*This is Part 3 of a 3 Part series that is surveying the Life and Theology of John Gill (1697-1771). Parts 1 and 2 of this series can be accessed here and here.
In 2020, Baptist theology, piety and practice is in great upheaval. There is great doctrinal confusion on basic tenets of orthodoxy, such as the doctrine of God and Christology.[1] In the Southern Baptist Convention, there has been a marked decline in attendance and membership within recent years.[2] Furthermore, unbiblical worldviews on anthropology and hamartiology have also infiltrated much of contemporary evangelicalism, creating confusion on whether Scripture or secular philosophy is the ultimate standard for the twenty first century church.[3] Given the steadily deteriorating state of “Big Eva” and mainstream Baptist denominations, retrieving the theological and ecclesiological triumphs of the past may prove essential to ensuring orthodoxy and orthopraxy in the future. Of the myriads of theologians that can be studied from previous eras of church history, few are more worthy of detailed study than John Gill. In what follows are three compelling reasons why Gill needs to be studied and imitated amongst Baptists in the present day.
John Gill demonstrates a zeal for truth tempered with grace
In an age where clickbait, sound bites and pithy one liners reign supreme, it is often easy for Christians to get sucked into the popular trends of the world. Far too many well-meaning Believers feel the insatiable urge to correct every error they encounter on social media and in the public domain with Biblical truth. As noble of a desire this often is, the methodology in which the truth of Scripture is presented as a refutation of error does not always transpire “with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet. 3:15). In fact, sometimes the approach that Christians take to addressing error looks far more similar to an unbeliever’s approach to discussion than to Christ’s (1 Pet. 2:21-25). Contemporary Christians would do well to heed John Gill’s approach to dealing with theological error in his day. Instead of employing ad hominem or straw men argumentation tactics, Gill was relentlessly consistent in responding to his interlocutors with graciousness. It was not uncommon for Gill to invest hundreds of pages to carefully tease out his own convictions in opposition to those he was interacting with. Although much of Gill’s writing was polemical, he did his very best to glorify the triune God in his scholarship and debates. May we likewise try to do the same within our present, twenty first century context.
John Gill demonstrates faithful longevity in pastoral ministry
Over the past 30 years, the rise of “megachurches” has resulted in many involved with pastoral leadership to view their vocation as more of a “business” than a “calling.” It is not uncommon for young men, recently out of seminary, to view their first pastorate as a “stepping-stone” to eventually set them up for a bigger and more prominent ministry position in the future. Albeit, there is nothing inherently wrong or sinful with staying at a church for a brief season and seeking God’s will for where He may be leading at any given time. Nevertheless, sometimes the temptation for ministers is to believe that the grass is greener elsewhere if they are not content with their present ministry role or are facing difficulties within their current context. John Gill faced many hardships during his ministry efforts, having to constantly battle theological error within his own Baptist tradition and yet, he endured those trials for nearly 52 years in the same congregation.[4] This is not to say that all ministers must only serve in the very first context that they are entrusted with until the day of their death. Nevertheless, when seeking to embark upon change in ministry, it is very important to prayerfully discern and seek Biblical counsel regarding what the underlying motives are that appear to be influencing the desire to pursue a different opportunity. Upon doing so, it may be determined that leaving one’s current situation is not the wisest or most God-glorifying course of action to undertake. Want to see an example of faithful endurance through hardships in ministry? Look no further than John Gill!
John Gill demonstrates how God alone is worthy of our optimum adoration
When studying any significant figure in church history, it is only appropriate to note who the real hero of their story is. It is certainly true that John Gill was undoubtedly one of the greatest Baptists that God raised up to champion and safeguard orthodoxy in an era when Biblical truths were being significantly challenged. In many respects, Gill even stands unrivaled when compared with any other theologian or churchman from across multi-denominational lines that has ever lived. Gill’s contributions to dogmatics, to Biblical exegesis, coupled with his decades of faithfulness to his wife and ministry are ample causes to celebrate God’s grace that was manifested in his life. Nevertheless, no matter how many accomplishments one attains throughout the duration of their life, it is all realized solely by the grace of God at work through their labors (1 Cor. 4:7). When studying the life and ministry of John Gill, the riches of God’s mercy and grace are put on tremendous display, reminding us of how incredible it is that the Almighty would be pleased to use wretched sinners to accomplish His eternal purposes (Rom. 11:33-36). Why study John Gill? To have the opportunity to ascribe laud and praise to the triune God when considering how mightily He used this eighteenth century Baptist. Indeed, it is my sincere prayer that the studying of John Gill will result in many Baptists and non-Baptists alike further beholding the loveliness of God Most High!
Works Cited
Ascuitto, A. Charles Spurgeon’s Ambivalent View on Justification. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from http://www.mercyuponall.org/2017/12/13/charles-spurgeons-ambivalent-view-on- justification/.
Biography of John Gill. (2017, March 07). Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://comingintheclouds.org/about-protestant/teachers-preachers/biography-of-john- gill/.
Broome, J.R. Dr. John Gill: Address given at the Annual General Meeting of the Gospel Standard Trust, 19 May 1990. Harpenden, Herts., England: Gospel Standard Trust, 1991.
Davis, E. (2020, June 13). A Biblical Analysis of the Black Lives Matter Organization. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://thecripplegate.com/a-biblical-analysis-of-the-black-lives- matter-organization/.
Early, J.E. (2008). Readings in Baptist History: Four Centuries of Selected Documents. Nashville: B&H Academic.
Gill, J. John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible Commentary. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/.
Gill, J. Truth Defended, Being an Answer to an Anonymous Pamphlet. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from http://articles.ochristian.com/article12466.shtml.
Haykin, M. (2016). Evangelicals Now. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://www.e-n.org.uk/2016/11/regular-columns/defending-the-trinity/11038/.
Haykin, M. (2010, March 16). John Gill and the Free Offer of the Gospel. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from http://theologicalmeditations.blogspot.com/2010/03/michael-g-haykin-on-john-gill-and-free.html?m=1.
Haykin, M. (2017, November 14). John Gill and His Defence of the Trinity – The Gospel Coalition: Canada. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/columns/bedes-wall/john-gill-defence-trinity/.
Haykin, M. (1997). The Life and Thought of John Gill (1697-1771): A Tercentennial Appreciation. Leiden: Brill.
Hughey, S. (2004). John Gill: The Reformed Reader. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from http://www.reformedreader.org/rbb/gill/gillindex.htm.
MacBeth, H.L. (1987). The Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press.
Rippon, J. (1998), A Memoir of the Life and Writings of Rev. John Gill, D.D., Hess Pubns.
Stamps, L. (2011, February 10). Especially Preaching: The Ordinary Means of Grace and Christian Spirituality. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/especially-preaching-the-ordinary-means-of- grace-and-christian-spirituality/.
Shellnut, K. (2019, May 23). Southern Baptists Down to Lowest in 30 Years. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/may/southern-baptists-acp- membership-baptism-decline-2018.html.
Weaver, S. (2018, October 23). Ten Baptists Everyone Should Know: John Gill. Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://credomag.com/2012/05/ten-baptists-everyone-should-know-john- gill/?amp.
White, J. Glorying in Christ: John Gill and Justification From Eternity. [Pamphlet]
[1] See the 2018 Ligonier State of Theology Report at https://thestateoftheology.com
[2] Shellnut, K. (2019, May 23), Southern Baptists Down to Lowest in 30 Years, Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2019/may/southern-baptists-acp-membership-baptism-decline-2018.html.
[3] Davis, E. (2020, June 13), A Biblical Analysis of the Black Lives Matter Organization, Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://thecripplegate.com/a-biblical-analysis-of-the-black-lives-matter-organization/.
[4] Weaver, S. (2018, October 23), Ten Baptists Everyone Should Know: John Gill, Retrieved June 17, 2020, from https://credomag.com/2012/05/ten-baptists-everyone-should-know-john-gill/?amp.
Dewey is a licensed and ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Convention. He was raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is happily married to Beall, and is a proud father of Isabelle Ruth. Dewey played college baseball at Western Texas College, receiving the Associate of Arts degree in General Studies. Following his time at Western Texas College, Dewey would continue as a student-athlete at The Master’s University, earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Ministries. Upon completion of his undergraduate work, Dewey went on to acquire the Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies from The Master’s University, as well as the Master of Theology degree in Historical Theology from Campbellsville University. Dewey is currently a doctoral student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with an emphasis in Christian Worldview and Apologetics. Over the last decade, Dewey has served local churches in a variety of ways, focusing on next generation ministries. He has experience teaching children in AWANA, serving as youth pastor, as well as leading college students and young adults. He is also passionate about personal evangelism, and has led groups in gospel outreaches in cities around the country. To strengthen his service to the church, and in conjunction with his seminary studies, Dewey has participated in several academic fellowships and cohorts. He specializes in the disciplines of apologetics, biblical theology, historical theology, and systematic theology. Dewey is also actively involved with Covenant Confessions—a ministry of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. Today, Dewey serves as the Associate Pastor of Next Generation and Outreach at Metro East Baptist Church (Wichita, Kansas).
You can follow Dewey on Twitter @SlaveofChrist17
