Overview

Baptists are a study in contrasts. From Little Dove Old Regular Baptist Church, up a hollow in the Appalachian Mountains, with its 25-member congregation, to the 18,000-strong Saddleback Valley Church in Orange County, California, where hymns appear on wide-screen projectors; from Jerry Falwell, Jesse Helms, and Tim LaHaye to Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton, and Maya Angelou, Baptist churches and their members have encompassed a range of theological interpretations and held a variety of social and political viewpoints. At first glance, Baptist theology seems classically Protestant in its emphasis on the Trinity, the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture, salvation by faith alone, and baptism by immersion. Yet the interpretation and implementation of these beliefs have made Baptists one of the most fragmented denominations in the United States. Not surprisingly, they are often characterized as a people who ""multiply by dividing."" Baptists in America introduces readers to this fascinating and diverse denomination, offering a historical and sociological portrait of a group numbering some thirty million members. Bill J. Leonard traces the history of Baptists, beginning with their origins in seventeenth-century Holland and England. He examines the development of Baptist beliefs and practices, offering an overview of the various denominations and fellowships within Baptism. Leonard also considers the disputes surrounding the question of biblical authority, the ordinances (baptism and the Lord's Supper), congregational forms of church governance, and religious liberty. The social and political divisions among Baptists are often as dramatic, if not more so, than the theological divides. Leonard examines the role of Baptists in the Fundamentalist and Social Gospel movements of the early twentieth century. The Civil Rights movement began in African American Baptist churches. More recently, Baptists have been key figures in the growth of the Religious Right, criticizing the depravity of American popular culture, supporting school prayer, and championing other conservative social causes. Leonard also explores the social and religious issues currently dividing Baptists, including race, the ordination of women, the separation of church and state, and sexuality. In the final chapter Leonard discusses the future of Baptist identity in America.

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Reviews

Leonard carefully chronicles the clashes...in an instructive and compelling way. -- Library Journal Leonard's superb historical and cultural study of this diverse denomination offers an understanding of this sometimes perplexing religious group. -- Henry L. Carrigan, Jr., ForeWord Magazine Leonard has produced an excellent volume on Baptists in America... Recommended, -- Choice Leonard's book demonstrates an equanimity badly lacking in many of the Baptist debates. -- Thomas S. Kidd, Journal of Religion This book covers everything important about the Baptists of America... With respect, balance, and an obvious, genuine love. -- John Crowley, Valdosta State University, Journal of Southern History This book provides an avenue for consideration of challenges that face Baptists in the dawn of this century. -- Omer Hancock, Review and Expositor [An] excellent and informative volume. -- Paul Harvey, H-Amstdy An excellent overview of Baptist life in America. -- Michael E. Williams, Baptist History and Heritage

Leonard carefully chronicles the clashes...in an instructive and compelling way. Library Journal Leonard's superb historical and cultural study of this diverse denomination offers an understanding of this sometimes perplexing religious group. -- Henry L. Carrigan, Jr. ForeWord Magazine Leonard has produced an excellent volume on Baptists in America... Recommended, Choice Leonard's book demonstrates an equanimity badly lacking in many of the Baptist debates. -- Thomas S. Kidd Journal of Religion This book covers everything important about the Baptists of America... With respect, balance, and an obvious, genuine love. -- John Crowley, Valdosta State University Journal of Southern History This book provides an avenue for consideration of challenges that face Baptists in the dawn of this century. -- Omer Hancock Review and Expositor [An] excellent and informative volume. -- Paul Harvey H-Amstdy An excellent overview of Baptist life in America. -- Michael E. Williams Baptist History and Heritage Baptists in America is engagingly written and remarkably comprehensive. -- James P. Byrd Church History

Leonard carefully chronicles the clashes...in an instructive and compelling way. Library Journal 4/29/05 Leonard's superb historical and cultural study of this diverse denomination offers an understanding of this sometimes perplexing religious group. -- Henry L. Carrigan, Jr. ForeWord Magazine November-December 2005 Leonard has produced an excellent volume on Baptists in America... Recommended, Choice 11/1/05 Leonard's book demonstrates an equanimity badly lacking in many of the Baptist debates. -- Thomas S. Kidd Journal of Religion April-June 2006 This book covers everything important about the Baptists of America... With respect, balance, and an obvious, genuine love. -- John Crowley, Valdosta State University Journal of Southern History August 2006 This book provides an avenue for consideration of challenges that face Baptists in the dawn of this century. -- Omer Hancock Review and Expositor Spring 2006 [An] excellent and informative volume. -- Paul Harvey H-Amstdy 1/1/08 An excellent overview of Baptist life in America. -- Michael E. Williams Baptist History and Heritage Winter 2008 Baptists in America is engagingly written and remarkably comprehensive. -- James P. Byrd Church History Sept. 2009

Author Information

Bill J. Leonard is dean and professor of church history at Wake Forest University Divinity School. He is the author or editor of fourteen books, including God's Last and Only Hope: The Fragmentation of the Southern Baptist Convention, Christianity in Appalachia: Profiles in Regional Pluralism, and Baptist Ways: A History. His work is often cited in the media, and he appears frequently on NPR and other radio and television stations. In 2007, he was awarded the W. O. Carver Distinguished Service Award from the Baptist History and Heritage Society.

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