Baptists: Thorough Reformers

by John Quincy Adams

This work, from the pen of REV. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, is the result of a course of lectures. It is written in a plain, clear, straightforward style, and is an earnest and honest exposition of the great principles of the Baptists.

Genres: Theology, Christian, History

179 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1854

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rev. John Quincy Adams was a Baptist pastor in Caldwell, NJ & Newburgh, NY in the XIX Century.

Reviews

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book worth reading for Baptist Christians in particular, and for those who may be curious about what Baptists believe and why they believe it in contradistinction to other Christians. The contradistinction that's made throughout the book is what Baptists believe, why they believe it, and what they practice in their worship and lives, based on the Bible, with the other camp being the Paedobaptists (i.e., those Christians who baptize infants/children), which comprises multiple Christian denominations. A book well worth your time, indeed.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 2 out of 5]

To begin with, despite the same name, this was not written by the former president of the United States. This was written by a Baptist minister a couple centuries ago. The first section of the book was about what it means to be a reformer, how to reform the church and the world, and what to expect from others who see you as a divider and arrogant, etc. That section was excellent. If it ended there, I would have given this book 5 stars. Unfortunately, it kept going.

Adams is a staunch Baptist, which is fine by me. We all have our convictions and I prefer the men who are consistent with them to the ones who aren't. However, a lot of his staunch beliefs are, quite frankly, completely in error. He describes the paedobaptist theology and practice in a way that no other presbyterian would affirm and no other presbyterian catechism would teach. At one point he argues against paedobaptism by stating that Presbyterians believe that children of unbelieving parents ought to baptize their children (this we deny), that baptism confers salvific grace (this we deny), that presbyterian preachers cannot preach the same messages that the Apostle's preached to the Jews to repent and be baptized (this we deny), that a congregation of believers that have been given mixed modes of baptism by pouring, sprinkling, and immersion prohibits unity (this we deny) and that presbyterians are equal to Roman Catholics for all intents and purposes (this we deny).

Adam's understanding of presbyterian beliefs seems to see no real or true differences between presbyterians and Roman Catholics. He goes on to state that he is a biblicist, denying all value of tradition or Christian history. We do not make this error that Adams did, because we believe in the work and consistency of the Holy Ghost. He does not lead his people into mass confusion. He does not keep truth from his people, only to have it discovered for the first time thousands of years later. The apostle Paul appeals to Christian tradition in Ephesians 2. Jesus does likewise in His Gospel (Ye have heard it said).

In summary, there are better books that work on refuting paedobaptist theology. I obviously don't agree with their conclusions, but they at least have a working understanding of what presbyterians actually believe. This book does not and there were times where I was literally laughing because I thought this man could not have been serious in his remarks and arguments. He was.

[Richard Lawrence]

A passionate baptist manifesto but... I'm not sure what to say of it.

I love and largely agree with the passion but the actual logic behind the arguments here for baptist positions seems a bit lacking.

Side note: For some reason I began reading this thinking it would be a historical sketch of how baptists had brought further reform after the reformation, it is not that at all, it is a sequence of lectures arguing for distinctive points of baptist theology as the thoroughly reformed approach to faith.

[Austin Cox · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the (sadly, many) cringe defenses of Baptist theology

[Grant Fawcett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adam’s addresses a number of apologetics in this collection of lectures. Even today there is a lot of relevance to the arguments made. It is a defence of Baptistic polity and practice and as such the rhetoric can be thick — especially as it relates to pedobaptism. The neocongregationalism that seemed to abandon eldership in Baptist churches in the mid-nineteenth century can be seen as well, conflated with a pseudo-political approach to ecclesiology that seems to be reactionary to Presbyterianism. Overall it is a helpful read, and gives some very good defence of Baptist traditions.

[John-Jennifer Divito · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Quincy Adams may have shared a name with America's sixth president, but this Adams was a nineteenth century Baptist pastor who was asked to deliver a series of messages to a Baptist church in New Jersey. These lectures became so popular that they were turned into a book published in 1876 originally titled Baptists, the Only Thorough Religious Reformers. This work was recently reprinted by Free Grace Press as Baptists: Thorough Reformers. In it, Adams defends Baptists as those who have continued the Protestant reformation to its biblical ends, and he boldly encourages believers to forsake the traditions of men including paedobaptism by completing the reformation in their lives.

After speaking of the need for reform in Scripture and history and what it means to be a reformer, Adams lays out six distinguishing features of the reform in which Baptists are engaged: 1) the exaltation of the Word of God above tradition in all matters of religious duty, 2) the restoration of the spirituality of Christ's kingdom against worldly innovation in the church, 3) the propagation of religious liberty and the rights of conscience which is more than mere religious toleration, 4) the equality of Christ's disciples under the cross rather than upholding temporal and ecclesiastical power among clergy in the church, 5) the establishment of the correct principle of biblical translation rather than accepting English tradition in transferring certain words like baptism, and 6) the restoration of the order of the primitive church to independent Baptist congregationalism with regenerate church membership.

While I have no doubt that Christians holding to infant baptism would critique Adams' characterization of their beliefs, his central concern is true: Baptists are those who consistently and comprehensively seek to carry out religious reformation according to the gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of God's Word. This may be a controversial claim, but it is an essential element of Baptist identity and one that needs to be recovered today.

Among the six distinguishing features of Baptist reform, I found his explanation of both the spirituality of Christ's kingdom and religious liberty as especially relevant in our contemporary cultural moment. These beliefs are rooted in Scripture and have been core convictions of Baptists historically, which is why we must not neglect them or move away from them. It would be wise for us to review these beliefs and renew our appreciation for them. Clarity in these doctrines must replace confusion in our minds so that we can faithfully serve Christ in an increasingly antagonistic world. Adam's insights remain useful after all of these years, and they clarified my own thinking as a Baptist in a number of ways.

At the same time, I hope that this publisher will work to fix a number of typos and errors. I appreciate that they re-typeset this work instead of simply re-publish an older printing, but it seems as if a number of scanning errors were overlooked. Since I am reading their first reprint from 2014, I hope that future reprints will be fixed and corrected so that readers will not be distracted by what they see.

We need to hear from Baptist voices from the past in order to wisely navigate the present. Adams proves to be a helpful guide steering us towards reformation in order to glorify God and proclaim Christ until His return. This book certainly shows ways in which it was a product of its time, yet it remains relevant for followers of Christ and is well worth reading. May many be informed and inspired by its truths!

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

overall sound in argument, but prone to overstatement and lack of nuance.

A torrent of a book. While his arguments and charges lack nuance, he is on the whole correct in what he asserts. Those who practice infant baptism are not sufficiently reformed in regard to the errors of Rome. While many practice infant baptism for different reasons, they must rely on the same arguments for the practice and fall prey to the same arguments from Scripture against the practice.

JQA is more harsh against Paedo-baptists than I am, but his charges against the error of infant baptism is strong, so perhaps I am too soft.

Regarding his lack of nuance, this shows up most clearly in how he speaks of tradition. When he mentions tradition, he falls into the trap of rejecting tradition in its entirety, but no one can honestly do this. Reading the Bible in light of tradition is inevitable, but having tradition act as master over Scripture must be rejected. Rome reads Scripture as mastered by tradition while we should look at tradition as mastered by Scripture. As we read Scripture through the lens of tradition, we are able to correct tradition that is not faithful to Scripture instead of twisting or rejecting Scripture as mastered by tradition.

There are several misspellings in the kindle edition I read, but you can still read the book and get the sense.

[Jerry Owens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a Kindle version of the book. There were many scanning errors that were not corrected but the book was readable.

This was an interesting book. It was written in the1800’s. The preface has 1876. The author is John Quincy Adams, but not the one who was President and apparently not any kin to him.

Although I am Baptist also and would agree doctrinally with the author, I found some of his arguments to be weak and knit picky at some points. He is very judgmental towards paedobaptists and seems to blame everything else he disagrees with on there believe of infant baptism. I found it ironic at one point that he makes a big issue of Bible translations transliterating (he uses the term transfer) the Greek word baptizo instead of translating it as immersion, yet his own Church uses the transliterated form in their name, Baptist.

I do not think this book is a total waste of time because he does bring out a few good arguments for Baptist beliefs, but if he had used a less judgmental tone then it would have been better. (Several other reviews point out that his tone was normal for that day, which is probably correct.) I would say there are much better books out there that articulate Baptists views on baptism and some other doctrines.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, this is NOT written by the sixth president of the United States. This was written by a Baptist pastor a couple of generations later.

Let me also warn the reader, this book was written at a time when political correctness had not yet reared its head. So, this book is direct. I seriously doubt the tone was offensive to those opposed at the time. The doctrine probably was. But not the tone. This is the way theologians wrote in that day.

This book is about God's instrumental use of the Baptists during the time of the Reformation to preserve Biblical baptism (immersion). The author touches on a number of other issues as well - religious liberty, congregationalism - even how to properly translate.

I could have done without the chapter on the spiritual kingdom. He made far too many assumptions and didn't make a case for it. Good points, yes. A case for a spiritual (and not actual) kingdom, no.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book. I had some interesting history and addressed some problems that Baptists today need to correct. Not a thorough treatment of baptism, but a worthy read.

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Semper Reformanda!

First of all I find it amazing that a former President of the United States had the theological grounding to tackle such a subject. I cannot begin to explain how encouraging this book is. Adam’s in a series of lectures explains how Baptist have continued to carry the torch of reform long after it had faded in many denominations. The reader will know without a doubt what the Baptist faith and message consists of and will be clearly shown how others have fallen short of allowing Scripture alone to be their guide. I purchased this reprint for less than five dollars and a Kindle version can be had for 99 cents. This is a steal at that price and a treasure for any Baptist believers library. Our paedo Baptist counterparts will find Adam’s exegesis and exposition challenging and sound. Don’t miss out on this gem!

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant book. He attempts to argue that you cannot consistently hold to infant baptism consistently without swallowing the whole of Catholic false doctrine. His argument is brilliant. He uses numerous quotes, and demonstrates that even the Catholics believe that there is no middle ground between Baptists and Catholics, where one can be a consistent Reformed Paedo Baptist.

He argues, for instance, that a consistent Paedo baptist must ultimately rebut freedom of religion, which the Catholics do. He is clearly well-read, and lays his thesis out perfectly. The first couple chapters are not very interesting, but as it goes on one is captured up with the book.

[Pat Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe the doctrine of believers baptism is correct; however, the argument in this book is weak, unconvincing, and repetitive. I would not recommend the book as a good apologetic for believers baptism (immersion) only. Certainly, the author makes those claims, but I thought they were not strong arguments. Some scripture was provided, but not enough to persuade or convince a Paedobatistic adherent.

[Hannah Belyea · Rating 3 out of 5]

To elucidate the core ideologies that differentiate Baptists from other Christian denominations, John Quincy Adams examines contrasting principles across these ten lectures, exploring the role of Baptists in the reformation of Christianity while defying reliance on human tradition over the Word. Adams is concise and firm on his rhetoric across these fairly approachable discourses, though lacks refinement and maneuverability in his argumentative structure.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not a comprehensive defense of credobaptistism, the book highlights quite effectively why Baptist distinctives are important and necessary. Baptists aim for "pure Bible truth, unmixed with human inventions and the traditions of men" - an argument articulated and realized well throughout this book. Highly recommended.

[Leandro Dutra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite dated, as several aßertions are not proved, even if ðey are in toto quite probable. But worþwhile by ðe import of the þeme, by ðe paßionate defence of a noble position, & for ðe distinction of haviŋ been used by Spurgeon in ðe trainiŋ of preachers.

[Chris samuell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad no one proof read this.

I really like the content , it makes the distinction between the Baptists that baptize babies and believers. I wish someone would have read it to see how many spelling errors were in it.

[Philip Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little over the top in places, but had some good things to say. Definitely not the go to if you're wanting a thorough articulation of credobaptism.

[Pastor Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read this American treasure. All Americans should. All Christians ought to.

[Levi Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short enjoyable read regarding Baptist distinctives as America was evolving. What interested me the most was his arguments around local church autonomy and the need for modern Bible translations. I give it a 3 because the argumentation some of the time was presumptive, often avoiding several arguments that are known to have been made by opposing positions at the time.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

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