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Calvinistic Baptists History from Gill to Spurgeon - Rated
The book details the development of English Calvinistic Baptist Churches during the period 1771-1892, from the death of John Gill to the death of C. H. Spurgeon. These two men may have pastored the same London Church, New Park Street, but they had quite different visions of what constituted a Calvinistic Baptist. Gill was a Hyper Calvinist who denied the free offer of the gospel. Spurgeon held to the evangelical Calvinism of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. The legacy of Gill ensured that Spurgeon was treated with suspicion by some Victorian Calvinistic Baptists.
The English Calvinistic Baptist movement of this period was packed with fascinating characters. Robert Oliver gives us vivid portraits of men who were giants in their time, but whose names are now little know. Benjamin Beddome (1718-1795) was an influential evangelical Calvinist, whose labours at Bourton-on-the-Water were blessed with revival. The eccentric preacher and school master John Collett Ryland (1723-92) is brought to life. Abraham Booth (1734-1806) is rescued from undeserved obscurity and revealed as one of the great Calvinistic Baptist Pastor- Theologians.
One of the most important Particular Baptist thinkers was Andrew Fuller (1754-1815). Fuller was deeply influenced by the works of Jonathan Edwards. He challenged head-on the Hyper Calvinism of his day. In 1785 he published his, The Gospel Worthy of All Acceptation. This was a a tour de force in favour of the Biblical teaching that, 'faith in Christ is the duty of all men who hear the Gospel'.
While Hyper Calvinists did experience conversions and Church growth, their beliefs had a baleful effect on Particular Baptist life and mission. Modern day Calvinists who are strangely attracted to Hyper Calvinism should take note of this salutary lesson.
Many prominent Pastors were self-taught working class men. Some were rugged individualists such as William Gadsby and John Stevens. Others were highly educated like the former Anglican Clergyman and Fellow of Worcester College, J. C. Philpot. Magazines were published to guide and influence the Particular Baptist movement . A chapter is devoted to the analysis of some of these journals including The Gospel Herald and The Gospel Standard.
The book also discusses the controversies over Communion, and the place of the law in the Christian life among Calvinistic Baptists of the time.
The final chapter is devoted to C. H. Spurgeon. He challenged the Paticular Baptists to return to their roots in the evangelical Calvinism of the 17th Century Puritans. Spurgeon republished the 1689 Baptist Confession for the benefit of his own Church and the wider Baptist community. He fought with his Hyper Calvinistic critics who disliked his practice of offering Christ freely to all. Toward the end of his life, Spurgeon was embroiled in controversy over the downgrading of evangelical theology in the Baptist movement.
This work is written with great clarity and care and is the products of meticulous research. The author is deeply familiar with the original sources and interacts with the secondary literature. The author brings historical honesty and shrewd theological judgement to bear on this fascinating subject. All who are interested in the history of the English Calvinistic Baptists should read this beautifully produced book.
