Alexander Henderson

Alexander Henderson

Alexander Henderson was a Scottish Presbyterian theologian and churchman who played a significant role in the religious and political affairs of 17th century Scotland. Born in 1583 in Creich, Fife, Henderson was educated at the University of St. Andrews and became a minister in 1611. He quickly gained a reputation as an eloquent preacher and a skilled debater, and was appointed Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1638. Henderson was a key figure in the Scottish Covenanting movement, which sought to defend the Presbyterian form of church government against attempts by the English monarchy to impose Anglican practices on the Scottish Church. He was one of the architects of the National Covenant of 1638, which pledged signatories to uphold the Presbyterian system of church government and resist any attempts to alter it. Henderson was also a leading member of the Westminster Assembly, which was convened in 1643 to reform the Church of England and establish a new system of doctrine and worship for the entire British Isles. In addition to his religious and political activities, Henderson was a prolific writer and scholar. He published several works on theology and church history, including his most famous work, The Government and Order of the Church of Scotland. He was also a gifted linguist and translated several important works from Latin and Greek into English. Henderson died in 1646 while attending negotiations in London aimed at ending the First English Civil War. He was buried in the chapel of St. John's College, Oxford. Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential figures in Scottish Presbyterianism and a key architect of the Scottish Reformation.

Alexander Henderson, Scottish Presbyterian, theologian, churchman, religious affairs, political affairs, 17th century Scotland, eloquent preacher, skilled debater, National Covenant, Westminster Assembly, prolific writer, church history, linguist, Scottis

— Joseph Walker