Dr. Keith Harper

The Quality of Mercy: Southern Baptists and Social Christianity, 1890-1920
by Keith Harper

nice window into Baptist social thinking during the turn of the 20thC

I read this book in preparation for sharing in an adult Sunday School class on the issues of the ministry of mercy. As such it was a good and welcomed addition to my knowledge not just of the period but of a community (Baptists) with which i am not familiar.It is not technical but is full of facts and details from the pen of a professional historian. He has several interesting principles apparent in the book: individual conversion precedes and is foundational to any social or institutional change, and that they were actually relatively successful in their confrontation with the problems in society during these crucial years.

I'd pick up the book and read the conclusion, chapter 7, Reassessing a Legacy: Southern Baptists, Social Christianity and Regional context, a short chapter. And then read chapter 4, Southern Baptists, Social Christianity, and Orphanages, which is the central chapter of the book and certainly long enough and detailed to give the reader a good idea if they will finish the book. Then if you get the book, just read it from the beginning to see the way that the author's arguments unfold as he supports and illustrates them from history. It is history, it is not theology, but i think that the author is sympathetic towards the people he is studying and presents them fairly. Reading just chapters 7 then 4 will get you the main points of the book, however not the supporting data and how several fields of missionary and social ministry tied together and changed over these years.

i liked the book and recommend it. It is not a difficult read and interesting enough to hold most people's attention.… (altro)