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Theology in Particular

Episode 72: Political Theology Of 17th Century Particular Baptists with James Renihan

Dec 19, 2022
James Renihan, the President of International Reformed Baptist Seminary, shares his expertise on the political theology of 17th-century Particular Baptists. He reveals how these early Baptists navigated the turbulent shift from monarchy to parliamentary control, impacting their views on religious freedom. The conversation also touches on how moral values and personal beliefs have evolved amid modern cultural pressures. Renihan emphasizes the importance of Christians engaging with politics while keeping spiritual priorities at the forefront.
42:43

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The evolving political theology of 17th century Particular Baptists reflected a response to changing governance, navigating between monarchy and parliamentary influences.
  • Distinct experiences of Baptists in England and America shaped their political views, emphasizing religious freedom and separation of church and state in different contexts.

Deep dives

Political Theology of 17th Century Baptists

The political theology of 17th century particular Baptists was marked by diversity, influenced by varying political circumstances and differing opinions among the leaders. Their confessions evolved in response to the political climate, as seen in the shifts from the First London Confession in 1644 to subsequent revisions. Each version reflected their attempt to find a balance between acknowledging the monarchy and the parliamentary system, mirroring the broader societal conflicts of their time. This complexity suggests that Baptist political thought was neither monolithic nor static; rather, it adapted to the challenges presented by their era.

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