Beyond the Half-Way Covenant: Solomon Stoddard's Understanding of the Lord's Supper as a Converting Ordinance

Description: Almost everyone has heard of Jonathan Edwards but very few are familiar with Solomon Stoddard Edwardss grandfather. Stoddard was an influential force in New England Puritanism often referred to as the Pope of the Connecticut Valley of western Massachusetts. He was a powerful preacher who saw five (possibly six) revivals during his fifty-eight-year pastorate in Northampton. Yet he has often been marginalized because of his very unique view of the Lords Supper as a converting ordinance. This book explores Stoddards view of Communion as compared to the changing face of Puritanism reflected in the Half-Way Covenant and in the context of his passionate desire to convert the sinner by any means at his disposal. He believed that God was so gracious and sovereign that no one could judge whether a person was elect or not. Consequently he crafted an evangelical theology based upon the preaching of the gospel and viewed the Lords Supper as another form of preaching for the conversion of sinners. About the Contributor(s): David Paul McDowell is the Senior Pastor of the Community Fellowship Church West Chicago Illinois. He is a graduate of Wheaton College Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Union Theological Seminary and Trinity Theological Seminary. He has served for twenty-five years as Senior Pastor of the College Church in Northampton Massachusetts.