The New Crusades, the New Holy Land: Conflict in the Southern Baptist Convention, 1969-1991

by David T. Morgan

Examines the conflict between modern-day Southern Baptists and “liberal” Southern Baptists over control of the Southern Baptist Convention

David Morgan captures the essence of the conflict between some modern-day Southern Baptists, who saw themselves as crusaders for truth, as they sought to redeem a new holy land--the Southern Baptist Convention-- from the control of other Southern Baptists they viewed as "liberals." To the so-called liberals, the crusaders were "fundamentalists" on a mission, not to reclaim the SBC in the name of theological truth but to gain control and redirect its activities according to their narrow political, social, and theological perspectives. The New Crusades provides a comprehensive history of the conflict, taking the reader through the bitter and divisive struggles of the late 1980s, that culminated in the 1991 emergence of a moderate faction within the SBC. The fundamentalists had won.
 

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 30, 1996

Reviews

[Jake Auton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this work has withstood time fairly well, especially as members of the SBC learn more about the character of the men who led the conservative resurgence. Unfortunately, while I would align with the theological emphasis, I cringe reading about the men I agree with theologically. This work does a great job of portraying their character more than just their beliefs, which is vital because actions speak as loud as words, especially since many moderates had very few theological or moral issues with fundamentalists. The work was well written with an engaging story that served to show the great successes of the movement while also noting the great flaws of the men who lead it. Definitely need to know ahead of time that this work leans liberal. The next one I read is from the conservative view... may be hard to stomach that one knowing what we know now about men like Pressler, Patterson, Stanley, and others...

[Drake Hyman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though it is likely evident enough in the title alone, this book is a moderately subjective portrayal of the power struggle for the SBC during the era of the Conservative Resurgence. Morgan provides a detailed, approachable and well-sourced account of the entire process. He documents its beginnings with M.O. Owen's and Bill Powell's formation of the Baptist Faith and Message Fellowship, their failed attempts to establish control in the 70s, the rise of conservative control of the presidency in the 80s and their eventual victory in 1991 under the joint leadership of Paige Patterson (the theologian) and Paul Pressler (the politician).

Morgan makes no attempt to conceal his own sympathies for the moderate cause. He repeatedly portrays conservatives as arrogant, power-hungry fundamentalists (in particular Charles Stanley) who sought to purify all theological heterodoxy from the denomination at the expense of unity and diversity. His account of the events is captivating and does incite frustration over the causalities accrued by these crusades. Nevertheless, it must be read alongside other voices, in particular those like Jerry Sutton (The Baptist Reformation, B&H, 2000), who more fairly depict the heretical views held by what Morgan refers to as moderates (who were quite definitively liberals). Though I agree the power struggle was vicious, when one considers the importance of what was at stake from the conservative view (the authority of the Bible), it is hard to argue that such a reformation was unnecessary. In the end, this book provides a helpful perspective from the side of the defeated, and left me longing for eventual reconciliation of our divided denomination.

[Dennis Thurman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeps your interest in reading it. Well documented. I lived this in most of my ministry as a Baptist Pastor from 1978 and onward. I was part of the conservative resurgence. I appreciated the credit given to the late M.O. Owens for his significant role in the early days of the movement “back to the Bible.” The negative is the evident partiality to the liberals (whom he identifies as moderates) and against the conservatives by using the pejorative “fundamentalist.” When the book ends i got the sense that the author wanted the conservative movement to fail. It has not. His implied hope that the liberals would progress into a powerful movement and their own denomination has been a vain dream. As expected, those churches that reject the Word of God decline. Still, a worthwhile read if one understands the lens through which the writer views the history.

[Philip Mcduffie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Morgan writes well, but I can't get past his moderate/liberal favoritism. His disgust for the conservatives that led the way during the conservative resurgence is apparent in his writing and for that reason I give this book one star.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

A detailed narrative of the Conservative Resurgence, exposing misrepresentations and abuses on both sides of the debate with sympathies towards the moderate perspective.

[Ryan Lovelace · Rating 1 out of 5]

The author’s bias is plainly evident.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay book. Informative although the author does not write unbiasly.

[Eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5/5) some formatting issues and a slight (though unhidden) bias. Concise and helpful that provides context for many trends we still see both good and bad in the SBC.