The Challenge of Being Baptist: Owning a Scandalous Past and an Uncertain Future

by Bill J. Leonard

The largest Protestant denomination in the United States is in the midst of a serious identity crisis; many Baptists are revisiting or turning away from the tradition, leaving others to become increasingly uncertain that the denomination can remain viable. Here, however, noted Baptist historian Bill Leonard wades through the murky waters of the Baptist past and explores the historic commitments of this unique people―all in an effort to shed light on its contemporary dilemmas and evaluate the prospects for a Baptist future. While encouraging members of the faith to thoroughly and fairly evaluate their heritage―and its many blunders along the way―Leonard ultimately argues that the Baptists' contentious "audacious witness" shown throughout its history still has a worthy role to play in the twenty-first century.

Genres: Church History, Theology, History

166 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Kari]

Read for class

[M Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did you ever wonder why certain issues seem to come back again and again to plague the Baptist community? Or why certain topics have such "hot buttons?" In this slender volume, noted Baptist historian Bill J. Leonard does a fine job of showing how the seeds of many controversies were planted in the very earliest days of the Baptist Movement, perhaps unavoidably. As always, Leonard's writing is fresh, informative, and wryly funny.

As a former student of Dr. Leonard, it is also a pleasure to hear his unique voice shine through in his writing -- especially his sense of humor. In interests of full disclosure, Bill was not only one of my professors but he and his family were co-congregants with me and mine at Crescent Hill Baptist Church and he is one of several former profs to be kind enough to stay in touch with me over the years.

[Wade Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read. Bill Leonard places the current struggles of Baptists in a larger context. He identifies areas of needed attention for future generations of Baptists.