The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 75, July 1971 - April, 1972 Page: 301
566 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
J. Frank Norris: Violent Fundamentalist
50 percent of the 260 Baptist churches in Fort Worth are not members
of the Southern Baptist Convention, is attributable in part to Norris'
antidenominational invectives."'
These factors, however, do not obliterate the disturbing evidence
that the ministry of J. Frank Norris was a one-man show where the
preacher who castigated denominations for failing to respect the
autonomy of the local church completely dominated his own congre-
gation and the Fellowship he established. At the level of the local
church this prevented the development of a responsible laity. At the
level of the Fellowship it hindered his own brand of fundamentalism
from exercising a more effective influence. And at the level of wider
conservative concern, Norris' self-absorption undercut any enthusiastic
support of other prominent conservative leaders. When it was an-
nounced that Billy Graham would conduct a campaign in Fort Worth
in 1951, Norris wrote languidly: "I am very happy over Billy Graham's
coming because he is preaching the same gospel that I preached be-
fore he was born." At the conclusion of Graham's crusade, Norris
commented wryly: "It was quite encouraging that Billy Graham took
a month in confirming the confession of faith that we hold at the
First Baptist Church." With such attitudes Norris hurt the very move-
ment he claimed to love and provided Sinclair Lewis, who visited his
church, with additional ammunition for his critical novels."'
In conclusion, one suspects that (1) the problems of J. Frank Norris
were more psychological than theological, rooted in the deprivations
of his own unfortunate childhood; (2) fundamentalism was undercut,
not only by the incoming tide of theological liberalism, but by the
refusal of its independent leaders to work together as a team; (g)
Norris' ministry is painful evidence of the price of Baptist autonomy
and a strong argument for relinquishing some of that self-government;
(4) part of the strength of religion in America has been its ability
old-time religion and the rural mind, it was in the great urban centers that fundamental-
ism had its birth and carried on its strongest program. For a fuller discussion of the
"rural mentality" in the urban environment, see Paul Carter, The Twenties in America
(New York, 1968), 81.
"OThe Reverend Omer Ritchie to C. A. R., interview, June 7, 197o.
0"The Fundamentalist, February 16, March 3o, 1951. After visiting Norris' church
Sunday morning, October 31, 1937, Lewis told reporters: "I admire the eloquence and
vigor of Dr. Norris and have wanted to hear him. I have never seen before so many
people at church at once." Fort Worth Star-Telegram, November 1, 1937.301o
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 75, July 1971 - April, 1972, periodical, 1972; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101201/m1/313/: accessed April 28, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.