Just published: Baptist Theology. A Four Century Study.

This huge contribution to Baptist theology and history is just published. I've just ordered my copy. Obviously this is of more interest to Baptist readers of this blog – but indulge me. This is a landmark volume and it will be reviewed on the College blog in due course. here's the blurb as issued by the Baptist World Alliance Theological Commission:

James Leo Garrett, Jr., is writing a twelve-chapter, four-century
history of Baptist theology, which is to be published by Mercer
University Press, Macon, GA, and is designed to appear in advance
of the Baptist quadricentennial in 2009. A coordinated and comprehensive
history of Baptist theology from 1609 to the present, with an
initial chapter on pre-1609 influences, it is to provide an integrated
interpretation of Baptist confessions of faith, major Baptist
theologians, and Baptist theological movements and controversies.

The volume is to focus on
Baptist doctrine and will not encompass Baptist ethics, Baptist
spirituality, or Baptist apologetics. Although it tends to be
organized chronologically, it is not a narrative history but rather
an interpretation of theology in various historical contexts.
It gives major attention to England and the United States but
also includes the Baptist theology of other nations. Although
it is centered on distinctive Baptist theology, it also exhibits
both theological beliefs held in common with most other Christian
denominations (for example, the Trinity and the person of Christ)
and the heavy influence of certain other confessional traditions
upon Baptists (for example, the Reformed). The book does not defend
a single thesis per se but does constitute a massive argument
that there has been and is a Baptist theological tradition. It
does not attempt to treat authors having rather limited influence
or to interpret the beliefs of rank-and-file church members.

The volume is designed to
serve as a textbook for courses in Baptist theology or the Baptist
heritage in Baptist colleges, universities, seminaries, and divinity
schools. It is likewise intended to be read by pastors, educators,
and informed lay persons and to be purchased by institutional
libraries and by local church libraries.

Garrett is distinguished
professor of theology, emeritus, at Southwestern Baptist Theological
Seminary, having taught also in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary,
Baylor University, and Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary.