Summary
Baptist and Methodist Faiths in America is the second of two books in the Faith in America set dealing with the many communities tied to the Protestant Christian faith. Focusing on those groups formed after the European Reformation who broke with the idea of a state-related dominant church in a given country, and organized denominations unattached to government control, this book explores the beliefs of Methodists, Baptists, Cumberland Presbyterians, Pentecostalists, and Disciples of Christ.
Exploring the history of groups deeply rooted in America, from the first immigrants in the 1600s and the Great Awakening of the 1700s to the rise of fundamentalism in the 1800s and today's television evangelists, Baptist and Methodist Faiths in America examines the impact of these faiths on the cultural, social, and political life of America. Active participants in the arts and in the field of communications—especially broadcasting—they have often used their access to media technology to reach a wide audience. Professing strong positions in the debates over social issues—such as abortion and gay rights—and the policies of the government, including everything from school prayer to education funding, these groups have played and continue to play an important role in American society.
Coverage includes:
- The Scopes "Monkey" Trial
- The beginnings of the “literal Bible” movement
- Early leaders such as Dwight Moody and Billy Sunday
- Modern preachers such as Billy Graham and Pat Robertson
- National leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Carter
- Habitat for Humanity.
Specifications
Black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Bibliography. Glossary. Chronology. Index.
About the Author(s)
Julie Ingersoll is an assistant professor of religious studies at the University of North Florida. After studying at George Washington University and Rutgers, she received her Ph.D. from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She has published numerous articles in both scholarly and consumer publications, and has been interviewed many times on television and radio for her expertise. Recent contributions include articles in the Encyclopedia of Religion and American Cultures and the Encyclopedia of Evangelism. She has taught at Millsaps College in Mississippi, Rhodes College in Tennessee, and Southwest Missouri State.