The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness [Hardcover]

H. Leon McBeth (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 29, 1987

The Baptist Heritage: Four Century of Baptist Witness H. Leon McBeth's 'The Baptist heritage' is a definitive, fresh interpretation of Baptist history. Based on primary source research, the book combines the best features of chronological and topical history to bring alive the story of Baptists around the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 850 pages
• Publisher: Broadman Press (January 29, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805465693
• ISBN-13: 978-0805465693
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Protestantism > Baptist

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive, informative, and accesible, August 28, 2001

By 

Joshua Villines (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness (Hardcover)

A standard seminary textbook, McBeth's comprehensive treatment of the various groups that share a common "baptist" identity is an accesible read for laypeople as well. If you've ever wondered what a "hardshell" baptist was, or what made "primitive baptists" different, this is the book for you. In addition, McBeth does an excellent job of helping baptists to understand how our own theological journey connects with that of the larger Christian church.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Personal, December 14, 2001

By 

Zach T. Roberts (Greensboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness (Hardcover)

Without a doubt, this is the most definitive work on the history of Baptists. McBeth leaves no stone unturned in developing a portrait of a faith tradition born out of persecution and intolerance. A tradition born with an affinity for personal freedom, i.e. competency before God. McBeth's work has aided me greatly in understanding why I am Baptist and what that means. At a time in which many Baptists are struggling with a crisis of identity, this book can serve as a rescue. Don't let the size of the book intimidate you. Think of it as crawling into grandpa's lap and hearing the stories of old. More than the book I appreciate the man behind it. He was one of the greatest teachers I ever studied under, and one of the most genuine professor I ever encountered.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Read of Baptist History, June 25, 2004

By 

Michael Taylor "Michael Taylor" (Indian Trail NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness (Hardcover)

I was required to read this book for a seminary course and instead of being intimidated by the size of the book, I found it to be an extremely enjoyable read on how Baptists have flourished over the years in spite of persecution, church splits, and other challenges.

McBeth traces the origins of Baptists in the early 1600s from England and Holland and chronicles their history up to the late 1900s.

Among the more interesting topics covered include:

1. Baptist beginnings in Europe.
2. Baptist beginnings in America and the part they played in the Great Awakenings.
3. The struggle for religious libery in early America.
4. The split of the Baptists in the 1840s that eventually led to the Southern Baptist Convention.
5. The formation of several types of Baptist groups (Southern, Primitive, Independent, American, National, Landmark, etc.).

Whether you are Baptist or not, after reading this gem you will have a greater appreciation for the Baptist heritage!

Read and enjoy!