J. Matthew Pinson

J. Matthew Pinson, a Free Will Baptist scholar (I'd say theologian), writes a stirring defense and apologetic in support of feet-washing, which is an ordinance in the Free Will Baptist Church on par with the Lord's Supper and baptism. Although this book is derived from a series of lectures, and Pinson claims it is thoughtful, not scholarly, Pinson is being modest. This book, though there are a few un-intrusive contractions, is scholarly. He talks about the history, he gets exegetical with the Bible passages, he makes theological arguments. And it is properly and well cited with footnotes, it contains a bibliography, three appendices, and subject, scripture, and name indices. A good book. After considering Pinson's arguments, I now more fully accept that the washing of the saints' feet should be practiced as an ordinance of the church.… (meer)

An excellent primer to the theology, history, and practices of the Free Will Baptists. I grew up a Southern Baptist. In my late teens and early twenties I developed an admiration for Puritans and Calvinists and idolized Jonathan Edwards. Today in my late twenties I tentatively refer to myself as a Free Will Baptist. Due mainly to this book and others.

J. Matthew Pinson writes fairly well and is lucid. He cites his evidence and doesn't make any untoward leaps of faith (pun intended). The first two chapters are the meat of this book: the history of the Free Will Baptists and their beliefs. Here we learn that the first English Baptists were Arminian in their beliefs pre- and post-salvation. One Catholic friend of mine can't wrap his head around that one. "Baptists that don't believe in 'once saved, always saved'"? Yep. The second chapter outlines their doctrinal distinctives: a proud Arminian theology that is conseravtive, fundamentalist, evangelical, and Bible-based. Pinson doesn't shy away from turning to the Bible to lightly excoriate (oxymoron?) Calvinism and ably defend his position.

I heartily recommend this book to all theologically-minded individuals, particularly Southern Baptists who wonder about "once saved, always saved" and Calvinists who deride Arminians as little better than Pelagians or universalists.

Kudos overall, but, structurally, I would have rather have had proper footnotes, an annotated bibliography (it is a handbook, after all), and a weightier index; theologically, a bit more on prevenient grace, but other Free Will Baptists theologians (Forlines and Picirilli amongst them) will pick up that slack. Indeed it is a handbook, not a weighty theological tome.… (meer)