A.A. Hodge, "Outlines of Theology," "Atonement," Princeton Seminary, and Benny

Outlines of Theology by the Rev. Dr. Archibald Alexander Hodge

http://www.monergism.com/updates/outlines_of_theology_pdf.php
http://www.davidcox.com.mx/library/H/Hodge,%20A%20A%20-%20Outlines%20of%20Systematic%20Theology.pdf .  This is a 551-page entry.  

          Years ago, upon graduation from high school, my father handed me two “brand new” volumes:   Louis Berkhof’s Systematic Theology and Charles Hodge’s (3 Vol.) Systematic Theology.   He said, “Read ten pages per day until you’ve finished them.  Also, read ten chapters daily from the Old Testament and ten chapters from the New Testament.”  I did as recommended.  Life was never the same.   Thanks, Dad, we still miss you.  Thank God for all faithful Fathers, Professors and Scholars…ever shining in the darkness and exile.

          Then, years later I ran into A.A. Hodge.  Reformation Anglicanism recommends A.A. Hodge’s Outline of Theology, as per the above, as well as the two volumes by Berkhof and Charles Hodge.  But, a few facts are offered about A.A. and a few of his other volumes.

         

Archibald Alexander (A.A.) Hodge was born on July 18, 1823.  He died November 12, 1886.  He was young and died at age sixty-three.  He is buried in the cemetery at PTS with the “Hodges.”  He was the son of another august leader.  He was the son of that “Lion” of (of several “Lions”) at “Old” Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS), Charles Hodge.   

 

          Academic background. Hodge attended the College of New Jersey (later Princeton University). This was followed up with studies at Princeton Theological Seminary.

          Pastoral and missionary service.  A.A. served as a missionary to India for three years (1847–1850).  He held pastorates at Lower West Nottingham, Maryland (1851–1855), Fredericksburg, Virginia (1855–1861), and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (1861–1864).

          Academic duties.  In 1864, he was chosen and accepted a call to be a Professor of Systematic Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (where Dr. John Gersnter would later teach).  He remained in Pittsburgh until. In 1877, he was called to Princeton to assist his father, Charles Hodge.  A.A. Hodge served as the principal of PTS from 1878-1886.  He remained in the chair of systematics until his death in 1886.

         
          Two influential volumes. 

The first book by A.A. was his Outlines of Theology published in 1860.  It is available as per the above, but also at:  http://books.google.com/books?id=4QEDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA8&dq=a.a.+hodge&hl=en&sa=X&ei=kRa0T6TkLeWksQKQncmgAQ&ved=0CD8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=a.a.%20hodge&f=false.  

 The Atonement is still one of the best treatments on the subject.  I cannot too lightly recommend this volume.  I am not sure it has been surpassed.  It is available here:  http://www.amazon.com/atonement-Archibald-Alexander-Hodge/dp/1177706385/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337208992&sr=1-1

         
           In 1869, he produced a commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith.  Regrettably, Reformation Anglicanism does not own this.  However,  this shall be remedied.  It is available at:  http://www.amazon.com/Westminster-Confession-Commentary-A-Hodge/dp/0851518281/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337207257&sr=8-1.   We doubt if there are significant improvements by modern writers. 

         A.A. Hodge continued that old, admirable, deliberative, scholarly, Biblical,

Catholic, Reformed, and Confessional Churchmanship that we continue to advocate

here.   As instructed from the fifth commandment, we are to emulate the strengths of

others.  While we are not on A.A.’s level of skill, we follow his leadership and make

that effort. 

       Turning from an august scholar, A.A. Hodge, and that old Princetonian tradition,
we turn to our old friend, "Benny Da Big Thinker."  Benny, here are a few books with
which to get started.  You can meet Benny in a recent interview at: 
http://www.amazon.com/atonement-Archibald-Alexander-Hodge/dp/1177706385/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337208992&sr=1-1

Benny, get readin', man!