After about a 5 year hiatus, the Journal of Baptist Studies has relaunched with a new website and an issue devoted entirely to the history of interpretation of the letter to Titus among Baptists. The Journal of Baptist studies is a peer-reviewed journal, published electronically and edited by Anthony Chute and Matthew Emerson. There is no charge for accessing the journal.
Here is the table of contents for the current issue (not including the book reviews):
Baptists, Pastors, and Titus 1: A History of Interpretation
By Ray Van Neste……………………………………………………………4
The Legality of Slavery in the Sight of God: Baptists and Their Use of Titus 2 to Defend Slavery
By Jeff Straub………………………………………………………………36
Reception History of Titus 3 in Baptist Life
By Anthony Chute………………………………………………………….64
Selected Baptist Bibliography on Titus
By Matthew Y. Emerson ……………………………………………………91
I think this issue will be of interest to scholars working on the Pastorals even if they are not Baptists. The essays trace the way one group of Christians have interpreted and applied this letter over the years. The focus is not simply on academic writing but how the texts were applied in the life of the church.
In my essay I was intrigued to find shifts in the way Baptist leaders interpreted references to plurality of pastors/elders, the use of alcohol, and the ‘believing” or “faithful” children in Titus 1:6.
I am interested in any thoughts readers have on these essays. Feel free to leave feedback in the comments.