The Convention: A Parable

by Will D. Campbell

Organized religion has taken on an increasingly disorganized, fractured appearance in the last few years. The faithful of many traditional denominations have been divided into warring camps. In The Convention, Will Campbell addresses the issues in the form of a parable, the oldest known form of storytelling. And Will Campbell unfolds his plan with vision and humor, evoking more than a few tears along the way. Whatever your religious persuasion, whatever your thoughts on God and on humankind, this story will intrigue you, inform you, and inspire you.

Genres: Novels

406 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1988

About the author

Will Davis Campbell was a Baptist minister, lecturer, and activist.

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unorthodox, liberal, feminist. Of the three options presented, perhaps the one favored in the book is more noble in some ways, but only by virtue of the other options options being presented in caricatures. There is no representation of a Biblical Christianity here. As for the tradition represented, it is more in the vein of Anabaptist than Baptist.

It is nevertheless written well enough (though certain scenes are what I would have expected to ding in a Left Behind novel) to make it an easy read, and gives an interesting (though cynical) view of the goings-on in the SBC at a momentous time in that denomination’s history. Thus, for me it was worth reading.

The writer tips his hat toward approving of gays and of a feminine view of deity. Sin and salvation are seen in a more Marxist than Biblical lens. There is no Gospel in these pages.

[KayG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and enjoyable - but so much deeper. This is a tale of a Southern Baptist convention - with an excess of so many issues that are still in the news today. Thought provoking - I’m sure that the discussion at my Mississippi Book Club will be meaningful.

[James Klagge · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll read anything by Will Campbell...but, he's really not a novelist. The characters tend to be somewhat caricatures, and the plot involves some implausible scenes, but the plot does have a surprising twist at the end that is satisfying. The novel is about the question of electing a woman as president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1994. (The novel was published in 1988, so it is about a possible future.) But the real issue, for Campbell, is the nature of the church, and the corruption of the institution of the church. It probably is better to stick with his memoirs and essays, but still I'm glad I read this.

[Leroy Seat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very much a fictional work about what happened at the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in 1994. My enjoyment of it would have been much more had I read it closer to the date of publication, 1988. But, still, I found it a captivating book, which I read more rapidly than most novels.

I don't know how much appeal this book would have to people who are not familiar with the Southern Baptist Convention, but all who know the SBC and especially all of the present and former SBC "moderates" should find this book most interesting.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful journey of serious whimsy into the mystery of Christian discipleship. It's really not that mysterious. Organized religion has made it so. Take a trip with Dorcas McBride as she leads by example and puts her own "simple" take on the way of Christ in the world. Be prepared to laugh, be moved, and be surprised.