Publishing the Westminster Standards?

Status
Not open for further replies.
NaphtaliPress

NaphtaliPress

Administrator
Staff member
At some point if I ever complete my critical text work I may want to produce an edition or editions of the Westminster Standards. I'm trolling here for what folks preferences might be in such a publication. Is there any format (size, binding, etc) edition of the standards you'd like to see that maybe isn't available? Likes and dislikes about current choices available?
 
Chris, what I would love to have would be an edition that showed me the various texts used by diferent reformed bodies.

I have the FPP hardback that I use as my "everyday" WCF however it is not the ARP version so I often have to double check the wording in my ARP edition. I did the same thing when I was in the PCA.

What would be nice would be to have the 1647 text in one column with all of the varient readings next to it. That way in one place I could see how (or if) the PCA, OPC, ARP versions varied from each other and from the "original".

An edition like this would be valuable to elders, as well as to researchers. Aside from the obvious benifits it would (possibly) act as a restraning influence by pointing readers to innovations. Thus if all 3 major conservative denominations had the same (or similar) wording and you committee was working on revisions it may keep you from going to far "off the resevation".

Also potential market could be fairly large if you could get any groups to use you edition as their in-house version.

:2cents:
 
I like the one done by Morton Smith where he had the Confession along with the corresponding larger and shorter catechism in side by side columns.
 
Thanks for the input. Would a coatpocket edition be attractive? Softcover, maybe leather? Would the WCF and Catechisms be sufficient or should all the traditional documents be included?
 
Wayne,
I'm not sure what you mean; I would be publishing a new critical text, including noting all the official, and sometimes unofficial, American denominational variations, and longstanding errors. Not every edition would have to have all the critical notes, but the published text would reflect the research. For instance, in the forthcoming critical text of Larger Catechism 1 through 50, which will, DV, run in the 2007 issue of The Confessional Presbyterian, there are over 450 notes on variations and errors (and that's just on the first 50 Q&As). That would be a bit much to include in a pocket edition, but the official changes and significant textual errors could easily be noted perhaps.
 
Ok. Kinda both then to answer your question.;) I've collated or am collating over 130 editions including the MSS and all of the important American families (the PCUSA probably has the largest string of denominationally published editions; I have them numbered a-k, and there are a few more than that even).
 
NaphtaliPress said:
Thanks for the input. Would a coatpocket edition be attractive? Softcover, maybe leather? Would the WCF and Catechisms be sufficient or should all the traditional documents be included?
Click to expand...

I would not be as interested in a leather edition if it meant the cost would be higher. It sounds like a very valuable endeavor but as one who already has and uses the FP version, if it were too expensive I probably couldn't justify getting another one. And of course, I welcome anything that helps me justify getting another book ;)

My personal preference is to see all the "traditional" documents included. Too often Presbyterians lose sight of what the Westminster Assembly was really doing. They wanted a uniformity of religion in doctrine, worship, government and discipline. Having all the documents emphasizes this, in my personal opinion. If Presbyterians today would like to see that same goal achieved, we should return to one of the best expressions of that desire in all the documents produced by the Assembly. :2cents:
 
I tend to agree on including the traditional documents (original Westminster and traditional Scottish). But, the beauty once the text is done, is there can me multiple editions. I don't think MSS survive on every one of these to do uniform work like I'm doing on the WCF and Catechisms; Chad Van Dixhoorn would know. I'm pretty sure I don't want to do MSS work on the Directory for Public Worship though (though it figures briefly in my 2005 CPJ article on Carruthers work); there are evidently two, and the copies of the one I have are really hard going, as opposed to the two of the WLC I transcribed for the Westminster Assembly Project. At some point, just because it has been the old standard, I would probably want to do something akin to the FP edition, with Scripture texts in full. The J&H is essentially, except for the Carruthers' text of the WCF, the Library edition published by Johnstone & Hunter in 1855 (a very nice find if you can get a copy). And the J&H follows the traditional form set in 1728 by Lumisden & Robertson (I fancy the 1736 L&R above all the 18th century editions except probably the Kincaid of 1773 which is one of the largest, but my example is in poor shape, though it did once belong to William Carruthers!;)). One of the nicest 20th century editions is the FP 1958 edition. It is on clay paper and has some heft to it, but is smaller than the ubiquitous green edition. There was one going for $1 on abebooks that I meant to pick up but someone beat me to it.

ADKing said:
I would not be as interested in a leather edition if it meant the cost would be higher. It sounds like a very valuable endeavor but as one who already has and uses the FP version, if it were too expensive I probably couldn't justify getting another one. And of course, I welcome anything that helps me justify getting another book ;)

My personal preference is to see all the "traditional" documents included. Too often Presbyterians lose sight of what the Westminster Assembly was really doing. They wanted a uniformity of religion in doctrine, worship, government and discipline. Having all the documents emphasizes this, in my personal opinion. If Presbyterians today would like to see that same goal achieved, we should return to one of the best expressions of that desire in all the documents produced by the Assembly. :2cents:
Click to expand...
 
The Text Includes:

Doctrinal standards of the Reformed Faith: Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Larger Catechism

NaphtaliPress said:
For a one off, I guess so. I'm not sure of the texts though; but if you are happy with them, that is what counts. ;)
Click to expand...
 
caddy said:
The Text Includes:

Doctrinal standards of the Reformed Faith: Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Confession, Westminster Shorter Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort, Westminster Larger Catechism
Click to expand...
That seems managable for a project but I'm commited to doing Westminster first. Do you (or anyone) know if there is an official text of the HC, CoD and BC? I know there are different English translations of I think the HC; any critical editions making note of the differences in the translations?
 
Good question. Not sure, but I'll see if this information is listed in the NIV SB when I get home.

I also have Beeke's Book: Reformed Confessions Harmonized. Not sure how Beeke or others choose their version of the text or even what version that might be. Maybe someone else will chime in here.

http://www.monergismbooks.com/reformedconfess222x.html

:detective:


NaphtaliPress said:
That seems managable for a project but I'm commited to doing Westminster first. Do you (or anyone) know if there is an official text of the HC, CoD and BC? I know there are different English translations of I think the HC; any critical editions making note of the differences in the translations?
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure of anything but the WLC. It appears from some errors in common that Beeke used the stand alone pb edition of the LC published by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

caddy said:
Good question. Not sure, but I'll see if this information is listed in the NIV SB when I get home.

I also have Beeke's Book: Reformed Confessions Harmonized. Not sure how Beeke or others choose their version of the text or even what version that might be. Maybe someone else will chime in here.

http://www.monergismbooks.com/reformedconfess222x.html

:detective:
Click to expand...
 
According to Old-Leather:

I can't reproduce the creeds. Perhaps you have a legal way of downloading them and printing them. Then you can send me the pages and we can bind them at the prices on the page called "Your Papers Bound as a Book."
Once this problem is solved, we can talk about multiple orders.

PM'ed other Info to you as well Chris
NaphtaliPress said:
I'm not sure of anything but the WLC. It appears from some errors in common that Beeke used the stand alone pb edition of the LC published by the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
Click to expand...
 
Since the study bible is copyrighted you can only extract and rebind; you cannot redo the text without permission I would think.
caddy said:
According to Old-Leather:

I can't reproduce the creeds. Perhaps you have a legal way of downloading them and printing them. Then you can send me the pages and we can bind them at the prices on the page called "Your Papers Bound as a Book."
Once this problem is solved, we can talk about multiple orders.

PM'ed other Info to you as well Chris
Click to expand...
 
There is no indication in the NIV SB which text they used Chris. It wouldn't matter given your statement below. Would these OLD texts be copyrighted? I know the SB's is but I'm talking about the texts of the Creeds & Catechisms in General. You can obtain ALL of these online freely--the HC, BC, CoD, WCF, WLC and WSC. It really would not make much sense for me to seek getting this rebound separately. All these together does not equal the width of a nickle. I would think the print and text would need to be sized up considerably.

:book2:

NaphtaliPress said:
Since the study bible is copyrighted you can only extract and rebind; you cannot redo the text without permission I would think.
Click to expand...
 
Chris,

I wouldn't mind having a well-bound hardback edition of the full standards - the FPP version I have and frequently use is falling apart at the binding, and it's not the only copy I've seen with similar problems. I also have a small edition of the complete standards printed in 1878 by Johnstone, Hunter & Co - a beautiful one, but also in perfectly useable, but somewhat less-than-desired shape.

Todd
 
That is the Johnstone "C" version of 336 pages I suspect. The earlier are larger format. The 1958 FPP reprint of J&Hb is really pretty nice; printed on clay paper and has some heft to it. It is a smaller format than the more recent green edition they keep in print. I was going to pick up an extra for $1 on abebooks but someone beat me to it.
toddpedlar said:
Chris,

I wouldn't mind having a well-bound hardback edition of the full standards - the FPP version I have and frequently use is falling apart at the binding, and it's not the only copy I've seen with similar problems. I also have a small edition of the complete standards printed in 1878 by Johnstone, Hunter & Co - a beautiful one, but also in perfectly useable, but somewhat less-than-desired shape.

Todd
Click to expand...
 
toddpedlar said:
I like the small size, though - it's so easily portable...
Click to expand...

Speaking of which, the OPC has a hardback, pocket-sized edition of the Westminster Standards (all three). And it's not very expensive, either ($12).

OK, I just looked at my copy again. It will fit in a somewhat large pocket (heh); it's 450 pages, but includes all proof texts (completely written out; not just the references) and a 42-page Scripture index covering all three documents.
 
I own a copy of the Standards that is 7"x5.5"x2.5" hardbound. It contains all of the documents. A critical edition in those dimensions would rock!
 
Getting Closer ;)

Bind it in something like this:

leather.jpg


theologae said:
I own a copy of the Standards that is 7"x5.5"x2.5" hardbound. It contains all of the documents. A critical edition in those dimensions would rock!
Click to expand...
 
Any update on doing this, or what the interest level might be...even if it is just the WCF.

?????



leather.jpg
 
Steve,
Someone could do something now, but I think there is a lot of critical work coming down the pike and I don't think someone should sink a lot into any super fine editions just yet.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

T
  • Locked
Studying the Westminster Standards
Replies
4
Views
2K
reaganmarsh
reaganmarsh
Travis Fentiman
  • Locked
Commentaries on the Westminster Standards
Replies
1
Views
2K
Mikey
M
A
  • Locked
Westminster Standards PLUS the 3FU?
Replies
12
Views
4K
Zach
Zach
crhoades
  • Locked
Westminster Standards on the Sabbath
Replies
2
Views
3K
crhoades
crhoades
scottmaciver
  • Locked
The Westminster Standards & the Ordo Salutis
Replies
4
Views
2K
scottmaciver
scottmaciver
Back
Top