Your Baptist Heritage: 1620-1804

by Isaac Backus

Your Baptist Heritage, 1620 - 1804, originally published in 1844 under the title Church History of New England from 1620-1804, is a book that Baptists will treasure as a vital part of their history. This period of Baptist history, as in nearly all of their history, reflects the continuing persecution they have had to endure because of their strict adherence to the doctrines of the Word of God, particularly, the doctrines concerning the church and the ordinances. Though never persecuting others, they themselves have been the object of persecution since their first church was started by the Lord Himself in Jerusalem during the first century, and one cannot write of the history of Baptists without mentioning the many cruelties they have had to endure.The same persecutions which they suffered for centuries in Europe followed them to America, and it was only through the efforts of men like Isaac Backus that all men today in the United States are free to worship God according to the dictates of their conscience, whether they be Baptists, Catholics, Jews or none at all.This book describes these early eff orts and the success of Baptists in securing this religious freedom and making it a part of the United States Constitution. Though other denominations may not be aware of this fact, they owe a debt of gratitude to the Baptists, for Baptists, practically alone, fought for and secured this freedom for all.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 2, 2015

Reviews

[Karie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to write some notes after my half-way point in this book. It's a "dry" read at times because of the Old English sentence style and repetitiveness (difficult punctuation and sometimes incomplete phrases), but there are indeed some good nuggets; and, after learning about Isaac Backus in Bible college and then going to his grave while on deputation, I like reading about the man and his spiritual journey. He did a lot to fight against evil. But alas, in this book there is much mention of "Baptists" who were NOT Baptists. They were unbiblical Calvinists, and there is a huge difference. I do, however, give some grace toward early believers, for I bear in mind that wrong doctrine was being sorted-out by many, plus, not everyone had a Bible. All of the studies I've done on the horrible doctrines of Calvinism plus enough personal experience in France, I do have solid reason to say that Calvinism was a growing canker even before the English stepped on the now American soil. It's a pity. It's always bothered me, for I find some of their core doctrines a "smack in the face to Jesus Christ". But....... in early New England there were other false groups as well. But back to Backus..... I read a little bit online about him to refresh my memory, and I had forgotten that he played a part in the founding of Brown University. Didn't take long for ol' Horace Mann to bring ungodly influence along. Our true Baptist predecessors had A LOT of struggles and work to do against wickedness, and some had some "smaller" (if I may) biblical errors, but God helped the truth to come out and they grew; however, Satan ALWAYS hates good and therefore, he was always whispering in peoples' ears. I will continue through this book.

There's another thing I'd like to share. I give glory to God for allowing me to go to a good, solid distinctive Baptist Bible college (I speak according to knowledge thru the year 2008) where I learned about and read books on Baptist history. I had never learned before. I gives thanks and glory to God because I am a part of the denomination that truly follows the Word (there are a few "Independent Baptist" churches out there that need to change their name, though, for I am not for them). God allowed me to hear the truth. Do I deserve such a blessing? In my heritage there are many people to suffered greatly. Thanks be to God that I heard the truth.

*Finally got through the book. Hard to find "quite time" to read; also, some "dry" spots just make it harder. Our early Fathers paved the way for religious freedom, and we should be grateful.