The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement

The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement by Anthony L. Chute, Nathan A. Finn, and Michael A. G. Haykin is a landmark textbook on the history of the Baptist movement. Chute, Finn, and Haykin guide the reader through roughly four hundred years of Baptist history characterized by three key interrelated themes: promoting liberty of conscience, following Christs will in our individual lives and churches, and proclaiming the gospel everywhere (p. 344). Still, Chute, Finn, and Haykin are well aware that Baptists havent always lived up to these ideals, and to the benefit of the reader, the authors arent afraid of being transparent along the way.

The Baptist Story is divided into four major sections: (1) Baptists in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, (2) Baptists in the Nineteenth Century, (3) Baptists in the Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries, and (4) Baptist Beliefs. The majority of the book is devoted to the earlier years of the Baptist movement, namely the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, as these years are instrumental to the modern expression of the Baptist story. Chute, Finn, and Haykin do the reader a favor therein by integrating stories of non-English speaking Baptists, ethnic minorities, women, and minority theological traditions within the context of historic, orthodox Christianity.

One of the clearest strengths of The Baptist Story is its treatment of the African-American Baptist tradition. Chute, Finn, and Haykin rightly credit George Liele, a freed slave turned Baptist missionary, with being the pioneer of the Baptist missionary movement. Liele planted a church in Savannah, Georgia, prior to the close of the eighteenth century, before relocating to Jamaica as an indentured servant, where he formed a small congregation in 1783a decade before the missionary work of William Carey in India. The story and impact of George Liele is both encouraging and inspirational, and Chute, Finn, and Haykin do well in making it a central treatment of the book.

There are a number of other strengths that could be mentioned, including the usefulness of the volume within the classroom setting, the clear and concise communication of each of the most significant events and themes within the Baptist movement, the intentional desire to uncover and unearth unfamiliar faces within the Baptist tradition, the utilization of photographs and textboxes throughout, and much more. However, the omission of several important figures and events proves to be an unfortunate weakness to an otherwise outstanding book. For example, while Chute, Finn, and Haykin rightly recognize R. Albert Mohler as a significant Baptist voice at the turn of the century, it would have been appropriate to say more than a few sentences about the controversy at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary when Mohler became president (p. 289). For some these omissions will be minor, but for others, the omissions of such significant events and figures may compromise the usefulness of the book. I stand with the former.

The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement by Anthony L. Chute, Nathan A. Finn, and Michael A. G. Haykin is an excellent and engaging journey through the historical landscape of one of todays most influential religious groups. Chute, Finn, and Haykin are well-positioned tour guides for this journey, and the reader is certain to benefit greatly. If you are looking for a book that will educate and encourage your heart toward the mission of Christ, past, present, and future, then this book comes highly recommended.

I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Here we have an up-to-date Baptist History textbook. They are harder to come by than you might imagine and this one boasts careful historical analysis, nice pictures, and good writingthe very things so often missing in a text book. Respected scholars Anthony L. Chute, Nathan A. Finn, ans Michael A. G. Haykin join forces to deliver the definitive textbook on Baptists for this generation.

Successionists, or Landmarkers, will be disappointed as Baptists are traced to the 1600s as an English sect. Though there are some similarities to Anabapists and other groups, they followed the evidence and cannot a historically verifiable succession. Even if you are a follower of Landmark thought, you will still find a wonderful historical record from the 17th Century to today.

Though you find a love for all things Baptists here, there is no hiding our less seemly features. We have had a penchant for arguing over the years and that is respectfully handled. Since the Southern Baptists have grown to be the biggest of the Baptist world, they get the most coverage. Still, a fair handling of how other Baptists groups emerged, what issues divided, and how it worked out over time is given. Independent Baptists are treated fairly and the issues why they left the Convention are accurately reported.

This is a fine resource and I highly recommend it.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.