The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

VIII.
SOME MISTAKES IN REGARD TO THE HISTORY
AND DOCTRINES OF THE EVANGELICAL
LUTHERAN CHURCH.
A REVIEW OF DR. SHEDD'S HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE. 235
Dr. Shedd’s History of Doctrine.
IT cannot be claimed for Dr. Shedd's book that it is the profoundest and
most exhaustive history of Christian doctrine, but it may be asserted with
justice that it is eminently pleasant and readable. But if it be not as
profound as is conceivable, it is as profound as its general aim permits it to
be, and if it does not always exhaust its subjects, it never exhausts its
readers. We cannot concede to Dr. Shedd all that he seems to claim, and
we are sure with perfect sincerity, in regard to the originality, or even the
self-origination of his method. It varies so little from that of some of the
German works to which he confesses his obligations, that without
presupposing their plan,we can hardly conceive that he would have fallen
upon his. He investigates "each of the principal subjects by itself, starting
from the first beginnings of scientific reflection upon it, and going down to
the latest forms of statement." Dr. Shedd accepts, at the very out-start, the
idea of doctrinal development, and one of the best features of his book and
of its plan is, that he so clearly and satisfactorily exhibits the processes and
results of this development. Revelation is unchanging, but the science
235 History of Christian Doctrine. By William G. T. Shedd, D. D. In two Volumes. New York: Charles Scribner.