In July 2009, Dr. Haykin will be among the featured speakers at the Calvin 500 conference (a complete list of speakers is available here). This conference is in commemoration of the quincentenary of John Calvin’s birth in 1509. Registration for the conference is now open. To register, go here. You may also visit the Calvin 500 Blog.
John Gill, "the neglected Baptist theologian"
Working currently on the Charleston Association and its use of the Second London Confession of Faith I noticed that in its publication of this confession in 1813, the Association also published a Summary of Church Discipline. One of the distinguishing marks of the latter is its liberal quoting of the Baptist theologian John Gill (1697-1771). Despite some recent studies of Gill—including a collection at the time of the tercentennial of his birth—Gill is still very much, as Paul Helm has recently noted, “the neglected Baptist theologian” (December). Because of this I am very much looking forward to Prof. Helm’s promised postings on Gill in the new year. See his blog: "Helm's Deep".
Conference on Southern Seminary & the History of American Christianity
Southern Seminary is hosting an outstanding conference on February 18th and 19th, 2009. The theme is Southern Seminary & the History of American Christianity. Speakers include church historians and theologians as: Dr. Mark Dever, Dr. Gary Dorrien, Dr. Timothy George, Dr. Darryl Hart, Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr., Dr. Russell D. Moore, Dr. Thomas Nettles, Dr. Stephen Nichols, Dr. Grant Wacker, and Dr. Greg Wills. To view the complete schedule click here. Conference registration can be done online by credit card here at the rates of:
$25.00 — SBTS / Boyce Student Registration Fee $45.00 — Conference Registration Fee $55.00 — Late Registration Fee (after February 7th)
These conference fees cover the cost of the conference, as well as a continental style breakfast and boxed lunch on Thursday (the 19th).
Lodging is available on campus at The Legacy Center Hotel. Please call 877-444-SBTS to place a reservation. Be sure to request the “SSHAC09” Special Conference Rate.
This promises to be an excellent conference that I'm greatly looking forward to attending myself.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
Milton Audio Now Online
On November 13, 2008, the Andrew Fuller Center sponsored an event celebrating the life and thought of John Milton (1608-1674). The occassion was the quatercentenary of Milton's birth. This event featured a brief historical introduction to Milton by Dr. Michael Haykin, followed by selected readings from Milton's works by Dr. Jim Orrick. The event concluded with a presentation on Milton's classic work Paradise Lost by Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, interspersed with readings from Mr. Anthony Sauls.
The complete audio of this event is now available for free MP3 download.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
Centres of love?
Evangelicalism has done a great job historically of creating communities of light. But what of centres of love? Have we Evangelicals been as successful there? Are our churches known as places of love? Are we lovingly building into each others' lives? Sometimes I genuinely fear that the answer to these questions is no and that this is one reason--not the only one, but an important one--why our churches are failing to make a profound impact on our society.
ETS, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, & Parkside Church
Last week I attended the Evangelical Theological Society annual meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, a beautiful city with a rich Baptist history. The busyness of the meetings, both formal and informal, though prevented me from getting to see the nearby First Baptist Church of America--the beautiful 1775 meeting-house--and Brown University. I did see the church in the shuttle taking me to the airport last Thursday and am thankful for the saints of James Manning's day who built this house of prayer and worship. This past weekend, my son Nigel and I and a close friend, Stephen Swallow, and his two sons, Peter and Ben, went to Cleveland to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Had three hours at the museum--especially interesting were the various written memorabilia, like the report card of John Lennon at twelve years of age in 1953 (the year I was born) or letters relating to Jim Morrison of the Doors. It was fascinating to read a report from Jim Morrison's Sunday School Superintendent (also written in 1953), after Jim had given a fine Sunday Scool recitation. How different was his end from his beginning! A good reminder of the necessity of finishing well.
Afterwards we stayed in a Marriott hotel and then this morning attended the third worship service at Parkside Church. Alistair Begg preached an excellent word from Isaiah 45 and Acts 17.
All in all a delightful weekend.
Book Review of Return to Rome by Francis Beckwith
Michael Haykin has written a review of Francis Beckwith's new book, Return to Rome: Confessions of An Evangelical Catholic. Dr. Francis Beckwith was the president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS), until he resigned last year due to his conversion to Roman Catholicism. This review is very timely, as this book has just been released this week in advance of this year's annual meeting of ETS.
To find this review and others which might be of interest to our readers, please visit the Book Review page of this site.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
“Love for the Brothers”: A Message by Dr. Michael Haykin
Today in chapel at SBTS, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin preached from 1 John 3:11-24 on the theme of "Love for the Brothers." It was an excellent and challenging message that features faithful exposition of the text elucidated by fascinating accounts from the history of the church. In this message, Dr. Haykin argues that "love for the brothers" (along with the preaching of the Word, the administration of the ordinances, and church discipline) constitutes a clearly biblical mark of the church. To hear the message or to download the MP3 click here.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
New Audio Posted
Over the last week or so I've posted three new MP3s on this site's Audio page. The MP3s are of lectures given by Dr. Michael Haykin at a variety of venues. These include a lecture on William Tyndale given on behalf of Southern Seminary's Bible Translators in Training student society. Another lecture on spiritual disciplines for pastors was given at a recent meeting of the Toronto Pastor's Fellowship. A final new posting is actually the posting of a lecture from last year's conference on Islam held by Sola Scriptura Ministries. Dr. Haykin's session covers the historical background of Islam. For more audio by Dr. Haykin visit the Audio page where new MP3s are posted regularly.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
A church historian's brief take on The Shack
Tonight I was with a good friend, Scott Dyer (whom I have known since 1982 when he took a class with me on 1 Corinthians, and which I have been teaching at TBS this term on certain Saturdays), and we chatted a little about the recent bestseller The Shack. Scott rightly pointed out how nervey it is to put words in the mouth of our holy Lord--and such words too! When one thinks of recent reading material in Evangelical circles it makes anyone concerned about biblical fidelity and solid theology wince and blush! To think that later generations will judge this day by such wretched theological pablum! Or maybe it and other pieces of literature like it will simply sink into oblivion so that only those church historians who are experts in the theological quirkiness of the early 21st century will know about it. Let's hope so! Another good friend, Dr Stephen Yuille, who blogs at Deus pro nobis (love that Latin!), has written a fine review here of The Shack.
Senator Obama on abortion: a view from the North
I am not an American, but as a Canadian who believes that our nation is intimately tied to the United States--which to my mind makes some of the remarks by the Liberal Party and the NDP in the most recent election about what they would do for the economy simply pie in the sky (thankfully many Canadian voters saw the inadequacy of the Liberals' platform in the most recent election)--I am convinced that the American election should be of deep concern to us and be a matter of real prayer. Here is a disturbing article by Robert George and Yuval Levin that clearly reveals Senator Obama's position on abortion: Obama and Infanticide. As Dr Russell Moore made plain in Thursday's chapel at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, this issue of abortion is the critical issue of our day (see his powerful message, "Joseph of Nazareth Is a Single-Issue Evangelical: The Father of Jesus, the Cries of the Helpless, and Change You Can Believe In" (Matt 2:13-23) ), and Christians must make this the critical factor in voting. Otherwise, how can we condemn the Nazi regime for its murderous brutality?
HT: Justin Taylor.
Miss White and Mr & Mrs Edwards
Keith Edwards, whose friendship I treasure and thank God for regularly, here gives thanks to God for his mother in the faith: see the latest post on his blog for Miss White. And while you are at it, read his lovely tribute to his dear wife, one of my wife's closest friends: 25 Years - A Tribute to My Wife Thank you Lord for Keith and Ruth.
New Release: The Advent of Evangelicalism
Dr. Haykin has edited another book which is soon to be released by B&H Academic. The volume is titled The Advent of Evangelicalism and was co-edited with Kenneth Stewart. This volume is offers a scholarly interaction with David Bebbington's widely acclaimed 1989 book, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730s to the 1980s by scholars on both sides of the Atlantic.
Contributors include: David W. Bebbington, Joel R. Beeke, John Coffey, Timothy George, Crawford Gribben, Michael A. G. Haykin, Paul Helm, D. Bruce Hindmarsh, David Ceri Jones, Thomas S. Kidd, Timothy Larsen, Cameron A. MacKenzie, A. T. B. McGowan, D. Densil Morgan, Ashley Null, Ian J. Shaw, Kenneth J. Stewart, Douglas A. Sweeney, Garry J. Williams, and Brandon G. Withrow.
From the Publisher:
In this critically acclaimed book edited by Michael A. G. Haykin and Kenneth J. Stewart, esteemed contributors address the origins and interpretation of evangelicalism as they make a fresh and critical assessment of David Bebbington’s work, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain: A History from the 1730’s to the 1980’s (London: Unman Hyman, 1989).
Recommendations:
“This book is a must read for those interested in understanding evangelical identity, past and present”. – James A. Patterson, Union University
“David Bebbington in his magisterial Evangelicalism in Modern Britain is the object of both panegyric and protest in this collection of essays by his colleagues in the discipline of Christian history. The praise is properly profuse, even as the criticism, especially with regard to the source of evangelicalism, is properly profound. Critically, the essayists contend that evangelicalism is a phenomenon that extends geographically beyond Great Britain and that existed chronologically prior to the 1830s. Evangelicalism did not arise creatio ex nihilo; rather, evangelicalism developed within a particular, though broad, social context. Finally, in light of evangelicalism’s current crisis in doctrinal identity, this book may be especially timely.” – Malcolm B. Yarnell III, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
“The Advent of Evangelicalism makes for clearer thinking about the origin and developments of evangelicalism for a new generation. The range of scholars involved in this work is impressive, and I believe The Advent of Evangelicalism will hold the attention of many scholars and readers for years to come”. – Dr. Jack C. Whytock of Haddington House, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
“The Advent of Evangelicalism is an important series of reflections on David Bebbington’s significant work, Evangelicalism in Modern Britain. This book provides an excellent case study on the development of historiography around the organic nature of the generational changes in the church”. – Robert S. Wilson, Acadia Divinity College
Format: Paperback Page Count: 432 Retail: $24.99 ISBN-13: 9780805448603
To view the Table of Contents and Editor's Preface click here (pdf).
To preorder from Amazon.com click here ($16.49!).
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
Oliver Cromwell, Crawford Gribben & a quick reply
In my previous post on Cromwell and the current elections in Canada and the United States I didn't think that my remark about having admiration for Cromwell would be the controversial remark, but what I said about developing a Christian maturity when it came to politics. But since my remark about Cromwell elicietd three strong responses, permit me to make a quick reply in a few points.
1. First, I am an Irish Canadian, raised in England in a traditional Irish Catholic home, and proud of my heritage as an Irishman. But I am well aware that in the seventeenth century far too few Emglishmen, Anglican or Puritan, Royalist or Parliamentarian, regarded the Irish with any love or concern. One has to move beyond ethnicity in historical judgments.
2. I was referred to the great scholarly work of Crawford Gribben. Crawford is a close friend for whom I have a deep admiration. I have read most of his work, and agree with his emphases. In making the statement that I admire Cromwell, I am not also saying he was completely innocent when it came to the slaughter at Drogheda and Wexford. But, and this is important, those were the exceptions rather than the rule. He was, as Tom Reilly has put it in his history of the Cromwellian campaigns in Ireland, "an honourable enemy." And those words are from a Catholic historian from Drogheda.
3. If Cromwell did fail, are we then to resort to a "black and white" interpretation that depicts him as an utter scoundrel? That also would fail to do justice to the historical record. He was a touchstone of controversy in his day--but there must be something of value in his life when men as far afield as James Ussher, John Owen, Roger Williams, William Kiffin, and John Milton regarded him with admiration.
4. Finally, I am personally delighted at the responses--thank you for posting--it shows that concern about historical interpretation is still a vital concern to some.
New Towers Story on Fuller Conference
Jeff Robinson has written a nice news story on the recent conference on the 17th century British Baptists held by the Andrew Fuller Center. The story can be accessed at the Towers website.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
"Coming to Truth" Audio Now Available
On Wednesday, the Center for Worldview and Culture on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary sponsored a “Coming to Truth” discussion with Dr. Michael Haykin. This was the first of what promises to be a series of conversations in which faculty members will describe their intellectual journey, including their thoughts, events, and processes, that led them to conclude that Christianity is the universal truth. This first lecture/testimony was by Dr. Michael Haykin. The audio for this lecture is now available for download. To read an article from the Fall 2007 TIE (SBTS alumni magazine) describing Dr. Haykin’s conversion to Christ click here.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
"Coming to Truth": A Conversation with Dr. Michael Haykin
The Center for Worldview and Culture on the campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is sponsoring a "Coming to Truth" discussion on Wednesday, September 24 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. in Norton Hall Room 195. This is the first of a series of conversations in which faculty members will describe the intellectual journey, including their thoughts, events, and processes, that led them to conclude that Christianity is the universal truth. This first conversation will be with Dr. Michael Haykin, a former Trotskyite Communist Marxist and former Black Panther sympathizer. To view a promotional poster for this event click here.
To read an article from the Fall 2007 TIE describing Dr. Haykin's conversion to Christ click here.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
New Issue of Eusebeia Shipping
The latest issue of Eusebeia: The Bulletin of the Andrew Fuller Center is now shipping. This issue focuses on the namesake of the Center, Andrew Fuller himself. The theme is "Reading Andrew Fuller." The journal features nine scholarly articles by the likes of Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin, Dr. Carl R. Trueman, and Dr. Thomas J. Nettles. Most of the articles were originally papers presented at last year's conference. For a complete Table of Contents with free access to the editorial and an article by Dr. Haykin click here.
This issue can be ordered for $12 USD, or a subscription (which includes 2 issues) is available for $20 USD (international orders are $15 and $30 respectively). Subscription information, as well as limited access to past issues, is available here.
It is our desire to eventually provide a Table of Contents for all issues along with each issue's editorial by Dr. Haykin, a select article from each issue, and book reviews, all available for free PDF download. Some of the Table of Contents and articles from past issues have always been posted. Others will be posted soon. Be sure to visit this site regularly as new content is added often.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
First Book Review Posted
The first book review has been posted on the new "Book Review" page (see left sidebar under "Audio"). The first review is Dr. Haykin's review article on Brian McLaren's Finding Our Way Again: The Return of the Ancient Practices which appears in the current issue (Summer 2008) of The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology. As you will be able to tell if you take the time to read the article, it is not a recommendation of McLaren's use of "Ancient" church history. Instead, you will find a devastating critique of the whole emergent co-opting of the practices of the ancient church by a historical scholar trained in the field of Patristics. Don't miss this review, and continue to check back periodically as more reviews will be added every one or two weeks. Future reviews will generally be recommendatory of various works on Baptist history in particular, or church history in general.
Posted by Steve Weaver, Research and Administrative Assistant to the Director of the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies, Dr. Michael A.G. Haykin.
Book reviews: an addition to the Andrew Fuller Center mandate
It occurred to me this past weekend that one of the ways in which the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies can serve the Southern Baptist community, as well as the larger Baptist world and even the broader scene of English-speaking Evangelicalism, is through online reviews of books that specifically relate to Baptist history. One of the ways in which the publishing world has been impacted in the past twenty years or so, a time of massive change for that world, has been in the role played by book reviews. Book reviews often appear in journals or magazines anywhere up to a year, or even more, after the book being reviewed has been published. Given the way books are marketed today though, this often results in the book review playing no substantial role in the sale of the book.
Given the resources of the worldwide web, one of the ways around this dilemma is to publish online reviews as soon as possible after the book has been published, as a number of e-journals are already doing. So, in the next week or so the Center hopes to initiate such a venture and try to review a book every couple of weeks or so. There will be a link provided on the home page to see the book reviews both current and past. Do check back regularly to see what is being recommended in the exciting field of Baptist history and ancillary fields of church history.