Biblical and Theological Studies Faculty Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-25-2022
Journal Title
Perichoresis
ISSN
2284-7308
Volume
20
Issue
1
First Page
23
Last Page
34
DOI
https://doi.org/10.2478/perc-2022-0003
Abstract
Leading Particular Baptist theologian Benjamin Keach (1640-1704) came to prom-inence just as an antitrinitarian theology native to England gained a stronghold. What had pre-viously been deemed off-limits by the Establishment became a commonplace by the end of the seventeenth century based on a strict biblicism that eschewed the extra-biblical language of trin-itarian orthodoxy. As one who considered himself a strong biblicist, Keach deftly maneuvered his theological writings between what he saw as two extremes: the one that refused to consider any language that moved beyond the mere words of scripture, represented by many of his Gen-eral Baptist contemporaries and the other that over-emphasized the role of tradition with no eye toward biblical truth, represented by the Roman Catholics. Keach’s explication of trinitarianism demonstrated that these two extremes did not have to be seen as competing with each other. Instead, the correct understanding of the Bible included ‘the just and necessary consequences’ that could be deduced from Scripture, and the ‘universal tradition’ aided the pastor theologian in ascertaining the truth. The result, for Keach and his audience, was an ancient view of trini-tarianism that offered a way of peace between the the two extremes vying for the public ear in the late seventeenth century.
Keywords
Scripture, Benjamin Keach, Reformed theology
Recommended Citation
Arnold, Jonathan W., "The Universal Tradition and the Clear Meaning of Scripture: Benjamin Keach’s Understanding of the Trinity" (2022). Biblical and Theological Studies Faculty Publications. 554.
https://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/biblical_and_ministry_studies_publications/554
