Baptists in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)

Baptist churches and their members have encompassed a range of theological interpretations and 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, often characterized as a people who "multiply by dividing." In Baptists in America, 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, and 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. Leonard also examines the role of Baptists in the Fundamentalist and Social Gospel movements of the early twentieth century, the Civil Rights movement, and the growth of the Religious Right. Leonard explores the social and religious issues currently dividing Baptists, including race, the ordination of women, the separation of church and state, and sexuality. He concludes with a discussion of the future of Baptist identity in America. 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.

baptist Churches And Their Members Have Encompassed A Range Of Theological Interpretations And 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, Often Characterized As A People Who Multiply By Dividing.

in Baptists In America, 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, And 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. Leonard Also Examines The Role Of Baptists In The Fundamentalist And Social Gospel Movements Of The Early Twentieth Century, The Civil Rights Movement, And The Growth Of The Religious Right. Leonard Explores The Social And Religious Issues Currently Dividing Baptists, Including Race, The Ordination Of Women, The Separation Of Church And State, And Sexuality. He Concludes With A Discussion Of The Future Of Baptist Identity In America.

library Journal

leonard (church History, Wake Forest Univ. Divinity Sch.) Offers A Comprehensive Study Of Baptists, Who By The 1840s Had Become One Of The Largest Denominations In America. Certainly, The Historical Facts Presented Here Are Well Researched And Documented And Highly Informative, But What Truly Makes This Book Exceptional Is The Attention That Leonard Pays To The Differences Between Various Baptist Sects (e.g., Southern Baptists Vs. American Baptists) And The Unbiased Manner In Which He Describes Their Beliefs And Practices. He Refers To The Overall Messiness Of The People Called Baptists And The Controversies And Disagreements Over Doctrine, Theology, Eschatology, Scripture, And Social Issues That Erupt Among Them. This Messiness, He Says, Results From The Baptists Believing That Church Affairs Should Be Decided By The Local Congregation. Leonard Carefully Chronicles The Clashes That Stem From Such A Local Polity In An Instructive And Compelling Way. Anyone Interested In American Religious History Or Simply American History Will Find This An Enlightening And Substantively Informative Book. Highly Recommended.-wesley A. Mills, Empire State Coll., Suny At Rochester Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

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.

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 Lake Forest, California, where hymns appear on wide-screen projectors; and from Jerry Falwell, Jesse Helms, and Tim LaHaye to Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton, and Maya Angelou, Baptists are a study in contrasts. 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 interpretation and implementation of these beliefs have made Baptists one of the most fragmented denominations in the United States. Indeed, they are often characterized as a people who "multiply by dividing." This book introduces readers to this fascinating and diverse denomination, offering a sociological portrait of a group numbering some thirty million members. Bill J. Leonard explores Baptist history, beliefs, practices and disputes, as well as contributions to American culture and the religious landscape. Leonard also discusses the major controversial issues within the denomination, including race, the interpretation of scripture, the role of women in the church, the separation of church and state, religion and politics, ethics, and sexuality. -- From publisher description 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 conserative 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 identy in America. ... Jacket Contents Preface 1. Introduction 2. Baptist Beginnings 3. Baptists in the Twentieth Century 4. Baptist Beliefs and Practices 5. Baptist Groups: Denominations, Subdenominations, and Churches 6. Bible, Ordinances, and Polity: Debates and Divisions Among Baptists 7. Baptists and Religious Liberty: Citizenship and Freedom 8. Ethnicity and Race in Baptist Churches 9. Women in Baptist Life 10. Baptists and American Culture: "In the World but Not of It" APPENDIX A: A Baptist Chronology Notes Selected Bibliography Index Offers a historical and sociological portrait of this diverse denomination. Traces the history of Baptists, examines the development of Baptist beliefs and practices, and offers an overview of the various denominations and fellowships within Baptism. Also discusses theological disputes, as well as social and political divisions among Baptists