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Thoughtful Christianity

Editor’s note: After almost 30 years of writing book reviews for this website I come to a unique turn of events. The author of this book, Dr. Matthew C. Shrader, is my youngest son. It is a blessing to know that when a son stands on the shoulders of a father he reaches higher and […]

The Best of G. Campbell Morgan

This is a 1972 reprint by Baker Book of Morgan’s sermons compiled by Ralph Turnbull. Morgan (1863-1945) was a well-known British preacher and pastor of Westminster Chapel in London. I have always enjoyed his commentaries and I equally enjoy reading his sermons. Campbell was encouraged to preach as a young man after hearing D.L. Moody […]

Revival in Rose Street

The subtitle to this book is, “Charlotte Baptist Chapel, Edinburgh, 1808-2008.  Ian Balfour is a long-time member of this church and a fine historian.  We met Ian Balfour a few years ago on one of our Baptist History tours when he spoke to us at a lunch.  This year we found that the Chapel had […]

J.M. Cramp

“The Baptists of the sixteenth century, generally, were a godly, upright, honourable race.  They hated no man.  But all men hated them.  And why?  Because they testified against the abominations of the times, and wished to accomplish changes which would indeed have revolutionized society, because it was constructed on anti-Christian principles, but which were in […]

Menno Simons

Menno Simons:  “Before God neither baptism nor the Supper nor any other outward ordinances avail if partaken without the spirit of God and a new creature.  We are not regenerated because we have been baptized.  We are baptized because we have been regenerated by faith and the Word of God.  Faith is to precede baptism.” […]

Robert Lowry

(March 1826 – November 1899) Robert Lowry was born in Philadelphia, PA. March 12, 1826.  He was a Baptist minister, composer of gospel hymns, and a Professor of Literature.  He was married and had three sons.  Lowry died at home in Plainfield, New Jersey on November 23, 1899 and is buried at Hillside Cemetery. Robert […]

Benjamin Keach

(1640-1704) If ancient church records can be believed, Baptists have not always enjoyed singing in church, especially those songs of “human composure.”  But is was a Baptist pastor who is considered to be the leader in establishing the idea of congregational singing versus the established Metrical Psalm singing that was currently in use in all […]

Baptist History

I was happy to find this volume of Dr. Cramp’s 1868 work on Baptist History.  Cramp was born in England (1796) but spent almost all of his ministry in Nova Scotia, Canada.  Originally published by Elliot Stock, Paternoster Row, London, this volume is a 1987 reprint by Baptist Heritage Publications of Watertown, Wisconsin.  It contains […]

Borders, Language, and Culture

           41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.  42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done […]