Books in the Studies in Baptist History and Thought series

An exploration of the pastoral theology of Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) suggests that evangelical renewal did not only take place alongside the local church - missions,itinerancy, voluntary societies - but also within the congregation.

This collection of essays includes historical and theological studies in the sacraments from a Baptist perspective. Subjects explored include the physical side of being spiritual, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the church, ordination, preaching, worship, religious liberty and the issue of disestablishment.

A Distinctive People is the first detailed academic study of some important themes amongst Baptists in Scotland in the twentieth century. The authors, specialists in their field, evaluate aspects of the history of Baptists with critical and academic awareness--attitudes to war and pacifism, the influence of the charismatic movement, involvement in social action, contributions to ecumenical relations, the logical influences on Baptists, home mission, key leaders within the denomination, men and women, both those ordained to patoral ministry and lay-people. This book is bound to be a seminal study of this subject for years to come.'This is a splendid volume, covering crucial areas of Scottish Baptist life in the twentieth century. All the chapters are rich in historical material and cover themes which have continuing relevance. The authors are fine historians who not only have detailed knowledge of the subjects they cover but are also able to make their topics accessible for today. I am delighted to commend their work.""-Ian Randall, Senior Research Fellow, Spurgeon's College, London.'This thoroughly researched and engagingly written set of essays will be of keen interest, not just to Scottish Baptists eager to know about their recent past, but also to all those concerned with the changing place of Christian belief and practice in twentieth-century Scottish society.""-Brian Stanley, Professor of World Christianity; Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, at the University of Edinburgh'Often overlooked or quickly passed over in Baptist histories or treated as a footnote or passing comment in discussion of their more numerous neighbours south of the border, the Scottish Baptists have a far more varied, interesting, and noteworthy history than many realize. Brian Talbot has already stimulated and renewed interest through his own research into the Scottish Baptist Union in the nineteenth century, individual ministers and churches, and he now brings together a team of scholars who do the same for the twentieth century. This volume provides a wealth of new information and insight into Scottish Baptist life and thought, and hopefully will stimulate further research in this and other areas of Baptist life and thought.'-Anthony R. Cross, University of OxfordBrian R. Talbot is Minister of Broughty Ferry Baptist Church; Tutor Greenwich School of Theology & Extraordinary Associate Professor, Department of Theology, North-West University, South Africa

This work establishes the significance of the thought of Puritan William Ames (1576-1633) in deepening and systematizing established Reformation teaching on Christian doctrine and life in a way that ensured its subsequent development through the early modern period and beyond.

The book is a collection of twenty-one essays discussing how Baptists throughout the world have related to other Christians and to other institutions and movements over the centuries.

In the twenty-first century there are an increasing number of books in different fields that are evaluating critically aspects of life in the previous century. The Religious History of British people in this period is a significant part of that story. A Distinctive People will evaluate aspects of the history of one of the Christian denominations in Scotland looking at major themes such as Baptist attitudes to war and pacifism, the influence of the charismatic movement and their involvement in social action, their contribution to ecumenical relations in Scotland and relationships with fellow Baptists in other countries, together with the theological influences on Baptists, and a chapter on home mission. COMMENDATION "This thoroughly researched and engagingly written set of essays will be of keen interest, not to just to Scottish Baptists eager to know about their recent past, but also to all those concerned with the changing place of Christian belief and practice in twentieth-century Scottish society." - Brian Stanley, the University of Edinburgh, UK

The author argues that Baptist theologian James William McClendon Jr's articulation of the 'baptist' vision entails an account of the real presence of Christ's body and blood that is internally faithful to that vision. Furthermore, such an account of real presence suggests that the 'baptist' vision is itself a contribution of Baptists to ecumenical Christianity. The argument is set in the context of some contemporary Baptist engagement with ecumenical Christianity, particularly historic Catholic Christianity. COMMENDATION "Aaron James shows how an ecumenically minded Baptist theologian can take up this theme with creativity, grace, and an inspiring desire to lift up our hearts toward the wondrous "sacrament of unity" and "sacrament of charity". He powerfully reminds us why this may well be the most important conversation that Christians can have today." - Matthew Levering, University of Dayton, Ohio, USA

The book is a collection of essays from the International Conference of Baptist Studies VI that was held at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina in July 2012. The topic of Baptist Identity remains important for Baptists across the globe. This collection of essays reveals the richness and the diversity of conceptions about Baptist identity that have been shared by and about Baptists. The essays, written by an international set of authors, examine issues of Baptist origins and questions of identity up to the present. Written with attention to historical context and grounded in primary source research, the essays will contribute to current and future debates about Baptist history and identity past and present.

Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) was one of the foremost English Baptist ministers of his generation, whose influence was to spread to North America and, indeed, around the world. This study uses considerable primary material to examine the central aspects of Fuller's life and thought, including his work as a theologian and missionary statesman. Despite his importance, Fuller has been largely neglected by both theologians and historians of the Evangelical and Baptist movements. This in-depth yet accessible study seeks to redress the balance. It shows Fuller to be a significant figure, one whose life and work have continuing relevance today.

The central focus of the book is the role that the British, Australian, Canadian,South African, and New Zealand (BACSANZ) Baptist press played in the formation of national, imperial and denominational identity during the South African War (often called the Boer War). BACSANZ Baptist imperialism was a phenomenon that transcended regional identities which provided a global community and identity for nascent, often isolated, Baptist communities in the colonies. Baptist evangelical purpose was also inextricably fusedto popular imperialism. Nevertheless, BACSANZ Baptist imperialism was contextualized and shaped by domestic factors, so much so that imperialism was a particular form of nationalism in both the metropole and peripheries.

Journeying to Justice provides the very first comprehensive appraisal of the tumultuous journey towards equity and reconciliation amongst British and Jamaican Baptists across two centuries of Christian missionary work, in which slavery, colonialism and racism has loomed large. This ground breaking text brings together scholars and practitioners, lay and ordained, peoples from a variety of culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, all speaking to the enduring truth of the gospel of Christ as a means of effecting social, political and spiritual transformation. Journeying to Justice reminds us that the way of Christ is that of the cross and that grace is always costly and being a disciple demands commitment to God and to others with whom we walk this journey of faith. At a time when the resurgence of nationalism is threatening to polarise many nations this text reminds us that in Christ there is solidarity amongst all peoples.

This work in practical theology begins with an exploration of the psychosocial issues at play in Australian Baptist churches as communities. Many of those who attend such churches, and those like them in Britain and North America, often find a warm sense of welcome and belonging. What follows builds on this positive subjective experience through the lens of Christian community framed by the rich scriptural narrative of covenantal priesthood. Such corporate priesthood, as demonstrated by our early Baptist forebears, comes to joint expression in worship and sharing God's blessing with his world, and affirms the mutual priestly service of covenanted church community.