Michael A G Haykin

The concept of missionary baptism is based on the household baptism of converts and their families described in the New Testament. This is most commonly experienced today in missionary situations, when entire families become Christians. Building on the work of nineteenth-century Scottish theologian William Cunningham, this study explores some implications for the connection between believers' baptism, infant baptism, baby dedication, and Christian unity, particularly among evangelicals.

Anne Steele (1717-1778) originally wrote her hymns to be sung in the Baptist congregation pastored by her father. The foremost female contemporary of hymn-writing giants Charles Wesley, John Newton, and William Cowper, her hymns are infused with spiritual sensitivity, theological depth, and raw emotion. She eventually published her hymns under the pseudonym, Theodosia, which means ""God's Gift."" She believed God had given her a gift to share. Steele's work was warmly received in her own day. Pastor and publishing pioneer of the modern English hymnal, John Rippon, included more than fifty of her hymns in the various topical sections of his wildly successful Selection of Hymns. Rippon's hymnal was popular on both sides of the Atlantic, but was especially influential during the nineteenth-century revival and renewal of English Particular Baptists. This book introduces Steele's hymns in the context of her life and times and of Rippon's hymnal. It illustrates that Steele's approach to hymn-writing is a model of biblical spirituality. Each hymn as printed in Rippon's hymnal, and thus sung by congregations and used as devotional literature, is considered. The sung theology of these congregations is a gift to the church universal and worth rediscovering in the twenty-first century.

Anne Steele (1717-1778) originally wrote her hymns to be sung in the Baptist congregation pastored by her father. The foremost female contemporary of hymn-writing giants Charles Wesley, John Newton, and William Cowper, her hymns are infused with spiritual sensitivity, theological depth, and raw emotion. She eventually published her hymns under the pseudonym, Theodosia, which means ""God's Gift."" She believed God had given her a gift to share. Steele's work was warmly received in her own day. Pastor and publishing pioneer of the modern English hymnal, John Rippon, included more than fifty of her hymns in the various topical sections of his wildly successful Selection of Hymns. Rippon's hymnal was popular on both sides of the Atlantic, but was especially influential during the nineteenth-century revival and renewal of English Particular Baptists. This book introduces Steele's hymns in the context of her life and times and of Rippon's hymnal. It illustrates that Steele's approach to hymn-writing is a model of biblical spirituality. Each hymn as printed in Rippon's hymnal, and thus sung by congregations and used as devotional literature, is considered. The sung theology of these congregations is a gift to the church universal and worth rediscovering in the twenty-first century.

Baptists arrived in what would become Canada in the mid-eighteenth century, and from those early arrivals Baptists from a wide variety of backgrounds planted churches in every region of the vast nation. This book traces that history of Baptists in Canada, and provides historical antecedents and theological rationales for their church polity. Written in a generous spirit, it recognizes what Baptists share with other Christian communities and how they differ among themselves on some matters. It places Baptists in Canada in the larger historical and global context, and concludes with commentary on opportunities and challenges ahead.

Baptists arrived in what would become Canada in the mid-eighteenth century, and from those early arrivals Baptists from a wide variety of backgrounds planted churches in every region of the vast nation. This book traces that history of Baptists in Canada, and provides historical antecedents and theological rationales for their church polity. Written in a generous spirit, it recognizes what Baptists share with other Christian communities and how they differ among themselves on some matters. It places Baptists in Canada in the larger historical and global context, and concludes with commentary on opportunities and challenges ahead.

In an interview that he gave in 2011, historian Mark Noll related how an African scholar had once told him that Western historians needed "to get the Holy Spirit back" into their writing of history. Western historians have been so focused on a multitude of ways of explaining the past-via "political systems, strong personalities, military conflicts, economic forces"-that they have had no space for understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in history. This collection of essays on the person and work of the Holy Spirit seeks to show what a proper pneumatological focus can mean for both historical and theological reflection, and why this observation by this African Christian is so vital for the West in the twenty-first century.

Worship is dialogue. It is more than that, but it is not less than that. The way Baptists have worshiped for three and a half centuries demonstrates this consistently, in spite of their penchant for freedom and autonomy. No one tells Baptists how to order their worship services. They don't have a common liturgy that they must follow, and yet their services look remarkably similar. This is largely due to two controlling factors in their worship: The Bible that they embrace as inspired, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient; and the Christ-revealing gospel that is contained within its pages. When the word of God is followed closely, a shape for worship order begins to emerge. It is the same ""gospel-shape"" that is found throughout the Bible. When the word of God is applied to a worship service in which God and his people are engaged in a worship conversation, a consistent contour of gospel elements and content begins to emerge that reveals the glory of the Christ we gather to worship. He is so glorious that when we behold him, we are transformed into the same image from one degree to another. This is the power of corporate worship (2 Cor 3).

Worship is dialogue. It is more than that, but it is not less than that. The way Baptists have worshiped for three and a half centuries demonstrates this consistently, in spite of their penchant for freedom and autonomy. No one tells Baptists how to order their worship services. They don't have a common liturgy that they must follow, and yet their services look remarkably similar. This is largely due to two controlling factors in their worship: The Bible that they embrace as inspired, inerrant, authoritative, and sufficient; and the Christ-revealing gospel that is contained within its pages. When the word of God is followed closely, a shape for worship order begins to emerge. It is the same ""gospel-shape"" that is found throughout the Bible. When the word of God is applied to a worship service in which God and his people are engaged in a worship conversation, a consistent contour of gospel elements and content begins to emerge that reveals the glory of the Christ we gather to worship. He is so glorious that when we behold him, we are transformed into the same image from one degree to another. This is the power of corporate worship (2 Cor 3).

The truth of Jesus' crucifixion, one of the most verifiable events in history, has been challenged by Muslims since the creation of Islam and the writing of the Qur'an. Muslims believe there was a crucifixion, but the majority deny that it was Jesus who was the one crucified. Two prominent Muslim polemicists, 'Abd al-Jabbār from the tenth century and Muhammad 'Ata ur-Rahim from the twentieth century, have attempted to present a historical interpretation from a.d. 33 to 381 to support their denial of Jesus' death on the cross. Since the death of Jesus on the cross is central-and essential-to the Bible's gospel message, it is appropriate to consider the evidence for the crucifixion and how this erroneous view came to be commonly accepted by Muslims. David Herbert tackles this belief by looking at the historical support for the veracity of the Gospel accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, external documentary and archaeological evidence and plain historical challenge to the views put forward by al-Jabbār, ur-Rahim and others. In the course of the book, Dr. Herbert also debunks the view that the Gospel of Barnabas (frequently used by Muslims to defend their position), was a first-century document. He examines each of three views of what Muslims believe happened to Jesus at the crucifixion and powerfully defends this historical event, central to the Christian faith.

Among the various Baptist groups that emerged from the religious turmoil of seventeenth-century England, the Particular Baptists proved to be the most influential in terms of long-term legacy. There is a sense in which all English-speaking Baptists, whatever their current theological orientation, can ultimately be traced back to this community. And at the heart of this community were three key leaders: William Kiffen, Hanserd Knollys, and Benjamin Keach. This new edition introduces the lives and thought of each of these men along with their times, other Baptist figures with whom they interacted, and two vital confessions that were published respectively in 1644 and 1688.

The Apostolic Fathers Commentary Series aims to complement the study of early Christianity through historical, literary, and theological readings of the Apostolic Fathers. Writers of the AFCS volumes seek to be mindful of critical scholarship while commenting on a final-form text. Shawn J. Wilhite's commentary on the Didache includes a brief introduction to the Didache, the use of Scripture by the Didachist, and the theology of the Didache. The commentary proceeds section by section with a close ear to the text of the Didache, relevant early Christian literature, and current scholarship.

Where are we going as a Canadian people? Given Augustine's dictum that nations are ruled by what they love and desire, what is it that will shape the hearts and minds of Canadians in the days to come? Ever since the 1960s Canadian historians have downplayed the vital role that Christianity played in the lives of many men and women who built this nation before and after Confederation. But, as argued by the five essays in this book--which range over Canadian church history, theology and the Bible--despite the various demographic changes that have taken place in Canada such that Christianity no longer has a privileged hegemony, the Christian Faith still has a key contribution to make in both the public square and private sector of Canadian life. Read and reflect--and pray

The love of God and neighbor is the heart of the Christian faith. Forgotten saint Samuel Pearce teaches us how to live a life faithful to the greatest commandment. Pearce was a Baptist pastor known in eighteenth-century England for his moving preaching and strong, pious character. In his short life, he supported believers in his own parish as well as in the many cities where he preached and helped send missionaries. Yet his personal faith, founded on the "holy love" of God, formed his most compelling witness to the world. By getting to know Pearce's story, readers will learn from his example what it looks like to love God and neighbor - in good times as well as challenging and seemingly mundane ones. The Lived Theology series explores aspects of Christian doctrine through the eyes of the men and women who practiced it. Interweaving the contributions of notable individuals alongside their overshadowed contemporaries, we gain a much deeper understanding and appreciation of their work and the broad tapestry of Christian history. These books illuminate the vital contributions made by these figures throughout the history of the church.

Alongside the fourth and sixteenth centuries, the eighteenth-century is arguably one of the most important eras in Christian history. The great evangelical awakening that began in the 1730s resulted in many thousands of conversions on both sides of the Atlantic and a reviving of the church throughout the English-speaking world. Here, historian Michael Haykin considers key aspects of this revival--the anointed preaching, the new birth and justification, the Lord's Supper, hymnody and spiritual direction--through some of its leading figures--George Whitefield, Charles Wesley, William Williams, William Grimshaw, Anne Dutton and John Newton. He also considers the lives and spirituality of two Dissenters, Andrew Fuller and William Carey. The final chapter deals with the topic of the gifts of the Spirit. In both the lives of these people and the issues they wrestled with, we can learn much about loving, Spirit-filled Christianity for our day.

The puritan movement, its leading figures, and the resulting principles were not only pivotal in Church history, but remain greatly influential today. This work looks at the puritan doctrine of piety. Contributors such as Sinclair Ferguson, Michael Haykin, and Mark Jones explore the theology, history, and application of this doctrine, presenting concise biographies of individual Puritans alongside modern heirs who seek to mimic their example. Puritan Piety is written in honor of Dr. Joel Beeke, inspired by his writings and the passionate piety with which he has strived to live and rightly influence those around him. Contributors include: Michael A. G. Haykin, Paul M. Smalley, Sinclair B. Ferguson, W. Robert Godfrey, Mark Jones, Ryan McGraw, Richard Muller, Robert Oliver, Randall Pederson, Joseph Pipa, Leland Ryken, Chad Van Dixhoorn, Stephen Yuille, and Esther (Beeke) Engelsma.

Baptist leader Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) deals with the issue of backsliding: when genuine Christians lose their passion for Christ and his kingdom. This was not a theoretical issue for Fuller, therefore, and his words, weighty when he first wrote them, are still worthy of being pondered-and acted upon. Included as an appendix is a poetic application of dealing with such a backslidden heart, written by Samuel Pearce (1766-1799) a close friend and co-labourer for Christ with Fuller. This updated edition is co-published by The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The English Baptist Andrew Fuller (1754-1815) is well-known today for his nuanced Evangelical answer to the ""Modern Question"" against hyper-Calvinism, founding and leading the Baptist Missionary Society, and his exemplary pastoral ministry. In his day, however, he was also esteemed as a formidable apologist for Christian orthodoxy, especially in the area of moral reasoning. Following in the footsteps of his theological mentor, Jonathan Edwards, Fuller labored to defend the moral goodness and salutary nature of Christian doctrine against the new moral philosophy of the Enlightenment. As optimism in the moral potential of human nature waxed, reliance on God for truth and virtue waned. Echoing a long tradition of classical theologians, Fuller wished to declare afresh that the love of God, as manifested in the gospel, furnished humankind's only hope for virtue, excellence, and happiness. In this concise study, Hoselton looks to recover the importance of ethical reasoning in Fuller's theology and ministry and reflect on its merit for today. ""This new study of Andrew Fuller's theology of virtue is both a helpful contribution to the field and a needed pastoral reminder. Fuller challenged key heresies of his day by advocating a view of the Christian life that seamlessly wed sound doctrine and Christian virtue. For Fuller, these themes came together in an Edwardsean version of evangelical Calvinism. Evangelicals need more of this sort of pastoral theology today, and Fuller offers a fine role model for how to do it well."" --Nathan A. Finn, Dean, School of Theology and Missions, Union University Ryan P. Hoselton is an instructor and doctoral candidate in church history at Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg in Germany, and a Junior Fellow of The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies.