A clearly written introduction to the history and theology of this international people, Baptists through the Centuries provides a chronological survey of the main developments in Baptist life and thought from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. As Baptists spread globally beyond their British and American origins, Bebbington persuasively demonstrates how they constantly adapted to the cultures and societies in which they lived, generating even more diversity within an already multifaceted identity. In the course of telling the story of Baptists, Bebbington also examines the challenging social, political, and intellectual issues in Baptist history attitudes on race, women's roles in the church, religious liberty, foreign missions, and denominational identity and situates each one within a broader context.
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"... the scope of [Bebbington's] coverage in just 300 pages is breathtaking. If you read only one book on the Baptists, this is the one for you."
--Richard V. Pierard, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Oct. 2011
"Bebbington, one of the leading historians of worldwide evangelicalism, presents a sweeping overview of Baptist history in Europe and the US from its beginnings in the Reformation to the present. A synthesis of the original research of others, Bebbington's interpretive scheme is nuanced and quite readable."
--J. F. Findlay, University of Rhode Island, Choice (2011, 48:8)
"Conversations about Baptist identity too often generate more heat than light. This book is a happy exception, telling the Baptist story with great insight and clarity."
--Curtis W. Freeman, Research Professor of Theology and Baptist Studies, Duke University Divinity School
"David Bebbington's well-earned reputation as a brilliant historian is certainly confirmed with this fine overview of Baptist history and practices. Bebbington's work will provide students with a timely, balanced, and insightful guide for generations to come."
--David S. Dockery, President, Union University
"... a welcomed addition to the field of Baptist studies."
--Baptist History & Heritage Society (Fall 2012)
"David Bebbington has placed us all in his debt by producing this volume."
--Journal of European Baptist Studies (2012, 12:2)
"In Baptists through the Centuries, the distinguished University of Stirling (UK) professor further solidifies his already established reputation for careful scholarship, astute interpretation, and compelling storylines.... Bebbington offers the necessary resources for understanding the tradition's comlex historical roots, as well as the meandering pathways that have characterized denomination life for 400 years."
--Renewing Minds (2012, 1:1)
--Richard V. Pierard, International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Oct. 2011
"Bebbington, one of the leading historians of worldwide evangelicalism, presents a sweeping overview of Baptist history in Europe and the US from its beginnings in the Reformation to the present. A synthesis of the original research of others, Bebbington's interpretive scheme is nuanced and quite readable."
--J. F. Findlay, University of Rhode Island, Choice (2011, 48:8)
"Conversations about Baptist identity too often generate more heat than light. This book is a happy exception, telling the Baptist story with great insight and clarity."
--Curtis W. Freeman, Research Professor of Theology and Baptist Studies, Duke University Divinity School
"David Bebbington's well-earned reputation as a brilliant historian is certainly confirmed with this fine overview of Baptist history and practices. Bebbington's work will provide students with a timely, balanced, and insightful guide for generations to come."
--David S. Dockery, President, Union University
"... a welcomed addition to the field of Baptist studies."
--Baptist History & Heritage Society (Fall 2012)
"David Bebbington has placed us all in his debt by producing this volume."
--Journal of European Baptist Studies (2012, 12:2)
"In Baptists through the Centuries, the distinguished University of Stirling (UK) professor further solidifies his already established reputation for careful scholarship, astute interpretation, and compelling storylines.... Bebbington offers the necessary resources for understanding the tradition's comlex historical roots, as well as the meandering pathways that have characterized denomination life for 400 years."
--Renewing Minds (2012, 1:1)
About the Author
David W. Bebbington is Professor of History at the University of Stirling. His previous books include The Mind of Gladstone: Religion, Homer and Politics and The Dominance of Evangelicalism: The Age of Spurgeon and Moody. He lives in Scotland.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Baptist identity has been at the heart of a lot of discussions in Baptist churches and seminaries in the last several years, especially in American Baptist and Southern Baptist circles. It only makes sense, then, that Baptists need to do a careful job of understanding and communicating about their history. David Bebbington, a church historian from England that has been teaching Baptist History at Truett Theological Seminary, has written an excellent book on the subject. Baptists Through the Centuries:A History of a Global People is even-handed, balanced, well-organized, and thoughtful. It is a book I would recommend to anyone wanting to know where Baptists come from, what they have been about, and what that means for Baptist and American churches today.
The first several chapters of the book attempt to cover one formational issue for Baptists in each century. Then, as the author moves toward the late nineteenth century through the early twenty-first century, he tackles several topics in recent Baptist history that have effected how Baptists see themselves and do ministry.
As I read, I was hooked by the first chapter. Much of this chapter was about whether Baptist churches have their roots in Anabaptist or Separatist history. This was helpful for me to think about, mostly because I do have some Anabaptist leanings. What I discovered is what I suspected, namely that the family tree that the Baptists were born out is much broader and more dynamic than some historians would have their readers believe.
I was also intrigued about the Baptists rather slow acceptance of revivalism in both America and Europe. Given the amount of churches I have attended that are Baptist and have spoken about revivals, love gospel songs, and long, drawn-out invitations I expected this way of worshipping to at the core of Baptist development from the start. In fact, it was not.
Bebbington's approach to the Baptist identity/freedoms issue is surprisingly balanced considering he is writing for Baylor University Press. He rightly appreciates Shurden's
Four Fragile Freedoms as an important work in the ongoing battle between fundamentalists and those who are not as "confessional", but does not go so far as to endorse it as a landmark historical summary of Baptist belief and history. He also points out that Baptist churches have developed with more episcopal-styled church governments in places such as Moldova, and other formerly communist countries.
All in all, I appreciated Bebbington's writing. Baptists Through the Centuries: A History of a Global People is appreciative of Baptist history and development without being overwhelming. It is wise and honest, and deftly avoids agenda-driven pitfalls that many American authors bring to their discussions of what it means to be Baptist. In other words, Bebbington is a good, honest historian that deserves to be heard by a broad audience.
The first several chapters of the book attempt to cover one formational issue for Baptists in each century. Then, as the author moves toward the late nineteenth century through the early twenty-first century, he tackles several topics in recent Baptist history that have effected how Baptists see themselves and do ministry.
As I read, I was hooked by the first chapter. Much of this chapter was about whether Baptist churches have their roots in Anabaptist or Separatist history. This was helpful for me to think about, mostly because I do have some Anabaptist leanings. What I discovered is what I suspected, namely that the family tree that the Baptists were born out is much broader and more dynamic than some historians would have their readers believe.
I was also intrigued about the Baptists rather slow acceptance of revivalism in both America and Europe. Given the amount of churches I have attended that are Baptist and have spoken about revivals, love gospel songs, and long, drawn-out invitations I expected this way of worshipping to at the core of Baptist development from the start. In fact, it was not.
Bebbington's approach to the Baptist identity/freedoms issue is surprisingly balanced considering he is writing for Baylor University Press. He rightly appreciates Shurden's
Four Fragile Freedoms as an important work in the ongoing battle between fundamentalists and those who are not as "confessional", but does not go so far as to endorse it as a landmark historical summary of Baptist belief and history. He also points out that Baptist churches have developed with more episcopal-styled church governments in places such as Moldova, and other formerly communist countries.
All in all, I appreciated Bebbington's writing. Baptists Through the Centuries: A History of a Global People is appreciative of Baptist history and development without being overwhelming. It is wise and honest, and deftly avoids agenda-driven pitfalls that many American authors bring to their discussions of what it means to be Baptist. In other words, Bebbington is a good, honest historian that deserves to be heard by a broad audience.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By David Ezzell
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a great book! The information in it is well organized, thoroughly researched, and reasonably put together.
I do have one critique. This book is thick. Several chapters I had to re-read to make sure I understood everything. This is very much a scholarly book and not for the faint of heart. If you're red in the neck (like my father) I would suggest keeping a dictionary close by or forgoing this read altogether.
But other than its lofty language this was a fantastic read and will definitely be on my shelf long after the class I bought it for is over.
I do have one critique. This book is thick. Several chapters I had to re-read to make sure I understood everything. This is very much a scholarly book and not for the faint of heart. If you're red in the neck (like my father) I would suggest keeping a dictionary close by or forgoing this read altogether.
But other than its lofty language this was a fantastic read and will definitely be on my shelf long after the class I bought it for is over.
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