The Sung Theology of the English Particular Baptist Revival

“Anne Steele’s hymns provide a most valuable window on the spirituality or piety or devotional life of eighteenth-century Particular Baptists. They also reveal a crucial mechanism for theological formation for it was here, rather than in learned volumes—as Steele’s hymns were read, learned, sung, and remembered—that faith was nurtured. Here, as Carmichael ably demonstrates, Christian hope enlightened discipleship in times of both joy and suffering.”


—John Briggs, former Director, Centre for Baptist History and Heritage, Regent’s Park College, University of Oxford





“This work on the hymns of Anne Steele is a gift to both the fields of hymnology and Baptist history. I have not merely read this book, I have studied it. Even after spending time with Steele’s hymns over the last decade, I learned much through Carmichael’s work. I am thankful to see this work in print highlighting this ‘mother of Baptist hymnody.’ This exploration of Steele’s life and hymnody helps us not only understand more about her, but more broadly that of early Particular Baptist hymnody as a whole.”


—Matthew Boswell, Assistant Professor of Church Music and Worship, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary





“One of the great strengths of Joseph Carmichael’s book on the eighteenth-century hymn-writer Anne Steele is that he shows how Steele was also a theological writer. And that as a writer of theology Steele was convincing, innovatory, and exceptionally influential.”


—Cindy Aalders, Assistant Professor of the History of Christianity, Regent College