Stephen R. Holmes

In this book Stephen Holmes explores the historical development and the key concepts of doing theology in the Baptist tradition.

Baptist Theology

Luke Stamps

Very helpful overview of Baptist history and thought. Holmes summarizes Baptist theology around two foci: Christ's immediate lordship over the individual and his lordship over the local church. For Holmes these two themes--individualism, rightly construed, and congregationalism--can help elucidate all of the other Baptist distinctives, including believers' baptism. I don't agree with everything in the book (e.g. Holmes' interpretation of Spurgeon and the Downgrade controversy or his position on women's ordination). But some of his positions were provocative in a much more helpful way (e.g. the possibility of a Baptist sacramental theology and his retrieval of a high view of the local church vis-a-vis individual salvation). For anyone interested in the Baptist witness in the 21st century, this book will be a page-turner.

Baptist Theology

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