Reading Rutherford
Reading Rutherford
Biographies of Rutherford
Coffey, John. Politics, Religion and the British Revolutions: The Mind of Samuel Rutherford. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997. This is the definitive intellectual and scholarly biography of Rutherford’s life and work with particular focus given to Lex, Rex in its context.
Rendell, Kingsley G. Samuel Rutherford: A New Biography of the Man and His Ministry. Fearn: Christian Focus Publications, 2003. This work was originally a master’s thesis. It is not as comprehensive as Coffey’s book, but it is well-researched and perhaps more accessible to the general reader. Rendell helpfully focuses on Rutherford’s ability as an apologist and propagandist.
Thomson, Andrew. The Life of Samuel Rutherford. Glasgow: Free Presbyterian Publications, 1988. This is a small but relatively full biography in which one of the leading evangelicals in the Church of Scotland in the early nineteenth century shows appreciation for Rutherford.
Rutherford’s Works
Barnes, Stanley, comp. An Inspirational Treasury on Samuel Rutherford. Belfast: Ambassador Productions, 2001. An anthology that includes Alexander Whyte’s appreciation of Rutherford, a selection of Rutherford’s sayings, excerpts from his letters, and four of his better known sermons.
Fourteen Communion Sermons. Edinburgh: Blue Banner Productions, 1986. These sermons by Rutherford are in a volume originally edited by Andrew Bonar.
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: A Selection. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1996. An abridged edition that contains sixty-nine of the letters.
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: With a Sketch of His Life and Biographical Notes of His Correspondents by Andrew A. Bonar. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 1984. This definitive edition includes 365 letters, a glossary, and brief biographical introduction. Portage Publications has made an electronic edition available that can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.portagepub.com/products/caa/index.html
Lex, Rex, or the Law and the Prince: A Dispute for the Just Prerogative of King and People. Berryville, Va.: Hess Publications, 1998, or Harrisonburg, Va.: Sprinkle Publications, 1982. Lex, Rex means “The law is king.” The subtitle gives the historical background: “containing the reasons and causes of the most necessary defensive wars of the Kingdom of Scotland, and of their Expedition for the aid and help of their dear brethren of England; in which their innocency is asserted.” Rutherford pursues his argument through forty-four questions, or chapters, for limited monarchy as opposed to absolute or divine right monarchy. Most notably, he argues for the right to resist monarchs when they violate the law.
The Loveliness of Christ. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2007. This attractively produced gift book contains short extracts and quotations of Rutherford’s thoughts from his letters.
The Power of Faith and Prayer. Stornoway: Reformation Press, 1991. First published in 1713 as The Power and Prevalency of Prayer, this is an incomplete series of sermons by Rutherford on Matthew 9:27–31. There is a brief preface by the publishers and selections from the preface to the 1713 edition. Modern equivalents of obsolete words in the text are supplied by the publishers.
Quaint Sermons of Samuel Rutherford. Morgan, Pa.: Soli Deo Gloria, 2003. This book contains eighteen sermons first published in 1885 from a manuscript volume of Rutherford’s sermons transcribed in shorthand by one of his hearers.
Rutherford’s Catechism, or, The Sum of Christian Religion. Edinburgh: Blue Banner Productions, 1998. A new edition of Rutherford’s catechism together with a fragment of a catechism by Robert Blair.
Trial and Triumph of Faith. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 2001. These twenty-seven sermons focus on Christ’s dealings with the Syro-Phoenician, including frequent refutations of antinomianism.
Popular
Cook, Faith. Grace in Winter. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1996. The author transforms some of Rutherford’s letters into poetry and provides historical background on the correspondents.
———. Samuel Rutherford and His Friends. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1996. A collection of short biographies of some of Rutherford’s correspondents together with extracts from the letters. This is a popular but interesting and quite well-researched book.
Internet Resources
The website www.samuelrutherford.org.uk seeks to provide a comprehensive information source in relation to Rutherford’s works and Rutherford studies with links to online resources.