Baptist Identity (CT9004W)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit introduces students to the main features of the history and theology of the Baptist movement from the 17th century to the present day. Students will examine Baptist origins, the development of Baptist convictions in various historical contexts and consider the implications for contemporary faith and practice.

Unit code: CT9004W

Unit status: Approved (Minor revision)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Identify the main political, social and cultural factors that gave rise to the Baptist movement;
2.

Outline key features of the Baptist heritage and trace their historical development throughout the world;
3.

Critique some of the reasons for diversity among Baptists in Britain, North America, Australia and other selected parts of the world;
4.

Critically evaluate factors leading to controversies among modern Baptists and assess their impact upon selected Baptist communities;
5.

Analyse the influence of Baptist history and belief upon personal and professional life;

6.

Respond critically and constructively to historical and theological themes identified in the unit.

Unit sequence

24 points in CH or 24 points in CT

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials, videos, online forums

Indicative Bibliography

  • Adcock, Rachel. Baptist Women's Writings in Revolutionary Culture, 1640-1680. Routledge, 2015.
  • Bebbington, David W. Baptists Through the Centuries. Baylor University Press, 2010.
  • Fiddes, Paul S. Tracks and Traces: Baptist Identity in Church and Theology. Paternoster, 2003.
  • Fiddes, Paul S., Roger Hayden, Richard L. Kidd, Keith W. Clements and Brian Haymes. Bound to Love: The Covenant Basis of Baptist Life and Mission. The Baptist Union of Great Britain, 1985.
  • Harmon, Steven R. Baptist Identity and the Ecumenical Future: Story, Tradition, and the Recovery of Community. Baylor University Press, 2016.
  • Imchen, Narola. Remembering Our Fore Mothers: The Influence of the American Baptist Women Missionaries in North East India. WSDETC, 2003.
  • Klose, Anne. Covenantal Priesthood: A Narrative of Community for Baptist Churches. Paternoster, 2018.
  • Maxwell, Melody. The Woman I Am: Southern Baptist Women's Writings, 1906–2006. University of Alabama Press, 2014.
  • Moe, David Thang. Beyond the Academy: Lived Asian Public Theology of Religions. Wipf and Stock, 2024.
  • Smith, Karen E. “A Baptist Vision of the Church.” Journal of European Baptist Studies, vol. 15, no. 3 (2015): 5-20.
  • Stamps, Luke and Matthew Emerson. The Baptist Vision: Faith and Practice for a Believers’ Church. B&H Academic, 2025.
  • Zomi Theological College. Chin Church History. Zomi Theological College, 2007.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)

Variant 1

Essay

Essay of 4,000 words

 4000 50.0
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

Tutorial paper of 2,000 words

 2000 30.0
Forum

Seven online forum posts (2000 words total)

 2000 20.0

Variant 2

Summative Reflection - Reflective Journal 2000 25.0
Oral Presentation - Group Presentation 1000 15.0
Portfolio - Comparative Case Study Portfolio 5000 60.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 2 Feb, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-02-02 11:08:22 +1100