Prominent Reformed Baptist James R. White once made a comment that "My Presbyterian brothers are going to be offended, but listen up. We Reformed Baptists read all your stuff, and you never read a word we have to say. That's my experience."
I think he makes a great point, I've interacted with my fair share of our Presbyterian friends, and to find one that is truly well read on Reformed Baptist Covenant Theology is a rarity, indeed. So, what we'll be doing today is walking through a list of books that every Paedobaptist who wants to understand Baptist covenant theology should read. It seems only fair to me that my friends should read the noteworthy people in our camp, since we as Reformed Baptists are all quite thoroughly educated in their Covenant Theology arguments. It's sad to me how many paedobaptists I've encountered who literally do not know that Baptist Covenant Theology exists, and even sadder that there are those who reject its existence even after being shown thousands of pages (which they usually never read) on the very subject. So, our goal today is to educate. I'm not necessarily trying to persuade people to drop Presbyterianism to become Baptists, but I am encouraging Presbyterians to take the same time getting to know our theology that we have taken to get to know theirs.
So, in no particular order, here's eleven texts that would be a great starting point for someone new to Baptist Covenant Theology:
The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology by Pascal Denault
This is probably the ultimate historical work on Baptist Covenant Theology, and, what's more, it leads you to a list of very useful primary sources on the subject from the 17th century.
A Reformed Baptist Manifesto by Sam Waldron and Richard Barcellos
There are areas of theology that I disagree with these two men on very strongly. However, their work in the area of is essential, because it so succinctly presents the infrastructure Reformed Baptist response to several theological schools of thought, and does so very well.
A Discourse of the Covenants that God made with men before the law by Nehemiah Coxe
The link is actually a text that also includes a pieces by congregational paedobaptist John Owen, because the CT is so very similar. However, it's the Coxe work that I want to draw attention to. Nehemiah Coxe is one of the greatest Baptist theologians who ever lived, and he's essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the Reformed Baptist position on Covenant Theology.
The Marrow of True Justification by Benjamin Keach
One of the reasons why the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith was written was to show the groups in 17th century England that had persecuted the Baptists and labeled them as heretics that these Particular Baptists held to the same orthodox faith that the paedobaptists did. This book is a good example of why that claim was true.
Devoted to the Service of the Temple: Piety, Persecution, and Ministry in the Writings of Hercules Collins by Michael Haykin
This text gives an inside look at one of the great catechizers of Reformed Baptist history. Along the way, it also gives insight into the suffering that the movement had to endure to survive in the face of paedobaptistic (I say it that way only because there were at least three major paedobaptist groups in England who oppressed the Baptists) and it also gives a telling glimpse into what life in the Reformed Baptist church looked like, historically.
The Complete Works of Andrew Fuller
This collection is important to understanding how some of the elements of the 17th century Baptist movement prospered in the generations that followed the initial writing of the 1689 Confession.
Abstract of Systematic Theology by JP Boyce
This might be the greatest systematic work ever written by a Reformed Baptist. Also, please do not confuse this author with Presbyterian JM Boice, who, I should say, was a splendid theologian in his own right.
"An Essay on the Kingdom of God" by Abraham Booth
This is actually not the first time I've recommended this essay. It also appears on my discussion on how Reformed Baptists interact with Theonomy. But Booth's work here is a really great example of the Baptist notion of Covenant Theology in an application mode, and for that it's worth bringing up again. He also has a great set of books called Paedobaptism Examined, but those are incredibly hard to find in print, unfortunately.
The Fatal Flaw of the Theology Behind Infant Baptism by: Jeffrey Johnson
Why do we believe in Covenant Theology but reject what some call 'Covenant Baptism'? Here's why. (And by the way, Reformed Baptist baptism, I would argue, is Covenant Baptism, because we baptize those who are actually in the Covenant according to Galatians 3.)
Recovering a Covenantal Heritage Edited by Richard Barcellos
What's great about this text is that it has about 15 articles by many different Reformed Baptist scholars, so it's a great way to get a feel for the basics at play in the questions of Covenant Theology from a Reformed Baptist perspective.
The Covenants by RBC Howell
Howell was the second president in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention, he also happened to be a very strong Reformed Baptist. This is a wonderful exposition of Covenant Theology from a Reformed Baptist perspective.
More resources:
I wanted to include more of the 17th century Baptists than I did. The issue is, it's very hard to find them in print, especially at a reasonable price. But, things are improving on that front. If you happen to have Logos Bible software, search the name Samuel Renihan, and you'll get some reasources on the 17th century Baptists that are really hard to find, elsewhere. You can also find it by searching 'London Baptist Covenant Theology'.
Also, I would be remiss if I did not like you to www.1689federalism.com. There are multiple schools of thought in Reformed Baptist Covenant Theology, but this one, I believe, holds the most historical precedent and so for the purpose of understanding the position historically I think this site is the most helpful.
And, no, I didn't include Spurgeon and no, it was not a mistake. Spurgeon was the Prince of Preachers, but he was a footsoldier of systematic theologians.
And, no, I didn't include Spurgeon and no, it was not a mistake. Spurgeon was the Prince of Preachers, but he was a footsoldier of systematic theologians.
TO THE REFORMED BAPTISTS READING THIS!
Do your homework, too! Know the authors listed above, and, just as importantly, know the paedobaptist position as well. The perfect place to start with that is Michael Horton's Introducing Covenant Theology. Do NOT try to debate paedobaptists unless you truly understand their position, and, at the same time, educate them on our position.
