The theology of John Smyth : Puritan, Separatist, Baptist, Mennonite / by Jason K. Lee.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Lee, Jason K.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Smyth, John, -1612.

Smyth, John.

Theology--History--17th century.

Theology.

History.

Physical Description:

xiv, 310 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Macon, Ga. : Mercer University Press, 2003.

Summary:

The first English Baptist, John Smyth, created controversy with his radical thought and actions. During his writing career of only ten years, Smyth successively produced works of Puritan, Separatist, Baptist, and Mennonite thought. After accepting Mennonite beliefs, Smyth and a majority of his congregation petitioned to join the Waterlander Mennonites in Amsterdam. However, before the union could be achieved, Smyth died of tuberculosis. Under Thomas Helwys's leadership, the portion of Smyth's congregation that did not join the Waterlanders returned to England and established the first General Baptist Church.

Most studies of Smyth and his successors have approached the material with predominantly historical concerns. While the historical facts about Smyth are important, they should be coupled with his theology, which motivated his actions. Jason K. Lee is the first scholar to investigate Smyth's theology in this context.

First, Lee identifies the historical and theological environment that shaped Smyth's thought, examining Puritan, Separatist, and Mennonite backgrounds in order. Smyth often found himself isolated from former associates as he continued his pursuit of truth. Second, Lee provides an analysis of Smyth's theology, including his understanding of Scripture, covenant, atonement, Christology, and church-state relations.

This book makes an important contribution to the understanding of both the origins of Baptists and of Christianity in the seventeenth century.

Contents:

Sixteenth and seventeenth-century background

English background

Dutch background

Smyths life, debates, and writings

Puritan stage

Separatist stage

Baptist stage

Mennonite stage

Smyths use of typology

Two uses of typology

Smyths typological interpretation of scripture

Smyths use of typology in defending his theology

Smyths mennonite typology

Smyths view of covenant

The covenant of the separatists

Smyths separatist writings

Smyths baptist writings

Smyths Mennonite writings

Modern views on Smyths use of the covenant

Smyths view of general atonement

Smyths reformed views

Smyths rejection of reformed views

Source of Smyths views

Reason for Smyths views

Debate with the separatists

Smyths view of Christ

Mennonite christology and the incarnation

Smyths early christology

Smyths christology as a Mennonite

Smyths revisions to his christology

Smyths acceptance of Mennonite christology

Smyths view of church and state

The background to Smyths view of church and state

Smyths writings on church and state

Source of Smyths thought

Relationship with other aspects of Smyths theology

Comparison of Smyth with Thomas Helwys

Smyths pursuit of truth

Smyths Mennonite doctrine

Smyth's influence on the General Baptists.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [295]-306) and index.

ISBN:

0865547602

OCLC:

51931136