This week in Christian history: Pope elected, Isaac Backus dies, Baptist Convention formed

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, November 19, 2023

Isaac Backus dies – Nov. 20, 1806

Isaac Backus (1724-1806), a prominent Baptist minister from New England who campaigned against state-sponsored churches. | Public Domain

This week marks the anniversary of when Isaac Backus, a Baptist minister in Puritan New England who was known for his opposition to state-sponsored religion, died at age 82.

Backus founded the first Baptist church in Middleborough, Massachusetts, in 1756 and served as its pastor for a half century, and did so even as the Baptists faced persecution from the Puritan establishment.

Backus was a staunch proponent of religious liberty and for the separation of church and state, having lobbied the Continental Congress and others on behalf of these causes.

“Many people were even imprisoned because of failure to pay the tax, including several members of Backus’ own family,” explained Leroy Seat of Baptist News Global in 2014.

“But it was the freedom of religion and separation of church and state established in Rhode Island by [Roger Williams] and then bravely backed by Backus over 135 years later that became a part of the U.S. Bill of Rights ratified in 1791.”