Posted on Friday, November 30, 2018
100 years ago, John Howard Shakespeare, who was then General Secretary of the Baptist Union, published his important book The Churches At The Crossroads. He challenged Baptists to rethink who they were, and, most significantly, how they related to others, asking them to reflect on the nature of the full Church of Christ.
Adrian Hastings commented that the book was ‘one of the most important books of twentieth century English Christianity because it sets out so clear the logic of the forthcoming ecumenical movement’ (A history of English Christianity 1920-2000 (SCM, 2001, p98))
As we mark 100 years since the publication of that ecumenical challenge – and as we continue to ask how we relate across denominational borders – here are some resources to help engage with the book, its impact and its legacy.
Keith Clements has written an article for the Baptist Times
JH Shakespeare and The Churches at the Cross-Roads (1918)
There are also articles in the Baptist Quarterly
JOHN HOW ARD SHAKESPEARE Prophet of Ecumenism by Michael Townsend
John Howard Shakespeare by his son, Geoffrey Shakespeare
and John Howard Shakespeare, 1857 .. 1928 An address delivered at a service in St. Mary’s Church, Norwich, to commemorate the centenary of his birth by M E Aubrey.
We have begun an oral history programme, and one such interview is available. You can read a transcript of Revd Dr Leonard Champion, one time minister at Minehead and Rugby, Principal at Bristol Baptist College, and President of the Baptist Union in conversation with Roger Hayden.