The Origin, Theology, Transmission, and Recurrent Impact of Landmarkism in the Southern Baptist Convention (1850-2012)
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THE ORIGIN, THEOLOGY, TRANSMISSION, AND RECURRENT IMPACT OF LANDMARKISM IN THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION (1850-2012) by JAMES HOYLE MAPLES submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY in the subject CHURCH HISTORY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA Supervisor: PROF M. H. MOGASHOA March 2014 © University of South Africa ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH DOCTORAL PROJECT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA Title: THE ORIGIN, THEOLOGY, TRANSMISSION, AND RECURRENT IMPACT OF LANDMARKISM IN THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION (1850-2012) Name of researcher: James Hoyle Maples Promoter: M. H. Mogashoa, Ph.D. Date Completed: March 2014 Landmarkism was a sectarian view of Baptist church history and practice. It arose in the mid-eighteenth century and was a dominant force in the first half-century of the life of the Southern Baptist Convention, America’s largest Protestant denomination. J. R. Graves was its chief architect, promoter, and apologist. He initiated or helped propagate controversies which shaped Southern Baptist life and practice. His influence spread Landmarkism throughout the Southern Baptist Convention through religious periodicals, books, and educational materials. Key Landmark figures in the seminaries and churches also promoted these views. After over fifty years of significant impact the influence of Landmarkism seemed to diminish eventually fading from sight. Many observers of Southern Baptist life relegated it to a movement of historical interest but no current impact. In an effort to examine this assumption, research was conducted which explored certain theological positions of Graves, other Landmarkers, and sects claimed as the true church by the promoters of Baptist church succession. Further research focused on the Landmark influence leading up to the American Civil War (1861-1865) and the spread of Landmarkism after the death of Graves (1893) until the close of the twentieth century. ii © University of South Africa 2015 The research revealed significant theological inconsistencies which were heretofore unexamined critically and often ignored by promoters of the Landmark view as long as the view of the Baptist Church and its history was within Landmark definitions. A mass of vituperative rhetoric in defense of slavery from Landmark authors was uncovered. It was also found that significant percentages of Southern Baptists still hold some key Landmark beliefs. The persistence of these beliefs is tied to Landmarkers in key positions within the Southern Baptist Convention and the influence of local pastors with Landmark views. Landmarkism is a term the average Southern Baptist cannot define. Landmark beliefs, however, are still present, but many view them merely as Baptist doctrine and history. The research concluded that Landmarkism is far from a forgotten piece of Southern Baptist history. Its influence, impact, and grip are very visible in some Southern Baptist beliefs and practices. Key Terms: Landmarkism, Landmark, Landmarker, Southern Baptist Convention, Church Succession, Successionism, Successionist, High Church, High Churchism, Southwest, Authorized Administrator iii © University of South Africa 2015 KEY TERMS Landmarkism – A movement founded by J. R. Graves that arose in Tennessee during the first half of the nineteenth century and quickly spread throughout what was then called the Southwest. The movement was characterized by its distinctive ecclesiology, exclusiveness, and a particular view of church history. Landmark – The term Landmark is from Proverbs 22:28 as used in J. M. Pendleton’s book An Old Landmark Re-Set. This Landmark, i.e., boundary stone was defined as the boundaries of the true church which in the eyes of those holding Landmark beliefs was only and always the Baptist church. The true churches were distinguished throughout history by their martyrdom. This blood of the true church left an indelible mark for all to see. This view appeared and spread among Southern Baptists. As used herein Landmark is an adjective to describe certain individuals, beliefs, churches, or associations. It also appears as a noun in the sense of hallmarks or distinctive beliefs. Landmarker – One who holds to Landmark beliefs. Southern Baptist Convention – The Southern Baptist Convention was formed in 1845 when the Baptists in the southern states in America separated from Baptists in the north over the issue of slavery. The Southern Baptists supported and defended the institution of slavery. It is now the largest Protestant denomination in the United States of America comprised of more than forty-five thousand churches and over sixteen million members. Church Succession – The distinctive view of church history which affirms that Baptist churches have always existed in an unbroken succession from the time of the first church in Jerusalem to the present. Successionism, Successionist – A belief in Baptist Church succession and those holding such views. High-Church(ism) – A view that one’s church is the only true or pure church and a diminishing or disavowing of those outside one’s particular church. Southwest – As used herein the geographic region of the United States of America that encompasses Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas. Authorized Administrator – One who is qualified to baptize others. In Landmark terms such a one is qualified by virtue of the propriety of his own baptism as to mode, profession, and administrator. He himself must be duly authorized by a church of Christ, meaning a Baptist church. iv © University of South Africa 2015 TIMELINE 1811 – J. M. Pendleton born 1820 – J. R. Graves born 1837 – J. M. Pendleton called as pastor of Bowling Green Baptist Church, Bowling Green, KY 1843 – B. H. Carroll born 1845 – J. R. Graves moves to Nashville, TN 1846 – J. R. Graves called as pastor of Second Baptist Church, Nashville, TN 1846 – J. R. Graves named assistant editor of The Baptist newspaper, Nashville, TN 1847 – J. R. Graves forms Tennessee Publication Society (forerunner of three publishing houses he controlled) 1847 – Name of The Baptist changed to The Tennessee Baptist 1848 – J. R. Graves becomes editor of The Tennessee Baptist 1851 – J. R. Graves publishes the “Cotton Grove Resolutions” (regarded by many as the official beginning of the Landmark movement) 1851 – J. R. Graves begins attacks on other denominations in The Tennessee Baptist 1852 – J. M. Carroll born 1855 – Term “Landmark” first used at meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention 1857 – Southern Baptist Bible Board controversy (Sunday School Board) 1858 – J. R. Graves tried and removed from First Baptist Church, Nashville, TN 1859 – J. R. Graves defeated in bid for presidency of Southern Baptist Convention 1861 – Civil War 1861 – J. R. Graves and J. M. Pendleton separate, Pendleton moves to Pennsylvania 1867 – Graves establishes The Baptist newspaper in Memphis, TN 1871 – B. H. Carroll becomes pastor of First Baptist Church, Waco, TX 1889 – Formation of the Baptist and Reflector, Nashville, TN v © University of South Africa 2015 1893 – Death of J. R. Graves 1899 – W. H. Whitsitt forced to resign as president of Southern Seminary 1905 – B. H. Carroll organized Baylor Theological Seminary, Waco, TX 1905 – Some Landmark Baptists split from Southern Baptist Convention and form Baptist General Association 1908 – B. H. Carroll becomes president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX 1922 – Publication of J. T. Christian’s History of the Baptists 1924 – The Baptist General Association changes name to the American Baptist Association 1931 – Publication of J. M. Carroll’s Trail of Blood 1950 – Formation of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association 1961 – Martin Luther King, Jr. addresses Southern Baptist Theological Seminary 1962 – Dismissal of Professor Ralph Elliott at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary 1964 – Civil Rights Act passed by United States Congress 1979 – Fundamentalist “takeover” of Southern Baptist Convention 1994 – Russell Dilday fired as president of Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, TX 2005 – New Mission board controversy vi © University of South Africa 2015 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First, I want to thank my supervisor, Dr. M. H. Mogashoa, for his patient and dedicated oversight throughout this project. His support and encouragement along the way have been instrumental in the completion of this work. Several libraries were of special assistance to me in my research. A special thanks goes to Elizabeth Wells, Special Collections, Samford University, Al Lang, Archivist, Carson-Newman College, Jonathan Jeffrey, Curator of Manuscripts, Manuscript and Folklife Archives, Western Kentucky University, and Larry Summers, Director and Taffey Hall, Archivist at the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives. Special thanks are in order to the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives, for the Lynn E. May grant for financial assistance in doing this research. Drs. James Patterson, Union University, Merrill Hawkins, Carson-Newman College, and Kenneth Roxburgh, Samford University were particularly helpful in facilitating student surveys incorporated into this project. Dr. James McGoldrick was also very gracious in sharing his experience and insight as one who has researched aspects of the church succession issue discussed herein. Many thanks also to my dear friend and brother in Christ Dr. Richard Wells, President, John Witherspoon College, for he started me on this journey some years ago at Beeson Divinity School. Endearing thanks and love are due to my