W. A. Criswell's formative role in the conservative resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention

This dissertation argues that W.A. Criswell played a formative role in the Conservative Resurgence within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Beginning in 1979 this Resurgence was an organized effort to bring change through the election of SBC presidents who held to biblical inerrancy and thereby in the governing boards of the SBC agencies. Criswell's primary contribution was not the organizational effort itself. The thesis of this dissertation is that Criswell had a significant role, perhaps even the most important role, in shaping the mind-set of conservative Southern Baptists which led to the formation of the Conservative Resurgence.;The grass roots of Southern Baptists have been largely conservative in the pulpit and in the pew. Criswell was reared in a home steeped in biblical literalism and Southern Baptist tradition. His rural upbringing coupled with his broad educational experience and yet determination not to depart from the faith of his childhood thrust him into a unique category of Southern Baptist preachers. After accepting the call to become the pastor of First Baptist Dallas, the largest and most famous church in the Convention, Criswell ascended to an iconic status in Southern Baptist life during the three and one half decades prior to 1979. Criswell's formative role in the Conservative Resurgence consisted primarily in his ability to raise awareness among Baptist pastors and laymen of the dangers posed by liberalism entrenched in key Southern Baptist schools.;Criswell's role in the formation of the Resurgence can be delineated in three categories. First his influence was exerted through publishing books. Criswell wrote over fifty books that received wide readership among Baptist pastors. In his books Criswell propagated his theological interpretations and also delivered warnings of impending doom unless the spread of liberalism was stopped. A second category was Criswell's role in the formation of the Resurgence mindset through his preaching. Criswell's expository approach and evangelistic emphasis was copied in the pulpits of many young pastors who looked to him as an example. Criswell preached at state conventions, evangelism conferences, summer camps and almost every SBC Pastors' Conference. Preaching at these events afforded Criswell regular opportunities to sway large groups of pastors and laypeople concerning the danger of encroaching liberalism.;The third category was Criswell's ministry. Criswell was pastor of the largest and fastest growing church in the SBC from the 1940s-1960s. His church was a model for ambitious pastors, and was promoted through his own church growth seminars. In addition Criswell College has had significant impact on the SBC as a training ground for future leaders.;The Conservative Resurgence was the result of the organizational efforts of the Patterson/Pressler coalition which succeeded in electing SBC presidents. Criswell's role in the Resurgence was primarily prior to 1979 and provided a formative influence which helped to prepare the way for the results that followed.