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W. A. Criswell: the wall of separation of church and state and politics.

Article Excerpt
Most historians would agree that First Baptist Dallas, Texas, was one of the most influential Southern Baptist churches in the twentieth century.

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Under the dynamic leadership of George Washington Truett (1867-1944) and W. A. Criswell (1909-2002), the church became the model of what many believed to be a "true" Southern Baptist church. As pastors of such a prominent church, the two men, in turn, became prominent in denomination-wide affairs.

In matters of church-state relations, both Truett and Criswell adamantly advocated religious liberty, and both voiced this opinion on more than one occasion. Concerning separation of church and state, however, these two pastors are remembered for making statements that appear antithetical to the other's position. On May 16, 1920, on the steps of the United States Capitol, Truett gave what many Baptists believe to be the strongest possible Baptist defense for religious liberty and separation of church and state. The editor of the Texas Baptist Standard believed this sermon by Truett was the "greatest hour ever witnessed in the SBC." (1) The editor then claimed, "Presidents have been inaugurated on those historic steps, world leaders have walked up the marble stairway of our Capitol ... but we doubt if ever under the shadow of the Capitol there was ever held a more significant service." (2) Criswell, however, presented a different view. In the fall of 1984, while being interviewed by CBS television, he proclaimed "I believe this notion of separation of church and state was the figment of some infidel's imagination." (3) What were the circumstances that led Criswell to make such a statement? What effect did this Baptist spokesman have on First Baptist, Dallas, and on the denomination at large?

The 1960 Presidential Election

Upon the death of Truett in 1944, First Baptist Church called Criswell as pastor. Although originally not wanting the position, Criswell said that he had a dream that Truett came to him and asked him to "go down and preach to my people." (4) During his fifty-five-year tenure, the church grew from 7,000 to almost 30,000 members and began a radio station, Criswell Bible College, and thirty missions. In many of these years, the church...

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