Long Obedience In The Same Direction: Heroes Part Two

Our journey to The Princeton Cemetery got off to a great start when we located the grave site of Jonathan Edwards. But Edwards wasn't the only 'hero of the faith' I wanted to expose my boys to on this day. As we studied our cemetery map, we anxiously searched for the second important name on our list: Charles Hodge.

Charles Hodge is a dynamic example of a Christian who had a long obedience in the same direction. In today's colloquial terms we might call him Mr. Consistency or The Iron Man---similar in stature to baseball's Lou Gehrig or Cal Ripken. In a world of swirling intellectual and theological changes that included the rise of Darwinism and liberalism --- Hodge was a rock of theological conservatism and unwavering biblical theology for upwards of fifty years.

Following his graduation from Princeton Seminary in 1819, Hodge had such theological giftedness that Archilbald Alexander (president of the seminary) asked Charles to join the seminary as a professor. Hodge was only twenty-two.


In 1822 he married Sarah Bache (great-granddaughter of Ben Franklin) and a short time after having two children together, Hodge studied briefly overseas from 1826-1828. Upon his arrival back home to Princeton, Charles settled into a teaching career of such faithful consistency, that he would become the Church's most trusted leader and champion of faith.

Over the next 40 years, Hodge led the way as a thinking, teaching, and writing powerhouse. His commentaries on Romans, Ephesians, and 1 and 2 Corinthians were masterly written and they are still in print today. In May 1846 he was elected moderator of the Presbyterian Church when it met at historic Tenth Church in Philadelphia (see the video from my visit to Tenth).

He helped start what would become "The Princeton Review" and over the course of his life not only did Hodge act as its primary editor, but he also contributed roughly 130 articles, essays, and reviews for publication. In addition to this he also wrote his magnum opus, "Systematic Theology"--- a three volume set which swelled to nearly 2,300 pages. This classic set remains in print and continues to be used by pastors today (including this one).

While Charles Hodge's literary output was tremendous, we cannot underestimate the influence that he had on a whole generation of pastors. During his long and faithful tenure, nearly 3,000 ministers passed under his classroom teaching, and under the tutelage of the master teacher these future ministers saw theological precision, pastoral affection, and unwavering devotion to Christ modeled on a consistent basis.

On April 24, 1872---- Princeton held a special celebration on the 50th year of Hodge's professorship at the seminary. Among others, 400 of his former students were in attendance that day. Dr. Henry Boardman brought the address which included these words, "..In reviewing this half-century of your labors, we reverently glorify God in you."

Boardmen would also go on to say, "...A censorious critic said the other day, derisively in reviewing the volumes of theology (Systematic Theology) lately published, 'It is enough for Dr. Hodge to believe a thing to be true that he finds in the Bible.' We accept that token. Dr. Hodge has never gotten beyond the Bible. It contains every joy and tittle of his theology."

Charles Hodge went home to be with the Lord on June 19, 1878---but even during his final days he could be found in his study reclining and reading, writing, praying, and talking theology. His son/biographer A.A. Hodge would later write, "On one of those very last days he said, 'This old chair and I have been growing to fit each other for forty years.' On the day of his funeral, all the stores in town were closed and all business suspended in token of respect of such a great man of God.

What a testimony---and what a hero of faith! Oh, that you and I as believers would seek that long obedience in the same direction! Who will be the 'iron-men' of our generation? Christian friend, God may never use you to write theology books or teach seminary students. But when you commit your entire heart, soul, mind, and strength to a lifetime of consistent, unwavering, rock-solid biblical faith and holy living---God can use you mightily for his glory wherever you are, and whatever your vocation.

I want my boys to learn this undeniable truth from Scripture: our holy endeavors for Christ will be remembered for eternity---long after baseball's records turn to dust.