The theology of John Smyth
John Smyth's radical thought and actions brought him many supporters, but even more opponents. During his writing career of only ten years, Smyth successively produced works of Puritan, Separatist, Baptist, and Mennonite thought. After accepting Mennonite beliefs, Smyth and a majority of his congregation petitioned to join the Waterlander Mennonites in Amsterdam. However, before the union could be achieved, Smyth died of tuberculosis. Under Thomas Helwys' leadership, the portion of Smyth's congregation that did not join the Waterlanders went back to England and established the first General Baptist church on English soil. Most studies of Smyth and his successors have approached the material with predominantly historical concerns. While the historical facts about Smyth are important, they should be coupled with his theology which motivated his actions. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate Smyth's theology within its context. The procedure for the investigation involves two informal parts. Chapters one and two comprise the first part which identifies the historical and theological environment that shaped Smyth's thought. The Puritan, Separatist, and Mennonite backgrounds which influenced his theology
Lee, Jason Kenneth
Philosophy
The theology of John Smyth. John Smyth's radical thought and actions brought him many supporters, but even more opponents. During his writing career of only ten years, Smyth successively produced works of Puritan, Separatist, Baptist, and Mennonite thought. After accepting Mennonite beliefs, Smyth and a majority of his congregation petitioned to join the Waterlander Mennonites in Amsterdam. However, before the union could be achieved, Smyth died of tuberculosis. Under Thomas Helwys' leadership, the portion of Smyth's congregation that did not join the Waterlanders went back to England and established the first General Baptist church on English soil. Most studies of Smyth and his successors have approached the material with predominantly historical concerns. While the historical facts about Smyth are important, they should be coupled with his theology which motivated his actions. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate Smyth's theology within its context. The procedure for the investigation involves two informal parts. Chapters one and two comprise the first part which identifies the historical and theological environment that shaped Smyth's thought. The Puritan, Separatist, and Mennonite backgrounds which influenced his theology
theology john john radical think_action bring many supporter even opponent write career successively produce work puritan separatist baptist think accept belief majority congregation petition join however union could_achieve die tuberculosis thomas leadership portion congregation join back england establish first general baptist church english soil study successor approach material predominantly historical concern historical fact important coupled theology motivate action purpose_investigate theology within_context procedure investigation involve informal part comprise first_part identifies historical_theological environment shape thought puritan separatist background influenced theology