|
This section is focused on
Baptist Traditions and Beliefs. As these subjects are
represented by a vast array of scholarship and wealth of information,
this site is intended to merely serve as an introduction to the people
called Baptists. Baptist
beliefs, it must be noted, are diverse, although a core set of beliefs
(including full religious liberty and complete separation of church
and state; the priesthood of all believers; believer's baptism by
immersion; authority of the Bible rather than creeds; and local church
autonomy) traditionally defines Baptists. Represented by over 200
distinct groupings worldwide, Baptists are not easily pigeon-holed.
The information herein seeks to be both representative and celebrative
of the diversity of Baptists. The Baptist family in America of
the 20th and 21st century includes such notables as Jimmy Carter,
Jerry Falwell, Bill Clinton, Fred Phelps, Martin Luther King, Jr., Al
Gore, Paige Patterson, Adrian Rogers, Tony Campolo, and Newt Gringrich.
Although
Southern Baptists (SBC) are the most prominent Baptists in
America, they represent a minority of Baptists in the nation. In
addition, the majority of Baptists in the world are now located in the
southern hemisphere. Worldwide, the
Baptist World Alliance is the single largest Baptist organization,
representing a significant majority of Baptists in the world.
Most of the following resources pertain to
Baptists in America. More sources representing the larger
Baptist family will be added shortly.
Baptist Groups Worldwide
The
BaptistLife.Com website maintains links to Baptist groups
worldwide which currently have websites.
Baptist Theology in the 21st Century
Lectures by Fisher Humphreys, Professor
of Theology, Beeson Divinity School
Calvinism and Traditional Baptist Theology
Calvinism and Theology Today
Open Theism and Theology Today
Fundamentalism and Theology Today
Forgiveness and Theology Today
Baptists and Religious Liberty
The single most important contribution
Baptists have made to America and the world is Religious Liberty and
separation of church and state. Unfortunately, many modern
Baptists (now in seats of power) have forsaken their most basic
Baptist roots.
An Excellent, Extensive Collection of Church/State Primary Documents
Baptists on Religious Liberty and the Separation of Church and State
by Walter B.
Shurden, Executive
Director, The Center for Baptist Studies
The Christian American Citizen by Brent Walker, Baptist Joint
Committee
The Dying Fire: A Premise and A Promise by Gary Burton
Baptists and Religious Liberty by George W. Truett
Baptists and Religious Liberty in Early Connecticut by
George W. Grisevich
Baptists, Don't Sell Your Birthright by Paul Harral
Historical Baptist Quotes on Separation of Church and State
Outline of Baptist Persecution in Colonial America by Bruce
Gourley Select
Primary Sources
The Baptist Catechism, Charleston Association (1813)
Baptist Faith and Message
(1963 and 2000)
The Baptist Mission in India by William Staughton (1811)
"Exposition of the Views of Baptists, Relative to the Coloured
Population in the United
States"
by Richard Furman (1823, 1838)
Fifty Years Among the Baptists by David Benedict (1860)
A History of the Baptists, Volume 2 by John T. Christian
"A History of Clear Creek Church, and Campbellism Exposed" by John
Taylor (1830)
The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptance by Andrew Fuller (1781,
partial)
London Confessions of Faith (1644, 1646, 1651, 1652)
The Millennial Harbinger, Volume 1 by Alexander Campbell
(1830)
New Hampshire Confession of Faith (1833)
Notes on the Principles and Practices of Baptist Churches by
Francis Wayland (1857)
Philadelphia Confession (1742)
"Remarks on Church Discipline" by Daniel Parker (1824)
A Short History of the Baptists by H. C. Vedder
The Trail of Blood by J. M.
Carroll
William Carey's Works
Baptist History Websites
American Baptist Historical Society -- the official website
BaptistHeritage.Com -- from the Baylor University Baptist Studies
Department
Baptist Historical Society (UK) -- the official website
Baptist History and Heritage Society -- pamphlets, books and more
BWA Heritage and Identity Commission -- from the Baptist World
Alliance
A Brief History of Baptists -- short summary of Landmarkist
history beliefs
Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies -- by the Baptist General
Convention of VA
Center for Baptist Studies at Mercer -- publications, resources,
conferences and more
Documenting the American South -- primary documents (search for
"Baptist")
First London Confessions of Faith -- text of early Baptist
confessions with annotations
Founder's Journal -- devoted to the Calvinistic dimension of
Baptist history
General Baptist Net -- a great collection of primary Baptist
materials
Independent, Fundamentalist Baptist History -- a brief survey
A Primer on Baptist History -- generally a good early history
summary; Reformed
Primitive Baptist Web Station -- contains text of doctrinal
abstracts and creeds of faith
Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives -- an official
SBC site
Strict Baptist Historical Society -- British Baptist resources
Texas Baptist Historical Collection -- important Baptist resources
from Texas
The Triumph of the Southern Baptists -- a brief history of
Southern Baptists
Three Witnesses for the Baptists -- summary of Landmarkist views
of Baptist history
Baptist Humor
A
Light-Hearted Tribute to Adrian Rogers -- Adrian at the Pearly
Gates |