New Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches

As an Blackamerican Baptist for 40 years, the continual question raised by many members was a desire to know what written rules could they read about Baptist Polity? As Black Baptists with a tradition closely aligned to White Southern and somewhat Northern American Baptists, Blackamerican Baptists held strong belief in the primacy of the Word of God over all man-written documents lacking Divine Inspiration. Hiscox remained the strongest contender as a "Book of Order" for Baptists, regardless of racial, social, or class designation. The "New Hiscox Guide" serves as an excellent writing for historical/traditional Baptists Churches to read as a complementary text to the Word to capture the human-Divine dimension of faith. This book though comprising some short comings, for the greater part aligns with the Word of God more closely and consistent with the Biblical instruction. Excellent reading for new Baptist Pastors, as well as re-shaping the thoughts of Church offices,e.g., Deacons and Trustees, who have too long allowed themselves to be blinded by the writings of Southern Baptists love with Naylor's misconstruing of faith.

Dr. Edward Thurston Hiscox (1814-1901) was a distinguished Baptist theologian and author who's Standard Manual for Baptist Churches (published 1890) and New Directory for Baptist Churches (1894) were considered two of the foundational works of the modern Baptist church. In 1964, these books were combined into the Hiscox Guide for Baptist Churches, which has become a classic work in its own right. With the end of the 20th century in sight, it was determined that this book needed to be revised and updated, and for that purpose Dr. Everett C. Goodwin (a well respected Baptist pastor and teacher) was selected to oversee that project.This book is Dr. Goodwin's revision of the Hiscox Guide, and is divided into eight chapters: 1) the nature of the Church, 2) the membership of the Church, 3) the Church ministry, 4) leaders and officers in the Church, 5) Christian worship, 6) Christian ordinances, rituals and ceremonies, 7) the witness of the Church, and 8) Church order, process and discipline. Following this are seven wonderful appendices that include such things as a Baptist chronology, creeds and confessions, and more.Overall, I found this to be a great book. It is not a defense of Baptist theology, per se, but instead explains Baptist beliefs and church organization. It is an excellent resource for anyone who wishes to have a clear understanding of Baptist church; what is it and how it operates. I highly recommend this book.