A Tidy Faith is distinctive as a work of systematic theology in that it comes out of a Reformed Baptist stable: this is especially relevant for the sections on the church, worship, and the sacraments. Bayes seeks to lay the biblical foundation for each doctrinal subject, using an exegetical approach rather than merely citing prooftexts. For each doctrine, he also outlines the teaching of the early Christian creeds and the confessions of faith dating from the Reformation period, as well as referring to a small selection of modern statements of faith from different countries. Debates and interpretations of the various doctrines from different points in church history are summarized, and at the end of the exposition of every doctrinal theme, there is a section that emphasizes its practical application. This ensures that the book is not merely abstract and academic but has real down-to-earth value for Christian life and ministry.
A Tidy Faith is distinctive as a work of systematic theology in that it comes out of a Reformed Baptist stable: this is especially relevant for the sections on the church, worship, and the sacraments. Bayes seeks to lay the biblical foundation for each doctrinal subject, using an exegetical approach rather than merely citing prooftexts. For each doctrine, he also outlines the teaching of the early Christian creeds and the confessions of faith dating from the Reformation period, as well as referring to a small selection of modern statements of faith from different countries. Debates and interpretations of the various doctrines from different points in church history are summarized, and at the end of the exposition of every doctrinal theme, there is a section that emphasizes its practical application. This ensures that the book is not merely abstract and academic but has real down-to-earth value for Christian life and ministry.
