For generations Baptists have asked, "what does it mean to be a Baptist?" Exploring the life of Thomas Patient is helpful in finding an answer to this question. An English Puritan, then an American Baptist, then an English Particular Baptist, Patient's life of faithfulness and dedication to sound doctrine culminates in his foundational role in establishing the Baptist movement in Ireland. Although unknown by most Baptist historians, this exploration of the convictions and theology of Patient's life and ministry illustrates this under-appreciated figure's role in locating the Baptist identity. Through exploring Patient's extensive and early treatment of the doctrine of believer's baptism, Caswell grounds Baptist identity not fundamentally in the doctrine of soul competency, but rather in the biblical doctrine of believer's baptism. The life and ministry of Thomas Patient reminds readers why Baptists have been called Baptists. The Baptist identity is one distinguished by its unwavering conviction to the biblical doctrine of believer's baptism by immersion.
Review :
"Caswell's work on Thomas Patient gives vital insight on the relationship of the early Particular Baptists to one another, their theological vitality, their church planting energy, and their willingness to suffer for what they believed to be clearly revealed truth. The careful development of the practice and theology of believers' baptism by immersion also is discussed with clarity and contextual relevance in a comparison of the work of Norcott with that of Patient. How the life and thought of Patient is relevant for contemporary discussions of Baptist identity is also addressed in a clear and informative way. This book makes the fabric of early Baptist historiography a more tightly woven garment."
--Tom Nettles, Senior Professor of Historical Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
"Whether we realize it or not, we derive much of our identity from our family--the legacy of those who have gone before us. This holds true when it comes to our church family. In a word, we owe a great deal to many whom we have never met. In the present volume, Micah Caswell introduces us to one long-forgotten family member by the name of Thomas Patient, whose pioneer work in Ireland was pivotal to the establishment of Baptist churches and the spread of Baptist ideals in the early seventeenth century. As the reader will discover, Patient's endurance in suffering, faithfulness in preaching, and commitment to Christ, make him a family member worthy of admiration and imitation."
--J. Stephen Yuille, Vice President of Academics and Academic Dean of College, Heritage College & Seminary, Cambridge, ON; Associate Professor of Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY
