The Gospel-Centered Evangelicalism of Alexander Carson

Alexander Carson (ca. 1776-1844) is primarily remembered by Baptist historians as an apologist for believer's baptism. Yet, this is a topic that Carson himself would consider secondary. What, then, did Carson consider to be of primary importance? The gospel of Jesus Christ as conveyed in the Scriptures. The thesis of this study is that Carson's belief in the Bible as a verbally and completely inspired text provided him with an infallible source for his understanding of the gospel as being centered upon the atonement, effective through justification by faith alone, and the motivation for evangelism. Carson's theology is examined in each area through a study of his pertinent works, the works written by those with whom he interacted, as well as the larger theological, social, economic, and political context surrounding those works.