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.
The book is comprehensive in its coverage of Baptists. In these pages, readers encounter Baptists from England and the Commonwealth, the United States, Western and Eastern Europe, and other locales. Ample footnotes and a complete bibliography will assist serious students in further research. Scholarly issues are addressed carefully and completely. Individuals and movements are discussed and assessed within the broad social and religious contexts of their periods.
At the same time, the book is highly readable. While institutional developments are covered in detail, the author is equally concerned with biography. Both the familiar and the obscure figures of Baptist history become real to readers under McBeth’s skillful guidance.
The Baptist Heritage is a book for both scholars and students. Characterized by thoroughness and judicious interpretation, enlivened by gifted storytelling and clear writing, this book is destined to become the standard Baptist history of our time.
