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.

Leonard carefully chronicles the clashes...in an instructive and compelling way. Library Journal Leonard's superb historical and cultural study of this diverse denomination offers an understanding of this sometimes perplexing religious group. -- Henry L. Carrigan, Jr. ForeWord Magazine Leonard has produced an excellent volume on Baptists in America... Recommended, Choice Leonard's book demonstrates an equanimity badly lacking in many of the Baptist debates. -- Thomas S. Kidd Journal of Religion This book covers everything important about the Baptists of America... With respect, balance, and an obvious, genuine love. -- John Crowley, Valdosta State University Journal of Southern History This book provides an avenue for consideration of challenges that face Baptists in the dawn of this century. -- Omer Hancock Review and Expositor [An] excellent and informative volume. -- Paul Harvey H-Amstdy An excellent overview of Baptist life in America. -- Michael E. Williams Baptist History and Heritage Baptists in America is engagingly written and remarkably comprehensive. -- James P. Byrd Church History

• Introduction Baptists Beginnings Baptists in the Twentieth Century Baptists' Beliefs and Practices Baptists' Groups: Denominations, Subdenominations, and Churches Bible, Ordinances, and Polity: Debates and Divisions Among Baptists Baptists and Religious Liberty: Citizenship and Freedom Ethnicity and Race in Baptist Churches Women in Baptist Life Baptists and American Culture: "In the World But Not of It"

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.

Leonard carefully chronicles the clashes...in an instructive and compelling way. Library Journal Leonard's superb historical and cultural study of this diverse denomination offers an understanding of this sometimes perplexing religious group. -- Henry L. Carrigan, Jr. ForeWord Magazine Leonard has produced an excellent volume on Baptists in America... Recommended, Choice Leonard's book demonstrates an equanimity badly lacking in many of the Baptist debates. -- Thomas S. Kidd Journal of Religion This book covers everything important about the Baptists of America... With respect, balance, and an obvious, genuine love. -- John Crowley, Valdosta State University Journal of Southern History This book provides an avenue for consideration of challenges that face Baptists in the dawn of this century. -- Omer Hancock Review and Expositor [An] excellent and informative volume. -- Paul Harvey H-Amstdy An excellent overview of Baptist life in America. -- Michael E. Williams Baptist History and Heritage Baptists in America is engagingly written and remarkably comprehensive. -- James P. Byrd Church History

• Introduction Baptists Beginnings Baptists in the Twentieth Century Baptists' Beliefs and Practices Baptists' Groups: Denominations, Subdenominations, and Churches Bible, Ordinances, and Polity: Debates and Divisions Among Baptists Baptists and Religious Liberty: Citizenship and Freedom Ethnicity and Race in Baptist Churches Women in Baptist Life Baptists and American Culture: "In the World But Not of It"