exercise: it is an esthetic experience for those who appreciate the comeliness of truth. If truth is beautiful in itself, then Shedd's vigorous and stately prose sets before us incomparable beauty beautifully expressed." I agree. His balanced, insightful and wonderfully reasoned section on Vicarious Atonement is second to none, and served to rescue me from the throes of the hyper-Calvinism which is often rearing its ugly head these days. It is worth the purchase price alone. His work on endless punishment and Hell, in a day where both are challenged from virtually every corner is compelling, convincing and in my judgment - definitive. Yes, he tends toward supralapsarianism and traducianism. Live with it. Even when you disagree, you come away respecting the how and why of his positions. And for a thorough analysis of why various false doctrines break down logically and Biblically, his style of extremely tight reasoning makes him a study in learning to think better. He will make you think better. Born in 1820 in Massachusetts, William Greenough Thayer Shedd pursued academics and taught first in New York City. Converted during that year, he then entered Andover Seminary and ventured upon the Pastorate. Later, he would co-labor with Gardiner Spring at Brick. Throughout his career he served as a professor of English literature; professor of sacred rhetoric and pastoral theology (Auburn Theological Seminary) and professor of New Testament literature and Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary. What makes Shedd's Dogmatics sing though, is not as much his erudition, which is evident on every page, but the fact that he was a preacher in his own right. (You should also check out his twin volumes "Sermons to the Natural Man" and Sermons the Spiritual Man" - recently republished by Solid Ground Books) So it is his work here, even though at times minutely technical, has a preacher's ring to it. I seldom go more than a week without referring to something in Shedd. This is a priceless resource. All that being said - and doing my best to avoid hyperbole (though some I'm sure will disagree), what Gomes has done in his masterful re-work, amounts to Shedd on steroids. This new edition has extraordinarily useful features I had only dreamed of. First, I have to note that Gomes gently modernized things stylistically (capitalization, punctuation, archaic spellings, etc), without any abridgement or paraphrasing. He added a much needed biographical sketch of Shedd. I say "much needed" because nothing BUT biographical sketches exist on Shedd today. There are no full biographies extant. So this becomes valuable in it own right. Third, he has added two very useful glossaries. One for terms Shedd assumes you should already know (the various "isms" of Church history for instance - talked to anyone about Nestorianism lately?) The second is a biographical glossary giving you sketches on the various people he cites - who are both myriad and unfamiliar to most modern readers. The fourth great feature is that all 3 volumes are synthesized into one. In the original set, the 3rd volume was a collection of miscellaneous citations, expansions and references to material in the first two. Now, the contents of volume 3 have been woven into the main text. This is just superb. Fifth, Shedd's writing style tended to omit subdivisions in his arguments - Gomes painstakingly supplies them. No easy task at all. And lastly, because Shedd was at ease supplying us with quotes in 5 or 6 different languages, Gomes knows WE aren't so conversant and mercifully translates them for us. Huge help. One last BIG feature. You see, I haven't purchased this new hardback version myself yet. I can't get over my fear that somehow I'm betraying the purist in me. And even though my bindings are broken, my notes smeared, and more is now underlined than not - It was my first. I can't give it up. So what? So now, it is available in electronic format. That I DID purchase. As soon as I possibly could. The ability to do word searches, highlight, and cut and paste make it transcendent. Look, I've got Hodge. I've read Hodge. I love Hodge. Same for Berkof. And a couple of others. Give me Shedd - any day. Shedd crystallized and systematized theology for me, and then made me love philosophy. He made me think of God and Christ and salvation in noble and uplifting ways few others can - period. No small tasks. And that, all the while inviting me to read and think and reason more and more. I owe him a debt I can never repay, a debt happily increased by Dr. Gomes exponentially. Buy Shedd. Read him. You will NOT be sorry. Dr. Gomes, from the bottom of my heart - THANK YOU!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Have this Theology in your library.,
By
This review is from: Dogmatic Theology (Hardcover)
William Shedd is not only a thorough theologian from the 19th century, but an erudite author, and an excellent Christocentric philosopher within this Presbyterian magnum opus.
He focuses heavily on Theology proper, Christology, Soteriology, Anthropology and Hell within Eschatology. He gives excellent defenses, distinctions and nuance for a precise understanding of each critical and debatable aspect of these doctrines. In this particular volume, Editor Alan Gomes has done an exemplary job in the organization of Shedd's work (with a delightful inclusion of Shedd's 3rd volume integrated into the body of each respective doctrine). Gomes also included a plethora of valuable footnotes and supplements, along with indexes for deeper study and quick access to Shedd's mind. I highly recommend this volume, even if you are not Presbyterian Reformed (I am Fundamental Baptist). Older theologians still have much to teach us and have not lost their relevancy - their doctrine is exposited from eternal Scripture. Pro rege et soli Deo gloria!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dogmatic Theology at Its Finest,
This review is from: Dogmatic Theology (Hardcover)
Complete Set.
William Greenough Thayer Shedd states: "In theology the investigator has to do with God, Man, and the God-man." Shedd, (1820-1894, b. Massachusetts; son of a Presbyterian Theologian; Shedd graduated from the University of Vermont in 1839: theology and philosophy. Then Shedd entered Andover Theological Seminary. He later became professor of Systematic Theology: Union Theological Seminary) is known for herein, his greatest work: "Dogmatic Theology: 3 vol." He declares: "Theology, then, as the science of God, aims to obtain a knowledge of him that is free from contradictions, and is as profound as is possible, considering the nature of the subject and the limitations of the human mind." And Shedd helps the student know God in a more profound way that will inspire grateful obedience in the believer's life. Shedd was an outstanding Reformed scholar and many rank him with the finest American Theologians: Jonathan Edwards and R. L. Dabney. He wrote with great care and precision with a focus on fidelity to scripture, ease of understanding, and usefulness for the reader. Shedd delivered a readable and delightful set that flows with the beauty of doctrine that also helps make this a potent devotional tool. The professor provides essential dogma in a dynamic and majestic writing style that is both alluring and edifying. This set is unique, faithful, and powerful, loaded with powerful insights. Other fine books by Shedd include: - Discourses and Essays - A Manual of Church History (2 vol.) - A History of Christian Doctrine (2 vol.) - Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans - Sermons to the Spiritual Man - The Doctrine of Endless Punishment . I urge all ministers, seminary students, and growing Christians to purchase this set. As Shedd mused: "A ship in a harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for." Go for it, this is a fine set to go along with Hodge and Berkof (and perhaps recent works by R. Reymond and D. Kelly). God focused, Christ-centered, and Scripture based. ------ See the New Book that contends for the existence of God using moral absolutes by Mike Robinson: There Are Moral Absolutes: How to Be Absolutely Sure That Christianity Alone Supplies ------ or additionally see the dynamic new book on apologetics: "One Way to God: Christian Philosophy and Presuppositional Apologetics Examine World Religions" by Mike Robinson
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