Baptist Ecclesiology as Continued Reform, an Extension of the Reformation

August 29, 2024May 30, 2026Kirk E. Miller

Hercules Collins’ An Orthodox Catechism is a Baptist adaptation of the Reformed Heidelberg Catechism. In his, preface, Collins compares the theological development by these early Baptists to the reforms under Joshua, Hezekiah, and Ezra and Nehemiah, as they went back to scripture to recover “true worship” as prescribed by God. Collins specifically mentions that these Particular Baptists agree with the other “orthodox divines” in the “fundamental principles.” They simply differ on some things about “church-constitution” (ecclesiology). In other words, Collins sees the Baptists as providing further reformation (like Joshua, Hezekiah, Ezra, Nehemiah) specifically in the realm of ecclesiology (“church-constitution,” “the true form of God’s house”). In other words, early Baptists saw themselves as simply continuing in the spirit of the Protestant Reformation, extending Reformation principles to ecclesiology.

I will quote the entirety of his explanation:

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Roman Catholicism (with Gregg Allison)

April 25, 2023Kirk E. Miller

What are some of the major differences between Roman Catholic and evangelical theology? And how do we assess these differences? How should we relate to our Roman Catholic friends, family members, and neighbors? Join us for this episode with Gregg Allison as we discuss these questions and more.

Access the episode here. (Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more.)

Denominations & Traditions Chart

July 21, 2021September 7, 2022Kirk E. Miller

Below is a basic denominations & traditions chart I made for the residents while working at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. I’m hesitant to share this here because, admittedly, its overly simplistic and I suspect many will find it unsatisfying or maybe even at times misleading for that reason. Nonetheless, for someone who is less familiar and looking simply to get a basic acquaintance with the general landscape, I hope this can provide a helpful starting place, notwithstanding the understandable short comings of something as brief as this.

Pastoral Theology & Church Practice in Calvin’s Geneva, Pt. 2 (Scott Manetsch)

March 2, 2020May 6, 2021Kirk E. Miller

In this episode, Kirk sits down with professor and well-regarded church historian, Dr. Scott Manetsch, to discuss what church life was like in Reformation-era Geneva under the ministry the John Calvin.

Access the episode here (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more).

See all other episodes in this series