James Leo Garrett Jr. had a long, impactful, and prestigious career as a theologian and theological educator at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Baylor University, and, for most of his career, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, until his passing in early 2020. He authored a major two-volume work, Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical (Wipf & Stock), the monumental Baptist Theology: A Four-Century Study, and numerous other books and articles.
"""This collection of James Leo Garrett's essays on religious liberty offers depth and nuance that is often missing from contemporary discussions of the topic. He distinguishes issues that are often conflated, such as the concepts of liberty of conscience and the separation of church and state. His ecumenical sensibility is illustrated by his robust engagement with Roman Catholic thinkers and glancing attention to Baptist figures like Isaac Backus and John Leland. Taken together, they are an excellent model for redeeming ecclesial and public discussions about these crucial issues."" --Brandon J. O'Brien, author of Demanding Liberty ""Many (conservative) Baptists today have not simply forgotten but have intentionally abandoned commitments to religious liberty for all people and the separation of church and state. A rereading of the writings of James Leo Garrett will remind Baptists of their larger history--that the best of the Baptist tradition remembered and preserved the core commitment that Jesus Christ is Lord of the conscience. Garrett would be appalled at the specter of Christian nationalism."" --Doug Weaver, professor of Baptist studies, Baylor University"