Articles of Faith

At the outset it must be acknowledged that this book may well not circulate widely outside of those of a particular Particular Baptist persuasion(!)  But a fresh treatment of the doctrinal position of the denomination called Gospel Standard (GS) Baptists is welcome to me.  And this is the first of what promises to be an excellent new series on the GS 35 Articles of Faith, reinvigorating the Gospel Standard Trust's publication list.  Ken Matrunola has a clear, easy to read style.  This is remarkable in view of the fact that his contribution to the book was originally given as a lecture in the late 1980's, and has been transcribed without being edited.  He addresses the subject of the need for Confessions of Faith initially, before going on to an examination of Article 1, regarding the Bible.  In a brief reference to the history of Particular Baptist Statements of Faith, and of the rise of the GS Articles, he notes that further research was desirable as to precisely how the latter came to be constituted in their present form.  This has been amply supplied in an Appendix which is longer than the lecture!  Here Timothy Abbott brings documentary evidence from an extensive enquiry into this matter.  Much is referred to, but more important matter has been reproduced, thus bulking out the Appendix.  This is good for those who desire to dig into it deeply - but it needs to be read selectively (at least at first go!) in order for the thread not to be lost.  A tip here is to focus on the italicized portions.  The clear stamp of William Gadsby's theology placed upon John Gill's initial contribution is conclusively shown to be fundamental to a correct understanding of the GS Articles.  This has considerable implications for the denomination as a whole, particularly in drawing a clear line of demarcation based upon doctrine rather than upon tradition.  It should cause major heart-searching for both young and old in GS churches, but probably won't.  Anyway the quote from William Gadsby at the end really is worth the modest price of the book alone!

'Articles of Faith. Why and where from?' by Ken Matrunola and Timothy Abbott. Gospel Standard Trust Publications. £5.50.  Just out now - they haven't yet got it showing on their website (as of today).

Jeremy

Christmas Evans

No, I'm not getting ahead of myself - this is not about Christmas. Just about a man who was named after the day he was born on! He lived from 1766-1838 and became a Baptist minister in Wales. Have you heard of him? Read this commendation by Dr D Martyn Lloyd-Jones no less: 'The great Christmas Evans, whom some would say was the greatest preacher that the Baptists have ever had in Great Britain'. This is quoted from the short biography written by B A Ramsbottom, published by The Bunyan Press at £2.95. I took this little book on holiday as we stayed on the Lleyn peninsula, scene of some of Evans' labours. It is hard to imagine now the powerful revival that came to that rugged and beautiful place through his ministry. There were 5 chapels on the peninsula built for him, but he used to preach in every village he visited, and 5 times on a Sunday! He also found time to translate John Gill's Commentary into Welsh, which shows the nature of his theology I think.

Following the careful directions given in the book we managed to locate the ruins of one of the chapels, before continuing on up to the top of Rhiw Mountain (not a true mountain at all!) where fine views over land and sea may be enjoyed. The cause of the ruination of the chapels was not time, but the fatal infection of false doctrine. Sandemanianism (bare belief in the facts of the Bible and Christ's redeeming work is sufficient for salvation) wreaked havoc where great blessing had been known. The Baptist cause suffered greatly and Christmas Evans was turned out of his beloved Anglesey, to their loss. Many good men and women found a new home amongst the Calvinistic Methodists. History has lessons for us...

Tim Shenton has written a book about Christmas Evans. It is a larger hardback published by Evangelical Press, but sadly out of stock from them at the moment. Last price was £11.99. Day One have also published a paperback by him at £8 (contains historical photos). We have this one in stock.

Jeremy

Off to Devon?

North Devon in the early 19th Century was a miserably superstitious and poorly educated rural community, in contrast with its natural beauty. Here John Winzer was born, born again and became one of the despised ‘Anabaptists’. Not a preacher, but an earnest prayerful farmer, he was central to the work of God in the area which brought spiritual light and led to the establishment of several chapels. If true zeal for God is to be measured, this book will put many 21st Century Christians to shame.

If you're heading to Devon for a holiday this summer, be sure to pack a copy of 'John Winzer', and look out for the places mentioned in the book.

Make John Winzer your alternative for Harry Potter! It's far cheaper at £2.50 and a hardback. You had better get in early and get it from us - we're cheaper than Amazon!!

Jeremy

'Divine Energy' by John Skepp

Our blog has got bogged down! Busily trying to get things straight in advance of our holiday next week. But I just had to broadcast news of this latest book in from the States. Until republished by Baptist Standard Bearer it had been as easy to get hold of as snow in the Sahara. The author was looked up to by no less a man than John Gill, who gave it a recommendatory preface. It was first printed in 1722, and was the only thing that John Skepp wrote. He focusses in on Ephesians 1 v 19 in strongly giving emphasis to the power and priority of God in saving sinners. It is subtitled 'The efficacious operations of the Spirit of God upon the soul of man, in his effectual calling and conversion'. This may be a mouthful, but in fact Skepp reads more easily than Gill in my opinion. However this isn't a review - yet (as I haven't finished reading it). A minor adverse comment is as to who would design such an abominable cover as this one? I won't even display it here for fear of scaring the faint-hearted and children! But still don't let it put you off.
Jeremy