The Hand and the Road: The Life and Times of John A. Mackay

by John Mackay Metzger

Overview

This is the first English language biography of John A. Mackay (1889-1983), an important Presbyterian leader, missionary, and professor who served as president of Princeton Theological Seminary from 1936 to 1959. As president, he rebuilt the seminary faculty after the split in 1927. His ecumenical vision opened Princeton to a wider ecumenical stance and, under his leadership, the seminary prospered as a leading Protestant theological institution. Mackay was a leading ecumenist for much of the twentieth century and helped establish the World Council of Churches. He also founded Theology Today and is recognized as a major figure in both the Presbyterian Church and in theological education.

This biography is made all the more compelling by the fact that it was authored by Mackay's grandson, John Metzger, son of the late Princeton Seminary professor, Dr. Bruce M. Metzger.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664235246
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	01/20/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	536
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

John Mackay Matzger is an attorney in Princeton, New Jersey.

Table of Contents

Sources and Acknowledgments vii

Introduction xi

1 Boyhood (1889–1907): "Enter ye in at the strait gate." (Matt. 7:13 KJV) 1

2 Scottish Education (1907–1913): "Ask, and it shall be given you." (Luke 11:9 KJV) 19

3 Student Days at Princeton (1913–1915): "Study to show thyself approved." (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV) 45

4 Final Preparations (1915–1916): "Go, view the land." (Josh. 2:1) 61

5 Earning the Right to Be Heard (1916–1922): "You need someone to teach you." (Heb. 5:12) 91

6 Evangelist to Students (1923–1926): "And he gave some...evangelists." (Eph. 4:11 KJV) 121

7 The YMCA in Montevideo (1926–1929): "A cottage in a vineyard." (Isa. 1:8 KJV) 153

8 The Christian Message, Furlough, and Travels (1929–1932): "What think ye of Christ?" (Matt. 22:42 KJV) 183

9 North America and the Mission Board (1932–1936): "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." (Matt. 28:19 KJV) 209

10 Return to Princeton (1936–1959): "That your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations." (Ps. 67:2) 233

11 Let the Church Be the Church (1936–1959): "That all the kingdoms of the earth may know" (Isa. 37:20 KJV) 263

12 The Ecumenical Church (1936–1959): "There is one body and one Spirit." (Eph. 4:4) 303

13 Washington Years and Retirement (1959–1983): "Faithful servant" (Matt. 25:21 KJV) 349

Notes 379

Bibliography of John A. Mackay 463

Index 487