G. I. Williamson
Encyclopedia
G.I. Williamson is a Reformed theologian, pastor
, and author. Williamson is retired after fifty years in Christian ministry. After serving in the army and working as a dance hall
musician, Williamson converted to Christianity at age 21. He attended Hope College
in Holland, Michigan for one year and then transferred to Drake University
in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Drake in 1949.
In 1952, he earned a B.D.
from Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary
under John Gerstner
. He served in various positions as a pastor for fifty years including two terms as a minister in the Reformed Churches of New Zealand
.
While in New Zealand he served in Mangere (one of three congregations in Auckland. It has since ceased to exist by that name) and Silverstream (a congregation in the Wellington region). He was twice elected as Moderator of the Synod (1965 and 1977). His clarity of thinking and teaching was greatly appreciated by the congregations throughout the country. His influence in the Reformed Churches has been beneficial to both her theology and polity.
He is ordained in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
. From 1992 through 2005 Williamson edited 'Ordained Servant', a newsletter published by the OPC for church officers.
He is the author of several books on Reformed theology, including study guides for the Westminster Confession of Faith
and the Heidelberg Catechism
.
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, and author. Williamson is retired after fifty years in Christian ministry. After serving in the army and working as a dance hall
Dance hall
Dance hall in its general meaning is a hall for dancing. From the earliest years of the twentieth century until the early 1960s, the dance hall was the popular forerunner of the discothèque or nightclub...
musician, Williamson converted to Christianity at age 21. He attended Hope College
Hope College
Hope College is a medium-sized , private, residential liberal arts college located in downtown Holland, Michigan, a few miles from Lake Michigan. It was opened in 1851 as the Pioneer School by Dutch immigrants four years after the community was first settled...
in Holland, Michigan for one year and then transferred to Drake University
Drake University
Drake University is a private, co-educational university located in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The institution offers a number of undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and pharmacy. Today, Drake is one of the twenty-five oldest law schools in the country....
in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Drake in 1949.
In 1952, he earned a B.D.
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
from Pittsburgh-Xenia Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, founded in 1794, is a graduate theological institution associated with the Presbyterian Church USA. It is located in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and houses one of the largest theological libraries in the nation...
under John Gerstner
John Gerstner
John H. Gerstner was a Professor of Church History at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Knox Theological Seminary and an authority on the life and theology of Jonathan Edwards....
. He served in various positions as a pastor for fifty years including two terms as a minister in the Reformed Churches of New Zealand
Reformed Churches of New Zealand
Reformed Churches of New Zealand is a Reformed Christian denomination in New Zealand. The denomination is constituted of 18 member churches, the first seven of which were formed in 1953. Total membership as of 2007 stands at 3,332.-Form of doctrine:...
.
While in New Zealand he served in Mangere (one of three congregations in Auckland. It has since ceased to exist by that name) and Silverstream (a congregation in the Wellington region). He was twice elected as Moderator of the Synod (1965 and 1977). His clarity of thinking and teaching was greatly appreciated by the congregations throughout the country. His influence in the Reformed Churches has been beneficial to both her theology and polity.
He is ordained in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Orthodox Presbyterian Church
The Orthodox Presbyterian Church is a conservative Presbyterian denomination located primarily in the United States. It was founded by conservative members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America who strongly objected to the pervasive Modernist theology during the 1930s . Led...
. From 1992 through 2005 Williamson edited 'Ordained Servant', a newsletter published by the OPC for church officers.
He is the author of several books on Reformed theology, including study guides for the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
and the Heidelberg Catechism
Heidelberg Catechism
The Heidelberg Catechism is a Protestant confessional document taking the form of a series of questions and answers, for use in teaching Reformed Christian doctrine...
.