GEORGE SMEATON
Learned theologian and biblical scholar
By John W. Keddie. Evangelical Press. 214 pages
ISBN 978-0-85234-636-0
George Smeaton is known to most readers by the Banner of Truth reprints of his books, Doctrine of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Doctrine of the Atonement and The Apostle’s Doctrine of the Atonement — all of them careful and illuminating expositions of the biblical material. He wrote in the mid-Victorian period when biblical criticism was undermining these doctrines. Subtle influences are having a similar effect today so that Smeaton’s work is again proving a helpful bulwark.
But most of us know little of the man behind his books, so we welcome John Keddie’s well-crafted biography to relieve us of our ignorance. Smeaton studied at Edinburgh University under Thomas Chalmers with M’Cheyne and Andrew Bonar. After 14 years in the ministry and three years lecturing at Aberdeen University he was appointed as professor of New Testament exegesis in New College, Edinburgh, in 1856 and continued in that position until his death in 1889.
