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Baptist Symbolics #1
For the Vindication of the Truth: Baptist Symbolics Volume 1
In this scrupulously researched and carefully argued book, Professor Renihan uncovers the faith that lies behind the most famous of the Particular Baptist confessions and shows why it matters today. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the roots of the Particular Baptist movement and the contribution it has made to the formation of Reformed theology.
- GenresTheologyChristianity
335 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 30, 2022
This resource by Dr. James Renihan helpfully lays out the theological and historical context of the first generation of Particular Baptists. By examining the 1LBCF, Renihan provides the reader with meaning of the confession by showing the documents, sources, and contemporary writings surrounding the 1LBCF. The richness of the confession abounds.
My main critique involves his chapter on the magistrate. He cites a work of Christopher Blackwood’s showing a view of limited toleration. Blackwood penned a work two years later arguing for full toleration.
Despite this minor disagreement, I cannot commend this work enough not only for the content but the methodology!
My main critique involves his chapter on the magistrate. He cites a work of Christopher Blackwood’s showing a view of limited toleration. Blackwood penned a work two years later arguing for full toleration.
Despite this minor disagreement, I cannot commend this work enough not only for the content but the methodology!
April 27, 2022
This book by Dr James Renihan is a helpful look into Reformed Baptist history through it’s original confession of faith. I would highly recommend reading “Orthodox Radicals” by Bingham for anyone who reads this excellent work. Bingham’s book will help in providing more historical context, and then Renihan’s “For the Vindication of the Truth” will provide the theological content of those early Baptists. This book is a valuable read to all modern Baptists. Our history matters, and it is a good history. You will be blessed by Dr Renihan’s guided tour as you explore a foundational document of Baptist theology and history.
October 1, 2024
An excellent historical study of the first London Baptist Confession. Well researched based on primary documents. It mentions the three primary sources of the First London Baptist Confession which are used for the exposition of each paragraph in their historical context:
1. 1596 True Confession
2. William Ame's, The Marrow of Sacred Divinity
3. A discourse tending to prove the Baptisme in, or under the defection of Antichrist to be the ordinance of Jesus Christ, Praisegod Barebone
Dr. Renihan shows with primary documents that the particular baptists have their historical roots from the independents/congregationalists not the Anabaptists, and they were within the stream of reformed and schastic theology as demonstrated by their sources. He also argues for continuity between the first and second London confession in contrast to New Covenant Theology advocates who have argued that the first London confession teaches a form of new covenant theology,
"A thesis of this book is that these doctrinal weaknesses of 1LCF argue for the necessity of another more carefully constructed and expressed Confession. The editors of the 2LCF insist the theology contained in 1LCF and 2LCF is the same, and we ought to take them at their word" (pg. 3)
"Perhaps Reformed Baptist churches should adopt their own 'Three Forms of Unity'- the First London Confession of 1654/46, The Second London Confession of 1677/89, and the Baptist Catechism of 1693. They would have every right to do so" (pg. 281).
The Appendices provide additional helpful information regarding commonly debates topics about the first London Confession among some Baptists:
Appendix E: Bound to keep the First day, Covenant theology, moral law and the Sabbath among the first English Particular Baptists
Appendix F: Covenant Theology in First London Confession
Appendix G: an examination of the possible influence of Menno Simons' Foundation Book upon the Particular Baptist Confession of 1644
1. 1596 True Confession
2. William Ame's, The Marrow of Sacred Divinity
3. A discourse tending to prove the Baptisme in, or under the defection of Antichrist to be the ordinance of Jesus Christ, Praisegod Barebone
Dr. Renihan shows with primary documents that the particular baptists have their historical roots from the independents/congregationalists not the Anabaptists, and they were within the stream of reformed and schastic theology as demonstrated by their sources. He also argues for continuity between the first and second London confession in contrast to New Covenant Theology advocates who have argued that the first London confession teaches a form of new covenant theology,
"A thesis of this book is that these doctrinal weaknesses of 1LCF argue for the necessity of another more carefully constructed and expressed Confession. The editors of the 2LCF insist the theology contained in 1LCF and 2LCF is the same, and we ought to take them at their word" (pg. 3)
"Perhaps Reformed Baptist churches should adopt their own 'Three Forms of Unity'- the First London Confession of 1654/46, The Second London Confession of 1677/89, and the Baptist Catechism of 1693. They would have every right to do so" (pg. 281).
The Appendices provide additional helpful information regarding commonly debates topics about the first London Confession among some Baptists:
Appendix E: Bound to keep the First day, Covenant theology, moral law and the Sabbath among the first English Particular Baptists
Appendix F: Covenant Theology in First London Confession
Appendix G: an examination of the possible influence of Menno Simons' Foundation Book upon the Particular Baptist Confession of 1644
January 17, 2024
Excellent.
July 12, 2025
Founders Ministries sent me a copy of “Baptist Symbolics” by James M. Renihan in exchange for an honest review.
Baptist Symbolics is a thorough and ambitious project by Renihan to exposit the First London Baptist Confession (1LBC, 1644/46) and Second London Baptist Confession (2LBC, 1677/89). This is an essential undertaking in a modern Christian landscape in which the person in the pews is 1) increasingly out of line with basic orthodoxy (look no further than the trends in Ligonier’s State of Theology survey) and 2) increasingly unmoored from the history of Christ’s church. This is why confessionalism is so important, the driving urgency behind this account’s existence. Confessions themselves are often clear enough themselves, but a good commentary can add a lot of depth to understanding them. After all, it’s one thing to understand what we believe and it’s another thing to understand why we believe it. That’s where this set enters the picture.
Each volume stands as an independent study, with volume 1 examining the 1LCF and volume 2 examining the 2LCF. Volume 1 clocks in at 334 pages and volume 2 at a whopping 661 pages. So these books are dense, which may be intimidating to some. There isn’t much, if any, fluff in here, with every page meaningfully contributing to the overall work. Renihan deals with the particular points of each confession as well as the broad themes. He presents his research and arguments well. For the most part, this is a really strong work.
Baptist Symbolics is an essential read for students of the Particular Baptist tradition. It takes some positions on the place of Particular Baptists in relation to the Reformed tradition and the sacraments (along with connected doctrines) that I don’t think hold up. That makes this set of books a mostly excellent examination that ought to be engaged with critically. Issues notwithstanding, there is much benefit to be gained from these books. Even its harshest critics will find things to appreciate in these pages. On the whole, I recommend these books to any serious student of confessional Protestantism.
Baptist Symbolics is a thorough and ambitious project by Renihan to exposit the First London Baptist Confession (1LBC, 1644/46) and Second London Baptist Confession (2LBC, 1677/89). This is an essential undertaking in a modern Christian landscape in which the person in the pews is 1) increasingly out of line with basic orthodoxy (look no further than the trends in Ligonier’s State of Theology survey) and 2) increasingly unmoored from the history of Christ’s church. This is why confessionalism is so important, the driving urgency behind this account’s existence. Confessions themselves are often clear enough themselves, but a good commentary can add a lot of depth to understanding them. After all, it’s one thing to understand what we believe and it’s another thing to understand why we believe it. That’s where this set enters the picture.
Each volume stands as an independent study, with volume 1 examining the 1LCF and volume 2 examining the 2LCF. Volume 1 clocks in at 334 pages and volume 2 at a whopping 661 pages. So these books are dense, which may be intimidating to some. There isn’t much, if any, fluff in here, with every page meaningfully contributing to the overall work. Renihan deals with the particular points of each confession as well as the broad themes. He presents his research and arguments well. For the most part, this is a really strong work.
Baptist Symbolics is an essential read for students of the Particular Baptist tradition. It takes some positions on the place of Particular Baptists in relation to the Reformed tradition and the sacraments (along with connected doctrines) that I don’t think hold up. That makes this set of books a mostly excellent examination that ought to be engaged with critically. Issues notwithstanding, there is much benefit to be gained from these books. Even its harshest critics will find things to appreciate in these pages. On the whole, I recommend these books to any serious student of confessional Protestantism.
March 30, 2025
Very interesting exposition of the 1LBCF from a historical theology lens. The thesis of the book is the orthodoxy of the baptistic congregationalists, who made great effort to align themselves with their Puritan, Westminster, and Savoy peers. This pretty clearly shows where and how the Particular Baptists came to be, being cousins of the non-conformist congregationalists.
I was expecting more theological exposition in this book, especially on the topics of ecclesiology and sacramentology. I imagine this appears in the larger volume 2 on 2LBCF which I hope to get to this year.
I was expecting more theological exposition in this book, especially on the topics of ecclesiology and sacramentology. I imagine this appears in the larger volume 2 on 2LBCF which I hope to get to this year.
April 21, 2024
A truly wonderful commentary and background to the First London Baptist Confession of Faith. Renihan's background understanding of the era and the issues helps to illumine the brilliance of this Reformed confession of faith. My only knock is some of the quotes he cites are far too long and some other editorial adjustments would make it somewhat easier to read. Regardless, it's excellent and I look forward to reading the volume on the 2nd London.
May 6, 2023
A must read for anyone interested in particular Baptist history. A masterful exposition of the 1 LCF and the historical context it was written in.
February 16, 2024
I was expecting this to be a boring but necessary read. Instead it was thoroughly enjoyable. I am looking forward to volume 2.
July 7, 2025
This book is well researched and written. It’s very interesting, although there are several conclusions I don’t agree with.
March 1, 2023
Good read on the 1LBCF. There is a lot of historical research in this work and it provides great detail regarding the context of the confession and it’s many articles. After reading, it’s clear why the 2LBCF is a staple with confessional Baptists. I found this book to be good, but know that not all will find it to be worth their while.
November 12, 2022
A wonderful historical treat and real blessing for all true baptists.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews