Baptist Troublemaker
Posted byDavid R. Brumbelow, pastor of Northside Baptist Church, Highlands Texas and author of The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow, hannibalbooks.com is our Guest Author today. Please read the entire post before commenting.
A preacher that can’t stop arguing. A denominational leader causing discord and division. A prolific writer who spews vitriol. He viciously attacks his opponents. He agitates at the Southern Baptist Convention. He plays politics. Apparently he thinks highly of himself and enjoys notoriety. He builds himself up, by tearing others down.
He insulted others. He subtly threatened. He accused Southern Baptist leaders of lavish lifestyles. He accused them of financial mismanagement and outright theft. He accused a pastor of immorality. He published what he wanted, and gave short shrift to those he opposed. His criticism seriously hurt Baptist mission work. He was censored. Undaunted, he actually sued the Baptist Convention. He even wrote a book about his efforts to reform the convention.
He learned what many others have learned, the more controversial you are, the more readers you enjoy. Facts did not seem to faze him. He could be proven wrong and he would ignore the proof and go right on with his accusations. He would turn on a respected denominational leader and attack him mercilessly. Attacks that continued year after year.
To his credit, at times he could be loving and conciliatory. When he wanted, he could be a statesman. He unified a church and a state convention and then later tore them apart.
Frankly, sometimes he was right in his criticism. He was capable, loved the Lord and maybe thought he was doing right. However, his cantankerousness and downright cussedness, made people not want to listen even when he was right.
He eventually began to lose supporters. Many who once followed him, seeing his contentious ways, walked away. He lost his once great credibility. Some fought him, some ignored him, and some were just quietly embarrassed of him. It finally got so bad; he only had one supporter that could be considered a leader in the denomination. Nevertheless, that leader had his own problems.
He pushed denominational leaders and to their detriment, sometimes they pushed back too hard. What do you do with a troublemaker anyway? Do you ignore him, or openly confront him? Do you say; I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down? Or rebuke in the presence of all? (Nehemiah 6:3; 1 Timothy 5:20)
By the way, sound like anybody you know?
Schismatic people are really nothing new. The church has had trouble with folks like this since Diotrephes (3 John) and Alexander the Coppersmith (2 Timothy 4:14).
Of course, one man sowing discord is another man’s esteemed reformer. However, how much is too much?
Who is this troublemaker? I use another’s words.
For several years past an agent has been at work in our state and undermining the mission work, drying up the mission spirit, and sowing down our once fertile fields with salt. That agent has persistently, ruthlessly and openly, in public print attacked the board, its methods and work, charging it directly and indirectly, with various methods of innuendo and insinuation, with misappropriation, wanton extravagance and reckless waste of public funds. With this agent nothing pertaining to this work is sacred or ever settled. He evinces open disrespect of the decisions of this body, going back each year behind its approved and finished work to dig up and galvanize such issues or events as by his unrighteous use of them may best contribute to add to the general distrust, discord and division he himself engendered. Who, then, is this agent? His name is S. A. Hayden of Dallas.-George W. Truett, 1896. Truett became pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX and an influential supporter of Southwestern Seminary (swbts.edu).
The Hayden Controversy lasted from about 1885-1900. Of course, there was the little incident in 1904. Hayden was editor of the Texas Baptist and Herald. Hayden was censored. Then he was refused a seat at the next three annual meetings of the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT).
Those who opposed Hayden included Truett, B. H. Carroll, J. B. Gambrell, J. B. Cranfill. In 1904 Cranfill got on a train headed to the annual Southern Baptist Convention. When the train was somewhere around Texarkana Cranfill entered the men’s room. S. A. Hayden, also a passenger, entered the men’s room and a fight ensued. A real, physical fight! Cranfill had a gun. Accounts vary, but two shots were fired to no effect. Both claimed self defense; both claimed they won. Cranfill later apologized profusely and resigned as editor of the Baptist Standard. He was pretty much exonerated and continued as a well respected leader among Southern Baptists. Some said if Cranfill were censored, it should be for being a poor shot.
Rufus Columbus Burleson of Baylor University was the lone denominational leader that supported Hayden. Because of this support, in 1894 Burleson lost his BGCT presidency to R. C. Buckner. The Hayden controversy had pretty much ended, at least within the state convention, by around 1900.
S. A. Hayden died in 1918 but his influence continued. In 1903 a promising young pastor was ordained. His own home pastor, Cat Smith, refused to participate in the ordination because he considered the young preacher a Haydenite. That young preacher was named J. Frank Norris.
Some would argue there are a few Haydenites running around today. But then, maybe there is a little Haydenism in us all. I try to keep mine in remission.
Return to the thrilling days of yesteryear and read more about it.
A Texas Baptist Power Struggle: The Hayden Controversy by Joseph E. Early, University of North Texas Press, Denton, Texas; 2005. $39.95, I got mine used at Amazon for $15.
Brief descriptions of the Hayden Controversy are given in:
The Day of Small Things: A History of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention by Gary Ledbetter, SBTC, Grapevine, TX; 2008.
The Blossoming Desert: A Concise History of Texas Baptists by Robert A. Baker, Word Books, Waco; 1970.
Texas Baptists by H. Leon McBeth, BaptistWay Press, Dallas; 1998.
44 Comments
January 7th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Interesting. Very interesting.
David
January 7th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
wow. selahV
January 7th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Brother David and Sister Selah,
Someone said; “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Blessings,
Tim
January 7th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
David, SelahV, Tim,
Thanks for the comments.
Tim, good, important quote. I’ve also heard, “The only thing we learn from history, is that we don’t learn anything from history.” I’m an optimist and hope that’s not true.
David R. Brumbelow
January 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
My friend David Brumbelow has hit the proverbial nail on the head. One wonders if Hayden was a Sooner fan?
Jack
January 7th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Tim,
Well, I guess whoever the author is talking about has been granted the status of Baptist Identity by you–”Baptist” Troublemaker
January 7th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Jack
My three favorite teams, in order, are Arkansas and any team that plays Texas or Ohio State. Since an Oklahoma win will keep Texas out of the #1 spot, I find your comment, while humorous, wrong. Well, maybe not that wrong, but it sure is funny though.
January 7th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
No author of anything had to make certain entities and the SBC look bad. They looked bad all by themselves. No one did it to them. They did it to themselves, and to those whose dollars go to support them.
I think the label troublemaker in the SBC is a badge to be worn proudly. It means that someone is getting mighty uncomfortable, as they should be. That’s one way changes occur. I hope that is the case. That is certainly the goal.
January 7th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Jack, good to hear from you. I’ll let you and Robin hash out the most worthy teams
.
Benji, I take full responsibility. The title of the article is mine, not Tim’s. In this matter, he is innocent.
Debbie, I suppose troublemaker, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
David R. Brumbelow
January 7th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
David
Good to hear from you also! I am going to let Florida hash out who is the better team. as far as Texas and OU, well texas already did that earlier this year!
Jack
January 7th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Astonishing and uncanny. Reading this immediately brought to mind the introductory theme music of The Twilight Zone. It won’t stop playing in my head…
Ron P.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Ron,
.
“The truth is out there”
The Twilight Zone was one of my favorites. Interesting comment.
David R. Brumbelow
January 8th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Brother David,
It is clear from the legacy printed here about Hayden and others is that they never experienced the love and beauty of church discipline. The story is a sad commentary on the churches of the men engaged in such frivolous activity, especially the train episode. How utterly bizarre and far from Christ they must have been.
If these men walked with Christ as his prisoner they would not be carrying guns, fighting in restrooms or even be in a position to be angry with their brother. Maybe they just didn’t understand the worth of their calling.
Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, (2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, (3) being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:14-16 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (15) but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, (16) from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:25-27 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another. (26) BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and do not give the devil an opportunity.
Ephesians 4:30-32 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (31) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (32) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
These men were just pretenders on the grand stage of politics. They were in need of Godly Pastors to lead, guide and feed them in the flock……so that they could understand how to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Blessings,
Chris
January 8th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Chris
I am just glad that these guys did not have blogs!
(grins)
Jack
January 8th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Jack,
Grinning with ya.
David
January 8th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Brother Chris,
I believe an otherwise godly Christian, if he is not careful, can be mean as a snake. Our fallen nature is deeply embedded. Of course I’m not saying that’s the way it should be, but, I believe, that’s the way it is.
I think Cranfill sincerely loved the Lord. I also think he was a man who let his anger take over. His son wanted him to carry the gun. J. B. said he told his son no, but his son secretly packed it anyway. His son was concerned for his dad’s life. Cranfill said he opened the bag in the restroom and there it (the gun) was. Cranfill later willingly submitted to an investigation by First Baptist Church, Dallas, and I think sincerely repented.
I don’t have as high a view of Hayden, but in his own cantankerous way he probably loved the Lord too. There were godly pastors back then, and more church discipline than today. But they were still just a bunch of depraved creatures. Kind of like us.
How many of us would like to be judged by our worst moment?
On the other hand, I do have a high view of believers. Despite their failings, they are the best folks on earth. Isn’t it wondrous that God still uses us? Sometimes because of us, more often in spite of us.
You quote Ephesians 4:32. One of the greatest verses in the Bible.
David R. Brumbelow
PS – On a personality test some Christians score high on “compassion” and “hostility.” How can that be? I explain it this way. That’s the kind of person who will shoot you, and then feel real bad about it
.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Jack and David,
A blog is an awesome thing. As a matter of fact, kind of like a gun. Can be used for good or evil. And either way it’s dangerous.
Another frightening thing about blogs. A writer often reveals much more about himself than he realizes.
David R. Brumbelow
January 8th, 2009 at 11:53 am
David B.
You continue to show yourself wise in a day in SBC life where wisdom is lacking. You remind me of your Dad.
I am glad your my friend : )
Jack
January 8th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Jack,
.
If my dad heard your comment, he would have jokingly told me to give you a dollar. I guess now I owe you
Great to hear from someone who knew the man I wrote my book about.
David R. Brumbelow
January 8th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Brothers Jack and David,
I do believe that blogs can be considered more lethal than real guns because of the repetitiveness of the offence over time and the indelibleness of the stroke of the key. I am probably the meanest snake in the jar, but fortunately I have some Godly men (and women) that quickly bring me back in line with the adoptive reality of the Heavenly Father and lead me to Christ for comfort and peace.
It is interesting that sin appears and manifests itself in the same manner regardless of the point in history where man enters the picture. The church is well suited for troublemakers since it is aware of the only real remedy to the problem!
Blessings,
Chris
January 8th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
My word for commenting this time is “patience”. Make me wonder if God is not using some the “trouble makers” to teach others patience?
Debbie,
How can the SBC do anything? The SBC meets once a year. After that it is the Executive Committee. Nothing else. So how is it that the SBC is doing BAD?
I do not ask this to stir the pot. I ask as one who has been SBC all my life and have never once heard such. Trustees at Entities – yes I have heard. Pastors at churches – yes I have heard. SBC – never!
January 8th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Brother David B,
Another thing that is generally evident from these crescendos of offence by Christian men and women (i.e. the train episode),…. is that hate festers over time. I would be astonished if these men just so happened to get into a rukus because they met in the restroom that day. Too often we do not love, because we do not pursue love. These men of God had a choice long before their little trip to the convention; to become prisoners of God, or to be prisoners of their sin. We all make those choices. God help us to know which prison is beneficial.
Blessings,
Chris
January 8th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Tim: Come on. I think you know the answer to that. The results of that once a year meeting travel to 365 days a year, while the next agenda is being put into motion before and after the next meeting. It is much more than just meeting once a year. But you already knew that I think.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Debbie
I want to challenge you to name 3 things that you feel is good and godly about the SBC. I know you can. Can you?
Jack
January 8th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Jack: At this point, I’ll be honest, until we fix those things that are off kilter and away from Christ, which are many, it’s hard for me to name three things. I will say however, that the last two Conventions have been refreshing with the focus off of politics and Republicans, and more on worship and edification. We are headed in the right direction if we continue to go in that direction.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I’m about to be away from my computer for a day or two. Everyone should try it!
Thanks for all the comments. Thanks especially to the guys at SBC Today for allowing this guest post. It has been an honor.
David R. Brumbelow
January 8th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Debbie
Really???? You can’t name 3 things? Why then pray tell would you be such a poor steward of your time, treasure and talents and be a part of a Church that supports the SBC. If I felt the way you do about a entity I would leave it, in fact I have before!
Jack
January 8th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Jack: That seems to always be the pat answer. Leave. Many Conservatives are doing just that. I’ll not be one who does.
Boy, if my husband would have said that to me, or I would have put that mantra to use in our marriage…we wouldn’t have what we have today. Why? Both of us have changed.
I’m Southern Baptist Jack. Died in the wool, Southern Baptist. I’d rather God change the SBC than to leave it.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Well Debbie thats well and good except that there are issues more important than the SBC. You could not name THREE things that are redeeming or good about the SBC yet you continue to support something that by your own admission lacks any merit. You sound like the old disgruntled church member that says “This is my church and I aint going no where!” The fact is Debbie that your a very negative person who cannot even find THREE redeeming qualities about the SBC. You would rather accintuate the negative. I have known folks like you my whole ministry. We call em the “Cold Water Committee”
Debbie, Three things that are good about the SBC
1. A commitment to the exclusivity of Christ.
2. The work of the SBC disaster relief teams
3. Your local church in Enid
Hows that Debbie?
J
January 8th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Jack
Excellent!
Here are my three:
1. Our missionaries.
2. Our seminaries, especially SWBTS.
3. The Cooperative Program.
If I had a fourth, it would be guys like you who set fashion trends at SBC annual meetings.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Robin: The three things you have mentioned are exactly where the problems lie.
Jack: And you would be wrong. I do want a overhaul, this is true. But, it needs it. We are seeing the affects of not changing things. And it’s not good. In fact, it’s a blot on our witness both to other churches and the world. If I can’t speak out against those things that are wrong, then Christ was wrong when he did, and so was Paul. I don’t think you would agree that either were wrong.
January 8th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Jack
Can you believe that Debbie said one of the problems are the missionaries?
January 8th, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Debbie
Christ was not wrong
Paul could be wrong at times
You are wrong
If it (the sbc) is so wrong why don’t you try to do something constructive instead of innuendo and slander and your mean spirited attacks. Frankly it lacks maturity and speaks more to what is wrong with some in our convention than it does in proposing change.
Debbie, after three years do you realize just how insignificant your little rebellion has become? Those of you who championed the Memphis Declaration (remember that Debbie, you ought to read it) have really slipped into obscurity on the SBC scene. Kind of like the CBF.
Jack
January 9th, 2009 at 12:01 am
If it (the sbc) is so wrong why don’t you try to do something constructive instead of innuendo and slander and your mean spirited attacks.
Kind of like this post? Jack: I do not think I have been at all mean-spirited nor do I think we have slipped into obscurity. Many have not wanted to go against some of what I would consider mean spirited attacks, questioning of their being Southern Baptist nor their salvation. Instead they have chosen to let the SBC go where it will while they continue to do Christ’s work. If you can show where I have ever been mean-spirited, if I agree with you I will be glad to apologize.
I want conversation, talking things out. Bringing things out in the open, as has been done, discussing them as Christians should with each other.
There are times in the three years that I think no rational discussion can ever take place. The minute I attempt to speak to issues, you call them mean-spirited and attacking. Again, we disagree.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:30 am
This just in…
It has been alleged that the recent loss by The University of Oklahoma Sooners to the Florida Gators is the result of extravagant living by Dr. Paige Patterson. I have substantiated this by contacting several of my sources at SWBTS I cannot divulge my sources for obvious reasons.
Jack
January 9th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Jack, I’ve got three:
1 First Baptist Church, Triangle, VA (I, my two brothers and father were saved there)
2. First Baptist Church, East Hartford, Connecticut (My husband was saved there, my son and daughter were saved there and my husband was called to ministry there. Strong emphasis taught on Missions Home and Abroad.
3. Boyce Bible School, Louisville, KY., (They allowed my husband to learn enough to preach the gospel and prepared him for pastoring for nearly 23 years in KY.)
4…Oh, I can’t keep doing this. David is gone and he’ll take my book back if I highjack his thread.
I’m so grateful to be a Southern Baptist. Today as always. God has given me so many blessings through the people in the SBC. In fact, it was at a writer’s conference in Nashville that helped me begin publishing articles. I’ve met, loved and prayed for many a missionary I’ve met at Ridgecrest N.C. Oh, my! That’s another blessing of the SBC. And the Bible studies and authors who’ve been trained in our Baptist colleges and Seminaries. MY my. And the Baptist Hospitals who’ve helped save lives, birth babies and heal the broken hearted. There’s much to be grateful for.
My spam word is faithfulness. Had it not been for the faithfulness of Southern Baptists giving to Annie Armstrong offering, First Baptist East Hartford would never have existed. It started in a YMCA in liberal Connecticut. Had it not been for FBC East Hartford, two men I know would not have gone into the fulltime service for the Lord.
SBC majors on the majors. The minors eventually die away. selahV
January 9th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Great word selahV
Thanks
Jack
January 10th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I was surprised to starting reading here at sbctoday and almost immediately recognize of whom David was speaking (though for a brief moment I entertained the possibly better-known J. Frank Norris).
Having grown up in a church that censured B. H. Carroll and Baylor over their treatment of R. C. Burleson during this controversy, I guess I’m predisposed to have as high a view of Hayden as Cranfill. Joe Early has turned out one of the fairer treatments of Hayden I’ve read written by (the descendants of) his opponents. There are plenty of bad things that can be said of him, but in an inspection of the Texas Baptist papers of the paper one will find all the vitriol was not flowing from his pen.
January 11th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Jack: I give you an honest response, and that is what you come up with? You met me albeit briefly 2 years ago in Arlington, but didn’t I seem like a reasonable person to you?
The SBC is slowly improving. It is doing so because voices are speaking out. Things that were formerly hidden from public view are not. But those changes have to be lasting, and we still have a ways to go. In the SB, there are many things I am thankful for. In the SBC, slowly there are things I am thankful for, but I have to know that the changes I am seeing are lasting, with more around the corner. Too many people have been ruined who shouldn’t have been. Christians who were shot down by their own. I haven’t gotten to the point where I can just forget that.
January 15th, 2009 at 12:31 am
[...] Be a Haydenite__::: An interesting look at a sectarian minister. A preacher that can’t stop arguing. A denominational leader causing discord and division. A [...]
January 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am
As I recall, Norris had his share of “Hayden” moments while at FBC-FW. Something about a deacon, a gun, and an argument that ended badly.
January 15th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Paul,
I believe that a deacon and a gun and an arguement will always end badly….just for who?
David
January 15th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
volfan007
Good point. In this specific case, it would end badly for the deacon.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Correction on post 38, sentence should read:
“…but in an inspection of the Texas Baptist papers of the period one will find all the vitriol was not flowing from his pen.”