Expert: Bruce Gourley - 10/3/2006

Question
My SS Class has asked me to provide for them a list of the different kinds of Baptists and compare their beliefs and practices. Can you tell me where I may begin to compile this info?  

Answer
There are about 250 different Baptist groups worldwide, and there is much diversity as well as a good deal of commonality among the various groups.

To begin learning about this wide variety of Baptists worldwide, I would suggest you acquire a copy of Albert Wardin's "Baptists Around the World." It is available from Amazon.com at http://www.amazon.com/Baptists-Around-World-Comprehensive-Handbook/dp/0805410767...

Also, a visit to the Baptist World Alliance site would be helpful. They represent about 200 of the Baptist groups worldwide. Their site is http://www.bwanet.org/

In addition, you might consider delving into the historical background of Baptists. Some helpful sites in this regard include:

http://www.baptisthistory.org
http://www.brucegourley.com/baptists/
http://www.centerforbaptiststudies.org

Finally, if you wish to interact firsthand with Baptists from some of the larger Baptist groups in America, the discussion forums at http://www.baptistlife.com might be helpful.

I hope this information helps.

Bruce Gourley
www.brucegourley.com