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Baptists in America
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Baptists in America Hardback - 2005

by Bill Leonard

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Reader reviews for Baptists in America

From the publisher

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.

Details

  • Title Baptists in America
  • Author Bill Leonard
  • Binding Hardback
  • Pages 316
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Columbia University Press, US
  • Publication date 2005-04-01
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780231127028 / 0231127022
  • Weight 1.25 lbs (0.57 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.32 x 6.34 x 0.95 in (23.67 x 16.10 x 2.41 cm)
  • Themes
    • Ethnic Orientation: African American
    • Religious Orientation: Christian
    • Theometrics: Academic
    • Topical: Black History
  • Category Religion - Denominations - Religions
  • Library of Congress subjects United States - Church history, Baptists - United States - History
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2005041363
  • Dewey Decimal Code 286.173

Media reviews

Citations

  • Library Journal, 05/15/2005, Page 124
  • Univ PR Books for Public Libry, 01/01/2006, Page 1

About the author

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.
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. He lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
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. He lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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Baptists in America

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Baptists in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)
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Baptists in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)

by Leonard, Bill

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Baptists in America
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Baptists in America

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9780231127028 / 0231127022
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Columbia University Press. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Baptists in America
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Baptists in America

by Leonard, Bill

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780231127028 / 0231127022
Quantity available
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Description:
Columbia University Press. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Baptists in America
Stock photo: cover may vary

Baptists in America

by Leonard, Bill

  • Used
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Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780231127028 / 0231127022
Quantity available
1
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Item price
A$51.56
Free Delivery to USA

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Description:
Columbia University Press. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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A$51.56
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Baptists in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)
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Baptists in America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)

by Leonard, Bill

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780231127028 / 0231127022
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Columbia University Press, 2005-04-01. Hardcover. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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Baptists In America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)
Stock photo: cover may vary

Baptists In America (Columbia Contemporary American Religion Series)

by Bill J. Leonard

  • New
  • Hardback
Condition
New
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780231127028 / 0231127022
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Columbia Univ Pr, 2005. Hardcover. New. 316 pages. 9.25x6.25x0.75 inches.
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A$352.11
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