“We received word today that Dr. Cecil Sherman, founding coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. He is in M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, for tests and possible treatment options. His wife, Dot, continues to be in failing health in Richmond. Please join me in prayer for Cecil and Dot as well as their daughter Eugenia Brown during this difficult time.”

I know you guys will want to be in prayer for Cecil.

Wouldn’t that be a hoot.

Brother Preacherman,

Remember that I know who you are and where you live.

:)

Blessings,
Tim

I thought you had been on the Smyth-Helwys mailing list for years as well as the CBF. Aren’t you a Plan C church?

I have ordered the book also, but am concerned about one thing. I am now on the Smyth-Helwys mailing list. :)

Blessings,
Tim

Thanks for pointing out that Patterson did get specific on what he would have his students read. Good catch.

Brother David B,

You have brought out a most important distinction. If the bible is corrupt, I would as a “conservative” blame that on man and not on God. God has revealed and delivered His Word without error by way of real men in real documents.

Sister SelahV,

Your still right,…no matter what anyone else has said.

:)

Blessings,
Chris

BTW,

Dr. Patterson’s graciousness in this review should be hardly surprising to those who have spent even a small amount of time with him. Keep up the good work friends.

Peace be with you,

Bishop Joe

I would not say Dr. Cecil Sherman is a moderate, he is a liberal. If I remember right, Judge Paul Pressler used to define a liberal (in the context of the SBC) as someone who believes there are errors or could be errors in the Bible. Dr. Sherman fits that description.

I also say with respect that Dr. Sherman is an honest liberal. Unlike so many liberals, he did not try to hide that fact. That was something that angered some other moderates and liberals. Again if I remember right, Dr. Sherman said that he did not believe the Bible was full of errors, but that there were errors in the Bible. Much of the Baptist and religious press back then tried to avoid that inconvenient news.

I believe Patterson and Sherman had a debate back then, where Sherman revealed his liberal views. The silence from the press was deafening.

I think in some cases more conservatives read moderates’ and liberals’ books than their own group does. And, as has been said, I’m sure you will find from Sherman’s book the reasons, from a conservative’s viewpoint, of why the Conservative Resurgence (CR) was needed.

The CR was not a matter of character assassination. There are many honorable men and women on the moderate and liberal side. Dr. Sherman is one of many examples. It was simply a matter of believing to the depths of our being that the divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible had been and should continue to be a core doctrine and practice of the SBC.

I think many would be surprised at the graciousness and respect Dr. Paige Patterson has toward those who disagree with him.
David R. Brumbelow

I think one thing being missed here is not that Dr. Patterson stated he would require this volume to be read; instead, he specifically noted a certain portion he would require:

The chapters on Sherman’s pastorate in Asheville will be required reading for my students in pastoral ministries. Sherman’s handling of the race issue at Asheville in a courageous, yet statesmanlike, fashion is a model for any; and no one with a sense of justice could help but admire how he functioned in that situation.

Another portion Dr. Patterson highly acclaimed, though not stating “required” was the noble, godly way Sherman ministered to his ailing wife, “Dot”. Why learning from one who faithfully faced the pain many of us will face cannot be seen as a much needed balm I cannot tell.

Even so, therefore, for myself, I cannot see but only enrichment coming from reading the volume. But, then again, i will not know that till I turn the last page.

Grace. With that, I am…

Peter