Theologians of the Baptist Tradition

Good biographical coverage of the pillars / founders of the Baptist movement - esp. those of the SBC. If you like [...], you will like this book. Not much treatment given to the "liberal" side of the house, so that information will have to be obtained elsewhere.

Looking for a book that sums up the unique contributions of Baptist preachers and teachers to Baptist theology? Theologians of the Baptist Tradition is a terrific place to start. David Dockery and Timothy George do a great job of compiling terrific contributions about important Baptist figures of the past. Each chapter is devoted to a particular theologian/pastor. Chapters give biographical information, informative summaries of the teacher's theology, and a helpful evaluation. The theology of men like Andrew Fuller, James P. Boyce, Charles Spurgeon, E.Y. Mullins, W.A. Criswell is described in a succint style that helpfully summarizes the strengths and weaknesses from each individual. While the book is a helpful introduction to Baptist thinkers, several more recent Baptists are missing. Where is Stanley Grenz? Wayne Grudem? And several influential Baptists from the 20th century are absent as well (Walter Rauschenbusch, Martin Luther King, Jr.). Obviously, the writers could not include every important Baptist figure from the past few centuries. But men like Rauschenbusch and William Newton Clarke had much more influence (not necessarily good influence) than some of the theologians included in the book (Benjamin Carroll, for example). Theologians of the Baptist Tradition succeeds in introducing the reader to the conservative Reformed-leaning stream of Southern Baptists. And the book is extremely helpful in this regard. But if you are looking for a book that also includes evaluation and critique of the influential Baptists who charted diverse paths towards liberalism, you will have to look elsewhere.

This book is a historical survery of baptists, mainly from the standpoint of theology. Although this book does discuss history in general, it is much more concerned with the development of Baptist thought and literature over time as opposed to a specific lineage of Baptist people and places. The book is divided into many short chapters, each devoted to a different historical Baptist theologian. Overall I think this book is very good; the historical information is well researched and informative and the discussion of historical theology is very insightful. Anyone looking for a brief yet interesting survery of Baptist thought and famous figures will find that this book should suit them well.

Most of the books I read are a chore or mandatory, especially dealing with theology and Church History. However, this one was sheer delight. There have long been jokes about the ignorace of Baptists, for instance, "Whatis the difference between a Presbyterian and a Baptist? A Presbyterian is a Baptist that can read?" We Baptists may be known for our evangelistic fervor, but not for our Theological heritage. This book introduces the reader to minds that have been rivaled only by Calvin, Luther and the rest. The purpose of the book is to move the reader to study Baptist theology and, if a Baptist, to appreciate one's heritage. If not a Baptist, then to understand, evualuate, and appreciate this denomination's contribution to orthodox Christianity. Nor, are all these theologian's academicians, George and Dockery to a great job of combining mighty pastors (Spurgeon and Criswell, for a few) and Classroom theologians (Garret, Erickson and others). Of special interest are the chapters on A T Robertson, J Broadus, Spurgeon, and Criswell.