Baptist Theology: A Four-century Study

James Leo Garrett. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University Press, 2009. 743 pp. (Hardback).

James Leo Garrett has done it again. In the space of about 700 pages he has provided an overview of Baptist theological history that is both concise and complete. He begins by tracing Baptists’ indebtedness to the early church councils and then provides an easy-to-understand description of Baptist theology and theologians up to the present day.

Garrett deals with major theological controversies among Baptists from their earliest days to the present. His is not a historical examination but a close look at the doctrinal teachings at the core of each issue. Because Southern Baptists are the largest Baptist body and because that is his spiritual heritage, the former seminary professor details theological underpinning of major theological struggles of Baptists in the Southern part of the United States from the days of the Triennial Convention, to Campbell, to Graves, up through the Conservative Resurgence.

But this is not a book about Southern Baptists. This is a book about Baptist theologians and their personal impact and the impact of their teachings. Thus Garrett deals with theologians across the scope of Baptist life. The reader will find extensive information about British Baptist theologians as well as Baptist theologians and theological issues impacting Baptists from the Orient to Latin America.

Anyone familiar with Garrett’s writings expects him to be almost encyclopedic. His two-volume set, “Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical and Evangelical” provides the best overview of systematic theology, including various views of every major point, with which this writer is familiar. This latest work is no different. Readers are furnished insights into the writings of Baptist theologians across the four centuries of Baptist identity as well as commentary on the impact of the various theologians and their teachings.

Many readers will find the glossary helpful. Terms often used in theological discussions are defined succinctly. Most readers will gain understandings just by working through this section of the book.

In 2009, Baptists around the world have celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Baptists. Garrett, like the vast majority of scholars, traces the Baptists back through the English Separatists exiled in Amsterdam in 1609.

Garrett’s newest book is a major contribution to this year of celebration. It deserves to be in every pastor’s library. It is a must read for every student of Baptist history and theology.