History of the Church of Scotland. From the introduction of Christianity to the period of the disruption in 1843. [Paperback]

Michigan Historical Reprint Series (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 506 pages
• Publisher: Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library (December 22, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425556434
• ISBN-13: 978-1425556433
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,565,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Primary Source for Christianity in the British Isles, October 15, 2009

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This review is from: History of the Church of Scotland. From the introduction of Christianity to the period of the disruption in 1843. (Paperback)

Bravo for the University of Michigan's historical reprint of "History of the Church of Scotland". First published in 1843, this mammoth work presents the Scots Presbyterian story from its beginning into the mid 19th century. Author Reverend W.M. Hetherington adds his voice to the august list of classical church historians with the telling of this gripping narrative.

Witnessing church politics, monarchial aggression, believers' martyrdom, Presbyterian determination, and Christian service through Scots history this study is a classic primary source for Christianity in the British Isles. Herrington's is a credible study with 474 two-columned pages, a 20-page explanatory appendix, and a 6-page alphabetical phrase-line index. Brilliant, simply brilliant!

The "History of the Church of Scotland" is a broad based story with intricate detail. Avoiding the usual boring name, date, and place pattern of historical study, Hetherington energetically reflects on culture issues and attitudes for explaining individual tastes and dilemmas. All the principal characters from the centuries (Palladius, Columba, Aidan, Bruce, Knox, Melville, Sharp, Leighton, Ramsay, Campbell, Argyle, Graham, and many more) are carefully considered. General assemblies, regional conventions, parliamentary acts, books of discipline, various battles, local rebellions, believers' executions, royal intrigues, and much more are dramatically presented.

Much of this narrative reviews the life-grip struggle between the king's prelatic party (of Catholic, and latter Protestant, bishops) verses Scot culture Covenanters (of Presbyterian congregations and ministers) for power. The result for Scotland was a massive 18th-19th centuries migration for the safety of other nations. This colossal intellectual, skills, talents, and population numbers drain affected Scotland's growth and progress into contemporary times. Reader's humor, anger, sympathy, enthusiasm, and relief will emerge from reading this gripping saga.

As with many 19th century primary sources (Michigan's lithograph of the original text brings its actual wording) this history proffers some arcane spelling, wording, and syntax. Many are the run-on sentence. Chapters tend to be lengthy (chapter 7 is 199 pages!). The occasional word has changed meaning by today. These are only tedious, but do not distract from Hetherington's purpose.

Some will disagree with the author's Presbyterian determinism. He believes that all functions of history- including the king verses church drama- is divinely authored and sanctioned. He, also, gleefully slams Arminianism. Hetherington's biases, though informative and only marginally disagreeable, are not detracting from this story.

The book's pearls of wisdom far better define Hetherington's religious belief and historical acumen:

· "Suffering in Christ's cause gives a very deeply spiritual character to a Christian minister's labors" (page 135).
· "It is always more difficult for a cunning man to understand honesty, than for an honest man to detect craft" (page 161).
· "Pride is not a sentiment which any human being ought ever to cherish" (page 172).
· "The Christian martyr is beyond the reach of fear" (page 214).
· "... how dangerous it is to quit the path which clear principle points out..." (page 236).

This book is a must read for everyone interested Scotland and the history of its people and church.