The Marrow Controversy and Seceder Tradition

After the Reformation, the Marrow Controversy of the eighteenth century is noted as one of the most significant and defining events in the Scottish church. However, until now, there has not been a serious analysis of the theology of the Marrow Men as it relates to churches in Scotland during the aftermath of the controversy. In this important study, William vanDoodewaard identifies characteristic understandings of Marrow theology on the atonement, saving faith, and the free offer of the gospel and traces them out in the theology of the Seceder tradition. In doing so, he presents substantial evidence for the continuity of Marrow theology in the Associate Presbytery and Associate Synod in Scotland during the eighteenth century. He ably demonstrates that while Marrow theology was not the primary cause of the Secession churches, the Seceders were aware of the significance of Marrow theology and consciously made it an integral part of their churches.

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Table of Contents:

Part 1: Views of the Gospel and Its Proclamation: The Era of the Marrow Controversy

1. The Marrow of Modern Divinity and the Marrow Controversy

2. Views of the Gospel and Its Proclamation: Opponents of The Marrow

3. Views of the Gospel and Its Proclamation: Supporters of The Marrow

4. Conclusions on the Doctrine of the Atonement, Saving Faith, and the Gospel Offer during the Marrow Controversy

Part 2: Views of the Gospel and Its Proclamation in the Associate Presbytery (1733-1747) and Associate Synod (1747-1799)

5. A Historical Introduction to the Secession Church

6. Historiographical Introduction to the Secession Churches

7. Theological Evidences for the Continuity of Marrow Theology in the Associate Presbytery (1733-1747)

8. The Associate Presbytery, George Whitefield, and the Cambuslang Revival

9. Theological Evidences for the Continuity of Marrow Theology in the Associate Synod: John Swanston to John Fraser (1748-1770)

10. Theological Evidences for the Continuity of Marrow Theology in the Associate Synod: George Lawson to Henry Belfrage (1771-1799)

11. Departures from Marrow Theology and the Growth of Latiudinarianism in the Associate Synod

12. Conclusions on the Continuity of Marrow Theology in the Associate Presbytery and Associate Synod Secession Churches in Scotland to 1799

Appendix 1: Outline Chart of Ecclesiastical History in Scotland

Appendix 2: A Visual Chronology of Continuities of Marrow TheologyWilliam VanDoodewaard