by Kenneth Cuthbertson
Wipf & Stock Publishers
Eugene, Ore. 214 pages
REVIEWED BY MARGEE IDDINGS
This fine book is many things.
It is, first and foremost, an historical narrative concerning the half-century of Presbyterians in America. The focus of this history is on the heritage, which the author savors, a heritage that is a way of living. And, if one has not lived as a Presbyterian throughout these fifty years, in reading the book one discovers how the values and traditions of the denomination have changed over the years and, thus, our way of being Presbyterian is now manifesting a different way of life. The author’s question becomes: are there “old treasures” that might be valuable to us once again as we, Presbyterians, seek to be faithful in our life together?
If there are aspects of our heritage that previously were “kept,” might they hold the potential for usefulness in our current walk of faith? These are the aspects of our heritage that Cuthbertson examines:
Family worship — Gathering for daily worship as a family was a high priority for our forebears. For Cuthbertson, this spiritual discipline shaped the core identity of those who practiced such a commitment.
Psalm singing — “The tradition of metrical psalmody, of bringing the texts into versified forms set to regular tunes … ” was a discipline that brought about memorization of biblical psalms, such that they become a part of one’s cellular being, the author believes.
Catechizing — Beginning with the Reformation, learning standard answers to important theological questions became a standard way of shaping one’s beliefs.
Sabbath keeping — The focal point of the Presbyterian Sabbath was congregational worship. And, the focal point of worship was the preaching of the Word. The remainder of the day was given over to learning how to “rest.”
Helpful questions are posed for us to ponder concerning the implications for these aspects of our heritage on our vision for Presbyterianism. In the days ahead, I can imagine elders and deacons reading this book as a resource for intentional congregational visioning.
In addition to these aspects meant to be “kept” by individuals and families, attention is given to aspects of the congregation’s life together, namely an understanding and practice of the sacraments, congregational worship, vows and promises.
The book is pleasingly autobiographical. As the author remembers and names the “way of life” of his childhood and youth, he tells stories that are endearing, stories that trigger our own memories of faith building. The opportunity to be drawn back to a small town church in northwestern Pennsylvania and the life of faith lived out by my Presbyterian family was a gift. The memories prompted the kind of questioning that the author suggests we enter into today as we wrestle with the changing nature of the denomination and our own congregations.
The book is both reflecting and visioning. Given our past, knowing our present, and hopeful that there will be a future for Presbyterians, the author gently leads the reader to imagine what an emerging faith life together will hold. We know that change must and is happening. The world of the 21st century is different than the world of my growing up. Ken Cuthbertson’s question of how to be faithful in our life together begs a thoughtful answer.
MARGEE IDDINGS is a teaching elder in National Capital Presbytery.
