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Chapter fifty-four examines the crowning achievement of Hodge’s publishing career, his three-volume Systematic Theology. Rather than simply compile and edit his theological writings of the past half century, Hodge took the opportunity to write his Systematic as an organic whole. Certain new stresses appear in the volumes. He emphasized Baconian scientific method and the role of the intellect in theological study to a degree that had not been the case in his theological lectures. He used his Systematic to argue for the importance of the intellect (over the emotions) in theological study, and he made his volumes and apologetic for God’s goodness and benevolent work in the world, even after the devastating events of the Civil War.

Chapter thirty-eight treats the threat of German Idealist thought as it came to influence the thinking of those who considered themselves part of the Reformed tradition. Particularly important in this regard stand: John Williamson Nevin, Charles Finney, and Horace Bushnell. Hodge considered each of these men as dangerous threats to traditional Reformed orthodoxy as they spread their own versions of the redemptive power of human moral intuition.

Chapter thirty-two explores the Didactic Theology lectures Hodge offered from the mid-1840s through the early 1870s. Hodge based these lectures on the doctrinal teachings found in the Westminster Confession. He paid great attention to the sacramental tradition of the Roman Catholics and Lutherans, and argued a hard line that the sacraments did not hold innate power, but were made effective by the faith of those who partook of them.

Chapter thirty-three is a study of Hodge’s career as both a teacher and a preacher. Never anything but a solid preacher in the pulpit, Hodge excelled in the classroom. He also was renowned for the meditative and practical talks he offered the Seminary’s students in the Sabbath afternoon Conferences. He excelled in teaching settings where people knew him personally. His personal example of holiness was his single best sermon and teaching illustration.

Chapter fifty-five examines Hodge’s fifty-teaching jubilee celebration held at the Seminary in 1872. More than five hundred attended, and he called the event: “the apex of my life.” It was the first such academic celebration of a professor to be held in the United States, following a tradition that was common in European institutions of higher learning. It was during these ceremonies that Hodge uttered his oracular statement: “a new idea never originated in this Seminary.” Just nine months after the event, Hodge’s brother, Hugh, died.

Chapter thirty-one analyzes Hodge’s most popular book, his devotional The Way of Life. Hodge took over the role of Professor of Theology from Archibald Alexander in 1840, and thereby became the lead professor at the Seminary. By 1845, he was co-teaching the core theology courses of the school with Alexander. His The Way of Life provides a unique window into the formative years of his systematic theological thinking and his commitment to personal holiness in the Christian life.