Through analysis of pamphlets, books, associational minutes, and periodical articles giving historical details and theological arguments of Associational Baptist writers, this study establishes that Landmark ecclesiology was indeed the basic factor in the establishment of these associations. Both official documents and unofficial literature show that variety within the spectrum of Associational Baptist ecclesiology represents the same ambiguities found in the biblical interpretations of earlier Landmark leaders. The study leads to the conclusion that ecclesiological differences and presuppositions were the major factor in the 1950 division also. The major goal of the dissertation is to provide an understanding of the differing theological presuppositions and biblical interpretations which have produced and continue divisions both within Associational Baptists ad between Association and Convention Baptists.
Without the help and encouragement of a number of individuals the following study would never have been possible or completed. Special thanks and recognition are due the following friends and loved ones:
(1) To the author's dissertation committee for their patience and timely suggestions (Dr. Ray Summers, professor of religion; Dr. Glenn O. Hilburn, associate professor of religion; Dr. Robert T. Miller, professor of political science);
(2) To his typist and editorial "counselor" (Mrs. Catherine Jordan), a "real whiz" at making seemingly impossible corrections;
(3) To the library staffs of Moody Library, Baylor University (especially Mrs. Jean Tolbert, religion librarian, and Mrs. Maurine Miller, assistant in public services); of Fleming Library, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Cecil White, assistant librarian, and his secretary, Mrs. Juanice Y. Skinner); of Texas Baptist Institute and Seminary, Henderson, Texas (James Kirkland, librarian); of Jacksonville College, Jacksonville, Texas (Mrs. Annabelle Anderson, librarian), and of Kellar Library, Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary (James C. Blaylock, librarian, and Mrs. Dorothy Wallace and Fred Vogel, library assistants);
(4) To individuals who made available special resource materials, such as bibliographies, rare books, associational minutes, newspapers, and pamphlets (Dr. William Morgan Patterson, Dr. John W. Duggar, Reverend Jack Welch, Reverend Preston Cochran, Raymond Harper, Greg Parsons, and Reverend Dale Leggett);
(5) To friends who aided in the research of the sources Mrs. Priscilla Williams, Cleve Griffin, and Joe Dennis);
(6) To his colleagues, staff, and students at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary who have "cheered on," as well as waited patiently, while he has done nothing but "eat, drink, sleep, and talk" Associational Baptist ecclesiology for the past several months; and most of all
(7) To the author's family--his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Bryan, who taught him at an early age "the way of the Lord"; his sons, Jeffrey, Joel, and Jon, who have been waiting a long time to go swimming and fishing; and to his wife, Janice, who has stayed by him all of this time "for better or for worse"!
Many thanks and may God bless you all!
August, 1973
Go to Chapter I: Introduction".
Go to Chapter II: "Early Landmarkism: Graves, Pendleton, Dayton."
Go to Chapter III: "Later Landmarkism: Ford and Hall."
Go to Chapter IV: "Historical Survey of the Rise of the Associational Baptist Movement".
Go to Chapter V: "Landmark Tenets Reflected in Official Associational Baptist Documents."
Go to Chapter VI: "Landmark Tenets Reflected in Non-Official Associational Baptist Documents."