The European Baptist Federation
A Case Study in European Baptist Interdependency 1950-2006
- History & Biography
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2009
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Publisher's Description
A criticism often leveled at Baptists is that they have no theology of ecclesial reality beyond the local. In this book Keith Jones describes the history and current reality of the European Baptist Federation (EBF), which brings together over fifty national Baptist groups in Europe and the Middle East and seeks to demonstrate that there is an ecclesial reality within the organization, expressed in its communal life, mission activity, working on theological education, in relationship to other Christian world communions and in its decision making processes. The role of the pivotal figure of the General Secretary of the EBF is examined with particular reference to two significant figures. The relationship of European Baptists during the cold war era is explored, as is the relationship to two key mission agencies from the USA who have done much work in Europe. This represents ground-breaking work in terms of an examination of how Baptists in Europe work together trans-nationally.
Endorsements (4)
“Keith Jones' study of the European Baptist Federation breaks new ground in both church history and theology. No-one reading this book can be left in doubt that Baptists, for all their emphasis on the local congregation, see real theological significance in forms of wider fellowship and missionary structure. A work of first-rate importance, it will inform and challenge Baptists themselves, and will enlighten ecumenical dialogue with other church traditions.”
“Baptists find it relatively easy to delineate their ecclesiology of the local church but more difficult to focus on the theological significance of larger ecclesiastical units. This is where the present volume provides such helpful insights as to how Baptists develop both the practice and the theology of larger endeavors in associate engagement, which Indicates why a theology that speaks only of the independence of the local church is a dangerous heresy, since properly Baptists must always talk about interdependent gathering communities, coming together under God for the mission with which he charges them. All this underlines why every Baptist library, as well as anybody seriously concerned about the health of Baptist life, needs to possess this book.”
“It is high time the story of the European Baptist Federation was told, and here the subject has found its author. Dr Jones's mastery of his sources is thorough; he has filled a significant gap in Baptist history; and his book should be read by Baptists, by their ecumenical partners, and even by non-ecumenical Baptists.”
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