From Shadow to Substance: The Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists (1642-1704)

by Samuel D. Renihan

Baptist history and theology is undergoing a modern recovery and rediscovery. Such a renaissance is incomplete without an examination of the covenant theology that played such a prominent role in Particular Baptist identity, thought, and literature. This work describes the covenant theology of the Particular Baptists associated with the 1644 and 1677 Confessions of Faith through analyses of their own writings and in comparison to the Reformed theology of their day. The study offers groundbreaking, fresh insights into the interactions between Particular Baptist churches during the second half of the seventeenth century as well as providing new details of some of their most important leaders, including Nehemiah Coxe and Benjamin Keach.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Church History

405 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2018

Reviews

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. Highly recommend.

[Brandon Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

[Austin Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good overview of the rise of Reformed Baptist covenant theology. Renihan showed that it emerged out of the Reformed tradition’s strong law/gospel contrast while uniquely identifying the Abrahamic covenant as a historical covenant of works. While this identification was unique to the Reformed Baptists, Renihan argues that it was a consistent application of the principles behind John Cameron’s typology and John Owen’s subservient covenant theology.

I think the 1689 Federalist view of the covenant of circumcision is an unavoidable conclusion when one takes into account the literal, historical, and conditional nature of God’s promises to Abraham’s physical seed as seen in Genesis 15-22. While Dispensationalism seems to ignore the historical fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, Westminsterian Federalism seems to ignore the primarily earthly nature of the promises. The Reformed Baptist camp can take the strengths of both sides and still make sense of Paul’s commentary on the covenant in the New Testament.

The more I study the covenants, the more I am convinced that Abraham’s dual-seed is the key to understanding how all the pieces fit together.

[Vincent Lemieux · Rating 4 out of 5]

A substantial and much needed contribution from Dr. Samuel Renihan. Not the most pleasant to read due to the nature of the book, but you must not hesitate to pick it up in your studies on covenant theology.

[Mike Fendrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Baptist covenant theology is clearly within the bounds of Reformed Covenant Theology and clearly makes the distinction of the two seeds of Abraham. The Covenant of Grace is applied to the elect through the merits of its mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. The New Covenant is the Covenant of Grace.

Thanks to Dr. Sam Renihan for the massive work it took to bring all this together so confessional Baptists may better understand their roots and know we are not alienated from the Reformed community. Thank the Lord.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renihan does a superb job developing the answer to this overarching question: “what was the federal theology of the Particular Baptists, and how did it compare to and contrast with the prevailing views of paedobaptist writers in the Reformed tradition?”

It’s a beautiful blend of Reformed Baptist history and theological development of covenant theology in particular.

Baptist Lives Matter

[Xley Miguel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so appreciate the mature research done by Samuel Renihan. This book is a must-have for covenant theology students who would like a thorough investigation of the covenants' progression and diversity from the covenantal thought of our English Particular Baptist heroes. This book would strengthen one's view on 1689 Federalism as it polemically refutes other Reformed covenant theology views by intensively explaining God's covenantal relationship with man from beginning to now; from old to new; from shadow to Substance.

[Renan Abreu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to give it a thousand stars !

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book perfectly accomplishes what it set out to do: fill the gap in describing the historical development of Particular Baptist theology. The author stays in this mode of providing historical narration, more specifically reporting what early Particular Baptists believed, rather than a polemic defending them, but you can feel his enthusiasm for the Particular Baptist beliefs throughout.

However, if you’re new to the Covenant Theology world as I am, this book is tough to get through. Renihan assumes you already know all about the arguments between Presbyterians & Particular Baptists regarding covenant theology & infant baptism. A few pages in I realized I was going to be lost, so I had to pause & read 2 other books on covenant theology just so I could resume this book. (The two I read were AW Pink’s Divine Covenants & Van Dorn’s Covenant Theology: A Reformed Baptist Primer.) Even after reading these, I feel like I’m listening in on a conversation with people who are totally in the know & I’m barely able to keep up. Here is a direct quote regarding John Owen’s views on covenant theology from page 206: “Though both covenants were founded on promises, the promises of the covenant of grace were ‘efficaciously assumptive,’ but not ‘remunerative. The promises of the covenant of works were remunerative, ‘respecting an antecedent obedience in us.’”

It’s an excellent book, I just felt it was a little overwhelming when you’re new to the Covenant Theology discussion. I think the more I learn about the topic, the more I will be able to come back later & enjoy this book in an even greater measure.

[Michaël St-Amour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un incontournable.
Un livre absolument fantastique sur l'évolution de la théologie des alliances des réformateurs jusqu'à seconde confession Baptiste de Londres de 1689.
Renihan note les subtilités et les différences entre plusieurs théologiens renommés qui ont contribué à la progression de la doctrine jusqu'à son apogée chez notamment Nehemiah Coxe.
Ce livre défend à la fois la théologie des alliances baptistes fédéralistes et l'origine réformés des baptistes particuliers.

A no-brainer.
An absolutely fantastic book on the evolution of the covenant theology from the reformers to the 1689 Second London baptist confession of faith.
Renihan notes the subtilities and the differences that have contribues in the progression of the doctrine toward his apogee in Nehemiah Coxe.
This book defends both the Federalist Baptist covenant theology and the reformed origin of the particular baptist.

[Richard Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative account of the development of particular (calvinistic) baptist covenant theology in the early days of the English Baptist movement.

This is not an accessible or easy read, (it's a doctoral dissertation), and I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for the topic BUT if you want to understand how the baptist movement grew out of the puritans and how their theology developed it's a good one to include on the list.

One of Renihan's other books "The Mystery of Christ his Covenant and his Kingdom" is a summary and presentation of the mature form of the theology who's development is described in this book.

[Justin Dillehay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty sure this was Renihan's doctoral thesis. In any case, a very thorough and helpful survey of Particular Baptist covenant theology during the era of the Second London Confession. One gets a sense for where there was consensus and where there was diversity. If you want a more straightforward biblical covenant theology informed by all this research, read Renihan's "The Mystery of Christ: His Covenant and His Kingdom."

[Timothy Decker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sound methodology, great theological insights, and very informative. Every RB needs to read this to gain a better understanding of their rich covenantal history.

[Brandon Varnado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work! It highlights not only the history of Particular Baptist Covenant Theology, but it also demonstrates the theological differences of the Particular Baptist and Paedobaptists.