James Leo Garrett, Jr., is writing a twelve-chapter, four-century history of Baptist theology, which is to be published by Mercer University Press, Macon, GA, and is designed to appear in advance of the Baptist quadricentennial in 2009. A coordinated and comprehensive history of Baptist theology from 1609 to the present, with an initial chapter on pre-1609 influences, it is to provide an integrated interpretation of Baptist confessions of faith, major Baptist theologians, and Baptist theological movements and controversies.
The volume is to focus on Baptist doctrine and will not encompass Baptist ethics, Baptist spirituality, or Baptist apologetics. Although it tends to be organized chronologically, it is not a narrative history but rather an interpretation of theology in various historical contexts. It gives major attention to England and the United States but also includes the Baptist theology of other nations. Although it is centered on distinctive Baptist theology, it also exhibits both theological beliefs held in common with most other Christian denominations (for example, the Trinity and the person of Christ) and the heavy influence of certain other confessional traditions upon Baptists (for example, the Reformed). The book does not defend a single thesis per se but does constitute a massive argument that there has been and is a Baptist theological tradition. It does not attempt to treat authors having rather limited influence or to interpret the beliefs of rank-and-file church members.
The volume is designed to serve as a textbook for courses in Baptist theology or the Baptist heritage in Baptist colleges, universities, seminaries, and divinity schools. It is likewise intended to be read by pastors, educators, and informed lay persons and to be purchased by institutional libraries and by local church libraries.
Garrett is distinguished professor of theology, emeritus, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, having taught also in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Baylor University, and Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical ( 2 vols.) and of Baptist Church Discipline, the co-author of Are Southern Baptists “Evangelicals”?, and the editor of The Concept of the Believers’ Church, Baptist Relations with Other Christians, and The Legacy of Southwestern.
The author is in need of assistance from commission members and others, especially in securing (1) copies of confessions of faith adopted by Baptist unions and conventions outside the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, and (2) bibliographies of published Baptist theologians who have worked outside the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
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