Theology for Laymen (and pastors)

Every generation produces a variety of ‘popular theologies’ for laymen. They generally reflect the strengths and weaknesses of their times. Believing, as I do, that the old is better, I found a volume of this sort published in 1915. It is entitled, The Christian Faith; a Handbook of Christian Teaching and was written by William Crawford Clark.

I’m not sure why I looked at it since it was published in Boston by a publisher of which I had never heard. Imagine my surprise when the book came with an Introduction by that fine Southern theologian, R.A. Webb (author of The Reformed Doctrine of Adoption). He wrote:
“It is a pleasure and a compliment to introduce this book to the public. … It has been a long time since anything so sound and loyal has come from the press. … Beset by critics and speculators and reconstructionists, here is drink from the well of our fathers – the faith of our childhood – so cool, so refreshing, so delicious, so biblical!”

The author, William Clark, served pastorates in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. He wrote the book to help his parishioners understand what they were to believe in order that they might share it intelligently with others. The book is 350pp. It covers the main topics of Christian faith that one would expect in a volume of this sort.

It is highly useful in our day to see how our forefathers taught the faith and what they desired their people to understand. This book was written in a time when pastors took theology seriously and understood that it was vital that their people understand Biblical doctrine if they were to be soundly converted and would have a proper foundation for spiritual growth. You can find it here.