The Elements of Divinity

by Thomas N. Ralston

Publisher:

E. Stevenson

, 1851

Overview

Following in the footsteps of Richard Watson’s Institutes, this systematic study of classic Arminian-Methodist theology summarizes the main points of Methodist faith for a broad audience. Given as lectures to students, the body of this theology was distributed throughout the United Methodist Church South, as an introductory text to theology for local preachers. What you’ll find in this memorable tome is not so much a technical treatise of Methodist theology or a commentary on emerging theological thought, but a representation on the classic theological positions that have defined Methodism since the days of the Wesley brothers.

As such, this classic systematic theology enjoyed a wide readership and was a go-to text for nearly a century. To this day, The Elements of Divinity is referenced in numerous Wesleyan-Arminian theological and ecclesiastical studies, such as Thomas Oden’s Systematic Theology (3 vols.) and the Wesleyan Theological Perspectives (5 vols.) series.

Table of Contents

• I. The Existence of God
• II. The Attributes of God
• III. The Divinity of God
• IV. The Personality and Divinity of the Holy Spirit
• V. The Holy Trinity
• VI. The Creation
• VII. The Fall of Man
• VIII. The Effects of the Fall of Man
• IX. The Effects of the Fall of Man—Depravity
• X. Depravity—Objections
• XI. The Atonement—Its Necessity
• XII. The Atonement—Its Nature
• XIII. The Atonement—Its Nature
• XIV. The Atonement—Its Extent
• XV. The Atonement—Its Extent
• XVI. The Atonement—Its Extent
• XVII. The Atonement—Its Extent
• XVIII. Calvinism and Arminianism Compared
• XIX. The Moral Agency of Man
• XX. The Moral Agency of Man—Objections
• XXI. Repentance
• XXII. Faith
• XXIII. Justification
• XXIV. Justification
• XXV. Justification by Faith Only
• XXVI. Regeneration
• XXVII. The Influence of the Holy Spirit
• XXVIII. The Perseverance of the Saints
• XXIX. Christian Perfection
• XXX. Christian Perfection
• XXXI. The Resurrection
• XXXII. The Future State, General Judgment, etc.

Product Details

• Title: Elements of Divinity: Or, a Course of Lectures, Comprising a Clear and Concise View of the System of Theology as Taught in the Holy Scriptures; With Appropriate Questions Appended to Each Lecture
• Author: Thomas N. Ralston
• Publisher: E. Stevenson
• Print Publication Date: 1851
• Logos Release Date: 2016
• Pages: 463
• Era: era:modern
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Theology, doctrinal
• Resource ID: LLS:LMNTSDVNTY
• Resource Type: Systematic Theology
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-12T00:38:21Z

About Thomas N. Ralston

Thomas Neely Ralston (1806–1879) was a traveling preacher in Kentucky. Educated at Georgetown College, he joined the Methodist Annual Conference in Kentucky in 1827. He established himself as a capable secretary for the conference and worked closely with Thomas O. Summers, renowned Methodist editor and ecclesial writer. Ralston edited the Methodist Monthly, and in 1857 received the D.D. from Wesleyan University in Kentucky.