Publication: Baptist History and Heritage
Publication Date: 01-JAN-03
Delivery: Immediate Online Access
Author: Faught, Jerry, II
Article Excerpt
Southern Baptists began the 1960s embroiled in a serious conflict concerning the biblical book of Genesis and ended the decade in the same manner.
In the first conflict, some Southern Baptists attacked The Message of Genesis, a book by Ralph Elliott, who was a professor at the fledgling Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Elliott interpreted the first eleven chapters of Genesis utilizing a parabolic and symbolic methodology. He suggested that the first eleven chapters of Genesis dealt with theological issues and not literal history. Elliott's book evoked a significant controversy that lasted from 1961 until 1963. Although attempts were made to ban the book and oust Elliott from his teaching position, the book was not banned, and Elliott was not dismissed due to his theological views. He was removed from his teaching position because he refused to agree to an administrative directive not to seek republication of his book.
Southern Baptists who were critical of Elliott's views were disturbed that Elliott's ouster was not based on his theological views but on a technicality. Supporters of Elliott felt that his removal was a huge blow to academic freedom. To keep peace and avoid schism in the convention, Southern Baptist statesmen led the convention to adopt a new confession of faith in 1963. Baptists rallied around the confession and for the moment schism was avoided, but peace for Southern Baptists was ephemeral. (1)
Only six years later, Southern Baptists found themselves in another major Genesis conflict. In October 1969, volume 1 of The Broadman Bible Commentary was published by Broadman Press, the book publishing arm of the Baptist Sunday School Board (BSSB). There would eventually be twelve volumes in all covering the entire Bible. The first volume contained nine general articles on the Bible and an exposition of the book of Genesis by English Baptist scholar G. Henton Davies and of Exodus by Roy L. Honeycutt, who was then professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. (2) A segment of Southern Baptists, who had been at odds with the publishing policies of the Board during much of the 1960s, objected to the volume almost immediately. Most of the controversy, however, centered around statements made by Davies in the first volume concerning the story of how Abraham came close to sacrificing his son Isaac as recorded in Genesis 22:1-19. The controversy became especially severe during the 1970 annual convention meeting in Denver where Southern Baptists adopted a motion to withdraw volume 1. The conflict basically ended at the 1972 convention meeting when messengers defeated a motion to withdraw the complete commentary.
An examination of the Broadman Commentary controversy provides insight into the Southern Baptist milieu of the late 1960s and early 1970s. In an era in which Southern Baptist life was becoming more complex and diverse, it is no surprise that theological tension would arise. What is astonishing is how Southern Baptists, equipped with a noncentralized convention polity, sought to resolve the conflict. This study will explore the diverse approaches of various Southern Baptists to Genesis, examine how Baptists addressed the theological controversy, and will note significant results of the controversy.
A Commentary Is Born
By 1950, Clifton J. Allen, editorial secretary at the BSSB and William J. Fallis, head of the Book Editorial Department at the BSSB, were in serious discussion about the possibility of producing a commentary on the Bible to be published by Broadman Press. (3) In a series of meetings stretching from July 1961 until 1968, plans were made and carried out to publish a multi-volume commentary to be completed by 1970. Broadman Press personnel determined that the commentary would be directed toward ministers and serious lay students; that it would be designed to reach a general audience, irrespective of denominational identity and interest; and that it would utilize historical-critical methodologies in treating biblical texts. (4) At the same time, the commentary would be committed to the
theological assumptions of supernatural religion, the unique and inspired nature of biblical revelation, the redemptive activity of God in Christ, the lordship of Christ in the world, the reality of salvation from sin, and the certainty of Christian hope. (5)
Broadman Press personnel refused to label the project as a conservative, moderate, or progressive publication. Rather, General Editor Clifton Allen and his associates, Joseph Green and William Fallis, decided that the writers would express several theological views where there was diversity of opinion. After an objective discussion of the text, the writer could insert his own personal view as long as he was objective and did not appear condescending toward anyone who might disagree. (6)
By 1967, most of the writers were enlisted. Although fifty-six of the sixty-four contributors enlisted were Southern Baptists, four writers from England and four from the American Baptist Convention were asked to write articles based on their reputation as competent biblical scholars and their long identification with Baptist life. Allen defended the choice of writers to some members of the plans and policies committee of the BSSB who expressed serious concern about some of the writers enlisted, especially ones who were not Southern Baptists. He argued that the selection of writers was wholly in keeping with the Baptist tradition that emphasized the competence and responsibility of persons to think for themselves, to be free to differ in their doctrinal interpretations, to engage in open debate of scriptural texts, and to reject "an authoritarian, official, creedal, stereo-typed formulation of the truth of the biblical revelation." (7) Allen added that writers were selected due to their reputation as devout Christians and competent biblical scholars who offered balanced theological viewpoints. (8)
Work on the commentary was in full swing by 1968. In October 1969, volumes 1 (Genesis-Exodus) and 8 (Matthew-Mark) were published by Broadman Press, whose editors knew from the beginning that no commentary would receive unanimous endorsement from Southern Baptists. Broadman Press personnel did not expect, however, the furor that arose in the convention concerning the first volume. Preliminary surveys had revealed that five out of eight readers of the first two volumes offered favorable responses as to content and approach. (9)
Criticism of Volume 1
Criticism of volume 1 began in December 1969. Volume 8, which contained general articles as well as an exposition of the books of Matthew and Mark, did not come under scrutiny. Although the first volume was criticized generally, the major objection to the initial volume was restricted to Davies's treatment of Genesis, particularly his interpretation of Genesis 22:1-19, also a controversial section in Ralph Elliott's book. In his treatment of the passage, Davies acknowledged that some persons interpreted literally God's command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. Davies, however, rejected the idea that God literally commanded Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. He asked, "Indeed what Christian or humane conscience could regard such a command as coming from God?" (10)...
NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.
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