Baptists through the Centuries: A History of a Global People

by David W. Bebbington

A clearly written introduction to the history and theology of this international people, Baptists through the Centuries provides a chronological survey of the main developments in Baptist life and thought from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries. As Baptists spread globally beyond their British and American origins, Bebbington persuasively demonstrates how they constantly adapted to the cultures and societies in which they lived, generating even more diversity within an already multifaceted identity. In the course of telling the story of Baptists, Bebbington also examines the challenging social, political, and intellectual issues in Baptist history―attitudes on race, women’s roles in the church, religious liberty, foreign missions, and denominational identity―and situates each one within a broader context.

Genres: Church History, History, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

327 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

About the author

David W. Bebbington is a historian who is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Stirling in Scotland and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. An undergraduate at Jesus College, Cambridge (1968–71), Bebbington began his doctoral studies there (1971–73) before becoming a research fellow of Fitzwilliam College (1973–76). Since 1976 he has taught at the University of Stirling, where since 1999 he has been Professor of History. His principal research interests are in the history of politics, religion, and society in Great Britain from the eighteenth to the twentieth century, and in the history of the global evangelical movement.

Reviews

[Zach Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great information and well organized.

Mostly interested in the ecclesiology and sacramentology, which the author did a good job discussing.

Not sure he really hit the nail on the head in the race chapter, but what do I know? Is anyone able to?

[Brendan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It educated me on Baptist history.

[Ryan Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that challenged a few of the misunderstandings I had about the history of early Baptist formation. The key to this book is that it is highly readable. It does not read like a dense, chewy tome. Bebbington actually wrote this book as a result of an undergraduate coures he taught at Baylor, so it reads like a brisk survey of the subject. But the book is also learned. Bebbington isn't exactly covering new ground in this (all of the subjects he covers are covered elsewhere), yet he manages to draw together numerous threads and debates in such a way that the book "catches up" the reader to understand the state of research on Baptist history.

Case in point: were Baptists connected in any way to Anabaptists, or were they an offshoot of Puritanism? Bebbington gives clear instruction on both sides of the debate and cross-examines them both. The end result is Bebbington does a wonderful job educating the reader on both the subject and the secondary debates. He manages to do all this without boring us tears, and for that I toast the honor of his name.

[Todd Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sounds strange, I suppose, but there's almost too much information in this book. I felt like the further I read, the more of an information dump this book became. It wasn't the easiest Baptist history book I've ever read.

There are some positives though. Let me state clearly, this is a history of congregations that have actually worn the name "Baptist". Yet, it embraces all those that did in a much wider view of countries than most Baptist history books I've read. And though there has been a wide variety of Baptists through the centuries (Particular vs. General, for instance), this book looks at congregations that had 3 things in common - believer's baptism, a regenerate church membership and the kingship of all believers. There is even very recent history - up until 2010.

There are a few places where the author seemed to have disdain for certain positions (such as premillennialism). But for the most part, this is just a factual history that is well documented.

[M Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bebbington has put to very good use his experience as a teacher of undergraduates. This relatively compact history of the Baptist Movement is readable and clear, tracing important themes in the history and theology of Baptists from the beginnings of the movement in the early 1600s through the present. I especially appreciated his treatment of the twentieth century controversies, many of which I was "up close and personal" for. He's also aware of and calls out the limitations of his book due to lack of existing research in some areas. It's nice to read an academic who admits he doesn't know it all!

[Victor Gamma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baptist history has been a popular topic in recent years. As a result the need for Baptists to create a careful presentation of their own history has become more urgent. Such has been accomplished in the hands of English church historian David Bebbington. Praise goes to Bebbington for delivering an objective and insightful study of the subject. Readers will most likely broaden their understanding of Baptist origins, namely, that the story of its origins is more complex than a simple bud from the Anabaptist tree.

[James Ruley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This work by Bebbington provides a helpful view of Baptists, beginning with the disputed origins of the Baptist movement (among the anabaptist, general, and particular Baptists) and then moving on into the dispersion of Baptists throughout the world. Bebbington thoughtfully analyzes Baptist distinctively: such as church membership, communion, and evangelical zeal, pointing to the mixed narratives surrounding most developments in Baptist history. Engaging and thematic, this work provides a solid introduction to Baptist history.

[Doug Adamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bebbington gave himself a great challenge: to trace the history of Baptists world-wide in 16 chapters and 300 pgs. I think that he did a worthy achievement. His approach is more thematic than chronological and gives examples rather than exhaustive treatments. Many of the discussions leave you wanting more and so he gives suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter. I don't think that this work will replace more lengthy treatments such as Leon McBeth's The Baptist Heritage but I doubt that this was the author's intent.

[Colton Strother · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among Baptist historians, Bebbington has no rival. This textbook serves as a sweeping survey of the history and diversity of the people affiliated with the global movement of Baptists. Charitable, eclectic, and serious, this volume is the standard for any institution offering courses that cover the people called Baptists.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so this book won’t be for everyone! It was part of my college reading, but I did find it a really accessible and thorough overview of the history of the Baptist movement. If you’re keen to get a summary of 400 years of baptist history, give this one a go! 😊

[Tom]

Excellent and balanced survey.

[John Paul Arceno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different approach to Haykin, Chute, and Finn's Baptist Story yet very informative. I love it. A must-read for Baptists.

[Adrian Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Especially liked the global chapters and interesting material on Peru, India etc.

[Jaguar · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book that explores the history of the Baptists and other denominations that influenced their development in depth. It covers a wide range of ideas, including why Baptists believe what they believe and how this denomination has been influenced by particular events, people, etc. as well as how the Baptists influenced other denominations through their own set of events and people. Anyone interested in learning about the history of the Baptists, beginning to end, and their development throughout history, will find this an interesting read.

[Rick Shrader]

I have enjoyed reading David Bebbington over the past few years. He is Professor of History at the University of Stirling in Scotland. In this 2010 book the author traces the story of Baptists from their first identity in England with John Smyth about 1609, to Baptists in America in the early twenty-first century. Bebbington does not make any solid connection between the (continental) Anabaptists and the (English) Baptists, but sees key carry-overs such as believer’s baptism and congregational polity. He does describe the two main branches of Baptists, General (more Arminian) and Particular (more Calvinistic), as comprising almost two separate “denominations” that have created a divide throughout British and American Baptist history. In America these two groups were known more as Separate and Regular Baptists respectively. The book includes many interesting pieces of history such as the rise of evangelical Calvinism with Jonathan Edwards and Andrew Fuller, creating broad missionary activity; the influence of E.Y. Mullins during his tenure as President of Southern Seminary and President of the Southern Baptist Convention, “combining convictions derived from the Bible with a rationale framed in terms of Christian experience,” and yet being fairly neutral to Mullins’ influence; and the long and diverse history of the Southern Baptist Convention from their division over slavery to the conservative-moderate division of the twentieth century. In searching for a specific identity for Baptists, Bebbington concludes with three identifying Baptist marks of believer’s baptism, a regenerate church membership, and the kingship of all believers [what many call believer-priests]. The final sentences rather disappointingly read, “In the end, therefore, the Baptist identity, a phenomenon of the flux of history, may elude definition. It is perhaps enough that, over the generations, Baptists have conscientiously attempted, with varying degrees of success, to embody the gospel in their cultures.”

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[Mark A Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning with the Reformation and tracking to the modern day, Bebbington has provided a serviceable, though occasionally dry, recounting of Baptist history. Of particular importance here is Bebbington’s wise insistence that historical Baptist distinctives are not easily codified. Where others may have forced a conclusion apart from the data at hand, he refuses to pigeonhole a centuries-spanning historical movement that has often adapted in response to each generation’s battles. Well-researched and a reference worthy of contemplation.

[Joshua Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

A remarkable achievement. Bebbington traces both the broad strokes and many specific details of global Baptist history from the Reformation to the present day and yet manages to keep the book accessible, interesting, and concise. He fairly and objectively evaluates it all, too-this is no hagiography. An excellent overview with solid recommendations for further reading at the end of every chapter. A must-read for anyone interested in an introduction to Baptist history.

[Nathaniel Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was helpful in several ways to educate the reader in the origins of the Baptist tradition and its history. The first part of the book traces Baptist beginnings from the reformation to the Nineteenth Century. From there Bebbington discusses baptists from a thematically. An educational read with balanced conclusions.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I have found this book to be a very interesting introduction to a surprisingly lively and compelling subject matter. I'd recommend it to anyone with a casual interest in the history of the Baptist tradition.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super, accessible and inspiring.