For those of you who might be interested, Google Books has finished scanning all volumes of the two most important early histories of the British Baptists. Thomas Crosby (1685-1750) was a pastor in London and the first Baptist historian. He was also the son-in-law of Benjamin Keach, who was one of the three key leaders of the Particular Baptist during the 17th century. Joseph Ivimey (1773-1834) was a leading Particular Baptist pastor, especially during the decades right after the … [Read More]
Why I Don’t Freak Out About the Anabaptists
I have surprised some folks in the last few days by arguing that I believe some Continental Anabaptists likely had some theological influence on the first English Baptists. This doesn’t really surprise me. As previously noted, most contemporary historians reject (or at least downplay) any connection between Anabaptists and Baptists. It probably also surprises some readers that I am a Calvinist who thinks we probably learned (or at least resonated with) a thing or two … [Read More]
Toward a Convergent View of Baptist Origins, Part 2
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of the modern Baptist movement in 1609. This year will witness a plethora of conferences, symposia, books, articles, pamphlets, and even sermons devoted to the history and theology of the Baptists. I hope to weigh in from time to time with short articles, book reviews, and random musings about the past four centuries. This material was first published a little over two years ago at my former … [Read More]
Toward a Convergent View of Baptist Origins, Part 1
2009 marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of the modern Baptist movement in 1609. This year will witness a plethora of conferences, symposia, books, articles, pamphlets, and even sermons devoted to the history and theology of the Baptists. I hope to weigh in from time to time with short articles, book reviews, and random musings about the past four centuries. This material was first published a little over two years ago at my former … [Read More]
The 2008 Edition of The Journal of Baptist Studies
The 2008 edition of The Journal of Baptist Studies has now been published. JBS is an autonomous, peer-reviewed scholarly journal in Baptist history and historical theology that was launched in 2007. JBS is an online journal that is published once a year, normally in early December. JBS is part of a broader website titled Baptist Studies Online, which also includes Baptist primary sources, links to Baptist study centers and archival repositories, and announcements related to the field. Southeastern … [Read More]
Thomas Meredith and the Early Biblical Recorder: Two Articles
This year marks the 175th anniversary of Baptist periodicals published for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina (BSCNC). Thomas Meredith (1795-1850) was one of the patriarchs of North Carolina Baptists. He pastored two churches in eastern North Carolina, helped establish the state convention in 1830, and co-founded Wake Forest College (now University) in 1834. Meredith College in Raleigh is named in his honor.
In 1833 Meredith began publishing the Baptist Interpreter, which a year later … [Read More]

