The Southern Baptist Convention and the Judgment of History: The Taint of an Original Sin Book

This is a fantastic work on the theological distinctives of Baptists (e.g., regenerate membership, congregational polity, believer's baptism, free church in free state, etc.).

In this book, Norman traces out the development of key Baptist distinctives within the two theological traditions he believes to be historically present in Baptist life. He entitles the first theological tradition the reformed tradition. This tradition emphasizes Scripture's authority and sufficiency. Norman entitles the second tradition the Enlightenment tradition. This tradition, emerging primarily from E.Y. Mullins, emphasizes Christian experience and is more existential in nature.

Norman demonstrates that the theological distinctives held by Baptists are clearly present in both theological traditions, though some diversity between the two camps obviously does exist. Good book!