William H. Brackney
Encyclopedia
William H. Brackney is the Millard R. Cherry Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology and Ethics at Acadia Divinity College
in Wolfville, Nova Scotia
and an ordained Baptist
minister, presently accredited by the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Churches, USA. He was previously the Dean of Theology at McMaster University
in Hamilton, Ontario and has published numerous books and articles dealing with post-Reformation Protestant thought, particularly the Baptist and Radical Reformation
traditions. Most recently, Brackney has done significant work in the areas of global ethics and human rights
, and is currently the Director of the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist
Studies. He is also a regular columnist for websites focused on ethics.
. His mother was of Methodist heritage; his father came from a line of Quakers; the two parents determined upon a Baptist orientation because of the outreach of a neighborhood congregation. The family’s early years blended Southern Baptist and Northern (American) Baptist outlooks. William matriculated in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Maryland
(College Park) with a scholarship to do astrophysics. In 1967 he was admitted to the honors program in history and he defended a thesis in economic history, for which he received a BA (honors) degree.
He next completed an MA in Religion from The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1972. in Philadelphia in 1972, being awarded a prize for his thesis in Patristic Evidences. He received a second MA from Temple University
in Philadelphia, after which he earned the Doctor of Philosophy (with distinction), his dissertation topic being “Religious Antimasonry: The Genesis of a Political Party” in 1976. Mentors for his doctoral work at Temple included F. Ernest Stoeffler (Religion) and Joseph G. Rayback (History). He earned a Certificate in Modern Archives Administration from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
in 1979. Throughout this period, Brackney served in leadership roles in Baptist and United Methodist churches in Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and New York. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1971, an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1976, and he carried recognition in the Wesleyan Church for a number of years, resulting from his appointment at Houghton College. Early in his career, he intentionally related to multiple denominational streams through his ministerial pursuits.
for three years following his graduate studies, during which time he also served as the pastor of two United Methodist congregations in upstate New York
(Limestone and Machias Charges). In 1979 he was appointed to the position of Executive Director of the American Baptist Historical Society
, and Archivist of the American Baptist Churches USA, service which lasted until 1986. This role also involved being curator of the Samuel Colgate Baptist Historical Collection. In this period he was also an Associate Professor in Church History at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, as well serving on the senior staff of the American Baptist Board of Educational Ministries (BEM) in Valley Forge
, Pennsylvania. In 1986 he was named Vice President and Dean, and Professor of the History of Christianity
, at The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
For eleven years, from 1989 until 2000, Brackney was the Principal and Dean of McMaster Divinity College
and was also the Professor of Historical Theology
. Concurrently, he was Dean of the Faculty of Theology in McMaster University. During this tenure he was also a member of the Historical and Theological Departments of the Toronto School of Theology
, an ecumenical cluster of eight institutions conjoined to the University of Toronto
, for six years. He left McMaster in 2000 to become a Professor of Religion at Baylor University
, also serving as the Chair for the department of Religion and the founding director of Baylor University’s Program in Baptist Studies. Brackney also served as an Adjunct Professor at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary
and for two years was the Pastor of Blue Ridge Baptist Church in Marlin, Texas
.
In 2006 he was appointed a Distinguished Professor at Acadia University
in Wolfville, Nova Scotia
, and the following year he was named the first occupant of The Millard R. Cherry Chair in Christian Theology
and Ethics at Acadia Divinity College
, a position he currently holds (Millard R. Cherry was the first principal of Acadia Divinity College
and professor of theology at Acadia University
1957-1987). Brackney's current research projects are the “Dictionary of Radical Christianity” (slated to be published in 2012 by Roman and Litlefield), “The General Baptist Movement in England 1606-1660” in Bibliotheca Dissidentium, and he serves as the General Series Editor of the Baptists in Early North America series, 13 volumes to be published from 2011-2018 by Mercer University Press
. Concurrent with his academic appointment, he has also served Baptist congregations at Harmony, Lower Sackville, and Newport, Nova Scotia
.
Acadia Divinity College
Acadia Divinity College is a seminary of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and is located on the campus of Acadia University in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley...
in Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
and an ordained Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
minister, presently accredited by the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and the American Baptist Churches, USA. He was previously the Dean of Theology at McMaster University
McMaster University
McMaster University is a public research university whose main campus is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The main campus is located on of land in the residential neighbourhood of Westdale, adjacent to Hamilton's Royal Botanical Gardens...
in Hamilton, Ontario and has published numerous books and articles dealing with post-Reformation Protestant thought, particularly the Baptist and Radical Reformation
Radical Reformation
The Radical Reformation was a 16th century response to what was believed to be both the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church and the expanding Magisterial Protestant movement led by Martin Luther and many others. Beginning in Germany and Switzerland, the Radical Reformation birthed many radical...
traditions. Most recently, Brackney has done significant work in the areas of global ethics and human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
, and is currently the Director of the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist
Anabaptist
Anabaptists are Protestant Christians of the Radical Reformation of 16th-century Europe, and their direct descendants, particularly the Amish, Brethren, Hutterites, and Mennonites....
Studies. He is also a regular columnist for websites focused on ethics.
Early life
William Brackney is the second son of Samuel Harp Brackney and Mildred Braisted Pointer and attended Gabriel DuVal Senior High School in Glenn Dale, MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. His mother was of Methodist heritage; his father came from a line of Quakers; the two parents determined upon a Baptist orientation because of the outreach of a neighborhood congregation. The family’s early years blended Southern Baptist and Northern (American) Baptist outlooks. William matriculated in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
When the term "University of Maryland" is used without any qualification, it generally refers to the University of Maryland, College Park.University of Maryland may refer to the following:...
(College Park) with a scholarship to do astrophysics. In 1967 he was admitted to the honors program in history and he defended a thesis in economic history, for which he received a BA (honors) degree.
He next completed an MA in Religion from The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in 1972. in Philadelphia in 1972, being awarded a prize for his thesis in Patristic Evidences. He received a second MA from Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
in Philadelphia, after which he earned the Doctor of Philosophy (with distinction), his dissertation topic being “Religious Antimasonry: The Genesis of a Political Party” in 1976. Mentors for his doctoral work at Temple included F. Ernest Stoeffler (Religion) and Joseph G. Rayback (History). He earned a Certificate in Modern Archives Administration from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents, which comprise the National Archives...
in 1979. Throughout this period, Brackney served in leadership roles in Baptist and United Methodist churches in Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and New York. He was ordained a Baptist minister in 1971, an elder in the United Methodist Church in 1976, and he carried recognition in the Wesleyan Church for a number of years, resulting from his appointment at Houghton College. Early in his career, he intentionally related to multiple denominational streams through his ministerial pursuits.
Academic career
William Brackney was an Assistant Professor in the History department of Houghton CollegeHoughton College
Houghton College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. The college is a member of both the Christian College Consortium and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
for three years following his graduate studies, during which time he also served as the pastor of two United Methodist congregations in upstate New York
Upstate New York
Upstate New York is the region of the U.S. state of New York that is located north of the core of the New York metropolitan area.-Definition:There is no clear or official boundary between Upstate New York and Downstate New York...
(Limestone and Machias Charges). In 1979 he was appointed to the position of Executive Director of the American Baptist Historical Society
American Baptist Historical Society
The American Baptist Historical Society is the oldest Baptist historical society in the United States.-History:It was created in 1853 after the instigation of John Mason Peck. In 1862, it was chartered under the laws of Pennsylvania. In 1896, a fire destroyed the archives. That same year, Samuel...
, and Archivist of the American Baptist Churches USA, service which lasted until 1986. This role also involved being curator of the Samuel Colgate Baptist Historical Collection. In this period he was also an Associate Professor in Church History at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, as well serving on the senior staff of the American Baptist Board of Educational Ministries (BEM) in Valley Forge
Valley Forge
Valley Forge in Pennsylvania was the site of the military camp of the American Continental Army over the winter of 1777–1778 in the American Revolutionary War.-History:...
, Pennsylvania. In 1986 he was named Vice President and Dean, and Professor of the History of Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, at The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.
For eleven years, from 1989 until 2000, Brackney was the Principal and Dean of McMaster Divinity College
McMaster Divinity College
McMaster Divinity College, also known as MacDiv, is a Christian seminary in Hamilton, Ontario. It is affiliated with the Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec, although in practice it is interdenominational, and could be said to more closely align with the broader Evangelical tradition...
and was also the Professor of Historical Theology
Historical theology
Historical theology is a branch of theological studies that investigates the socio-historical and cultural mechanisms that give rise to theological ideas, systems, and statements. Research and method in this field focus on the relationship between theology and context as well as the major...
. Concurrently, he was Dean of the Faculty of Theology in McMaster University. During this tenure he was also a member of the Historical and Theological Departments of the Toronto School of Theology
Toronto School of Theology
The Toronto School of Theology is an ecumenical centre for graduate theological education and the largest of its kind in Canada. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, the TST comprises seven member colleges in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Reformed traditions, as well as four affiliated...
, an ecumenical cluster of eight institutions conjoined to the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
, for six years. He left McMaster in 2000 to become a Professor of Religion at Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, also serving as the Chair for the department of Religion and the founding director of Baylor University’s Program in Baptist Studies. Brackney also served as an Adjunct Professor at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
George W. Truett Theological Seminary is a Baptist theological seminary in Waco, Texas. The seminary, named after Southern Baptist preacher George Washington Truett, was founded in 1993 as part of Baylor University.-History:...
and for two years was the Pastor of Blue Ridge Baptist Church in Marlin, Texas
Marlin, Texas
Marlin is a city in Falls County, Texas, United States. The population was 6,628 at the 2000 census, but decreased to 5,967 by 2010. It is also the county seat of Falls County, and has been so since 1851...
.
In 2006 he was appointed a Distinguished Professor at Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
in Wolfville, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, and the following year he was named the first occupant of The Millard R. Cherry Chair in Christian Theology
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
and Ethics at Acadia Divinity College
Acadia Divinity College
Acadia Divinity College is a seminary of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and is located on the campus of Acadia University in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley...
, a position he currently holds (Millard R. Cherry was the first principal of Acadia Divinity College
Acadia Divinity College
Acadia Divinity College is a seminary of the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and is located on the campus of Acadia University in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley...
and professor of theology at Acadia University
Acadia University
Acadia University is a predominantly undergraduate university located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada with some graduate programs at the master's level and one at the doctoral level...
1957-1987). Brackney's current research projects are the “Dictionary of Radical Christianity” (slated to be published in 2012 by Roman and Litlefield), “The General Baptist Movement in England 1606-1660” in Bibliotheca Dissidentium, and he serves as the General Series Editor of the Baptists in Early North America series, 13 volumes to be published from 2011-2018 by Mercer University Press
Mercer University Press
Mercer University Press, established in 1979, is a publisher that is part of Mercer University....
. Concurrent with his academic appointment, he has also served Baptist congregations at Harmony, Lower Sackville, and Newport, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
External links
- Dr. William Brackney, Acadia Divinity College
- Dr. William Brackney’s full CV starts on page 13 of http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:4uY6cHyTEN4J:www.nsuarb.ca/NSUARB_Exhibits_JOOMLA/get_document.php%3Fdoc%3DM-5%26no%3D1261+%22Baptists+in+Early+North+America%22+series+mercer&hl=en&gl=uk&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESinquV5gCBmr1ZUwZjwxGICdckfjmSs1KDYkeq-8yMlKMba9PpXoOzTGBn2WEUn_-ZgJCxoNTJOjCsoAE7PIIly-V90V6H7iMnaRvLKex51wH4xzdklWLy-az6fL0upYIUux3AK&sig=AHIEtbQiycVXuovliwlhIJNVJzidmo_SZAthis document]