The Basics of Christian Doctrine

Originally published in 1861, this little book of Christian doctrine was intended to act as a handbook of Reformed theology for young people. It was welcomed in its own time as one of the very best doctrinal books of its type. One contemporary reviewer went as far as to say, “It is perhaps, for its size, the most admirable digest of religious truth which the English language contains.” Another reviewer wrote in similar vein, “We should wish that every youth in the British Isles might make it his pocket-companion.”

The author, James MacGregor (1830–1894), was a Gaelic-speaking native of Callander, Perthshire. He became a Free Church of Scotland minister and then Professor of Systematic Theology in New College, Edinburgh before emigrating to New Zealand to serve the Presbyterian Church in South Island.

MacGregor presents all the major doctrines of Christianity (such as the Scriptures, the Trinity, the Fall and the Covenant of Grace) with freshness and admirable succinctness. He covers the electing love of the Father, the redeeming love of the Son, and the sanctifying love of the Spirit before describing “the Christian life inwardly” (in terms of faith and repentance) and “the Christian life outwardly” (mentioning the various ordinances and means of grace). He concludes with a section on death, judgment, and eternity. An attractive feature of his presentation is that each paragraph opens with a statement which is expanded in the paragraph, while the opening statements themselves can be read consecutively to provide an even more concise summary of the topic in hand.

This new edition, along with a biographical introduction, has been prepared by Rev John W Keddie. Mr Keddie has also written a full biography: James MacGregor, Preacher, Theologian and Defender of the Faith (Scottish Reformed Heritage Publications, 2018).