The Reorganization of Princeton Seminary

The reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary was a key event in the American Presbyterian modernist-fundamentalist controversy of the early 20th century. The seminary was governed by a board of directors, who oversaw the academic aspects of the seminary, and a separate board of trustees who oversaw the remaining aspects of the organization. Seeking to resolve the growing tension between factions within the seminary, the General Assembly moved to reorganize the seminary in a fashion that was understood as shifting the majority of governing power in favor of the modernist agenda.

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Darryl G. Hart back to the program to speak about this event and its significance for American Presbyterianism. Dr. Hart’s article on the subject, “The Reorganization of Princeton Theological Seminary and the Exhaustion of American Presbyterianism” is published in The Confessional Presbyterian Journal Vol. 8, 2012. Hart has also authored, co-authored, or edited several books on this era of church history including Seeking a Better Country: 300 Years of American Presbyterianism, Defending the Faith: J. Gresham Machen and the Crisis of Conservative Protestantism in Modern America, and The Selected Shorter Writings of J. Gresham Machen. Dr. Hart is Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Participants: Camden Bucey, Darryl G. Hart, Jason Pickard