Description:
Reformed Thought presents some of the writings from the career of William Young. Young is a trained philosopher and theologian who rubbed shoulders with men like John Murray and Gordon Clark. He is also a churchman, dedicated to the edification and wellbeing of God’s people. And as this collection of essays demonstrates, he is the kind of man who feels just as much at home discussing technical matters of metaphysics as he does promoting experiential Christianity. This book is a testimony to Young’s wide ranging interests and capabilities, presenting a number of theological and philosophical essays, some sermons and other pastoral writings, and several book reviews.
Endorsements:
“The reader will discover that for breadth of scope, wealth of content, depth of understanding, and strength of conviction, not to mention intensity of passion, William Young has few peers. It is a privilege to be able to commend Bill’s Selected Writings to a wider readership.”
—Paul Helm, J. I. Packer Professor of Theology and Philosophy, Regent College
“William Young used to visit our home after evening worship for what, to me, was a feast of profitable discussion. Now, these many years later, this fine collection of his writing has enabled me to take up where we left off. I welcome its publication and heartily recommend it.”
—G. I. Williamson, author of The Westminster Shorter Catechism: For Study Classes
“Every student of classic, Reformation theology and piety will warmly receive Dr. Young’s contribution to the literature. His writings reflect breadth of experience, penetrating insight, and a healthy dose of wit. Indeed, his disregard for conventional wisdom combined with a fiery loyalty to the truth is refreshing!”
—Michael Ives, Pastor of the Presbyterian Reformed Church of East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Contents:
Introduction—Paul Helm
Biographical Sketch—Vincent Gebhart and Ray B. Lanning
Theology and Doctrine
1. What is Experimental Religion?
2. Infra- and Supralapsarian Calvinism
3. Historic Calvinism and Neo-Calvinism
4. Antinomianism
5. Original Sin
6. Conversion
7. The Puritan Principle of Worship
8. The Presbyterian Form of Church Government
9. The Westminster Confession on Church and State
10. Abraham Kuyper versus the Westminster Confession on Church and State
11. Gordon Clark: Christian Intellectualist
Sermons and Pastoral Writings
12. Looking Upon the Pierced Christ—Zechariah 12:10a
13. Godly Sorrow and Repentance unto Life—Zechariah 12:10b
14. The Benefits of the Sabbath—Mark 2:27
15. The Penitent Thief—Luke 23:43
16. Romans 7: A Battleground—Romans 7:14–25
17. The Excellency and Efficacy of God’s Power—Ephesians 1:19
18. The Total Depravity of Man—Ephesians 2:1
19. Christ, the Pearl of Great Price—Revelation 21:21a
20. The Most Holy Table of the Lord
21. How to Address God in Prayer
Christian Philosophy
22. Validity of Religious Truth
23. Modern Relativism and the Authority of Scripture
24. What is Truth?
25. Theory and Theology
26. Wittgenstein and Christianity
27. Wittgenstein and Predestination
28. Wittgenstein and the Future of Metaphysics
29. Paul Tillich’s Reinterpretation of Historic Christianity
Reviews
30. John Duncan’s Colloquia Peripatetica
31. Perry Miller on Jonathan Edwards
32. John R. Lucas on Freedom and Grace
33. John R. Lucas on The Freedom of the Will
34. Robert T. Kendall’s Calvin and English Calvinism
35. Gordon H. Clark, Sanctification
36. The Regulative Principle Revised? John Frame’s Worship in Spirit and Truth
Bibliography of William Young’s Publications
About the Author:
William Young was born in Brooklyn, New York, on May 9, 1918. He excelled in his studies and entered Columbia University in 1934, at age 16. He also earned degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He went on to teach philosophy at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and then at the University of Rhode Island. He has also served as the pastor of the Presbyterian Reformed Church of East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
