While at the SBC annual meeting in Dallas last week, I received a free copy of What is a Reformed Baptist: An Overview of Doctrinal Distinctives by Tom Hicks. I was eager to read the book because (a) I consider myself reformed and (b) I am a convinced Baptist (in that order). Understanding what Dr. Hicks means by the technical descriptor, “Reformed Baptist,” intrigued me.

After a foreword by Tom Ascol and an introduction, Hicks writes nine chapters that unpack what he thinks it means to be a Reformed Baptist (we might say there are nine marks…). Here’s the outline:

1. Historical Roots
2. Confessionalism
3. The Law of God
4. Covenant Theology
5. The Law and the Gospel
6. Calvinism
7. The Church
8. Regulative Principle of Worship
9. Christian Liberty

The book closes with a conclusion and suggested readings.

Here are some bullet-point takeaways:

• Historical roots: I appreciated how Hicks demonstrated that early Reformed Baptist believers did not see themselves first as a species of the genus Baptists but a species of the Reformed tradition. That is, they were Reformed first. Then Baptist. fHis use of Matthew Bingham, Orthodox Radicals, was enlightening.
• Confessionalism: his use of the Second London Confession throughout the book was helpful and encouraging. I am more and more convinced that churches and denominations (or collections of churches like the SBC) that work together should lean towards confessionalism, particularly subscriptionism. Reformed Baptists are confessional people. On that note, I’m as Reformed as you can get.
• The Law of God: I’ve been more helped by Jason DeRouchie here. And Brian Rosner has broken down the law than the historic tri-fold division noted by Hicks (and unpacked by him). Though a tripartite division can be pedagogically helpful, the New Testament doesn’t seem to distinguish as neatly as Hicks suggest. Instead, “Paul undertakes a polemical re-evaluation of the Law of Moses, which involves not only its repudiation as law-covenant and its replacement by other things, but also its wholehearted re-appropriation as prophecy (with reference to the gospel) and as wisdom (for Christian living)” (Rosner, Paul and the Law). So, the law as a covenant is entirely repudiated; that doesn’t mean the old covenant law is worthless. Instead, it still shows us our sin, points to the gospel, and can give us wisdom for living (e.g., Eph 6:1–3).
• The Sabbath: if being a Reformed Baptist requires one to be a Sabbatarian, then I’m out. I do not see the Sabbath command remaining in force for New Covenant believers. It was a sign of the Mosaic Covenant, which has come to a close. Indeed, the Sabbath was a shadow and has given way to the substance (cf. Col 2:16–17). For a view contrary to Hicks, see Schreiner. I don’t think, though, this would keep me from embracing the Reformed Baptist label, though Hicks might not let me 🙂
• Covenant Theology: Hicks rightly points to the covenants as the backbone of the Bible. More pastors should spend time preaching in such a way that helps their hearers trace how the covenants progress and their Bible hangs together.
• The Law and Gospel: I appreciation his distinction between the “Law largely speak/Law strictly speak” (Law Largely = Law as Covenant, or the covenant of works / Law Strictly = Rule of life) and the “Gospel strictly speaking/Gospel largely speaking” (Gospel Strictly = a pure promise of redemption/ Gospel Largely = a framework for evangelical obedience). This law/gospel paradigm helps us understand how these terms are used in the whole Bible.
• Calvinism: tying this theological system to the covenant theology unpacked earlier in the book was a breath of fresh air. Understanding the doctrines of grace in light of progressive (covenantal) revelation was a delight.
• The Church: the centrality of the church in Reformed life, and the ministry of Hicks, is appreciated. Furthermore, he maintains his Baptist commitment to regenerate church membership, congregational government, and two historic offices with exegetical care. And, in good fashion, holds forth the centrality of preaching while giving due place to the ordinances.

There’s more to say, but these brief takeaways are enough for now …

The book will force you to wrestle with history, the Bible, and theology. It is worth the time.