The Free Will Baptists: A New History

by J. Matthew Pinson

This book represents the first scholarly treatment of the Free Will Baptists, a small but important denomination. J. Matthew Pinson places the Free Will Baptists into proper contexts, both here in America and in Europe, as well as engages with primary sources that have not been extensively used before. While there has been some historical writing on Free Will Baptists, most of the work that has appeared has been written by institutional insiders and is of little interest outside the denomination. Pinson’s new book offers a true synthesis that will enable scholars of religion to gain insight into this not-widely known group.

514 pages, Hardcover

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

J. Matthew Pinson is president of Welch College in Nashville, Tennessee. He holds a master's degree from Yale and a doctorate from Vanderbilt and has authored or edited several books, including Four Views on Eternal Security and A Free Will Baptist Handbook. He lives in the Nashville area with his wife, Melinda, and their children, Anna and Matthew.