Tag Archives: Baptists

Christmas Giving by James R. Coggins

Posted on December 10, 2025 by jrcoggins

Recent visits to two widely different events have left me disturbed and thoughtful. I was asked by our church to help serve dinner at a Christian street ministry. That evening, we served a simple but nutritious meal to about 150 … Continue reading →

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My Life in Churches by James R. Coggins

Posted on September 24, 2025 by jrcoggins

Recently I was reflecting on my experience with the various churches I have attended. I grew up in a small town attending a Baptist church. The Sunday school was largely staffed by men and women with limited education and mediocre … Continue reading →

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The Other John Smyth by James R. Coggins

Posted on May 1, 2024 by jrcoggins

I grew up a Baptist, and, like most other Baptists, I didn’t know much about Baptist history. That changed in university when I studied history and wrote a paper on John Smyth, the founder of the first Baptist church (see … Continue reading →

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Who Is John Smyth (and why does it matter)? by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 17, 2024 by jrcoggins

Most Baptists know very little about history—and care even less. In particular, most Baptist know very little about their own history. They are part of a significant denomination that has spread through many countries around the world, and they have … Continue reading →

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More Famous Coggins Quotations by James R. Coggins

Posted on April 20, 2022 by jrcoggins

After a writer is dead, some anonymous scholar often collects the best quotes from all of his written works, reducing his laboriously written tomes to a few sound bites. A while back, I decided to save this anonymous scholar some … Continue reading →

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I Am Not a Charismatic Christian by James R. Coggins

Posted on November 4, 2020 by jrcoggins

I have been asked if I am a charismatic Christian. The answer is no, it is too hard. Oh, I have no problem believing in the miraculous. I believe the Bible, and I know God can and does heal people … Continue reading →

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