In researching the 18th-century British Particular Baptists, I learned of a group known as the Baptist Board. The Baptist Board was a small group of London Baptist ministers who gathered each month at the Jamaican Coffee House—the first coffee house in London, established in 1652 in St Michael’s churchyard. (In a humorous historical twist, the spot continues to exist as the Jamaican Wine House). Historian Ernest Payne described the gatherings as “a denominational clearing-house, as well as a ministers’ fraternal.”
In their gatherings, they opened Scripture with one another, discussed theology together, and considered various public and denominational issues . . . all over a cup of coffee.
Fast-forward to January 2017. While teaching at an international seminary, I found myself among a small group of PhD students gathered at a little cafe in Penang, Malaysia. Together, we opened the Scriptures, discussed matters of theology and a number of cultural and denominational issues all while enjoying a freshly-brewed cup of coffee.
Simply stated, that is the vision of Caffeinated Theology—to become a place where friends can gather, open the Word of God together and consider various denominational and cultural happenings all the while encouraging one another.
So grab a cup of coffee and check out one of our articles. Then add a comment sharing your thoughts.
To see a handbill distributed by the Jamaican Coffee House during the 1650s, click here.
Pastor at University Baptist Church, San Antonio.
Professor. PhD in Theology.
Runner. Cyclist. 2nd Dan.
Roast Master at caffeinatedtheology.com.