The 1718 republication of the Marrow of Modern Divinity ignited a furious debate within the Established Church of Scotland over the doctrines of grace, and particularly the relationship between law and gospel. However, since at least Thomas M’Crie’s 1831 Account of the Controversy, no writer has given the impression that his acquaintance with the literature of the Controversy itself is any better than secondhand. Consequently, current analyses seldom appeal to the primary sources necessary to sustain firm, evidence-based conclusions.

Two key questions thus emerge. First, in view of the Marrow Brethren’s continued protests to the contrary, were the ecclesiastical proceedings essentially fair, arrived at after due process, and representative of the mind of the Church as a whole? And second, was the General Assembly historically correct in condemning the Marrow as being incompatible with the Westminster Standards and Reformed Orthodoxy? Dr. Lachman’s Marrow Controversy provides a sufficiently thorough historical and theological analysis to produce a fair and conclusive answer to these questions

Cloth-bound, sewn binding, 608 pages, Grange Press 

ISBN - 9781950611133 

Endorsements 

“I’ve read and perused this volume many times throughout my life, and I still consider it to be the best scholarly work ever produced on the famous Marrow Controversy.”

—Dr. Joel R. Beeke, Chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

“The late Dr David Lachman’s patient scholarship and theological acumen made—and still makes—The Marrow Controversy a landmark study. Here is the essential guide to the way issues that often haunt the church exploded in 18th century Scotland. Its long-hoped-for republication is good news indeed!”

—Sinclair Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

“David Lachman’s superb study of The Marrow of Modern Divinity controversy in the early decades of eighteenth century Scotland, is a model of historical research and theological insight. Sadly the issues that dominated the controversy continue to surface in every age of church history. Lachman’s engaging thesis will help scholars and lay folk alike to appreciate both Thomas Boston’s defence of The Marrow and how necessary, even vital, it is for the church today to stand where Boston stood. It is both a pleasure and privilege to commend such a fine book”

—Ian Hamilton, Professor of Historical Theology, Westminster Seminary, UK

“David Lachman’s classic work on the Marrow Controversy was the first to explain how a tempest in a Scottish teapot became the center of a theological storm and an event of enduring interest. Lachman’s carefully researched and contextualized monograph is essential for anyone seeking to understand the history of Scottish theology in the first half of the eighteenth century. The publisher is to be thanked for bringing this sought-after study back into circulation.”

—Chad Van Dixhoorn, Professor of Church History and Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

“Grange Press has done the reformed and presbyterian world a huge service in republishing Dr. Lachman’s The Marrow Controversy. May it not sit on shelves only—may it move many to the boldness and courage needed to preach to all who will hear that there is a Christ that is dead for sinners. May we see a revival of Marrow Men for the twenty-first century.”

—Dr. Nathan Eshelman, Pastor, Reformed Presbyterian Church of Orlando, Orlando, FL

“My dear friend David Lachman wrote the definitive study on the Marrow Controversy. It shed light on a similar controversy in Great Britain at that time, namely the early years of Hyper-Calvinism. These issues are still debated today, and we can learn from orthodox theologians of the past and researchers like Dr. Lachman today. The volume will remain the standard work for decades to come.”

—Curt Daniel, Ph.D., Pastor, Faith Bible Church, Springfield, IL