A Distinctive People

A Distinctive People is the first detailed academic study of some important themes amongst Baptists in Scotland in the twentieth century. The authors, specialists in their field, evaluate aspects of the history of Baptists with critical and academic awareness--attitudes to war and pacifism, the influence of the charismatic movement, involvement in social action, contributions to ecumenical relations, the logical influences on Baptists, home mission, key leaders within the denomination, men and women, both those ordained to patoral ministry and lay-people. This book is bound to be a seminal study of this subject for years to come.

'This is a splendid volume, covering crucial areas of Scottish Baptist life in the twentieth century. All the chapters are rich in historical material and cover themes which have continuing relevance. The authors are fine historians who not only have detailed knowledge of the subjects they cover but are also able to make their topics accessible for today. I am delighted to commend their work.""
-Ian Randall, Senior Research Fellow, Spurgeon's College, London.

'This thoroughly researched and engagingly written set of essays will be of keen interest, not just to Scottish Baptists eager to know about their recent past, but also to all those concerned with the changing place of Christian belief and practice in twentieth-century Scottish society.""
-Brian Stanley, Professor of World Christianity; Director of the Centre for the Study of World Christianity, at the University of Edinburgh

'Often overlooked or quickly passed over in Baptist histories or treated as a footnote or passing comment in discussion of their more numerous neighbours south of the border, the Scottish Baptists have a far more varied, interesting, and noteworthy history than many realize. Brian Talbot has already stimulated and renewed interest through his own research into the Scottish Baptist Union in the nineteenth century, individual ministers and churches, and he now brings together a team of scholars who do the same for the twentieth century. This volume provides a wealth of new information and insight into Scottish Baptist life and thought, and hopefully will stimulate further research in this and other areas of Baptist life and thought.'
-Anthony R. Cross, University of Oxford


Brian R. Talbot is Minister of Broughty Ferry Baptist Church; Tutor Greenwich School of Theology & Extraordinary Associate Professor, Department of Theology, North-West University, South Africa