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EDIFICATION & BEAUTY: The Practical Ecclesiology of the English Particular Baptists, 1675-1705 Dr. James Renihan, Foreword by Robert Oliver
Edification and Beauty describes the practical application of confessional theological principles among English Particular Baptists at the close of the seventeenth century. It examines the theological summary of their views as contained and expressed in the Second London Confession (1677/89), fleshed out in various published works, and recorded in manuscript church books. It describes in detail a wide variety of ecclesiological practices, demonstrating that these churches and their leaders sought to work out in practice the principles they publicly confessed. The book demonstrates that confessional subscription was taken seriously and practiced carefully within the Particular Baptist churches.
"James Renihan has done excellent work in comparing church records of subscribing churches to the ecclesiological issues of the Second London Confession. The book represents the finest of careful, primary source scholarship. Any who see the importance of the period of English Dissent, Baptist history, or confessional dynamics, will benefit from careful attention to Renihan's work." ---Tom J. Nettles, Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
'This careful and systematic study breaks significant new ground in the history of the English Particular Baptist churches--and, by extension, in our understanding of religious experience of early modern Protestantism.' - Crawford Gribben, Long Room Hub Senior Lecturer in Early Modern Print Culture, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
'This is an important work on the history of Baptist ecclesiology, and I am delighted to see it published. It is well argued, insightful and timely given the increasing interest in Baptist ecclesiology. I expect this book to play a significant role in the ongoing discussions of Baptist history and polity. Renihan's work has benefited not only my academic considerations but also my direct pastoral work.' -- Ray Van Neste, Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Director, R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies, Union University.
"This is a must have, essential book for every Baptist, especially Reformed Baptists. Anyone doing serious ecclesiological studies of the Puritan era should read this as well. The seriousness with which our Particular Baptist forefathers took church membership (as described in this volume) needs to be recovered; may He grant His Spirit's ministry to us in this regard." - Larry Vincent, Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church, Mansfield, Texas
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Foreword by Robert Oliver
Introduction
Chapter One: The Emergence and Development of the Particular Baptist Churches
Chapter Two: The Nature of the Church
Chapter Three: The Government of the Church
Chapter Four: Church Officers
Chapter Five: The Church at Worship
Chapter Six: Associations of Churches
Bibliography
General Index
djr RBW
THIS IS A SHORT-RUN TITLE, HENCE DISCOUNTS ARE RATHER SMALL SGCB Price: $29.95 (list price $35.00) 232 PAGE PAPERBACK
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