Download crossing the line… - Texas Baptists Committed

CROSSING THE LINE…
Handout #1
CHRONOLOGICAL OVERVIEW
The following indicates but a few of the matters related to the radical fundamentalist takeover
of the Southern Baptist Convention.
1964
Pressler initiates “liberal” hunt in the SBC.
1968
Formation of Luther Rice Seminary at Jacksonville, Florida
1970
Establishment of Criswell College at Dallas, Texas
1971
Mid-America Seminary launched at Memphis, Tennessee
1972
“There is no liberal drift in the SBC” – W. A. Criswell
1972
Hard-line fundamentalists’ initial effort to gain control of the SBC at
its Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1972
Systemic slander launched against most visible SBC leaders and
all SBC institutions, boards and agencies.
1977
Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson meet at Café du Monde, New
Orleans, Louisiana. Planning of the SBC takeover was begun.
1978
Widespread untruths against SBC entities intensified.
1978
Initial introduction of Presslerism at SBC Pastors Conference.
1979
Hundreds of additional “liberal hunt” meetings held across the SBC.
1979
Political compromising of SBC Pastors Conference begun.
1979
Political control of SBC Annual Meeting at Houston engineered by
Pressler.
1980
Launching of the Southern Baptist Advocate subsequently spawns
many additional hard-line fundamentalist publications.
1980
Score of additional “liberal hunt” public meetings begun, typified by
Paul Pressler’s “going for the jugular” of the SBC.
1983
Hard-line fundamentalists foster spying in the classroom; Paul
Pressler’s illegal recording of a telephone conversation
1984
“Separation of church and state is the figment of an infidel’s imagination”
- W. A. Criswell
1985
Paige Patterson suggests SBC Trustee control over the WMU.
1985
Paige Patterson’s widely trumpeted “heresy file” proved to be fictitious.
1985
Character assassination of W. Winfred Moore begun.
1985
Unauthorized use of Billy Graham’s name to maintain control of the SBC
at its annual meeting at Dallas, Texas
1985
Paul Pressler/Reconstructionism leader’s taped interview
1986
The “inerrancy thing” – Paige Patterson
1986
Transformation: “Pastor as Ruler” – W. A. Criswell
1986
Political corruption of the Pastors Conference completed
1986
CBS Television – Pressler, Land and Young: “Our SBC institutions were
devoid of persons who believed traditional Christian beliefs.”
1987
Opponents of hard-line fundamentalism labeled “infidels and half-infidels”
- W. A. Criswell
1987
“There will be a bloodletting” – Karl Davis
1987
Peace Committee deliberations dominated by hard-line fundamentalists.
1988
“Pastoral Authority” Resolution – SBC San Antonio
1988
Slander against Richard A. Jackson at crescendo level. Outcome of SBC
vote for president: Jerry Vines – 50.43%; Richard Jackson 49.57%.
1989
Clandestine hard-line fundamentalist meetings at Atlanta
1989
Character assassination of Daniel G. Vestal initiated.
1990
“Victory in Jesus” celebration . . . Café du Monde, New Orleans
1990
Armed guards prevent Baptists from observing SBC Executive Committee
firing of Shackleford and Martin.
1992
Rogers hosted “Bellevue Plan” to seize 40 state conventions.
1992
All SBC officers elected by fewer than 1/10th of 1 percent of the Baptist
people.
1992
Seizure of Republican Party by various hard-line fundamentalists begun.
1992
Pressler’s imperialistic demand: Election to the Foreign Mission Board –
Parks out
1993
Three identical “control or else” WMU resolutions adopted by SBC
Executive Committee, Home Mission Board and Foreign Mission Board.
1993
Allocation of $750,000 by SBC Executive Committee, seemingly to
accelerate demise of state convention papers.
1993
Prohibition of CBF participants to serve in any SBC capacity.
1994
Russell H. Dilday firing.
Before he was elected by the fundamentalist faction as president of the Southern
Baptist Convention and, subsequently, was named president of the SBC Sunday School
Board, Dr. James T. Draper, Jr., wrote a revealing description of fundamentalism:
“Fundamentalism is more dangerous than liberalism because everything is done in the name of
the Lord. In the name of the Lord, the fundamentalist condemns all who disagree with him … he
uses the Bible as a club with which to beat people over the head, rather than a means of personal
strength and a revealer of God. To the fundamentalist, the test of fellowship is correct doctrine. If
you do not agree with his doctrinal position, he writes you off and will not have fellowship with
you. There is no room in his world for those who have a different persuasion. He feels
threatened by diverse convictions and writes them off as sinister and heretical. As long as you
support his position, he is with you. Cross him, and he has no use whatever for you . . . the
fundamentalist tactic is simple: hatred, bitterness, and condemnation of all whom they despise …
In the name of the Lord they will launch vehement attacks on individuals and churches. In the
name of the Lord they attempt to assassinate the character of those whom they oppose. They
direct their attack most often on other Christian leaders with whom they find disagreement.”
James T. Draper, Jr.
The Church Christ Approves pp. 38, 39, 43
April 28, 1994