Baptist historian, Robert Baylor Semple (1769-1831), published the minutes of the first Separate Baptist Association held May, 1771 in Orange county, Virginia.1 Samuel Harriss was chosen moderator, and John Waller, Jr. was elected clerk, both ministers of whom, according to Semple, were strong advocates of the “Arminian” stream flowing into the Baptist river of theology. In the […]
J. Cromwell Hughes on Andrew Fuller
Andrew Fuller, (b. 1754), was hardly less influential among the Particular Baptists. His modified Calvinistic theology had great influence on the Baptists of the United States, as well as of England, especially his teaching of a general atonement sufficient for the sins of the race, not a particular atonement for the elect only. –“Elements in […]
The Whosoever Will Gospel
The Apostle John records as a final invitation in his Revelation of Jesus Christ these magnificent words The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life. (Revelation 22.17, NLT). Personally, I think the […]
Choosing Christ: Disjunction or Conjunction
In his book, Metaphysics, philosopher Richard Taylor discusses the thorny problem of determinism and free will, a fascinating read, I might add–one that most of us, though challenging it remains, can, for the most part, understand. And, as I was reading it, my mind immediately snagged a possible application his discussion has for Calvinists and […]
Jesse Mercer and Baptist Origins in Georgia
It seems to be taken for granted that all those venerable fathers, who founded the Baptist Denomination in this state [Georgia], were as stern calvinistic preachers as are the opposers of the new plans. But this is altogether a mistake. Abraham Marshall [Son of Daniel] was never considered a predestinarian preacher. Some of them were […]
The Sacrifice that Atones: a Brief Study of 1 John 2:2
John writes: “He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only for ours but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2.2 NLT). In order to better grasp this verse, let’s consider a brief background of the Elder’s first little letter. Undoubtedly written by an eye witness of Jesus (1.1-4), most […]
“Are Baptists Calvinists?” by Z. T. Cody (1858-1935)
Though not well known today, Zechariah Thornton Cody (1858-1935) stands as no stranger to either Southern Baptists in general or to Georgia Baptists particularly. While Alabamian by birth, Cody attended Mercer University, was ordained to ministry by the Second Baptist Church, Atlanta, GA and later received a D.D. degree from Bowden College, GA. Cody was a sophisticated […]
Calvinists Critiquing Calvinism: G.W. Northrup
In or around January, 1892, The Magazine of Christian Literature had begun running a series of articles on The Sovereignty of God written by Dr. G.W. Northrup (1826-1900), President of the Chicago Divinity School. These articles had already been published in The Standard. Though not so known among Baptists today, Northup remained an undeniable influence […]
The Western Recorder, Infant Salvation, and The Sovereignty of God by G.W. Northrup (Part I)
The Western Recorder is and has been the denominational paper for Kentucky Baptists since 1826. At the turn of the 19th century, T.T. Eaton was editor of the Kentucky paper, a position he had held much of his life. For 27 years, Eaton was pastor of the historic Walnut Street Baptist Church in downtown Louisville.
Southern Baptists Move Away from Rigid Calvinism: The Influence of F.H. Kerfoot
Dr. Franklin Howard Kerfoot (1847-1901) though not a name widely recognized in Baptist circles today was, during the latter quarter of the 19th century, a formidable leader among Southern Baptists. He served as pastor, denominational leader and seminary professor. Dr. Kerfoot was born a Virginian but died a Georgian. After serving in the Confederate Army […]
F.H. Kerfoot on the Limited Atonement teaching of James P. Boyce: “constant tendency of strong Calvinists is laying too much emphasis on the limitations”
The most obvious dissent F.H. Kerfoot recorded in his editorial work of James P. Boyce’s Abstract of Systematic Theology seems to be his explicit rejection of strict Calvinism’s insistence upon the doctrine of Limited Atonement. Whatever other theological qualms Kerfoot possessed concerning what Boyce had absorbed and embraced while at Princeton, all of them appear […]
Early American Baptists divided over atonement and missions
Three years after the township of Caroline, New York was organized in 1811, Baptists followed by organizing the First Baptist Church of Caroline. According to an historical sketch of Tompkins County penned in 1894, “This society [i.e. the First Baptist Church] was organized in 1814 with fourteen members and Rev. Pliny SABIN pastor. In 1848 a house […]
Slip, slidin away: The Greasy Doctrine of Limited Atonement
Nineteenth century Baptist historian, David Benedict (1779-1874), details the forming of what is likely the very first Baptist church on American soil in Providence, RI by Roger Williams.1 Below are a few highlights one of which enlightens us concerning the theological shift that took place in the church while Williams was pastor. When they were […]