Beyond 400: Exploring Baptist Futures

Synopsis: Baptists worldwide recently celebrated 400 years of history and witness. This volume is a collection of papers presented at the Beyond 400 conference held in Perth Western Australia as part of these celebrations. Contributors have written from a broad range of perspectives reflecting biblically and theologically on the thinking and practice of Baptists in the past and present. These reflections form a basis for exploring how Baptists can function more effectively in our contemporary world situation and imagine themselves in the future. Chapters range from providing historical perspectives to biblical and theological reflections on issues that have been critical to Baptist belief and ministry. They examine the core values that historically have distinguished Baptists within the broader context of the church and explore how these values might both underpin and play out in Baptist churches today. Contributions reflect a firm belief among both the presenters and attendees at the Beyond 400 conference that Baptists not only have a future but also offer a necessary voice to our world. This voice is firmly based on the issues that first precipitated the Baptist movement some 400 years ago and the continuing relevance of these issues as they are reimagined for our contemporary situation. Endorsements: This is a surprisingly rich feast of papers exploring the relevance and place of ecclesiological convictions and traditions in a post-denominational era. The lead articles by Nigel Wright and Martin Sutherland help the reader feel part of the original conference that birthed this publication. Supplemented by a rich array of supporting articles the final product is timely and thought provoking-even prophetic. --Brian Harris Principal Vose Seminary Perth Australia This book stretched my thinking and articulates future directions for Baptists around the world. As a Baptist denominational leader I appreciate its position that a denomination is not a church but rather a resource and service provider enabling local churches to fulfill their mission. --Mark Wilson Director of Ministries Baptist Churches Western Australia Editorial Biography: David Cohen is Head of Biblical Studies and Lecturer in Hebrew Bible at Vose Seminary Perth Western Australia. He has written about the relevance of lament Psalms for worship and pastoral care in Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005) and together with Michael Parsons edited On Eagles Wings: An Exploration of Strength in the Midst of Weakness (Wipf & Stock 2008). Michael Parsons formally Director of Postgraduate Research at Vose Seminary is now Associate Research Fellow at Spurgeons College London. He is the author of Luther and Calvin on Old Testament Narratives (2004) Reformation Marriage (2005) Calvins Preaching on the Prophet Micah (2006) and Martin Luthers Interpretation of the Royal Psalms (2009) and editor of Text and Task: Scripture and Mission (2005).