The English Connection

by Bryan W. Ball

One of the phenomena that has puzzled historians of the 17th century is the failure of Puritan ideas to have any significant influence in English church history after the Great Ejection in 1662. In The English Connection, Dr Bryan Ball provides an answer to many of the questions that arise as the result of this phenomenon. This book is a study of the Puritan movement in England, examining its influence on later religious movements and in particular on Seventh-Day Adventism. Dr Ball begins with a comprehensive history of Puritanism, emphasising its reliance on biblical exegesis and exposition - factors which contribute to the drawing together of many strands of 17th century religious thought. He displays his deep knowledge of the period in a detailed exploration of specific doctrinal tenets. Areas covered include: the believer's baptism and the necessity of regeneration, gospel obedience, the seventh-day Sabbath, the return of Christ, the world to come and the new earth. Dr Ball draws on sources as diverse as John Bunyan and John Owen to prove his thesis that strong common bonds united the 17th century Puritans, giving a firm historico-biblical background for the modern movement of Seventh-Day Adventism. He examines the 'Puritan Spirit' of the 17th century, demonstrating its invigorating effect on contemporary Christian thought and on those who benefit from that tradition today. Thus Dr Ball's work, as is shown in his title, is not only a historical study of Puritanism, but is concerned to prove the continuity and cohesion of Puritan ideas from their growth in 17th century England to the thriving community of present day Seventh-Day Adventists. This book, which substantiates the traditional roots of an expanding church, will be of interest both to historians of doctrine and of the 17th century, and to all practising Adventists. The chapters dealing with the basic tenets of historical Christianity will appeal to many from the wider Christian community, particularly those who are interested in comparing contemporary Christian thought with traditional Protestant doctrine.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Dr Ball was President of Avondale, New South Wales, from 1984 to 1990, then President of the South Pacific Division from 1990 to 1997. He furthered the development of the Sydney Adventist Hospital and helped the Pacific Adventist University achieve university status.

Dr Ball received his bachelor’s from Newbold College, his Master of Arts in Religion from Andrews University, and was awarded his PhD from London University. Dr Ball began his career as a ministerial intern at New Gallery – a Crown-estate owned building in Regent Street in London, and a Seventh-Day Adventist Church from 1953 to 1992. There he met his wife, Dawn, and the pair married in 1959. They had three children, Corinne, Martin, and Jacqui.

Dr Ball worked within the North and South England conferences of the Adventist church. In 1971, he was elected President of the North England conference, then transitioned to chairman of the Theology department at Newbold College in 1976. He became President of Avondale College in 1984.

Ball is a published author and is a widely cited scholar whose academic work spans history and theology. One of his notable works is The English Connection: The Puritan Roots of Seventh-Day Adventist Belief.

Reviews

[Whitrose Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dr. Ball’s attempt at religious myth making suffers from several weaknesses not the least is his obvious ignorance of Catholic and Anglican doctrines though he constantly harangues these two traditions of Christianity by pitting them against the Puritans as if they were the standard bearers of orthodoxy. His attempt to see Seventh Day Adventism as merely the ancient religion of England via the Puritans is laughable and poorly supported by his writing, as the cherry-picking of quotes from Hobbes, Milton and the Puritan divines does not convince a reader well read in English literature or theology. Riddled with copious primary source quotes from Puritans and other dissenting denominations, the book reads more of an expose on what some Puritans have believed, though one cannot claim that all Puritans believed as he presents, for that sect had no central authority and therefore its beliefs were much more fluid and varied than other denominations with a stronger ecclesiastical polity. It is almost a surprise that this book was published other than a curious polemic, divorced from reality, and straining to do anything other than show an occasional overlap between Puritan and Adventist belief. If anything Adventism may have adopted more of the spirit of dissent and Apocalyptic obsession from the Puritans than any real tenets of belief.