The podcast's first interview! I sit down with Clif Daniell - a scholar, Presbyterian minister, and pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church - to talk about the duties of the Westminster Assembly and 17th Century English Radicalism, a subject on which he has been published. Our discussion will hopefully provide a greater context to the last episode (the English Civil War) and the overall religious milieu of England in the 1640's Questions or Comments - thebaptistheritage.net

In this episode we give an overview of the reign of King Charles and the ecclesiastical reforms implemented by Archbishop William Laud. We also explore the causes of the English Civil War (1642-1651) and the outbreak of radicalism during the conflict. All of this will be helpful in providing the Baptist historian with some context of contemporary events during the formative years of the denomination (1640+) and the role confessions played in distinguishing them from heretics. For a ful...

In this episode we connect the ongoing narrative of Baptist origins to two groups that developed independently of one another: the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists. We will look at some of the leading figures of the groups, their early confessions, and theological traits. A firm understanding of these two groups helps one identify the balance between Calvinism and Arminianism that would emerge a century later during the Great Awakening. Full transcript with footnotes and citatio...

In this episode we discuss Thomas Helwys, the founder of the First Baptist Church in England in 1612. We will explore his writings to understand why he decided to leave the relative safety of his exile in Holland and head back to England to make a stand against the Anglican Church. His book on religious freedom "A Short Declaration of the Mistery of Iniquity" was so taboo that King James, who had received an autographed copy by Helwys himself, had the man imprisoned for the remainder of his l...

In this Episode we take a break from the historical narrative of the Separatists to talk about the difference between credobaptism (believer's baptism) and paedobaptism (infant baptism). Did the earliest Christians baptize babies? If so, why aren't there any examples in Scripture? If not, how did the ordinance come to be imbued with such ceremonial pomp? Why didn't it end with the Reformation? And why was believer's baptism met with such militant resistance? Have a listen to find these answer...

In this episode we are continuing the story of John Smyth and John Robinson’s congregations as they escape from England and head to Amsterdam in 1607/1608. This moment is important for a number of reasons, but two particular things stand out: 1) Smyth baptizes his congregation as believing adults (believer’s baptism), which was deemed a heresy during Medieval Christianity and 2) Robinson leads a faction of the group to the city of Leiden, where they worship until their decision to travel to A...

In this episode we'll be discussing John Smyth and his contribution to the Baptist faith. Though his theological perspectives were never quite static - evolving from Puritan to Separatist, to Baptist, to Mennonite - he is considered by most a denominational forerunner and to have founded the first identifiable Baptist church in Holland in 1609. He rejected infant baptism, subsequently baptized himself (believer's baptism) and his congregation, while self-exiling in Amsterdam. During his early...

In this episode we will discuss the ascension of King James I (aka King James the VI of Scotland) to the English throne in 1603 and the winds of change in matters of religion. James' response to the Puritan's petitions for further reformation occasions the Hampton Court Conference of 1604, which resulted in the commission of a new translation of the Bible (take a guess what its called). Also, we will look at a couple of the Translators, namely Lancelot Andrewes and Laurence Chaderton, and how...

Francis Johnson, the “Bishop of Brownism.” For this discussion we'll be drawing heavily on the material featured in Scott Culpepper’s excellent biography of the titular character. We will be evaluating the distinctions of separatism as something greater than simply “not Anglican” as Johnson struggles with congregational strife and the defection to Anabaptistry of his former student, John Smyth. Plus, I’ll recount the crazy story of how Johnson and his brother went to North America 22 years be...

On this episode we discuss the beginning of the separatist movement and how it is different from that of the Puritans. We look at some primary texts that illustrate the existence and mistreatment of these groups at the hands of Queen Elizabeth I. We also discuss the "leader" of the movement, Robert Browne, his character, legacy and works (A Treatise of Reformation Without Tarying for Anie) and how they fit into the growing principle of religious freedom. A Link to the full transcript with c...

We start the Baptist History podcast with a discussion of Elizabeth's religious settlement (1558) and the rise of non-conformists sects. The practices and writings of some Puritans are explored and their growing persecution and discontent is emphasized, ultimately leading to the rise of Separatism - the focus of Episode 2. Full transcript with can be found here. Enjoy! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hv_AQWLx785LeRdRax8eD_9HcoBU8Rst/view?usp=sharing