Description
Baptists have a rich history of spiritual formation that many modern Baptists pull from unknowingly. In the 21st century, Baptists lean on centuries of faithful practice pulling from the historical and theological dimensions of the Baptist faith. Coleman M. Ford and W. Madison Grace II offer a practical understanding of these dimensions that can only be found in the unique expression of the Baptist faith. Within the chapters of this book, Coleman and Grace offer insight into the Baptist thought and practice that shaped the communal life within the local church. They highlight the distinct liturgy, ordinances, and confessional statements that have shaped those within the Baptist church as well as those outside of it throughout history. They also point to the influence that missions, evangelism, and mercy ministries have played in shaping Baptist life. This book is more than a historical and theological overview of the Baptist practices; it is a call to understand and appreciate the beauty, complexity, and significance of the Baptist tradition and how it has shaped who we are today.