Baptists in North America: An Historical Perspective

Who are the Baptists? A leading authority on Baptist life and thought has written an engaging and illuminating portrait of the largest Protestant denomination in the United States (and the fourth largest in Canada) today. Starting with the scattering of churches along the Atlantic coast in the pre-colonial era, Brackney covers 400 years of Baptist history and tradition.

This history emphasizes the great diversity and adaptability that Baptists in North America have consistently exhibited and highlights the role of early Baptists as advocates of religious liberty, the separation of church and state, and universal healthcare; and it reflects on the reasons for the schisms that have arisen within the Baptist movement. Throughout, the author pays attention to different Baptist traditions, giving a rounded picture of the way they have taken shape in the United States and Canada. The book also includes statistical data, a timeline and lists of Baptists groups and related institutions, and a glossary of terms.