Divinity School professor writes book on ‘Baptist Catholicity’

     Is catholic identity an emerging trend in Baptist theology? This is one of the many themes discussed in a new book by Campbell University Divinity School professor Dr. Steve Harmon.
     “Towards Baptist Catholicity: Essays on Tradition and the Baptist Vision” was released last month by Paternoster. The book is volume 27 in the series “Studies in Baptist History and Thought.”
     “Catholicity is a reference both to the wholeness of the church to which all Christians belong and to the qualities that have distinguished this church from less-than-whole expressions of Christian faith and practice,” Harmon explained. “Baptists are catholic Christians first and Baptists second. My book is an exploration of what it means for Baptists to be catholic in this sense.”
     Other themes explored in the book are tradition as a theological category in Baptist perspective, the relationship between Baptist confessions of faith and the patristic tradition, the importance of Trinitarian catholicity for Baptist faith and practice, catholicity in biblical interpretation, worship as a principal bearer of tradition and the role of Baptist higher education in shaping the Christian vision.
     “For all of our important distinctives, we Baptists have much to learn from the theology, worship and practices of our ancestors in the ancient church,” said Barry Jones, associate dean of the Divinity School. “In response to a world that is growing increasingly smaller, Dr. Harmon’s book will help Baptists find common ground with our global Christian neighbors. Further, in a world that is changing more and more rapidly, he is also showing us ways to anchor our Baptist faith more deeply in classical Christianity.”
     Timothy George, executive editor of “Christianity Today,” said, “This is the best book I have read connecting ecclesiology, ecumenism and the Baptist tradition with the Gospel imperative for Christian unity.”
     There is a scheduled book signing during the Homecoming events on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in the Taylor Hall of Religion. A brief book discussion and book signing will also be held on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Campbell University Barnes and Noble store.
     Harmon is currently working on a volume that concentrates on 1 and 2 Peter, 1-3 John and Jude that will appear in the “Reformation Commentary on Scripture,” published by InterVarsity Press. Harmon is also currently serving as vice chair of the Doctrine and Interchurch Cooperation Commission of the Baptist World Alliance. He was recently appointed a member of the Baptist World Alliance delegation to a five-year series of ecumenical conversations with the Vatican Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. He also serves as president of the Southeast Region of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion.

Photo Copy: Dr. Steve Harmon of the Campbell Divinity School