The utility and importance of creeds and confessions an introductory lecture

by Samuel Miller

The utility and importance of creeds and confessions an introductory lecture, delivered at the opening of the summer session of the theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church, Princeton, July 2, 1824. This book, "The utility and importance of creeds and confessions an introductory lecture," by Samuel Miller, is a replication of a book originally published before 1824. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible.

Genres: Theology

90 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2009

About the author

There are several authors on Goodreads with this name. This is Samuel^^^Miller, the American theologian.

The fourth son of Rev. John and Margaret Miller, Samuel Miller was born near Dover, Delaware on October 31, 1769. He completed studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 1789 and began studying theology under his father's tutelage. Following Rev. John Miller's death in 1791, Samuel moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania to complete his theological studies with Charles Nisbet, president of Dickinson College. Samuel was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry on June 5, 1793 and was called to the Presbyterian churches of New York City, serving alongside Rev. Dr. John Rodgers and Rev. Dr. John McKnight. In 1806, he was named moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly, and for several years also served as its official historian.

While in New York, Miller was active not only in the church, but also as an author. His best-known work, the two-volume Brief Retrospect of the Eighteenth Century, printed in 1803, earned him serious attention and acclaim. He published his Letters on the Constitution and Order of the Christian Ministry in 1807 and wrote a memoir of Dr. John Rodgers in 1813. Also while in New York, Miller served as chaplain for the first regiment of the New York State artillery.

Miller continued his service in New York until 1813, when he was appointed professor of church history and government at the newly established Princeton Theological Seminary. While teaching and preaching, he continued to write and publish. He wrote a memoir of his mentor, Charles Nisbet, in 1840, penned a life of Jonathan Edwards for Jared Sparks' American Biography series, and published numerous speeches and sermons on various topics.

Among his other activities, Miller served as a trustee of both Columbia College and the College of New Jersey, as a founder and president of the New York Bible Society, as a founder of the New York Historical Society, and as a corresponding member of the Massachusetts Historical Society.

On October 24, 1801, Samuel Miller married Sarah Sergeant, the daughter of Jonathan Dickinson Sergeant, attorney general of Pennsylvania. The couple had ten children, including sons Samuel, Elihu, and John. Rev. Samuel Miller continued in his teaching position at the Princeton Theological Seminary until his death on January 7, 1850.

Reviews

[Zack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always found Miller to be a lucid, compelling, and interesting-to-read author. This is true as well for this lecture as for his other writings that I have had the privilege of reading. Remarkably, his comments are as applicable to the church today as they were in the 1820s and 1830s. I highly recommend this brief lecture to all who seek the good of Christ's church.

[Bryan Kuranaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller provides a solid defense for why creeds and confessions are necessary for each church to have. He argues that, without them, a church will be unable to distinguish their particular beliefs regarding the finer points of theology and that, this lack of distinguishing, can actually affect fellowship and even obedience within the congregation. His defenses were very practical in nature, but the takeaway for me was when he provided 2 Timothy 1:13 as a proof text for a church having a creed and confession. Every church needs to know what they believe on a particular issue. At the end of the book, Miller provides some options for individuals who hold different convictions with regard to a particular creed that the church may hold. They must either leave or remain quiet on the issue... assuming they view the issue as tertiary and it does not impact their way of life.

[Jarrell Lemos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Miller presents a robust defense of the role of Creeds (and Confessions) in maintaining church unity and doctrinal purity. He skillfully addresses common objections, including concerns about biblical authority and individual conscience, while demonstrating how creeds actually support rather than supplant Scripture.

While some of Miller's arguments reflect his American ecclesiastical context, particularly regarding church membership and denominational structure, his core thesis remains relevant today.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant argument in defense of creeds and confessions. Miller lays out several compelling reasons for the use of such doctrinal standards. He then handles all of the objections made against their use. He ends the discourse by laying out several practical implications or inferences from all of his preceding lines of reasoning. The lecture was addressed to theological students who were preparing for ministry, but anyone could read and profit from this work.

[Isaac Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful! Rev. Samuel Miller makes an excellent case for the historic Creeds and Confessions of the Reformed Faith. It's funny how so many of the opposing arguments which Miller had to deal with then (and which he answers most sufficiently, I might add) are still being used today. Well worth a read, especially if you are unconvinced of the necessity and importance of Creeds.