Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches: A Contemporary Ecclesiology
By John S. Hammett. Kregel Publications. 2005. 368 pages. $19.99.
Review by Wayne Hager
Some of the topics discussed in this book are a good statement of what almost all Baptists can affirm (the nature of the church and the essence of the church). Other parts of the book seem to take a decidedly partisan view (such as pastoral authority and the role of women in the church). While the author knows everyone will not agree with him, I personally find it hard to accept some of his conclusions.
I can say this is a well-written book and makes its points strongly and well reasoned. His primary purpose is to reclaim the place of the church in the world by fully examining what it means to be the church. This book will find the most welcome home among those who are redefining what it means to be a Baptist and an evangelical Christian. This is a direction welcomed by some and criticized by others. The book will also be helpful to those of a less conservative inclination in order to understand the scriptural, theological and historical support of a new Baptist ecclesiology. In other words, the book provides a good knowledge base for debate of contemporary ecclesiology.
Of most interest to me is the discussion of the trend among large, and some smaller, conservative churches of adopting a leadership model which includes "elders." Hammett provides evidence of Baptist elders in the 18th and 19th century (which come as news to most Baptists). Those who support the idea of elders in the church will find a great proponent in this book. Hammett almost sides with the validity of women deacons, but he comes down heavy on the side of a leadership model which includes elders, teaching (pastors) and ruling (lay people), both of whom must be men, according to Hammett's interpretation. Therefore, the breakthrough of women in the leadership of the church as deacons is overcome by insisting that pastors must be male (nothing new) along with the new level of lay leadership of "ruling elders" (the new twist).
Perhaps what I should say about this book is to quote Hammett's own words when referring to a series of articles in the Fall 1981 issue of Review and Expositor (Ordination for Christian Ministry): "I do not agree with the perspectives of all the articles but on the whole, they give helpful information on a topic rarely treated elsewhere in any depth."
