No American denomination identified itself more closely with the nation's democratic ideal than the Baptists. Most antebellum southern Baptist churches allowed women and slaves to vote on membership matters and preferred populists preachers who addressed their appeals to the common person. Paradoxically no denomination could wield religious authority as zealously as the Baptists. Between 1785 and 1860 they ritually excommunicated forty to fifty thousand church members in Georgia alone. Wills demonstrates how a denomination of freedom-loving individualists came to embrace an exclusivist spirituality--a spirituality that continues to shape Southern Baptist churches in contemporary conflicts between moderates who urge tolerance and conservatives who require belief in scriptural inerrancy. Wills's analysis advances our understanding of the interaction between democracy and religious authority; and will appeal to scholars of American religion; culture; and history; as well as to Baptist observers.
#401234 in Books 2003-09-25Ingredients: Example IngredientsOriginal language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.50 x .90 x 9.10l; 1.97 #File Name: 0195154614528 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Buy ThisBy Jared Wesley OpoienGreat compilation of primary sources. Beginning introductory commentary for each section is also helpful for any scholar interested in Christianity in Late Antiquity.1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Fast serviceBy Verla MillerSince I have not started class yet I can only reply how quickly I got the book. Later after I start studying; I might adjust this. Good job.27 of 33 people found the following review helpful. RevealingBy Kenneth A. DaileyThis book is basically piles of documents from when Christianity was still competing with the polytheistic religions of the late Roman Empire. The authors preface each document with a bit of history and explanation. The documents themselves are highly illuminating regarding the thinking of the early Christians; the creation and purpose of monasticism; the creation of a governing structure for Christians; and debates between competing views of the nature of Christ; Mary the mother of Jesus; etc.I found the documents amazing and sometimes very dense. They are amazing in that we as modern people tend to think of ourselves as more complicated than people before. One reading of anything by John Chrysostom or Athanasius put me in my place. Oddly; I was left with the feeling that the authors really just compiled a bunch of documents that anyone could gather with intensive internet searches and that the actually authorship was minimal. This doesn't negate the fact that this is an excellent book to read to understand history or faith better.
