John Witherspoon, if he is known at all, is known in America for being one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Prior to emigrating to the colonies to assume the presidency at Princeton, he was a well known pastor in Scotland. While in Scotland, he was undoubtedly best known for his book Ecclesiastical Characteristics (1753), a devastating piece of satire aimed at the Moderate Party in the Kirk. Witherspoon lampooned their high manners and cool rationalism. The most famous section in Ecclesiastical Characteristics is Witherspoon’s mock statement of faith which he called “The Athenian Creed.”
Witherspoon was a good writer, with quite a good sense of humor. Interested students or pastors would benefit from his Selected Writings (edited by Thomas Miller), which include Ecclesiastical Characteristics.
