Description

Baptists in Europe: History and Confessions of Faith by G. Keith Parker is a groundbreaking and essential resource for anyone interested in global Baptist identity and theological development. In this rare, comprehensive volume, Parker brings together the rich yet often overlooked confessional heritage of European Baptists, providing a vital supplement to the largely American-centered narrative of Baptist history.

Drawing on over a decade of experience teaching at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, Parker curates a wide array of doctrinal summaries and confessions of faith from Baptist bodies across Europe—from Italy and Germany to the Soviet Union and Wales. Each confession is set in its historical context, with contributions from national historians, revealing the unique theological expressions that have emerged from local struggles, revivals, and religious reforms.

Though some entries vary in depth and style, the collection shines as a testimony to the ongoing relevance of Baptist confessional life. Notably, the section on the Soviet Union’s “Dissident Baptists” is especially informative. Appendices include key statistical data from 1980 and rare documents like the statutes of Russian Baptist groups.

A must-read for students, scholars, and church leaders, Baptists in Europe reminds us that Baptist conviction is both global and diverse—rooted in history, shaped by context, and boldly expressed in confession.