Robert E. Speer: Prophet of the American Church

Rating:
Summary: Splendid Biography
Review: Dr. Piper has done prodigious research on the Presbyterian church's most outstanding leader of the 20th century. The depth and range of Speer's contributions are truly awesome and Piper is more than up to the task of capturing the stature of the man. Speer himself, unfortunately, believed a biography of him was an unneeded diversion and saw to that much vital material did not survive, making Piper's task all the more difficult. The book also presents a helpful overview of the issues before the major protestant denominations in the first half of the century moving toward ecumenical union in the face of diversity in theology and polity. An important contribution to the history of the American church. Piper shows that Speer's wife, the first president of the YWCA, was an equally exceptional person, calling for another treatment of her influence in the changing role of women in first half of the 20th century.

Rating:
Summary: Splendid Biography
Review: Dr. Piper has done prodigious research on the Presbyterian church's most outstanding leader of the 20th century. The depth and range of Speer's contributions are truly awesome and Piper is more than up to the task of capturing the stature of the man. Speer himself, unfortunately, believed a biography of him was an unneeded diversion and saw to that much vital material did not survive, making Piper's task all the more difficult. The book also presents a helpful overview of the issues before the major protestant denominations in the first half of the century moving toward ecumenical union in the face of diversity in theology and polity. An important contribution to the history of the American church. Piper shows that Speer's wife, the first president of the YWCA, was an equally exceptional person, calling for another treatment of her influence in the changing role of women in first half of the 20th century.