In recent years, the term Reformed Baptist has gained increasing prominence in Christian circles, yet its usage has also sparked confusion. What exactly does it mean to be a Reformed Baptist? Are Reformed Baptists a niche group, or do they stand within the larger historic Reformed tradition? In this much-anticipated volume, Tom Hicks offers a clear, gracious, and biblically grounded answer.

This work is not a polemical defense, nor is it an insider’s manual bristling with theological jargon. Rather, it is a pastoral, positive articulation of what it means to be a confessional Reformed Baptist—one rooted in the historic Second London Baptist Confession of 1689. With depth and clarity, Dr. Hicks traces the theological and historical lineage of Reformed Baptists, arguing persuasively that they are not a peculiar sect but a faithful expression of biblical Christianity within the Reformed tradition.

A Theology of Conviction and Clarity

At the heart of Hicks’ argument is the idea that Reformed Baptists hold to the same essential doctrines recovered in the Protestant Reformation: the sufficiency of Scripture, salvation by God’s sovereign grace, justification by faith alone, and the centrality of the local church. What distinguishes them, then, is not a different gospel, but a baptistic understanding of the church—particularly in the areas of covenant theology and baptism.

As Micah Renihan, pastor at Grace Reformed Baptist Church in Maine, notes, Hicks has provided a much-needed guide to clarify what Reformed Baptists believe. His careful engagement with Scripture, historical theology, and the 1689 Confession offers both theological rigor and pastoral warmth. This book stands as a helpful resource not only for Reformed Baptist church members but also for broadly evangelical pastors, Presbyterian brothers, and anyone seeking clarity on this increasingly important label.

Doctrinal Depth, Pastoral Heart

In What Is a Reformed Baptist?, Hicks addresses eight core distinctives that define Reformed Baptist theology. None of these distinctives are novel or isolated from the broader Reformed tradition. Rather, as D. Scott Meadows points out, Hicks’ writing resonates with all who hold to creedal orthodoxy, making this volume a rich and edifying read for Presbyterians, Anglicans, Congregationalists, and others.

Each of the book’s nine chapters is carefully structured to draw the reader into the biblical foundations of key doctrines while simultaneously showing how these truths shape church life and Christian living. Hicks employs a robust theological method—submitting every argument to the authority of Scripture, guided by historic confessions, and shaped by the analogy of faith. As Tom J. Nettles observes, this approach should serve as a model for doing theology in any age.

The chapters are saturated with biblical exegesis, historical insight, and practical application. The opening chapter, “Historical Roots,” provides a sweeping overview of the Reformed Baptist tradition’s place within church history, refuting claims that Reformed Baptists are a recent innovation or theological anomaly. Hicks shows how their convictions are rooted in early Christian orthodoxy, matured during the Reformation, and articulated most fully in the post-Reformation era.

A Resource for the Whole Church
While Hicks writes as a Reformed Baptist, the scope of this book extends far beyond denominational lines. Joel Beeke, a noted Presbyterian theologian, praises Hicks for his irenic spirit and doctrinal discernment, even while acknowledging theological differences. This work is, in many ways, a bridge-builder—inviting conversation, fostering understanding, and encouraging unity among those committed to the authority of God’s Word.

James M. Renihan, President of the International Reformed Baptist Seminary, commends the book as a trustworthy guide for new believers, church members, and pastors alike. Whether used in membership classes, theological study groups, or pastoral training, this book is ideal for anyone seeking to understand and live out a confessional Reformed Baptist faith.

Theological Stability in an Age of Confusion
One of the book’s strengths is its emphasis on the role of confessionalism in the health and unity of the church. Hicks powerfully argues that biblical confessions—like the Second London Confession—serve not as dead documents, but as living expressions of the faith once delivered to the saints. Dr. Fred A. Malone notes that Hicks’ clear exposition of confessional theology addresses contemporary debates and divisions within Calvinistic Baptist circles, offering a path forward in truth and unity.

The final chapters of the book provide pastoral application of Reformed Baptist doctrines, with specific guidance for how these truths nourish the church. From worship to church polity, from Christian liberty to sanctification, Hicks demonstrates the real-life implications of historic theology.

A Worthy Investment
Hardcover-bound – “What Is a Reformed Baptist?” is not just a theological textbook—it is a guide, an encouragement, and a call to biblical faithfulness. Whether you’re a longtime Reformed Baptist, a curious inquirer, or a pastor seeking clarity, this book belongs in your hands and on your shelf.

As Sam Waldron puts it: “Reformed Baptists are not a species of the genus ‘Baptist,’ but a species of the genus ‘Reformed.’” Tom Hicks’ work helps us see that clearly—and invites us to rejoice in the gospel unity we share across traditions.

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