The Baptist Reformation: The Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention

by Jerry Sutton

Jerry Sutton examines the twenty-year struggle to restore the destiny and distinction of the Southern Baptist Convention by describing the context of the struggle, the reformation that began in the Convention and how it took place, and the institutions in which the resurgence took place.

Genres: Church History

560 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading for anyone interested in the subject of the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. I read it as a former outsider to the SBC, looking to learn my way around my new home. A couple observations:
1.) The book is probably among the most significant histories of the topic (or so l hear). Thus it has to take a high place among recommended reading on the topic.
2.) The author is clearly biased in favor of the Conservatives. Even for someone who agrees with his side in the matter, it shows through enough to wear on the nerves.
3.) It is not very well written. From my former IFB (Independent Fundamental Baptist) days, I would have to rate him somewhere near the quality of David Beale. There is a really fascinating story with many interesting characters—this is all hinted at but never given good shape here. That’s too bad. Maybe one day a writer of the caliber of George Marsden (I’m thinking particularly of his Reforming Fundamentalism) will take on this topic and give it the treatment it deserves.
4.) The author expects the reader to be a fellow insider. I’m not sure he’s aware of it—he just forgets to give us outsiders necessary context to understand what’s going on far too often.
Thus for criticisms: easy to write and fun to read. But despite the annoyances, I came away with a much better understanding of the CR, and for that I am thankful.

[Evan Þ. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This's a lengthy history of the Conservative Resurgence, where - in the 1980's - theological conservatives reclaimed the Southern Baptist Convention on behalf of Biblical inerrancy, the exclusivity of Christ, and the vital importance of evangelism. As a theological conservative myself who grew of age in a post-Resurgance Southern Baptist church, I began this book eagerly.

This book is very long and very detailed in step-by-step descriptions of the procedure that was followed, such as the different tones of each annual Presidency and the disputes surrounding each election. They were interesting to some degree, but I found myself tired at points from the repetition as conservatives and liberals kept saying mostly the same things with slightly different tinges.

A history like this needed to be written, but probably a shorter version would be more profitable for a general audience. The very short version has actually already been written - "Anatomy of a Reformation", by Paige Patterson, one of the prominent conservatives in the movement, which I'd advise anyone to start with. Perhaps a more medium version should be written?

[Julius Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jerry Sutton provides a clear, thoughtful, and comprehensive examination of the twenty year struggle that reshaped the Southern Baptist Convention. By carefully explaining the historical context, the theological concerns, and the institutional changes involved, this book offers readers a deep understanding of how the resurgence unfolded. It is an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to understand the SBC’s modern identity.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

A detailed narrative of the Conservative Resurgence sympathetic to the conservative cause.

[Eric · Rating 1 out of 5]

A wordy and repetitive account of the battle for inerrancy in the Southern Baptist Convention told from a conservative perspective. Informative, but could have been at least 200 pages shorter.

[Kat Long · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tough out here

[Mara Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

good info … hard to get through

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sutton has written the most comprehensive and thorough history of the Conservative Resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention that I've read. For anyone interested in church history, especially in SBC history, this has to be on your reading list. Sutton is not an impartial observer, as he's clearly on the side of the conservatives, but I would have been also and I'm not a Southern Baptist....

The book is divided into four major sections:
1. The way things were
2. The way the Convention changed
3. The way convention institutions changed
4. why things changed: analysis and interpretation

Of particular interest to me was the detailed analysis of the liberalism within the seminaries, especially SEBTS and SBTS, and how these were turned around.

[Adam Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not grow up a Southern Baptist. Reading the history of the conservative resurgence to me was riveting. I enjoy history and this book supplied a lot of it. Of course, I am in agreement with the conservative resurgence and so I have a different take on the history than those who are in disagreement with it might. If you want to learn about how the SBC recovered its biblically conservative theology then this is a great read for you.

[Justin Camblin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exhaustive history of the conservative resurgence in the Southern Baptist Convention. It is a little repetitive, thus I gave it 3 stars instead of 4.