Towards Baptist Catholicity: Essays on Tradition and the Baptist Vision

by Steven R. Harmon

Towards Baptist Essays on Tradition and the Baptist Vision contends that the reconstruction of the Baptist vision in the wake of modernity's dissolution requires a retrieval of the ancient ecumenical tradition that forms Christian identity through liturgical rehearsal and ecclesial practice. Themes explored include catholic identity as an emerging trend in Baptist theology, tradition as a theological category in Baptist perspective, the relationship between Baptist confessions of faith and the patristic tradition, the importance of Trinitarian catholicity for Baptist faith and practice, catholicity in biblical interpretation, Karl Barth as a paradigm for a Baptist and evangelical retrieval of the patristic theological tradition, worship as a principal bearer of tradition, and the role of Baptist higher education in shaping the Christian vision. This book submits that the proposed movement towards catholicity is neither a betrayal of cherished Baptist principles nor the introduction of alien elements into the Baptist tradition. Rather, the envisioned retrieval of catholicity in the liturgy, theology, and catechesis of Baptist churches is rooted in a recovery of the surprisingly catholic ecclesial outlook of the earliest Baptists, an outlook that has become obscured by more recent modern reinterpretations of the Baptist vision and that provides Baptist precedent of a more intentional movement towards Baptist catholicity today.

Genres: Theology

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Cody Cunningham · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a growing interest in how the Baptist movement fits into the catholic (universal, not necessarily Roman Catholic) church, and thankfully, many Baptists are being more intentional in allowing the historic practices of the Church to shape their own faith and practices. In this book, Harmon discusses how Baptists have often neglected the importance of church tradition, addresses some of the common objections that Baptists use against the use of tradition, and gives suggestions for how Baptists can incorporate more catholic practices into their churches.

Even though I have serious disagreements with some of Harmon's theological conclusions since he is a theologically moderate Baptist, this is a helpful book for those wanting to dive into the Baptist catholicity movement.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is essential reading for any Baptist theologian. He rightly challenges all Baptists that in order to be "Baptist" one must be "Catholic." However, I don't think Harmon goes far enough to say why "Baptist" and "Catholic" is different from Roman Catholic. Nevertheless, due to this book, it is something I will be thinking through more.

[Scott Rushing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the formative books of my graduate school education. I count myself in the growing number of Baptist theologians who thinks it is vitally important that we root ourselves in the patristic and catholic tradition. I recommend Towards Baptist Catholicity not just to fellow Baptists, but to all Protestants who are interested in retrieving the ancient tradition, for the purpose of enriching a contemporary faith.