From shadow to substance, The Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists (1642-1704)

Baptist history and theology is undergoing a modern recovery and rediscovery. Such a renaissance is incomplete without an examination of the covenant theology that played such a prominent role in Particular Baptist identity, thought, and literature. This work describes the covenant theology of the Particular Baptists associated with the 1644 and 1677 Confessions of Faith through analyses of their own writings and in comparison to the Reformed theology of their day. The study offers groundbreaking, fresh insights into the interactions between Particular Baptist churches during the second half of the seventeenth century as well as providing new details of some of their most important leaders, including Nehemiah Coxe and Benjamin Keach.

Publisher: Centre for Baptist History and Heritage
Type: Paperback
ISBN: 9781838282930

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Samuel Renihan (MDiv, Westminster Seminary California & Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies, PhD, Free University of Amsterdam) is pastor of Trinity Reformed Baptist Church in La Mirada, California. Sam has authored several articles and books including God Without Passions, From Shadow To Substance: The Federal Theology of the English Particular Baptists, De Dios y su Decreto and The Mystery of Christ: His Covenant and His Kingdom. Sam is married to Kimberly, and they have one son, Owen.

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‘Without a doubt, one of the most significant theological issues for a Christian community to answer is the nature of the relationship between the old and new covenants, or between the Law and the Gospel. And it is not a merely theological issue but one that shapes the ethos and determines the ambiance of the community. With regard to Baptists, the rediscovery of Reformed theology in the past fifty years has led to a profound soul-searching about this question from both a theological perspective and historical one. This new historical study by Dr Renihan is the most careful and detailed examination of the seventeen-century English Baptist answer to this question to date, and merits profound consideration by any desiring to engage in ressourcement. A tremendous historical study and a welcome addition to the growing body of literature about seventeen-century Baptist life.’ Michael AG Haykin, Professor and Chair of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary