The Heritage Presbyterian exists to retrieve the spiritual riches of Southern Presbyterianism.

For many pastors, theologians, and thoughtful Christians, the wisdom of the church’s past is an invaluable resource. We look to Augustine, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Charles Spurgeon, the early church fathers, the Reformers, the Puritans, and many others because their writings continue to instruct, sharpen, and encourage the church today.

But one tradition is often missing from that conversation.

The Southern Presbyterian Church of the 18th to 20th centuries produced pastors, theologians, preachers, and churchmen whose works were marked by careful exegesis, deep theological conviction, pastoral wisdom, and a serious concern for the life and government of the church. Whether it is 18th and 19th century men like Samuel Davies, Moses Hoge, John Holt Rice, Daniel Baker, John Lafayette Girardeau, Thomas Smyth, Benjamin Morgan Palmer, or more recent Southern Presbyterians such as William Childs Robinson and Morton Smith, it is a sad reality that many of these men have been pushed into almost complete obscurity. Until more recently, their works have been difficult to find, rarely discussed, and often left out of modern theological conversation.

Why the Name, The Heritage Presbyterian?

The reason why this project is entitled “The Heritage Presbyterian” is simply because we (the founders of the project) are Presbyterian Ministers from the Southern United States, who believe we stand on the theological heritage built by those faithful Presbyterians who came before us. We believe that heritage is a good and biblical ideal given by God, and should not be neglected. Maintaining heritage can be a challenge. Esau had a wonderful heritage in his birthright, and he sold it for a bowl of stew. It seems that he did not understand the full meaning of his birthright, and therefore did not appreciate it. Of course, Esau saw his mistake, and sought with tears to get his birthright back, but it was too late. We have a noble heritage in the Southern Presbyterian tradition, and perhaps have not fully understood how great a heritage it is. Like Esau, we may be in danger of neglecting or even despising it. Let us despise our sin when and where we find it, but let us not despise or neglect our heritage, which is a gift from God.

Our rich past can help us understand why we believe, worship, and govern the way we do in the present. By studying the successes and failures of our Southern Presbyterian forefathers, we hope to equip the church for present-day conversations about doctrine, polity, ministry, and faithfulness.

We believe these men still have much to offer the church today.

Our Primary Aim

Our aim at the Heritage Presbyterian is simple. We want to read the sermons, essays, books, and theological writings of Southern Presbyterians and help others engage them with clarity. Through articles, written reflections, and podcast episodes, we hope to introduce these works to a new generation and consider how they might serve the church today. Who were the Southern Presbyterians? What did they write? Why did their work matter? How can the Southern Presbyterian tradition be faithfully retrieved through the work of pastors, teachers, and members of the Presbyterian church? These are questions that we hope to address in our conversations, interviews, and discussions with knowledgeable guests. We want to bring these figures out of obscurity and examine their theology, preaching, churchmanship, and lasting significance.

Another Voice in an Ongoing Conversation

It must be said that the Heritage Presbyterian is no trail blazer. In many ways, we understand that we are joining a bigger discussion that has already been started by excellent projects such as Log College Press, the Dead Presbyterian Society, and the Dabney-Thornwell Institute. Though The Heritage Presbyterian will primarily focus its attention and efforts on literature from the Southern Presbyterian tradition, we rejoice that we are not the only ones involved in American Presbyterian retrieval, and pray that we will not be the last.

Our Ultimate Aim

The Heritage Presbyterian exists to retrieve the forgotten spiritual riches of the Southern Presbyterian tradition. This is not for nostalgia or mere historical interest, but for the glory of God, the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom, and the building up of His Church through faithful reflection on Scripture, doctrine, polity, and pastoral wisdom. This is a practical, not a sentimental endeavor. The greatest outcome in theological retrieval should always be more godliness. We pray that through reading faithful men of the past, it will cultivate faithful Christians for the future. The Heritage Presbyterian will be counted ’successful’ if, by God’s grace, more people grow in their love for Christ and his Church by the material we produce.

Leadership