A Catholic Reformed Theologian: Federalism and Baptism in the Thought of Benjamin Keach, 1640 - 1704

by D.B. Riker

This study demonstrates that Benjamin Keach, the most important Baptist figure of the seventeenth century, was a catholic Reformed theologian. This is done by investigating his relationship with the tradition of the church, his interaction with federalism, and his concept of baptism. Dr. Riker presents Keach, and thus the Baptist tradition, in a new not as a "Calvinist" but as part of the broad Reformed family. Secondly, believer's baptism, the rite from which the Baptists derive their name, is systematically scrutinized over against pedobaptism. In so doing, Riker presents every argument, strong or weak, that was used in the sixteenth--and seventeenth--century debates, and their respective refutation by a Baptist.

278 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jordan Coy · Rating 4 out of 5]

D B Riker has written a study of the Baptist Benjamin Keach arguing that Keach is a "catholic reformed" theologian and not a sectarian thinker. This study mainly covers two areas of Keach's thought, covenant and baptism (page 2). Far from being a caricature of a sectarian Baptist, Keach sees himself as a participant in and contributor to the reformation and renewal of the church.

Reformed Catholic method
Riker illustrates Keach's resourcement and continuity with the larger Reformed Orthodox/Scholastic tradition in the 17th century. Specifically, he points out Keach utilizes standard scholastic categories in his writing with the use of syllogistic logic, questio (question & answer) writing format, and metaphysical speculation (concerning the attributes of God) (60-61).
Surprisingly, Keach will draw from the medieval scholastics, positively citing Anselm, Aquinas, and Bernard (58)

Federalism
In regard to covenant, Keach wrote polemical tracts against the two extremes in England during his day, Antinomianism and Baxterianism. Keach (along with John Owen) will argue against the rejection of the moral law by Tobias Crisp and the incorporation of the law into the gospel by Richard Baxter. Within these controversies, Keach is working within a "catholic Reformed" continuity with regard to the subjects of the law, gospel, covenant, and justification.

Baptism
With regard to baptism, Keach wrote extensively in his defense of credobaptism, against the practice of infant baptism, and a defense of the mode of immersion baptism. Keach attempts to show that credobaptism is in continuity with the early church (prior to the introduction of infant baptism) as it was developed in the post-apostolic era. Riker attempts to show this "catholic reformed" approach with mixed results. Keach wants to maintain unity with the Christians of the past while arguing their baptismal practices are in error (and invalid).

Conclusion
This was a good book introducing the reader to the life and thought of Benjamin Keach. The main thesis of Keach being a catholic reformed theologian, however, is a mixed result. Keach is in continuity with the reformed orthodox in regard to his methodology and federal covenant theology. His views on baptism are in spirit meant to be unifying and catholic but in practice does create discontinuity (despite his best efforts). Keach, however, can be seen as a model for ecumenical resourcement for Baptists drawing from the catholic Christian tradition.

4/5 Good book on the life and thought of Benjamin Keach

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-argued book. Situates Keach's theology and sensibilities square within Reformed Orthodoxy. A tragic number of typos and incorrectly cited Scripture passages.

[Dalton Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid introduction to a few seventeenth-century debates and how Baptists fit within them.