Democratic Religion: Freedom, Authority, and Church Discipline in the Baptist South, 1785-1900 (Religion in America)

The Baptist Church in America is a comprehensive and insightful study of the relationship between democracy and religious authority in the antebellum South.

Written by a renowned historian, this book provides a detailed analysis of how the Baptist denomination, which identified itself as the most democratic of all American denominations, came to embrace an exclusivist spirituality that continues to shape Southern Baptist churches today. Through meticulous research and engaging narrative, Wills reveals the paradox of a denomination that championed individual freedom and democracy while demanding unwavering adherence to scriptural inerrancy.

This thought-provoking study will appeal to scholars of American religion, culture, and history, as well as Baptist observers, and is sure to make a significant contribution to the field of American religious history. With its well-crafted arguments and engaging writing style, The Baptist Church in America is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complex relationship between democracy and religion in America's past and present.