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ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT
This thesis is limited to a consideration of the English Separatist descent theory, one of three
theories of Baptist origins which have emerged in the past two hundred years. After introducing
briefly the chief affirmations and leading advocates of the successionist and Anabaptist spiritual
kinship theories respectively, brief biographical sketches of six English Separatist descent
historians are presented. The second chapter discusses the sources and methodology used by
these historians as well as the issues facing them. Chapters three and four delineate the historical
data English Separatist descent advocates used to substantiate their denials of organic and
theological identification of Baptists with Anabaptists (successionist and Anabaptist spiritual
kinship theories). A concluding chapter gives a critical appraisal of English Separatist descent
historians' methodology, sources, affirmations, and denials. The investigation reveals that these
historians generally followed their goal of objectivity and scientific methodology; however, they
occasionally committed methodological errors not consistent with their goal. Moreover,
historical facts substantiate some of the affirmations and denials of the theory; other facts,
however, inconsistent with the theology have been discovered. Theological presuppositions have
apparently influence English Separatist descent historians in formulating their conclusions. The
author's final assessment is that theological considerations actually have formed the differences
in interpretation among advocates of all three theories and will continue to do so. The
conclusion of the thesis is that a wise course, therefore, would be for advocates of these theories
to admit that, granted the validity of their theological convictions, their theory of Baptist origins
only approximates historical fact.
Go to special instructions:
Go to Title Page.
Go to Approval Page.
Go to Special Recognition.
Go to Abstract.
Go to Acknowledgments.
Go to Chapter I.
Go to Chapter II.
Go to Chapter III.
Go to Chapter IV.
Go to Chapter V.
Go to Appendix A, p. 1.
Go to Appendix A, p. 2.
Go to Appendix B, p. 1.
Go to Appendix B, p. 2.
Go to Appendix B, p. 3.
Go to Appendix C, p. 1
Go to Bibliography
Go to Table of Contents, p. 1
Go to Table of Contents, p. 2