Resources on Baptist Distinctives

The following is a selected list of resources on Baptist history, doctrine, polity, ministry, and organization. No attempt has been made to make this list comprehensive. Only a few items have been listed under each category. Most of the items relate to Baptists in the United States but some of the resources contain information about Baptists in other parts of the world. The list majors on Baptist beliefs, polities, and practices and contains very few biographical resources about Baptist Christians.
The topic on this website titled "Sources for Materials on Baptist Doctrine, Polity, and History" will help guide persons to additional books, pamphlets, videos, and other resources about Baptists.
The information on this website is intended to provide resources for further study on who we are as Baptists--doctrine, polity, heritage, ministries, organizations. However, it is not intended as an endorsement in any way of these resources.
Reference Type Resources on Baptists

Allen, Clifton and Lynn E. May, Jr. eds. The Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists, 4 vols. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1958-82,
Articles on an extensive number of topics ranging from persons, individual churches, institutions, and doctrines.
Leonard, Bill J. Dictionary of Baptists in America. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Brief discussions of an extensive list of Baptist organizations, persons, and doctrines.
Mead, Frank S. and Samuel S. Hill. Handbook of Denominations in the United States. Nashville: Abingdon Press, annual editions.
Contains a brief description of the major Baptist groups in the United States including information on organization, key leaders, and addresses.
Wardin, Albert W., ed. Baptists Around the World. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1995.
Brief descriptions, histories, and current status of Baptists in various parts of the world.
Resources Containing Primary Source Material in Baptist History

Baker, Robert A. A Baptist Sourcebook, With Particular Reference to Southern Baptists. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1966.
Excellent material to help understand the development of Southern Baptists.
Brackney, William H. Baptists Life and Thought, 1600-1980: A Source Book. Revised. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1998.
Uses primary documents from the 17th through the 20th centuries to provide insight into important Baptist beliefs.
Freeman, Curtis W., James Wm. McClendon, Jr., and C. Rosalee Velloso da Silva. Baptist Roots: A reader in the Theology of a Christian People. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999.
Contains selected and excerpted historical documents from numerous outstanding Baptists through history related to the development of the Baptist movement.
Lumpkin, William. Baptist Confessions of Faith. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1959.
Contains various Baptist confessions over hundreds of years.
McBeth, H. Leon. A Sourcebook for Baptist Heritage. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1990.
A very large collection of primary documents from the early days of Baptists to the last part of the 20th century, worldwide in scope but majors on Baptists in Great Britain and America.
McGlothlin, W. J. Baptists Confessions of Faith. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1911.
Contains an extensive collection of various Baptist confessions.
Resources Containing Information on Baptist Doctrine and Polity

Although it is virtually impossible to separate information on Baptist doctrine from the historical background of the doctrine, these resources major primarily on doctrine and polity.

Beck, Rosalee, Bill Pinson, James Semple, and Ebbie Smith. Beliefs Important to Baptists. Dallas: BAPTISTWAY PRESS, 2001.
A Bible study with a study devoted to each of several basic Baptist distinctives.
Deweese, Charles W., ed. Defining Baptist Convictions: Guidelines for the Twenty-First Century. Franklin, TN: Providence House Publishers, 1996.
A collection of articles by Baptist leaders, each article dealing with a particular Baptist doctrine, polity, practice, or issue.
George, Timothy and David S. Dockery. Theologians of the Baptist Tradition. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 2001.
Essays by various current Baptists on Baptist theologians from John Gill to Millard Erickson.
Greer, Jr. E. Eugene. "Concepts Vital to Our Baptist Heritage." Dallas: BAPTISTWAY PRESS, 2000.
A brief pamphlet in Spanish and English based on the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message with scripture references.
Hobbs, Herschel H. The Baptist Faith and Message. Rev.ed. Nashville: Convention Press, 1971.
A discussion of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message by a noted Baptist pastor/theologian.
Maring, Norman H. and Winthrop S. Hudson. A Baptist Manual of Polity and Practice. Rev. ed. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1991.
New Testament and historical sources to explore the Baptist understanding of church.
Mosley, Ernest E. Basics for Baptists. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 1996.
A booklet setting forth basic Baptist beliefs and practices; a source for classes of new church members.
Mullins, E. Y. Baptist Beliefs. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1925.
A concise discussion of major Baptist beliefs by one of Baptists most influential scholars.
Pinson, Jr., William M. Issues that Test Baptist Polity. Brentwood, TN: Baptist History and Heritage Society, 2003.
Brief articles on current tests of four major Baptist polities with historical and biblical information.
Shurden, Walter. The Baptist Identity: Four Fragile Freedoms. Macon, GA; Smyth & Helwys, 1993.
Explores biblical, historical, and contemporary aspects of Bible, soul, religious, and church freedom.
Sullivan, James L. Baptist Polity as I See It. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998.
A long-time Baptist pastor and denominational leader sets forth his views on Baptist polity.
Resources That Deal Primarily with Baptist History

Brackney, William H. A Genetic History of Baptist Thought. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2004.
A lengthy volume tracing the historical development of basic Baptist beliefs and practices. Contains excellent bibliographical resource.
Grijalva, Joshua. Ethnic Baptist History. Atlanta: The Home Mission Board, 1992.
A summary of "minority" Baptists in the United States by a leading Hispanic scholar who has ministered with numerous Baptist groups.
Leonard, Bill J. Baptist Ways: A History. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 2003.
A view of Baptists worldwide with a focus on Baptists in America. Contains an extensive bibliography.
McBeth, H. Leon. The Baptist Heritage: Four Centuries of Baptist Witness. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1987.
A voluminous tracing of Baptist development including Baptist heritage In various parts of the world. Extensive bibliography.
Parker, G. Keith. Baptists in Europe: History and Confessions of Faith. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1982.
Helpful material from primary sources.
Shurden, Walter. Not a Silent People. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1972.
A tracing of Baptist history and thought highlighting Baptist controversy within the denomination and with those outside of it.
Torbet, Robert G. History of the Baptists. 3rd ed. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1963.
One of the basic histories of Baptists by a respected scholar.
Resources Combining Baptist History and Doctrine

Brackney, William H. The Baptists. New York: Greenwood Press, 1988.
A relatively concise treatment of Baptist history and thought for Baptists and non-Baptists. A paperback edition was issued by Praeger Press in 1994 with a very helpful bibliographic essay.
Estep, William R. Why Baptists? Dallas: Baptist General Convention of Texas, 1997.
A book commissioned by the Baptist Distinctives Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas to share the Baptist story from a biblical, historical, and contemporary perspective.
Goodwin, Everett C. Down By the Riverside: A Brief History of the Baptist Faith. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 2002.
A brief but thorough and very readable work.
Sermons and Sermonic Essays on Baptist Beliefs

Goodwin, Everett C. Baptists in the Balance: The Tension Between Freedom and Responsibility. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1997.
A collection of sermons, sermonic essays, and articles on Baptist life in the late 20th century.
Powell, Paul W. Back to Bedrock. Dallas: BAPTISTWAY PRESS, 2003.
A series of sermons on Baptist beliefs based on the 1840 confession of faith of the Union Baptist Association in Texas; commissioned by The Baptist Distinctives Committee of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Shurden, Walter, ed. Proclaiming the Baptist Vision. 4 volumes. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 1993.
Four separate volumes of sermons on the Bible, the church, the priesthood of all believers, and religious freedom.
Staton, Jr. Cecil P. Why I Am a Baptist. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 1999.
A collection of testimonies by Baptist leaders on why their convictions cause them to be Baptists.
Resources for Children and Youth on Baptists

Celebrate Freedom! Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys, 1998.
A Vacation Bible School curriculum based on important Baptist principles.
Human, Johnnie. Let's Explore Baptists Beliefs: A Children's Guide to Basic Biblical Teachings. Dallas: BAPTISTWAY PRESS, 2004.
Along with a companion volume for teachers and group leaders this colorful book provides inspiration and information for children; designed for either individual or group study.
Jones, Jeffrey D. Keepers of the Faith: Illustrated Biographies from Baptist History. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999.
One-page stories of eighty influential Baptists with special appeal for children but useful for all ages.
Jones, Jeffrey D. and Debra L. Sutton. We Are Baptists: Studies for Youth. Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1999.
A fourteen-part workbook style resource to aid young people understand Baptist beliefs and practices.
People with a Vision. Video. Valley Forge: Board of Educational Ministries, n.d.
Video version of a classic filmstrip telling the story of American Baptists. Call 1-800-4-JUDSON to order.

© 2005 by Wm. M. Pinson Jr.
The information on this website is intended to provide resources for further study on Baptists--doctrine, polity, heritage, ministries, organizations. However, it is not intended as an endorsement in any way of these resources.