Controversy About the Controversy About the Bible: Round IBible: Round I

The 1960sThe 1960s

Dr. Glenn JonasDr. Glenn Jonas

Campbell UniversityCampbell University

The Elliott ControversyThe Elliott Controversy

Ralph ElliottRalph Elliott The Message of GenesisThe Message of Genesis Negative reaction around the Negative reaction around the

ConventionConvention Elliott interpretation of Genesis Elliott interpretation of Genesis

vs. his criticsvs. his critics Reaction of Midwestern trusteesReaction of Midwestern trustees Reaction of Sunday School BoardReaction of Sunday School Board

1962 SBC in San Francisco1962 SBC in San Francisco– Pre-Convention meeting in Pre-Convention meeting in

Oklahoma CityOklahoma City– 5 resolutions relating to Elliott issue5 resolutions relating to Elliott issue

1963 SBC in Kansas City1963 SBC in Kansas City– Revision of the Baptist Faith and Revision of the Baptist Faith and

MessageMessage What happened to Elliott?What happened to Elliott?

Broadman Bible Broadman Bible Commentary Commentary ControversyControversy

Broadman Bible Commentary SeriesBroadman Bible Commentary Series 1970 SBC in Denver1970 SBC in Denver Problem with the Genesis commentary Problem with the Genesis commentary

interpretation of Genesis 22:1-19.interpretation of Genesis 22:1-19. Major question: Can there be Major question: Can there be

difference of interpretation (literal vs. difference of interpretation (literal vs. non-literal, without denying the non-literal, without denying the inspiration?inspiration?

Result: the commentary was re-written Result: the commentary was re-written by Clyde Francisco of SBTSby Clyde Francisco of SBTS

The Baptist Faith and The Baptist Faith and Message FellowshipMessage Fellowship

Continuing agitation after 1963Continuing agitation after 1963 1973 formation of a conservative 1973 formation of a conservative

organization dedicated to gaining organization dedicated to gaining control of SBCcontrol of SBC

M.O. OwensM.O. Owens

ConclusionsConclusions

Both controversies showed that the SBC had Both controversies showed that the SBC had diverse interpretations of Genesis (literal vs. diverse interpretations of Genesis (literal vs. non-literal)non-literal)

Difference between the two controversies: Difference between the two controversies: SBC in 1962 refused to ban Elliott’s book SBC in 1962 refused to ban Elliott’s book while the Genesis commentary was re-while the Genesis commentary was re-written.written.

These two controversies had the long-term These two controversies had the long-term result of dividing the SBC into “liberals” vs. result of dividing the SBC into “liberals” vs. “conservatives”“conservatives”

The formation of the “Baptist Faith and The formation of the “Baptist Faith and Message Fellowship”Message Fellowship”

SourceSource

Walter B. Shurden, “The ‘What Walter B. Shurden, “The ‘What About Genesis Controversy’,” in About Genesis Controversy’,” in Not a Silent People: Controversies Not a Silent People: Controversies that Have Shaped Southern that Have Shaped Southern BaptistsBaptists, Macon: Smyth and , Macon: Smyth and Helwys, 1995.Helwys, 1995.