Wednesday, December 28, 2011


A Born Again Episcopalian: The Evangelical Witness of Charles Pettit McIlvaine

A Born Again Episcopalian: The Evangelical Witness of Charles Pettit McIlvaine

By Thomas Garrett Isham
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
December 27, 2011

Reviewed by the Rev. Roger Salter

This superb biography of Charles Pettit McIlvaine is exactly what is needed at this time. Long overdue attention is at last given to one of the greatest and most gifted servants of Christ and country that this nation has produced. McIlvaine was a stalwart defender and advocate of Reformational orthodoxy in his day and an influence for righteousness and stability when the viability of the United States was in question. Restored to deserved prominence he can once again show the way to church and citizenry. The man himself is sympathetically and honestly portrayed with great pastoral benefit to those who read about him. The account of his faith and spiritual struggles is immensely encouraging. His efforts for the cause of Christ invigorate present day believers for the task at hand in contending for the truth of divine revelation.

The influences that came to bear upon this patently genuine man of God bring us the echo of great Christian personalities who were either predecessors or contemporaries and it is stimulating to note the allusions to the Synod of Dort, George Whitefield, Charles Simeon (his ministerial model), Thomas Chalmers, and Charles Hodge. His views on the desired blend of Presbyterianism and Episcopalianism in church polity remind us of James Ussher and Richard Baxter.

Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org

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