Briefly outline some of the distinctives of the Southern Presbyterian tradition

Question 1

James Henley Thornwell

Answer 1

(1812-1862) Contemporary of Charles Hodge; Founded the Southern Presbyterian Review, edited The Southern Quarterly; prominent role in establishing the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America; viewed covenant children as “of the world” (view not held by many Reformed)

Question 2

Robert Lewis Dabney

Answer 2

(1820-1898) Confederate Army chaplain; biography of Stonewall Jackson;

• He and Thornwell supported Antebellum slavery (visible figure in the post-war South); missionary, pastor, and professor; founded the Austin School of Theology; was Moderator of the GA of the Presbyterian Church in the United States (1870)
• Professor at Union Theological Seminary

Question 3

Benjamin Morgan Palmer

Answer 3

(1818-1902) First moderator of the Presbyterian Church in the Confederate States of America; pastor of First Presbyterian in New Orleans (for 46 years); In the Thanksgiving sermon coming just days after the election of Lincoln, he defended slavery and endorsed secession; established Southwest Presbyterian Seminary in Memphis; writings include Theology of Prayer

Question 4

John L. Girardeau

Answer 4

(1825-1898) pastor to slaves and theologian of the Southern Church; Grandson of French Huguenots; under tutelage of Thornwell; pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, later called Zion (Charleston)—a church for slaves; labored with the Southern Presbyterian Church to see that the freedmen were included in the church; called “the Spurgeon of America”; professor at Columbia Seminary; labored actively against union with the Northern Presbyterian Church