B. H. CARROLL – INTERESTING CITATION

James Hefley, Fundamentalist apologist, quotes B. H. Carroll, the founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in his Truth in Crisis series of books. Carroll is quoted as saying, “(Biblical) inspiration means that the record of what is said and done is correct...When you hear that silly talk that the Bible ‘contains’ the Word of God, and is not the Word of God, you hear a fool’s talk...”

As Texas Baptists, we certainly respect and appreciate B. H. Carroll. We find it ironic he would be quoted as a defender of Fundamentalism. He certainly must have believed in his right to interpret the scriptures for himself and the autonomy of the local church.

It is highly unlikely he would be allowed to teach in a SBC institution today. Hefley fails to mention that B. H. Carroll was divorced from his first wife and had women deacons in his church (FBC Waco) when he was a Texas pastor. Carroll also wrote (not quoted by Hefley): “The Waco church of which I was pastor for so many years, had, by my suggestion and approval, a corps of spiritually-minded, judicious female deacons who were very helpful, and in some delicate cases indispensable.”

Texas Baptists Committed is not advocating FOR OR AGAINST divorced or women pastors or deacons. We respect Baptist polity. WE ADVOCATE THE RIGHT OF A LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH TO ORDAIN, CALL, AND AFFIRM WHOMEVER THEY CHOOSE ACCORDING TO THEIR INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTURE.

We think it is ironic what the Fundamentalists do not mention sometimes.

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