Southern Baptists: a Historical, Ecclesiological, and Theological Heritage of a Confessional People.

By Slayden A. Yarbrough. Nashville: Southern Baptist Historical Society and Fields Publishing, Inc., 2000. 132 pages.

This book of five chapters is a brief and insightful introduction to the Southern Baptist Convention and its people. The volume focuses on events and developments of the last two decades. However, to provide some context for that discussion, the author sketches the historical heritage of Baptists. Next, the organizational makeup of the SBC is described from its beginning in 1845 to the 1990s.

For anyone wanting the basic facts on the founding, the leaders, and the starting of programs of SBC organizations over the last century and a half, Chapter 2 is ideal. Concise descriptions of each board and agency include pivotal dates when significant programs were begun, and the names and tenures of their secretaries, starting with the two boards authorized in 1845.

For example, the essays note the achievements and advances of the Foreign Mission Board under the early leadership of James B. Taylor (1846-71) and more recently, Baker James Cauthen (1954-79); and for the Home Mission Board during the service of Isaac Taylor Tichenor (1882-89) and Arthur B. Rutledge (1965-76).

Efforts to provide literature for the churches ultimately led to the formation of the Sunday School Board in 1891 after a variety of difficulties was overcome. What has been accomplished under each secretary is described, and the expansion of services and ministries by the board is traced by the author.

The story of the Annuity Board, founded in 1918, is also outlined, followed by even briefer descriptions of the Brotherhood Commission, Christian Life Commission, Education Commission, Historical Commission, Radio and Television Commission, and Stewardship Commission. Besides listing and characterizing the organizational entities of the SBC, Yarbrough includes a useful introduction explaining the nature of the local church, state conventions, and the national body itself (the SBC).

In the chapter entitled "A Heritage of Conflict," the author delineates in some detail the issues, events, personalities, attitudes, and ramifications of the controversy in the SBC from 1979 to 2000. While the presentation is matter-of-fact and documented, he cites the numerous critical and substantial changes that have been introduced during these two decades. He points to instances of questionable procedures, unfair decisions, and actions that hurt a lot of people.

Furthermore, he narrates the process of the recent radical restructuring of the SBC following the consolidation of power of the new leadership in the Executive Committee of the SBC and in SBC agencies and institutions. The net result of the sweeping changes was the elimination of six commissions, enhancement of the authority of the SBC Executive Committee, and the name changes for three boards and the one surviving commission.

The author also identifies and discusses briefly some of the critical issues at stake in the conflict, namely, the Bible, church and state, women and ordination, confessionalism versus creedalism, cooperative giving, education and publications, and authority.

In Chapter 4, "A Theological Heritage, A Confessional People," the author attempts to explain the nature of the current controversy by describing the role which confessions of faith have had in Baptist life, by explaining the issue of inspiration as it relates to the Scriptures, and then by comparing and analyzing each of the topics of the Baptist Faith and Message in its 1963 and 2000 editions.

The final essay offers some general characteristics of Southern Baptists in an effort to present a profile of "denominational identity." They are "a people of faith," "a free people," "a servant people," "a diverse people," and "a people of conflict and controversy."

The major contribution of the book is to be found in chapters 2, 3, and 4 as the author succinctly depicts the profound changes introduced into the SBC since 1979--changes which have precipitated controversy, invoked new emphases and elements, altered the nature and direction of the SBC, and produced unflattering comparisons with earlier eras of Baptist history.

Dr. Yarbrough cites an abundance of books and articles as his sources from which additional detailed information can be obtained for those who are interested. The book's style is readable and understandable even though the author deals with technical aspects of faith and doctrine and their interpretation.

Dr. Yarbrough is the Dickinson Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Baptist University and has taught there for twenty-one years.--W. Morgan Patterson, Visiting Professor of Church History, Campbellsville University, Campbellsville, Kentucky.