Book Review — Baptist Biographies and Happenings in American History

Dan Nelson. North Fort Myers, FL: Faithful Life Publishers, 2018. 268 pp. (Hardback).

Did you know that Roger Williams, considered the father of Baptist thought in America, did not remain a Baptist throughout his life? Are you familiar with the contributions of John Clarke to the establishment of the Baptist church in America? Did you know that Billy Graham, revered Baptist evangelist, never pastored a Baptist church? 

Are you aware of how much persecution the early church leaders, who came to this country to escape persecution in Europe, endured once they arrived in America? 

I’m not going to tell you which of those I did and didn’t know, but I will tell you where you can learn these things and more. In “Baptist Biographies,” Dan Nelson has done us all a great service, presenting a chronological arrangement of biographies and “happenings” in Baptist history. You probably will have heard of most of the subjects and events, but to be able to read through them in the order in which they appeared in history is fascinating and instructive and weaves the story of what made us who we are as a denomination. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Martine Bates Fairbanks, Ed.D., reviews books and Bible studies for The Alabama Baptist. She is a university professor and retired principal. She is a member of Central Baptist Church, Decatur.