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Edificación y Belleza: La Eclesiología Práctica de los Bautistas Particulares Ingleses (1675-1705) (Rescatando Nuestra Herencia Confesional)
La Eclesiología siempre será una doctrina apasionante debido a su practicidad y aplicación. Es la “cereza sobre el pastel” de toda la teología de una iglesia. El entendimiento de doctrinas como el Evangelio y la autoridad de las Escrituras se manifiestan en cada una de las acciones prácticas de una iglesia. Creo que con mucha razón se ha “Si quieres saber cómo es la doctrina de una iglesia, mira su eclesiología”. Por ejemplo, la forma en la que una iglesia entiende el Evangelio es claramente manifestada en las aplicaciones prácticas de su vida como iglesia al momento de considerar a alguien para el bautismo y la membresía, o al ejercer la disciplina eclesiástica. Todo lo que hacemos descansa sobre lo que creemos. Sin embargo, detrás de cada aplicación práctica de una iglesia no solo hay conceptos teológicos muy importantes relacionados con la salvación o la doctrina de Dios, sino también con la identidad de la iglesia y su propósito. Lamentablemente, esta perla preciosa ha perdido su brillo ante los ojos de muchos en nuestros días. Son diversos los factores que han llevado a que la iglesia sea desplazada de su centralidad en el plan de Dios y la salvación de los pecadores. Por este motivo, es un privilegio presentar ante usted esta obra del Dr. James Renihan, la cual no es simplemente un recuento histórico de lo que los bautistas particulares hicieron de manera práctica en sus iglesias en el siglo XVII, sino un reflejo de lo que creemos es una aplicación consistente de la verdad de Dios en la forma más práctica y cotidiana de la vida de una iglesia. Este libro es una joya de gran valor porque mantiene un dulce equilibrio entre lo académico y lo pastoral. Su invalorable contenido histórico tomado de fuentes primarias en bibliotecas y otros lugares de Inglaterra está acompañado del agradable aroma que emana de las reflexiones prácticas de un pastor. - Del Prefacio al Lector Juicioso e Imparcial Sobre el James M. Renihan ha servido como rector del Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies (IRBS) desde 1998, y recientemente fue elegido como presidente del Seminario Teológico de IRBS. Ha sido pastor en iglesias en Massachusetts, Nueva York y California (EE. UU.). Se graduó de la Trinity Ministerial Academy y obtuvo una Licenciatura en el Liberty Baptist College. Recibió una Maestría en Divinidades en el Seminary of East y un Doctorado en la Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Su trabajo académico se centra en la Confesión Bautista de Fe de 1689 y en el amplio contexto teológico puritano de donde esta procede. Sus obras han sido publicadas en muchas revistas teológicas y es autor de libros importantes como Herramientas para Confesiones de Fe, La Fe y la Vida para los Bautistas, entre otros. Junto con su esposa Lynne, tiene cinco hijos adultos y nueve nietos. Dos de sus hijos son pastores de iglesias bautistas reformadas. Sobre la Legado Bautista Confesional es una Editorial que existe para darle la gloria a Dios al poner al alcance de la iglesia de habla hispana escritos teológicos e históricos que proclaman la verdad de la Palabra de Dios desde la perspectiva bautista, la cual ha sido manifestada en sus confesiones de fe históricas. Existe con el propósito de contribuir al currículum de libros y lecturas requeridas para la preparación de pastores bautistas reformados de habla hispana, así como a la edificación y estudios de los miembros de sus iglesias.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 31, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 2, 2021
As a Baptist minister without first-hand experience in a confessional church, I cherished the many insights this book provided into the practical ecclesiology of the earliest confessional Baptists. A particularly valuable work for those, like myself, who are seeking to recover this tradition in a context in which it has been lost.
December 21, 2024
Highly fascinating and illuminating study of early Particular Baptist ecclesiology and interdependent communion. A must read for understanding the church government of Reformed, credobaptist congregationalism.
June 28, 2020
This a great book that will bring a clearer view into the window of 17th century Baptist life and worship. I ONLY gave this book 4 stars because I found it a bit dry and hard to work through at times.
May 31, 2025
This is the most fascinating book I've read this year!
James Renihan gives us a well-researched and well-organized peek into how early "Particular Baptists" practiced their faith. My main takeaway is this. Early Particular Baptists were united by one, singular statement of faith, but their practice of that faith varied—sometimes widely! May we have similar unity and charity today.
James Renihan gives us a well-researched and well-organized peek into how early "Particular Baptists" practiced their faith. My main takeaway is this. Early Particular Baptists were united by one, singular statement of faith, but their practice of that faith varied—sometimes widely! May we have similar unity and charity today.
May 26, 2018
This book discusses the context and theology of the English Particular Baptists within the milieu of Reformed groups in England during this time. Helps us to see that the English Particular Baptists rose out of reformed theology and saw themselves as squarely standing within the tradition and applying its principles in fuller ways than the paedobaptists.
February 4, 2021
Un estudio exhaustivo de la práctica eclesiástica existente entre los Bautistas particulares ingleses originales. Útil para tener un criterio basado en fuentes primarias y poder hacer un juicio justo, ya sea en aprobación o desaprobación de la eclesiología bautista particular.
August 19, 2022
Útil para entender el gobierno de las iglesias bautistas particulares, en sus orígenes.
November 28, 2017
This work of historical inquiry explains the origins and distinctives of English Particular Baptists. English Particular Baptists emerge in 1640, and by 1644 the first London Baptist Confession is adopted, the one disavowing Anabaptism. It was a surprise to me to learn that my buddy Praisegod Barebones, of whom I’d seen mention while investigating John Owen, was one of the figures running around London being an early Particular Baptist. Praise God! William Kiffin is explained, as well, eventually, as is the position and significance of men such as Hanserd Knollys, Nehemiah Coxe and Benjamin Keach, Particular Baptists all. This book also touches on a few of the controversies, distinctives, and various options, thus enlarging one’s understanding of the situation. My understanding is meager, so I am grateful for any amplification.
What is most interesting is the ecclesiology which drove these men, and about which they had very clear ideas. I learn in this volume that the kind of congregationalism I’m used to (elder led) was not what the prevailed. It is Renihan’s argument that the language of the Second London Baptist Confession reflects the elder rule approach to church government. I picked up the book looking for this in particular; it was entirely new to me. I also find that Renihan’s historiography seems to me altogether sound. Had I known that this was not only a historical option, but the historical option (though not necessarily what I believe Scripture teaches) my life would perhaps have been much different.
“The question at hand is this: Where is the seat of authority for the government of the church? Is it in the church as a gathered body, and thus delegated to the elders as their representatives, or is it in the elders as a ruling body, delegated directly from Christ? The answer to these questions makes all the difference in understanding the church government of the seventeenth-century Particular Baptists.”
That is a clear way of framing the issue. Renihan always succeeds at least as framing the issue clearly, it seems to me. In that is one of the great things about the book. The other is in his careful use of primary sources.
Another of the arguments Renihan wants to make is that the Second Confession requires that independent Baptist churches form associations to help each other. I am all for associations. I am not sure his argument, that the word “communion” at that point means “formal association” is altogether correct, but it is valiantly made. I do not need to be persuaded of the advantages of formal associations, though there are apparently many Reformed Baptists who are against. But Renihan’s assumption behind the argument is an important one: the Confession means something, and you have to subscribe according to what it means. If his argument holds, then that is what the confession teaches.
What is most interesting is the ecclesiology which drove these men, and about which they had very clear ideas. I learn in this volume that the kind of congregationalism I’m used to (elder led) was not what the prevailed. It is Renihan’s argument that the language of the Second London Baptist Confession reflects the elder rule approach to church government. I picked up the book looking for this in particular; it was entirely new to me. I also find that Renihan’s historiography seems to me altogether sound. Had I known that this was not only a historical option, but the historical option (though not necessarily what I believe Scripture teaches) my life would perhaps have been much different.
“The question at hand is this: Where is the seat of authority for the government of the church? Is it in the church as a gathered body, and thus delegated to the elders as their representatives, or is it in the elders as a ruling body, delegated directly from Christ? The answer to these questions makes all the difference in understanding the church government of the seventeenth-century Particular Baptists.”
That is a clear way of framing the issue. Renihan always succeeds at least as framing the issue clearly, it seems to me. In that is one of the great things about the book. The other is in his careful use of primary sources.
Another of the arguments Renihan wants to make is that the Second Confession requires that independent Baptist churches form associations to help each other. I am all for associations. I am not sure his argument, that the word “communion” at that point means “formal association” is altogether correct, but it is valiantly made. I do not need to be persuaded of the advantages of formal associations, though there are apparently many Reformed Baptists who are against. But Renihan’s assumption behind the argument is an important one: the Confession means something, and you have to subscribe according to what it means. If his argument holds, then that is what the confession teaches.
February 8, 2022
In essence, this book is an assessment of chapter 26 of the Second London Confession of Faith in light of its seventeenth century context. The assessment represents a very thorough introduction, but as Renihan's copious notes indicate, it merely scratches the surface of seventeenth century Baptist life. I would recommend this volume to be in every Baptist pastor's study.
The work is well-executed in several key aspects. First, it draws from a variety of contemporary sources to understand the intent and language of the 1689 Confession. Second, it is illustrated with specific examples from both the didactic writings of the time and actual incidents in the lives. Third, Renihan engages carefully and respectfully with positions contrary to his own and argues them in a logical and academic manner.
With these high qualities, there is relatively little to critique. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. The book would benefit from some editing. The individual chapters do not have much connection between them. This lack of editing is admitted by the author in the introduction. The second aspect is that it may not be very accessible to those who are unfamiliar with seventeenth century Baptist history. Tom Nettle's work on this serves as an excellent introduction, but without preliminary study, I would not have known many of the relevant parties. There is a wonderful opportunity for a brief introduction on that topic to appended to this work.
The work is well-executed in several key aspects. First, it draws from a variety of contemporary sources to understand the intent and language of the 1689 Confession. Second, it is illustrated with specific examples from both the didactic writings of the time and actual incidents in the lives. Third, Renihan engages carefully and respectfully with positions contrary to his own and argues them in a logical and academic manner.
With these high qualities, there is relatively little to critique. However, there are a few areas that could be improved. The book would benefit from some editing. The individual chapters do not have much connection between them. This lack of editing is admitted by the author in the introduction. The second aspect is that it may not be very accessible to those who are unfamiliar with seventeenth century Baptist history. Tom Nettle's work on this serves as an excellent introduction, but without preliminary study, I would not have known many of the relevant parties. There is a wonderful opportunity for a brief introduction on that topic to appended to this work.
August 12, 2022
Very interesting exploration of early Baptist ecclesiology. By no means an easy read, the reading can be a bit tedious at times due to the large number of quotations that are incorporated. But the information given is invaluable and well worth the occasional slog to get through. The information found in the footnotes is equally intriguing and the constant desire to break away from the main text to the footnotes doesn't help the readability of the book. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to dig into Baptist history.
May 3, 2025
A fascinating dive into the practicalities of 17th century baptist church life and particularly their methods of church governance.
Probably not the intended purpose of the book but one thing that really stood out to me is that these churches were not perfect; and whilst it is good to learn from them some of their practises would be best left behind.
Probably not the intended purpose of the book but one thing that really stood out to me is that these churches were not perfect; and whilst it is good to learn from them some of their practises would be best left behind.
July 20, 2020
Wonderfully told and thoroughly researched account of the history and theology, leading to the ecclesiology, of the Particular Baptists of the 17th century.
July 31, 2021
Essential reading for every Reformed Baptist.
January 1, 2022
A great look at the 17th century Baptist issues of the church.
July 16, 2024
Phenomenal resource for any Reformed Baptist. Renihan's meticulous historical analysis helps shed light on how these churches ecclesiology functioned.
November 9, 2022
De una Iglesia separatista de Londres surgieron los Bautistas Particulares que se distinguieron por su adhesión al calvinismo. Estos, se sustenta en el libro, tienen que ser considerados como un movimiento que provienen sin ningún vínculo orgánico ni con los anabaptistas continentales ni con los bautistas generales. Esta es una obra interesante para todo lector interesado en la historia de los bautistas particulares.
August 15, 2013
This is a thorough and very carefully researched work on the London Particular Baptists of the late 17th century. Only slightly touching on their theology, this is more of a historical work on their practical ecclesiology. An important read to properly understanding the 1689 London Baptist Confession.
September 2, 2020
Puro y práctico
Es un excelente libro sobre la eclesiologia práctica en español.
La historia para la eclesiologia es tan urgente y necesaria para nuestra herencia Bautista Particular
Es un excelente libro sobre la eclesiologia práctica en español.
La historia para la eclesiologia es tan urgente y necesaria para nuestra herencia Bautista Particular
August 22, 2022
very insightful pertaining to 17th century particular baptist ecclesiology and the background that influenced much of the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Renihan also addresses many of the controversies in the time, such as singing in corporate worship, open and closed communion, ext.
July 22, 2015
Excellent book!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews