History of Southern Baptists

The issue of slavery contributed to the separation of Baptists in the South from their northern brethren, but that is not the only topic on which they have taken stands. Roger C. Richards, a scholar of religion and history, explores how Baptists came to influence the South, from the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845 to the group's convention meeting in 2012 when the denomination elected their first black president. From the very beginning, Southern Baptists committed themselves to taking the Gospel to all people in all countries. In this textbook, you will learn how Southern Baptists - financed missionary efforts; - reorganized denominational structures; - set policies at annual meetings; - developed educational institutions; and - changed over three major periods. Baptists overcame numerous struggles to come to the colonies, and they played an important role in fighting for America's independence. They have also faced challenges from within, and three major controversies contributed to the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention. Designed for college and seminary students who want to learn more about the events and people who shaped the Southern Baptist Convention into the denomination it is today, this work provides key insights.