Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith [Hardcover]

Donald K. McKim (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1992

More than two hundred international scholars from a variety of denominations contribute to this outstanding, one-volume reference book. Comprehensive in scope, it stresses the importance of events, persons, and theological concepts that have been significant to the Reformed tradition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is a good one-volume encyclopedia of the Reformed tradition. Short, signed articles by over 200 scholars cover major events, persons, and theological issues. It is especially useful for thumbnail biographies of less well-known figures like Thomas Manton or John Field. The articles are cross referenced. The reader must be aware, however, that "Reformed" here means strictly the faith rooted on John Calvin. Much of Protestantism, from Lutheranism on one side to Wesleyanism and the holiness movements on the other, receive little attention or are approached from a decidedly Calvinist perspective. Within these self-imposed limits, however, this is a good, quick reference book. Recommended for academic and public libraries.
- C.R. Nixon, MLS, Lafayette, Ind.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Donald K. McKim is Executive Editor for Westminster John Knox Press. McKim has served as Academic Dean and Professor of Theology at Memphis Theological Seminary and as Professor of Theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary in Iowa. He is the author or editor of over twenty-five books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 440 pages
• Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press; 1st edition (February 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0664218822
• ISBN-13: 978-0664218829
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.6 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #656,595 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Donald K. McKim

Dr. Donald K. McKim is Executive Editor for Theology and Reference for Westminster John Knox Press and Editor for These Days. He is also Editor for Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding for Congregational Ministries Publishing of the Presbyterian Church (USA). He has served as Academic Dean and Professor of Theology at Memphis Theological Seminary (1993-2000) and as Professor of Theology at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (1981-1988). Dr. McKim has also been Visiting Professor of Theology at Eastern Baptist Seminary in Philadelphia and Columbia Seminary's Center for Theological Studies in Orlando, Florida as well as Adjunct Professor of Theology at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, New York and Adjunct Faculty at Rhodes College, Memphis. Dr. McKim is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). He was Interim Pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown, Pennsylvania and the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Berwyn, Pennsylvania as well as Stated Supply Pastor of Friendship, Parish, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. For two years he was a Visiting Faculty member in the Religion Department of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and of the Buechner Institute.

Dr. McKim is a 1971 cum laude graduate of Westminster College with Honors in Reli-gion and won four prizes at the College in the Religion and Philosophy Department. He graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary with the Master of Divinity degree magna cum laude in 1974. There he was the recipient of the Thomas Jamison Scholarship and the Sylvester S. Marvin Fellowship for graduate study and five awards in biblical studies, church history, and theology. He received the Ph.D. degree in Religion from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980.

Dr. McKim's co-authored book (with Jack B. Rogers), The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible: An Historical Approach (Harper & Row, 1979) was selected "Book of the Year" by Eternity magazine and named one of the five best books in Religion in the American Book Awards for 1980. His other books include A 'Down and Dirty' Guide to Theology (Westminster John Knox, 2011); More Presbyterian Questions, More Presbyterian Answers (Geneva, 2011); Ever a Vision: A Brief History of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, 1959-2009 (Eerdmans, 2009); Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers: Exploring Christian Faith (Geneva Press, 2003); Presbyterian Beliefs: A Brief Introduction (Geneva Press, 2003); Introducing the Reformed Faith (Westminster John Knox Press, 2001); Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms (Westminster John Knox, 1996); The Bible in Theology and Preaching (Abingdon, 1994); Theological Turning Points (John Knox, 1988); Ramism in William Perkins' Theology (Peter Lang, 1987); and What Christians Believe About the Bible (Thomas Nelson, 1985). He has also written Kerygma: The Bible and Theology I, II, III, IV (The Kerygma Program, 1993; 1994; 1995; 1996). With Robert Benedetto and Darrell L. Guder he is co-author of the Historical Dictionary of the Reformed Churches (Scarecrow, 1999; 2nd edition with Robert Benedetto, 2009). Dr. McKim has edited Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters (InterVarsity, 2007);Calvin and the Bible (Cambridge University Press, 2006); The Cambridge Companion to John Calvin (Cambridge University Press, 2004); The Cambridge Companion to Martin Luther (Cambridge University Press, 2003); The Westminster Handbook to Reformed Theology (Westminster John Knox Press, 2001); Calvin's Institutes: Abridged Edition (Westminster John Knox Press, 2000); Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters (InterVarsity, 1998); God Never Forgets: Faith, Hope, and Alzheimer's Disease (Westminster John Knox, 1997); the Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith (Westminster/John Knox and St. Andrews Press, 1992); Major Themes in the Reformed Tradition (Eerdmans, 1992); A Guide to Contemporary Hermeneutics (Eerdmans, 1986); How Karl Barth Changed My Mind (Eerdmans, 1986); Readings in Calvin's Theology (Baker, 1984) and The Authoritative Word: Essays on the Nature of Scripture (Eerdmans, 1983). Dr. McKim has published over sixty articles and four-hundred book reviews. He has served on the Board of Directors of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Dr. McKim is married to the Rev. Dr. LindaJo McKim. They have two grown sons. Their address is: 7969 Burntwood Cove Germantown, TN 38138-6033. Phone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]. Email: [e-mail].

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for Reformed of every perspective, June 12, 2002

By 

Michael Fleiss (Maple Valley, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith (Hardcover)

I write as a member of the conservative, confessional Orthodox Presbyterian Church, which was created when J. Gresham Machen was excommunicated from the liberal Presbyterian Church-USA, for advocating that theological liberalism was a completely different faith than Christianity and that liberals ought to admit this and withdraw from the Church. This volume is published by the PCUSA's publishing house, Westminster-John Knox Press. Consequently, it is decidedly liberal in its outlook. But therein lies its great value.

It denies a covenant of works, marginalizes Princeton theology and refers to Machen as a militant. It has no entry for the doctrine of imputation yet feminist theology and universalism seem to have had no trouble having their articles included.

Nonetheless, I personally have enjoyed and benefitted from the entries on covenants, the Church and numerous others as well as the articles that cover liturgical issues.

When I want the quickest word on what the liberals are thinking, I can find it at my fingertips. When I need more, many of the significant articles have bibliographies of relevent resources. It also notates any words within a column that may have its own, more comprehensive article.

I recommend this book for nearly everyone in a historic Christian Church: Lutherans, Presbyterians and Reformed, conservative or liberal, laymen and minsters.

Your library isn't complete without this work. If you're missing this volume, you're missing out.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Affordable Resource, February 28, 2001

By 

Stephen Hancock "Scholar born 300 years late." (Snellville, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith (Hardcover)

This is a very good attempt to pull together the different strands of reformed thought into a single volume for quick use. Of course, any book of this type will leave some unsatisfied ,and my own objection to it is that too much space is given to theologians and organizations which are really NOT reformed in the sense that most of us would understand it. I don't see any need for a long article on the World Council of Churches right after a long one of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches. Many of the theogians selected were reformed in background alone and changed entirely in view. Still, the material on Protestant scholaticism is great and most of the major points are hit. Though a book twice the size is needed, this is certainly a fine attempt.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars seriously lacking, November 7, 2010

By 

inquiringmind - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Encyclopedia of the Reformed Faith (Hardcover)

This text is lacking a substantial number of entries, e.g., aseity, animism, panentheism very out of date book and not worth the money - get Westminster Dictionary, or write a new book!