The reformed theology of Benjamin Keach (1640-1704)
Benjamin Keach, the most prolific Particular Baptist theologian of the seventeenth century, described himself as a defender of 'Reformed Orthodoxy', a moniker which seems ill-fitting of an anti-paedobaptist who moved outside of the established circles. Despite this self-identification, modern scholarship has largely relegated him to a self-educated dissenting pastor whose only major achievement could be found in his controversial support of hymn singing. This work seeks to rescue Keach from that reputation by examining a broad spectrum of his theological thought and, ultimately, determining what Keach meant by his self description
Print Book, English, 2013
Centre for Baptist History and Heritage Studies, Oxford, 2013
Church history
xvi, 365 pages ; 23 cm.
9781907600005, 1907600000
860863043
Introduction
Keach's social networks, authorities, and influences: Early social networks
London networks
Close personal contacts
Publishing networks
Book access
Literary connections
Conclusion
Catechisms and confessions: History of catechetical literature
Continental catechisms
England
Benjamin Keach's catechisms
Keach's works
Keach's purposes
Keach's uniquenesses
Confessions
Benjamin Keach's confessional works
The content of Keach's confessions
The usage of Keach's confessions
Keach's influence and legacy
The Godhead: The doctrine of the Godhead
The rise of trinitarian concerns in England
The establishment and the trinity
From mainstream to Baptists
Benjamin Keach's doctrine of the Godhead
Trinitarian theology
Benjamin Keach's trinitarian theology proper
The order and oeconomy of the blessed trinity
Conclusion
Federal theology: Introduction to covenant theology
Defining the terms
Theological development: From the continent to England
Benjamin Keach's covenant theology
Identifying the covenants
Development of the covenants
Comparison of the two covenants
Implications
Justification: Significance of the doctrine
The context
Keach's evangelical and theological conversions
The impetus for Keach's exposition
The content of Keach's doctrine of justification
Definition of justification
Model of the atonement
Ordo salutis
Role of faith
Antinomian?
Millenarian eschatology: Eschatology in the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries
Chiliasm
Literal hermeneutic
Common eschatological themes
Radicalism
Benjamin Keach's eschatology
Chiliasm
Prophetic themes
Chronology
Eschatological hope
Radicalism?
Conclusion
Keach and Reformed orthodoxy
Publication of the author's PhD thesis, University of Oxford, 2010