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It all started with a meeting over fancy donuts. Paige Patterson and a friend met together to plot the fundamentalist takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention. Before that time, the SBC had been more theologically diverse (though, not necessarily racially diverse due to its founding as a group that desired slavery). But if this group of fundamentalists was going to get a whole denomination to turn their way, they'd have to be clever. It would take time.

Their scheme involved getting fundies elected into high office who could then turn committees and sub-committees to their side. It's a story of a minority group gaining control of a large organization, and steering it toward their vision of what it means to be a Christian.

Sources

• The Fundamentalist Takeover of the Southern Baptist Convention – by Rob James, Gary Leazer
• The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
• Christianity Today article about Paige Patterson's allegations
• Religion News article about Patterson
• Tennesseean article about Patterson
• Article about early Baptists
• Church History in Plain Language by Bruce Shelley
• Cornell's article about the separation of church and state
• Frances Shaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America by Barry Hankins
• Johnson Archives about SBC
• Johnson Archives SBC Resolutions
• Certified Pastry Aficianatro article about beignets

Discussion Questions

• The episode starts with a discussion of accusations about Paige Patterson. What was your reaction to that story and why?
• Is it possible for a spouse to be a part of the salvation of their husband or wife? Where are the lines?
• When were you baptized? Did you do it as an adult, child, or both? Why?
• What do you think is the "right" way to baptize someone? Why?
• What are your thoughts on inerrancy?

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