Book Reviewed: S.B.C House on the Sand? Critical Issues for Southern Baptists
Author: David O. Beale, Unusual Publications ~ Greenville, SC 1985
ISBN: 0-89084-281-7 pp 191
Reviewed By: Pastor Tim Crockett
I. Summary - The author’s opening statement sums up his intent “It is my constant desire in the writing of this book to make it as helpful and convincing as possible.”
This book has delivered on all counts and is a good read for anyone interested in the S.B.C’s slow downfall. It chronicles the slow, painful and somewhat disturbing death of an organization that purports to be conservative, evangelical and a voice for the moral majority.
While the writer states in the preface that he does not agree with “heresy - hunting” he goes on, without breaking that principle, systematically dissecting and exposing the liberal cancer and how it contributed to the S.B.C’s downfall.
The book is not technical in nature; the language is not esoteric, but a good read that anyone, both laymen and professor alike, can pick up and benefit from.
One of the great strengths of this work is that the writer gathered most of his material from Southern Baptist publications. When he was not able to do that he spoke with related parties. This is a very straightforward work laid out in a very easy format. Referencing various topics is made easy just by going the through the table of contents.
He does a great job at outlining the key people and institutions, throughout the conventions history. Beginning with its inception in 1845 the author outlines the motivation, movement, philosophy, and its principles in doctrine, morals and vision. All of the key figures like James Boyce, John Broadus to J Frank Norris, Criswell, Adrian Rogers, right through Charles Stanley are listed with their contribution to its demise.
The writer lists the seminaries and those who have lead them, their peculiar bent toward apostasy and doggedness on liberal views. He takes the time to list the literature, publishing companies with the dangers associated with them.
II. Critique –
A. Author’s approach – This is a straightforward work. There is no mincing of words. The object was to chronicle the SBC’s history and its propensity toward liberalism. That was achieved. The reader will gather that from the start.
(1) His basic assumptions were that the SBC has been guilty of tolerating liberal theology and not taking as hard a stand against it as they should have.
(2) His central thesis was to educate the reader about the dangers of this movement
B. Bibliography – Extensive research was done and very well documented. Not only are references listed at the end of each chapter, but at the end of the work there is an extensive bibliography citing again the numerous works used in this work.
(1) I also thought that the Glossary of Terms at the end of the book was very helpful. Words that are not readily know or clearly understood are defined by the author. Words like Modalism, Neo - liberalism, Graf - Wellhausen hypothesis and so on.
C. The Audience - The book was written for both the laymen and the academic. Plenty of resource material here for anyone looking for information on the structure and history of the organization. The chapters and index are in a user friendly format which makes referencing easy for those who want to look up a specific issue.
D. The book’s title, S.B.C House on the Sand? I feel that the title could have been better left as a statement rather than a question, especially after reading it. The subtitle, Critical Issues for Southern Baptist is consistent with the writer’s purpose though this reviewer’s thoughts are that these issues are critical for all those who are concerned about the apathy in many of the so called Baptist churches today not just the Southern Baptist Convention.
E. Scriptural references – This was an area in my opinion that was somewhat lacking. There was not a complete abandonment, but surely could have been improved. It would also have been helpful to have an index for scriptural references listed in the back of the book as well.
III.Personal Response –
I appreciate the writer’s candid approach and thoroughness in which he prepared this work. I am currently reviewing another work by the same author on fundamentalism and look forward to writing that review.
The book was an important read for me. It helped me to further solidify my convictions about my Baptist heritage and why maintaining the fundamentals is important. It was also an alarming reminder of how quickly something that starts out with the right intentions can be turned into a tool for the devil and made a mockery before the world.
I agree with the author on many points and my awareness to this organization’s pitfalls has strengthened my resolve to continue on my present course – HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD.
There is too much apple polishing going on within the Christian community now and those truths once held dear – truths which many have given their lives for – by Bible Believing Christians has become nothing more than a “grey area.” These grey areas have been labeled by the liberal compromiser as doctrines that should not be talked about, preached on or held to because they might cause division within the body.
NO THANK YOU! We will continue to press on toward the mark and hold fast the faithful word while upholding Christ as the only way a man can be saved and enter into heaven – PERIOD!
