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Criswell: His Life and Times
When the name W. A. Criswell is read or heard, certain thoughts come to mind. Many likely remember him as a president of the Southern Baptist Convention, or the founder of the Criswell College in Dallas, Texas, or the senior pastor for five decades of one of the largest Baptist churches in America, or even one of the key figures during the Conservative Resurgence. All of these are acknowledgments of the importance of the life of Criswell, but these do not necessarily capture who he was as a man, as a husband, as a father, as a friend and mentor.
O.S. Hawkins was one of the many pastors mentored by Criswell. In His Life and Times, Hawkins takes on the task of capturing the life of one of the most important figures in modern Baptist history. He discusses his humble upbringing, the dedication of his parents to ensure he received a proper education, his early years as a pastor, and how his love for the church influenced those around him over the course of his life. It is a biography that is both admiring and honest, and written with the knowledge of someone who could only know Criswell as a friend and a mentor.
O.S. Hawkins was one of the many pastors mentored by Criswell. In His Life and Times, Hawkins takes on the task of capturing the life of one of the most important figures in modern Baptist history. He discusses his humble upbringing, the dedication of his parents to ensure he received a proper education, his early years as a pastor, and how his love for the church influenced those around him over the course of his life. It is a biography that is both admiring and honest, and written with the knowledge of someone who could only know Criswell as a friend and a mentor.
- GenresBiography
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 2, 2024
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26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 6, 2025
Just finished:
Brentwood, TN: B&H Publishing, 2024.
Since Criswell is someone who I've read so much about, I could probably go on for a few hours about this book in one way or another. I also don't think they would let me post something that long either. That said. . . .
Hawkins presented Criswell in a more candid manner than I expected. Although he had a close relationship with Criswell, succeeding him as the pastor of First Baptist Dallas, he recognized Criswell's quirks and faults. He acknowledged that Mrs. Criswell was a big personality to be reckoned with. Hawkins said that he let Mrs. C. know that he could be a friend or a problem for her depending how she dealt with him (Mrs. C. drove out two other men who she felt would outshine her husband as the next pastor of the church). There was just something that hit me the wrong way in how it was phrased. Nevertheless, Hawkins admits that what happened with Joel Gregory helped smooth things over before Hawkins came to FBC Dallas.
While Hawkins shared candid moments and his knowledge of the secondary literature is good, I couldn't help but feel that he used his biography on Criswell to diminish George Truett, Criswell's predecessor, and paint Criswell as a follow of J. Frank Norris, a fundamental who broke with the SBC (Norris was the "Texas Cyclone"). While I agree with Hawkins that Criswell was more like Norris, I think he goes too far in painting Truett in a negative light.
For Hawkins, Norris is a true representation of current Southern Baptist views on biblical inerrancy (Though I agree that Truett would have been with the moderates during the SBC Controversy).
Hawkins also puffs up Criswell as the father of the "Conservative Resurgence" of the SBC. Criswell was the grandfather figure of the movement but not it's leader.
Brentwood, TN: B&H Publishing, 2024.
Since Criswell is someone who I've read so much about, I could probably go on for a few hours about this book in one way or another. I also don't think they would let me post something that long either. That said. . . .
Hawkins presented Criswell in a more candid manner than I expected. Although he had a close relationship with Criswell, succeeding him as the pastor of First Baptist Dallas, he recognized Criswell's quirks and faults. He acknowledged that Mrs. Criswell was a big personality to be reckoned with. Hawkins said that he let Mrs. C. know that he could be a friend or a problem for her depending how she dealt with him (Mrs. C. drove out two other men who she felt would outshine her husband as the next pastor of the church). There was just something that hit me the wrong way in how it was phrased. Nevertheless, Hawkins admits that what happened with Joel Gregory helped smooth things over before Hawkins came to FBC Dallas.
While Hawkins shared candid moments and his knowledge of the secondary literature is good, I couldn't help but feel that he used his biography on Criswell to diminish George Truett, Criswell's predecessor, and paint Criswell as a follow of J. Frank Norris, a fundamental who broke with the SBC (Norris was the "Texas Cyclone"). While I agree with Hawkins that Criswell was more like Norris, I think he goes too far in painting Truett in a negative light.
For Hawkins, Norris is a true representation of current Southern Baptist views on biblical inerrancy (Though I agree that Truett would have been with the moderates during the SBC Controversy).
Hawkins also puffs up Criswell as the father of the "Conservative Resurgence" of the SBC. Criswell was the grandfather figure of the movement but not it's leader.
March 16, 2024
W.A. Criswell was an early expositor I listened to. His handbook for pastors was an early resource for me. I have been in anticipation for this book when I heard it was coming out.
This book is an easy read and enjoyable, overall. Hawkins does a good job giving the reader a good sense of Criswell. Every person interested in Baptist history should read it.
However, the book is more hagiographic in ways than Hawkins wants to admit. I was disappointed with how brief the section on Criswell at SBTS was. There are many stories, quotes, and footnotes that get repeated over and over. The chapter on Criswell and Israel seemed oddly placed to me.
Pick this up but the definitive, critical biography of Criswell still needs to be written.
This book is an easy read and enjoyable, overall. Hawkins does a good job giving the reader a good sense of Criswell. Every person interested in Baptist history should read it.
However, the book is more hagiographic in ways than Hawkins wants to admit. I was disappointed with how brief the section on Criswell at SBTS was. There are many stories, quotes, and footnotes that get repeated over and over. The chapter on Criswell and Israel seemed oddly placed to me.
Pick this up but the definitive, critical biography of Criswell still needs to be written.
May 19, 2024
O.S. Hawkins has given the church a good gift in Criswell: His Life and Times. This book is beautifully written, exhaustively researched, and honestly delivered. Hawkins succeeded Criswell as pastor at FBC Dallas. As such, he writes from personal experience; he lived with and walked alongside Criswell in his later years. Criswell was a lion in evangelicalism, growing his church to massive size while establishing an expository preaching ministry that would rival any other in church history. Criswell's life and ministry deserve the platform that Hawkins affords them.
If I had a critique, however, it would be that Hawkins borders at moments on hagiography. From the outset, he writes, "[I]f you are looking to read a hagiography of this man, you will most likely not appreciate this volume" (xii). It is true that Hawkins doesn't sidestep the bigger issues in Criswell's life - he dedicates an entire chapter to Criswell's three biggest regrets. Yet, at moments, I couldn't help but feel that he allowed Mrs. C (Criswell's wife) to share more than her weight in responsibility as to the dysfunction that brewed beneath the surface at FBC Dallas. Maybe my observation serves to demonstrate my ignorance of the situation, but if Criswell "allowed" his wife to carry on the way she did for as long as she did, the responsibility would lay on his shoulders at some point in time. The layer of his home life in this narrative is perplexing to me. How could such a valiant defender of the faith have such a messed-up home?
In the end, this book is well worth the read. In W.A. Criswell, the modern church has a hero who helped saved the Southern Baptist Convention from liberalism and a villain(?) in that he described himself as a "benevolent dictator" and led the church in Dallas and modeled for most congregations in America a pattern of ministry that has many unbiblical and excessively pragmatic elements. His life is worth studying and reflecting upon. This book is the perfect tool to aid us in that task!
If I had a critique, however, it would be that Hawkins borders at moments on hagiography. From the outset, he writes, "[I]f you are looking to read a hagiography of this man, you will most likely not appreciate this volume" (xii). It is true that Hawkins doesn't sidestep the bigger issues in Criswell's life - he dedicates an entire chapter to Criswell's three biggest regrets. Yet, at moments, I couldn't help but feel that he allowed Mrs. C (Criswell's wife) to share more than her weight in responsibility as to the dysfunction that brewed beneath the surface at FBC Dallas. Maybe my observation serves to demonstrate my ignorance of the situation, but if Criswell "allowed" his wife to carry on the way she did for as long as she did, the responsibility would lay on his shoulders at some point in time. The layer of his home life in this narrative is perplexing to me. How could such a valiant defender of the faith have such a messed-up home?
In the end, this book is well worth the read. In W.A. Criswell, the modern church has a hero who helped saved the Southern Baptist Convention from liberalism and a villain(?) in that he described himself as a "benevolent dictator" and led the church in Dallas and modeled for most congregations in America a pattern of ministry that has many unbiblical and excessively pragmatic elements. His life is worth studying and reflecting upon. This book is the perfect tool to aid us in that task!
September 24, 2024
This was certainly an interesting read. W. A. Criswell was a larger-than-life figure with many wonderful qualities and also a number of tragic flaws. Criswell was doctrinally solid, a great expositor, and always passionate about the gospel and evangelism. Yet he also had a dysfunctional family and a difficult marriage, an at times questionable relationship with money and luxury, and a self-professed dictatorial leadership style. He also made a number of very serious errors on public issues over the years, such as his early positions on abortion and segregation (in these areas, to his great credit, he later publicly repented and used his platform and voice to try to undo the harm that he caused). At times, Criswell also seems to have been a bit obsessed (or at least driven) to expand the size, influence, and property of FBC Dallas, perhaps catering to the rich and powerful in order to do so.
Hawkins writes from an interesting perspective as a close friend of Criswell's and one of his successors to the "pastoral throne" (his wording) in Dallas. Hawkins obviously deeply admires Criswell and praises him often, but he also doesn't shy away from acknowledging some of his flaws.
Overall, this is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the Baptist movement in America in the 20th century, in which Criswell played such a prominent role. Despite my criticisms of areas of Criswell's life and philosophy, I do deeply appreciate his ministry and passion for the word of God, and I valued my time reading this biography.
Hawkins writes from an interesting perspective as a close friend of Criswell's and one of his successors to the "pastoral throne" (his wording) in Dallas. Hawkins obviously deeply admires Criswell and praises him often, but he also doesn't shy away from acknowledging some of his flaws.
Overall, this is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in understanding the Baptist movement in America in the 20th century, in which Criswell played such a prominent role. Despite my criticisms of areas of Criswell's life and philosophy, I do deeply appreciate his ministry and passion for the word of God, and I valued my time reading this biography.
December 31, 2025
Bought this book while in Dallas for SBC2025. It felt like the right book to buy. Read most of it while waiting for my plane ride back home at DFW. it was a good biography that was engaging, and Hawkins friendship allows the reader to get an "inside, behind the scenes" glimpse at Criswell the man.
I will admit, the relationship between Criswell and his wife left me feeling a little uneasy, yet it was still a great book.
Hawkins also did a great job of whetting my appetite for his Book on Truitt & J. Frank Norris.
Overall, it's a good quick biographical read, but I would recommend reading Criswells autobiography first, then Hawkins.
I will admit, the relationship between Criswell and his wife left me feeling a little uneasy, yet it was still a great book.
Hawkins also did a great job of whetting my appetite for his Book on Truitt & J. Frank Norris.
Overall, it's a good quick biographical read, but I would recommend reading Criswells autobiography first, then Hawkins.
January 2, 2026
One of the most well put-together books on the life of Dr. W.A. Criswell! This book is informative and biographical, but is almost story-like. It gives the ins-and-outs of Criswell’s life before, during, and after the years as Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas. Excellent read for anyone who loves Criswell or just simply loves biographical works.
May 25, 2024
Frank and fascinating; historical yet human.
While paying respectful tribute, Hawkins also acknowledged the human side of his subject and those around him. This gives the book a balanced credibility as a work of historical journalism.
While paying respectful tribute, Hawkins also acknowledged the human side of his subject and those around him. This gives the book a balanced credibility as a work of historical journalism.
June 8, 2024
Based on research as well as Dr. Hawkins' personal experiences and opinons.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews