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Customer Reviews (1)

A good overview
This book gives an excellent account of the doctrinal beliefs of Mr. Carroll, but it also includes his testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ, which was the most beautiful thing about it.It would do many"modern" Baptists well to consider what he says concerningconversion.

Very nice!! ... Read more

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A young Baptist girl introduces the history, beliefs, and practices of this Christian religion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good, but far too short
This attractive little book is part of the Religions of the World Series. Written for the younger reader, it attempts to explain to the reader the history of the Baptists and what they commonly believe. Every other page in this book is a large and colorful picture, included to keep the reader interested.

Overall, I thought that this is a beautifully produced book, but I am uncomfortable with its contents. Having a mere 11 pages with any sort of text on them, it is bound to give short shrift to a deep and complex theology. For example, the glossary defines baptism as, "The religious practice of symbolically washing away sins with water." This statement simplifies the definition down to the point where it misleads more than it informs.

That said, though, I found this book to be a generally good little introduction, something that a very young reader can peruse to get a feeling for what Baptists believe. On the whole, I give this a very guarded recommendation. ... Read more

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Winner, 1992 Distinguished Book Award, Society for the Scientific Study of Religion"With unbending fairness, Ammerman provides a historical and sociological context to unfold the historical events and issues that have dramatically changed the shape of Southern Baptists. A benchmark study of a religious body in conflict, this work is a leading authority on the present status of Southern Baptists."--Religious Studies Review"Nancy Ammerman knows . . . of the value and worth of the lives of people who operate in intact biblical-literal cultures. . . . She takes their conflicts seriously and tells us, without hitting us over the head, that we will have them all wrong--to our peril--if we do not listen. . . . Her narrative style is brisk, purposeful, and unadorned."--Martin E. Marty, University of Chicago"If only this sociological evaluation of Southern Baptist life could sell five million copies---Rutgers would be astonished, Ammerman would be basking at Club Med in Phuket, and I would be ecstatic. . . . Every movement conservative in the Southern Baptist fellowship should purchase two copies of this book."--Paige Patterson, President, Southeastern Theological Seminary, in Christianity Today"Ammerman explores the hurts and aspirations of both sides so evenhandedly that it may be difficult for all but the most die-hard partisans to guess which side is going to get the better seats in heaven."--The Christian Century"Analyzes fully the processes of the Fundamentalist takeover and their struggles as they begin to govern. Probably the best study available."--Choice"A splendid account of a decade of controversy. This readable volume surely ranks as the indispensable contemporary sociohistorical introduction to Southern Baptists."-- The Journal of ReligionNancy Tatom Ammerman is an associate professor of the sociology of religion at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and the author of Bible Believers: Fundamentalists in the Modern World, and Congregation and Community: Sacred Spaces in Changing Urban Regions, both from Rutgers University Press. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Key study of the SBC takeover
Nancy Tatom Ammerman, a major sociologist of religion, wife of a Baptist minister, and herself a Baptist who was once part of the SBC but is no longer, conducted this fine sociological study of the SBC.It is very rare that sociologists or historians get to see a church schism while it is taking place, but Ammerman and her research assistants were able to do just that in the mid-'80s.Ammerman gives us insider insights and uses her outsider researchers and sociological tools (including a scientific survey) to achieve balanced objectivity.Her last chapter, as she admits, is somewhat less objective because she is emotionally invested in the survival of what was then called the Southern Baptist Alliance.Now called the Alliance of Baptists, it is one of several small splinters from the ever-more-fundamentalist Southern Baptist behemoth.Anyone wanting to understand how Southern Baptists, who in 1976 were typified by someone like Jimmy Carter, could become the far-right religious/political powerhouse of today should read this book.

Underscores the Modernistic Rotting of Christian Churches
This book is valuable in that it goes far beyond the conflict within the Baptist Church itself. It goes to the struggle over the very soul of Christianity. As emphasized throughout this book, nothing causes the decline of Christian churches faster than the undermining of the Word of God by theological liberalism. Witness the virtual disappearance of significant Christian practice and influence in western Europe. In this book, Criswell is perceptably cited (p. 81) in pointing out that the onset of theological liberalism, as exemplified by the so-called higher critical approach to the Bible, quickly led to a precipitous decline in church attendance, conversions, prayer meetings, missionary activity, etc. Worse yet, theological liberalism, or modernism, is often disguised with euphemisms such as "theological moderates". But Criswell (p. 84) is quoted as saying, "A skunk by any other name still stinks". Very well put! ... Read more

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Stanley J. Grenz seeks to build upon emphases that have been significant throughout Baptist history?the personal nature of the salvation experience, the ordinances of believer?s baptism and the Lord?s Supper, primacy of Scripture, the church as a company of the redeemed, and the concept of separation of church and state. Questions relating to each chapter will stimulate group interaction and provide thought for personal reflection. Baptists of all fellowships and affiliations will find this book an invaluable resource for understanding the foundations of Baptist beliefs and polity. ... Read more

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Originally published in 1920, this classic has been a standard in Baptist churches for many years. Format: Hardcover Book Code: 0251 Pages: 274 Size: 5" x 7" ISBN: 0-8170-9001-0 PubDate: ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Insulting to musicians
A hymnal which does not provide music is of no use except for historical, literary or theological study.I am incensed that your initial description does not specify that only hymn texts are provided in this book.I read the existing reviews only to find out whether professional grade accompaniments were included for several numbers, as they are in the version I have.My intent was to buy a similar edition for a church pianist who would have been very pleased to have it.

No Tunes, but Historically Important!
Though I don't want to belittle other reviewers, I found it interesting that this book doesn't have tunes.Back in the 1600's, about the time of the John and Charles Wesley, John Calvin, and others, most hymnals were published without tunes.Why? Because the people KNEW the tunes.This is probably the only hymnal today that would still follow that tradition.For a hymnologist (such as myself), it certainly is important!

Of course, back then, people used to want to bring their hymnbooks home with them so that they could use them in their personal devotions.Because the books didn't have tunes, they were smaller in size, and, therefore, easier to carry.

Without Music
Amazon omitted a key phrase printed on the cover of this book: "Without Music".I don't know why this book was even published in the first place.Maybe some people just like to read the words to hymns, or maybe they already know all the tunes.Whatever.In my opinion, a hymnal without music is pretty useless. ... Read more

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The first archaeological evidence of the historical reality of the Gospel story.

From a historical point of view, the uniqueness of this cave is that it contains archaeological evidence that comes to us from the very time of the personalities and events described in the Gospels. For here is the largest ritual bathing pool ever found in the Jerusalem area, and found in the village where John the Baptist was born, showing unmistakable signs of ritual use in the first century AD. Also in the cave is the earliest ever Christian art, depicting John the Baptist as well as the three crosses of the crucifixion.

By using the forensic techniques available to the modern archaeologist, Gibson and his international team have been able to draw information from the drawings, pottery, coins, bones, remains of ritual fire and pieces of cloth found in the cave and match these up with the contemporary literary sources. This is a unique opportunity to build up a picture of the very first Christians, how they lived and even what they believed.

As Gibson writes: “By fitting together the new archaeological facts with the historical information available (and sometimes buried) in scholarly literature, I believe I am able to throw an amazing amount of light on the personality and mission of John the Baptist. Who was he? Where did he come from? What were his beliefs and what was the baptism all about?” ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

The author DUG into Biblical testimony: no stone was left unturned!
I firmly believe the archeologist has found the cave of John the Baptist, because the authors arguements and concrete proof seems valid beyond a "shadow of a doubt."
Who else in history, would have used a ritual enclave complete with extra wide stairs to accomodate a multitude of people, which lead down to a large baptistry --
than John the Baptist?
It is my belief that attendees of Jewish mikvah's do not go en-mass to a mikvah for ceremonial cleansing, thereby there would not be the necessity for such wide staircases as found in this cave!

(I read it last fall and in reviewing my notes--)still laughing at the comment on page 306 "There are so many heads of John the Baptist in churches and monasteries at different locations in the Near East, as well as in Meditterranean countries and in Europe, that one loses track of them all after a while.Since it is obvious that John the Baptist could not have possessed more than one head, it naturally means that all but one must be forgeries." Get a "HEAD" start on your Biblical archeology with this book!

An Archaeological Odyssey
There is much information packed in this book. Some of it is much too detailed to hold the interest of a casual reader; some descriptions are so detailed and precise that they could easily be expected in a professional publication. Although the main focus is the excavation of a cave thought to have been used for religious ceremonies millennia ago, much related history is presented. Overall, the reader who is interested in biblical archaeology, early Christianity and the history of the Holy Land will learn much from this book. The writing is clear, but as stated above, a bit too detailed in places. Whether the cave in question was ever used by John the Baptist has not been proven (at least in my opinion), but the methodology used in trying to understand its past is indeed quite intriguing.

An interesting history of early Christianity
In the first part of "The Cave of John the Baptist" Shimon Gibson tells the story of an excavation to uncover a very interesting cave located in the hills outside of Jerusalem. While the evidence he uses to prove his claim that John the Baptist used this cave for baptismal purposes after going into the wilderness seems inconclusive, he is able to show that the cave was in use during (and long before, actually) the first century AD. Whether you agree with the conclusions he draws regarding the cave's use or not, as an archaeological study its discussion is well worth the read, as is the accompanying historical analysis.

The second part of the book is a discussion of holy sites and relics of the Holy Land, including those of the Muslim faith, relating to the life and death of John the Baptist. Gibson cites the contemporary writings of many travellers to these ancient sites, ranging from third and fourth century pilgrims to such people as Mark Twain. (Apparently Mark Twain found the trip to be very boring and dusty.) The discussion of extant Holy Relics of John is amusing as well as interesting, as Gibson lists "nineteen heads...and something in the order of fifteen hands or arms..." Gibson relates the story of British archaeologist Peter Dorrell, who on a visit to the Great Umayyad Mosque in Damascus mentioned to the caretaker of the shrine of the Head of John the Baptist that other sites also claimed to have the Head of the Baptist; the response was "Ah yes, but ours is the Head of John the Baptist as a young man!"

Whether or not you agree with Gibson's conclusions regarding The Baptist's use of the cave, if you have an interest in archaeology or the history of the Middle East from Roman to Medieval times you will find "The Cave of John the Baptist" to be worth your while.

What about the snake
This book embodies what is good and bad in modern Biblical scholarship. The exploration of the cave was done with precision and valuable artifacts were discovered.However a wall painting identified as "serpent on a staff" is obviously the symbol of the Brazen Serpent.I find it hard to believe that the authors didn't immediately recognize what this is.But that would challenge the myth that 1st century Judaism was coherent and monotheistic.It would also suggest that John was at odds with the Jerusalem temple--which some people still refuse to grasp.Certainly it suggests that Jesus was involved in the worship of the Brazen Serpent, a minor sect of Judaism, through his association with John.

"imaginative speculations clearly fail"
According to a review in the Biblical Archaeology Review magazine (Nov.-Dec. 2004 issue), this book's "imaginative speculations clearly fail". ... Read more

Product Description
Containing the New Hampshire declaration of faith, suggested convenant, rules of order, and forms of church letters. ... Read more

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Contains every important Baptist confession of faith from the forerunners in the early seventeenth century through the American Baptist confessions and doctrines into the early 1960s. This comprehensive resource also provides confessions of other nationalities, including German, Swedish, French, Canadian, and Russian. Each is reevaluated in light of contemporary research and related to Christian life today. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

the best volume on Baptist Confessions
The book written by William L. Lumpkin is the best available sourcebook for Baptist Confessions of Faith. The author collected the most famous Anabaptist and Baptist Confessions. It includes also English, American Baptist and some other Baptist Confessions from Europe and other countries. The book does not include Baptist Faith and Message 2000 because this book was revised only in 1969. The author gives good introductions to Confessions and explains the most importans things which relates to them. This book is very useful for people who want to understand Baptist beliefs.

History of The Baptist Confessions of Faith
What should be the most important thing in choosing a church? Does the church profess the Bible is the word of God inerrant; that Jesus Christ is God, Lord and Savior? What is believed by the Pastor, what is believed by the members of the church and what is taught inside the church building? I certainly would not join a church that denied the contents of the Bible. Before joining a local congregation I would want to know what is taught at that particular congregation of believers. A confession of Faith is a profession of beliefs to what is true; a declaration of the understanding of the Bible and the truth of its contents. This book is an ambitious work in containing volumes of confessions and giving a very brief reason why a local church or group of churches came together to declare what the Bible taught.

Working hypothesis of this book is the Baptist denomination has roots in England and the English Reformation: Starting with Wycliffe in the 15th century and William Tyndale translating the Bible into the vulgar English language. In the 1538 King Henry VIII was obliged to license Bibles into the English language. Calvinism and Anabaptism were imported to England about the same time. The Anabaptist taught that only the converted, who confessed Jesus as Savior and Baptized were believers and members of the Body of Christ. Puritans were Calvinist who wanted to purify the Church of England of Bad Doctrine. They consider good doctrine what is Calvinistic. Puritans wanted to change the Church from within. English Separatism wanted to separate form the English church and for the most part adopted the belief in believer's baptism. The English Separatist was Calvinist. This was the start from what we know today as the Baptist church.

Forerunner Confessions, Anabaptist Confession of Faith are so called in this book and consume the first 78 pages of this work.By 1562 there were thirty-thousand Anabaptist who came from the Netherlands in England. Their beliefs and expression had to be hidden for fear of the death penalty awaited those holding Anabaptist beliefs during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. In 1580 Robert Browne, in a county with Dutch Artisans, worked in the establishing congregationalism. Browne later fled to the Netherlands and still later rejoined the government church. In 1609 John Smyth baptized himself and others who joined that particular Separatist movement. Later he sought to join a longer established Mennonite congregation.A short confession of 1610 was written by John Smyth's group as a statement of Faith as consideration for the Mennonite church. The idea of the local congregational authority in choosing church leaders including the Pastor was originally an Anabaptist concept. These are the three points the author uses to argue a connection between Baptist and Anabaptist.

This book contains five Anabaptist confessions plus two other statements about church organization. The Anabaptist argued for obedience to the government, but none of its members were to be part of the government. The argument that government and the sword is an instrument of God, but believers were not to use the sword and such could not be part of the Government. The confessions have strong statements against any member of Christ's body taking any sort of oath. There is also a call for shunning of those members who are excommunicated from their congregation. A group led by Thomas Helys made their own confession and separated from the fellowship of John Smyth with these theological questions.English Separatist and Baptist did not argue as such. The Anabaptist was not Calvinistic such as the early Baptist was. This is also easily recognized in comparing the different confessions.

A large segment of this book deals with confessions of Particular Baptist who were Calvinistic and General Baptist who some of their confessions were more Arminian. Some of the Particular Baptist was in response to Quaker Evangelism. There was a thought going around that Particular Baptist was being converted to Quakerism. So part of the confessions deals with subjects of emotionalism and inner light. That it is through the Holy Spirit man understands the Bible and God's Truth. General Baptist confessions were in response to the Anglican Church and inner politics of London at the time. This book also includes confessions of the American Baptist and other countries outside England. This book presents the History around the confessions, but does not go in depth about the doctrine in the confessions.

Consolidated Confessions
Lumpkin has created a great work, bringing together all the confessions of faith of the Baptist Church and others who have historically had an influence on the church.A must for serious church historians and for those who seek to follow the progression of the confessions from the beginning.Quality production and binding.

not so much
it was used as a text book for a class; require reading.I'm sure for the hard core theologian this would be an invaluable tool, but not for my library.

Baptist Confessions of Faith
Groovy.So far I dig the 1644 London Confession the most.I don't care about church hierarchy but the Calvinism is awesome. ... Read more

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This classic work of defense of the Reformed, Presbyterian view of the meaning and mode of baptism is available again, with annotations and gently-updated language. Chaney's engaging style of dialogue will guide and instruct the reader on the biblical teaching of Christian baptism. ... Read more

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Each year, there is a significant moment in the life of the Southern Baptist Convention. It is an eccleisioloically unique instance when messengers from churches across the land gather in one place and the sitting Southern Baptist Convention president, takes the podium and addresses the convention. It is a superbly intense opportunity to address God’s people with a call to action and service, repentance and change, and relevancy and mission.

The Sacred Desk documents fifty-two of these historic moments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome Resource
Drs. Caner have done a wonderful job compiling the sermons from the heros of the Southern Baptist Convention Presidents. A great read that strengthens your faith and gets you to shout "Amen!"

Buy two or three and hand them out for Sunday School or Discipleship! ... Read more

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A New Framework for Baptist Cooperation
If you are a Southern Baptist, you need to read David Dockery's Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Proposal (Broadman & Holman, 2008). At first I planned on advising Southern Baptist leaders, pastors, ministers, or missionaries to read this book, but I am now convinced that more and more Southern Baptist laypeople should read this book also. Nowhere else will you find both a concise history of Southern Baptists and a robust theological vision for the future.

Dockery's book is an important work that lays the groundwork for Southern Baptist cooperation in the 21st century. He begins by renewing markers of Southern Baptist identity. He writes of the Conservative Resurgence and our continued emphasis on the inerrancy of Scripture and cooperation in fulfilling the Great Commission. He defines the gospel of Jesus Christ and shows how Baptists navigate between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Dockery devotes an entire chapter to Baptist worship, recapping the history of worship in the Baptist churches, while offering many insights for renewing Baptist worship today. Dockery distills the main arguments from his book on higher education in chapter 4, specifically - how education should serve the church and society within a confessional context.

Dockery describes the contributions of great Southern Baptists from our past in order to learn from our theological heritage. He shows how Baptist theology has developed over the centuries, writes about the main figures in Baptist life and describes how they influenced Baptists. Building upon their work, he discusses ways in which we can hold fast to Scripture into the 21st century.

Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal is a landmark book. Dockery has done all Southern Baptists a great service by laying out the framework for Baptist cooperation. His work is especially needed in a day and age in which many Baptists are polarizing into different camps. Dockery celebrates our diversity and offers genuine hope that we can continue to work together.

Dockery wants to see a new generation that will be both convictional and cooperative, and his work is a giant step in bringing together the all sides of Baptist life for the gospel, for the Great Commission and for the good of the world.

Southern Baptist Identity
Southern Baptists, of whom I am not one, were for generations smugly confident of their identity, e.g., "There are us and then the others." As they splintered into opposite and opposing sides, they began to recognize they only thought they knew who they are. Those who call themselves "moderates" (but are called "liberals" by the other side) have moved left, and those who call themselves "conservatives" (but, "fundamentalists" by the former) have moved to the right. The differences each champions have taken on a life of their own and become their new identities.Dockery attempts to identify what is common among them, which is hard work, because attacking the other side is both easier and more fun. His focus is on what is Southern Baptist rather than what is moderate or conservative.

-- Wallace Alcorn, Ph.D. ... Read more

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The first Tales Of McKinleyville book, Big Doin's At The Chinese Baptist Church is a new humor novel which has been compared to the work of Garrison Keillor, Tom Bodett, and Patrick McManus. It contains three interrelated stories about Huckleberry Puhzz, all-American;
Big Doin's At The Chinese Baptist Church,; in which we are introduced to Huck, his brother Bubba, and a neighboring community's statue of a doomed President.
The Return Of The Teapot Dome, in which Huck runs for public office, the town's black widow stalks new prey, and a nearby mountain is climbed. And -
The Marriage Proposal, in which love letters arrive from Hollywood and the whereabouts of the notorious Hunsey Bourcarte are finally revealed.
A book that will keep you laughing from the first page until the last! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Laughing from the first chapter
On the very first page of "Big Doin's At The Chinese Baptist Church" the main character's brother gets a promotion at the gas station/food mart where he works.That in itself isn't funny, but the name of the place, The Pump 'N' Munch, was.Before I could assume that all of the humor was of equal calibre (funny, but a bit silly) there were very witty plays on small town politics, family dynamics, and even ancient Roman dictators. The rivalry between McKinleyville and its neighboring town of Centerton over a century-old statue of President William McKinley (the statue is in Centerton, not McKinleyville) leads to one of the craziest heist stories you'll ever read.Reminded me a lot of the old Lake Wobegon stories (when they were good).

If you're in the mood to laugh, sit down and enjoy this book
Here is a great comic novel about a small town and its weird characters.While keeping you laughing all the way, Wilson paints a colorful picture of Mckinleyville, an area of California seldom written about.We're lookingforward to continuing adventers of Huck and Bubba.

Laughed all the way through.Am looking forward to more !!
This story addresses a segment of our population that is largely ignored in fiction.It is addressed with great hunmor and wisdom. You will be looking forward to greater adventures with Huck and Bubba when you finish"Big Doin's". ... Read more

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Southern Baptist and the Doctrine of Election
This book handles all of the areas of election with Spirit led accuracy and can be recommended with confidence. To miss this book and its message would only handicap one in their understanding of God's plan. ... Read more

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worth a read by Baptists
This book is not near as bad as the other reviewer has it.Yes, it does spend too much time on Dr Land, but most of the book is about the Christian Life Commission, and the poor leadership provided for so many years by Foy Valentine.Anyone interested in the recent history of the Southern Baptist Convention needs to read this book.But better editing would have helped it.

Sacrilegious Waste of God's money
If there is any wonder of why the Southern Baptist numbers are declining, the three peoples names on this puff piece for Richard Land are part of the reason.While Jimmy Draper was at Life Way the numbers speak forthem self.Richard Land is touted as the champion of conservatives, you can guess who gave him the title.And, as the policy arm of the Southern Baptist, I hope someone can come up with one policy he has championed. I thought the book that God gave us was all the policy we needed.I like his saying that George Bush had the right to go to war and the Republican party should take in the religious right and he wanted a consummation of the marriage not a ring.Look at the cover and you can see the book is about Richard and not the ERLC, that most Baptist don't know what he or the ERLC does or has done to advance the cause of Christ.And, proclaimed from the cover, the renowned pastor Jerry Sutton is really a work of wannabe.He is being sued for spending the Two Rivers Baptist Church money (God's) with no accounting.He has spent more time at the book store, fancy restaurants, far away places and this gave him little time for God's work at the church or to write a book.And, just a few of the above is reason to close down the ERLC and Broadman and Holman shoud be ashamed.I will guess the reason Jerry Sutton's name is on the book as author is , no prolific and legitimate writer would be associated with this puff piece on Richard Land.If Sutton still has his Two rivers credit card, he can give this book and early boost in sales and Bobby Reed can attest to his paying the credit card charges off with cash. What a waste of God's money and good paper and ink. ... Read more

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Johann Baptist Metz, founder of political theology in Europe, is one of the most significant Roman Catholic theologians working since the Second Vatican Council. In A Passion for God, J. Matthew Ashley edits and translates the most important of Metz's recent essays previously unavailable in English. This compelling and diverse collection reflects on such issues as the crucial place of memory in Christian faith and in society as a whole, the role of religious in the Church, the meaning of the mystical virtue of poverty of spirit and the relationship between Christianity and politics in modernity. A Passion for God includes an introduction by Ashley that surveys Metz's career in the context of postconciliar Catholic theology and offers the reader helpful advice for understanding Metz's work. Those interested in the various aspects of North American liberation as well as political or public theology will find this book to be an invaluable resource. ... Read more