A Piety Above the Common Standard: Jesse Mercer and the Defense of Evangelistic CalvinismMercer University Press, 2005 - 238 pages Jesse Mercer (1769-1841) was a Baptist pastor, editor, and denominational statesman who figured prominently in the debates over Calvinism among Southern clergymen. Most studies of Calvinism in America have focused on Jonathan Edwards, the New Divinity Movement, and the Princeton theologians. Calvinism, however, played a key role in shaping the religious mind of the South, particularly among Baptists who debated the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility as it related to missions, education, and social reform. These debates led to the formation of two Baptist groups, Primitive and Missionary, the latter of which ultimately became Southern Baptists. This book explores the role of Jesse Mercer within these debates as he promoted the first form of the Georgia Baptist Convention. His Calvinistic theology governed his actions and life. He emphasized missions, theological training for pastors, and cooperation between churches in fulfilling the Great Commission. Calvinism is as important a topic today in the study of religion as it ever has been. This book gives perspective and history to current trends and understandings. |
From inside the book
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Page vii
... practice ; no one more zealously and persistently promoted all those benevolent institutions sanctioned by the gospel , and in accordance with Scripture principles ; nor has anyone in our State been so liberal in donations to ...
... practice ; no one more zealously and persistently promoted all those benevolent institutions sanctioned by the gospel , and in accordance with Scripture principles ; nor has anyone in our State been so liberal in donations to ...
Page viii
... practice . Few Baptists are aware that Jesse Mercer was a " five - point Calvinist " who published ten letters arguing that Jesus did not die for the entire human race but only for the elect of God ; or that the benevolent institutions ...
... practice . Few Baptists are aware that Jesse Mercer was a " five - point Calvinist " who published ten letters arguing that Jesus did not die for the entire human race but only for the elect of God ; or that the benevolent institutions ...
Page x
... practice of churches cooperating with one another in order to increase their effectiveness . All this took place in the context of religious revivals during the Second Great Awakening , a period in which many Christians believed the ...
... practice of churches cooperating with one another in order to increase their effectiveness . All this took place in the context of religious revivals during the Second Great Awakening , a period in which many Christians believed the ...
Page xi
... practice . The content of the first chapter reveals the evangelistic thrust of Georgia Baptists as they successfully adapted to the frontier and insisted upon religious liberty . They began to cooperate with one another through the ...
... practice . The content of the first chapter reveals the evangelistic thrust of Georgia Baptists as they successfully adapted to the frontier and insisted upon religious liberty . They began to cooperate with one another through the ...
Page xii
... practiced Calvinism in church life , particularly through church growth and church discipline . It was Jesse Mercer's contention that revival was a sovereign work of God , a belief that was often tested by those who promoted revivalism ...
... practiced Calvinism in church life , particularly through church growth and church discipline . It was Jesse Mercer's contention that revival was a sovereign work of God , a belief that was often tested by those who promoted revivalism ...
Contents
xiii | |
23 | |
He is rather of the old School Jesse Mercer and Calvinism | 59 |
I want a revival that will last all winter Jesse Mercer and Revival | 91 |
Surely there are some Baptists who may be trusted Jesse Mercer and Missions | 125 |
Words are his tools Jesse Mercer and Ministerial Education | 159 |
A company of horses in Pharaohs chariots Jesse Mercer and Cooperation | 187 |
Be mindful of the designs of grace through you Conclusion | 215 |
Bibliography | 221 |
Index | 233 |
Other editions - View all
A Piety Above the Common Standard: Jesse Mercer and the Defense of ... Anthony L. Chute Limited preview - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
Adiel Sherwood American Andrew Fuller antimission Arminian atonement Baptist College Baptist Denomination Baptists in Georgia became Bible Boykin brethren Brother called Calvinism Calvinistic Charles Christ Christian Index church discipline Circular Letter committee concern Confession congregation cooperation declared Denomination in Georgia divine doctrines of grace duty Eatonton editor Elder Jesse Mercer elect Evangelical evangelistic faith Father fellowship Fourfold Foundation Fuller Georgia Baptist Association Georgia Baptist Convention Gilbert Beebe God's Haven CT Holy human Jesse Mercer believed Jesus John later limited atonement Lord Mallary means Memoirs of Elder Mercer Institute Mercer University Minister's Meeting ministerial education ministers Minutes Missionary Baptists Missionary Society movement Particular Baptists pastor persons preachers preaching predestination Primitive Baptists promote protracted meetings Religion religious repentance revival salvation Sarepta Scripture Second Great Awakening Separate Baptists September sermon Silas Mercer sinners South Southern Baptist Southern Baptist Convention sovereignty Spirit theological tion Triennial Convention University Press views Walker William
Popular passages
Page 64 - These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed ; and their number is so certain and definite, that it cannot be either increased or diminished.
Page 104 - And I looked, and there was none to help; And I wondered that there was none to uphold : Therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; And my fury, it upheld me.
Page 64 - This perseverance of the saints depends not upon their own free will, but upon the immutability of the decree of election, flowing from the free and unchangeable love of God the Father; upon the efficacy of the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ...
Page 176 - And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God, for I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
Page 146 - As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Page 33 - Colony, ever be obliged to pay tithes, taxes, or any other rates for the purpose of building or repairing any other church or churches, place or places of worship, or for the maintenance of any minister or ministry, contrary to what he believes to be right, or has deliberately or voluntarily engaged himself to perform.
Page 2 - I saw clearly the hour was come for leaving this place : and, soon as evening prayers were over, about eight o'clock, the tide then serving, I shook off the dust of my feet, and left Georgia, after having preached the Gospel there, not as I ought, but as I was able, one year, and nearly nine months.
Page 88 - ... or whether it crawls like a snake? Paul doth not term it a creature, but agreeth with St. John, where he saith, sin is the transgression of the law, and where there is no law there is no transgression; and being not without law to God, but under the law of Christ.
Page 64 - Spirit, and of the seed of God within them ; and the nature of the covenant of grace : from all which ariseth also the certainty and infallibility thereof.
Page 98 - It is not a miracle, or dependent on a miracle, in any sense. It is a purely philosophical result of the right use of the constituted means — as much so as any other effect produced by the application of means.