Longtime SBC leader W.A. Criswell dies  

by   Todd Starnes                                                                                                                                    Vol. XV, No. 2, February 2002

W.A. Criswell was a legendary Texas Baptist pastor who influenced a generation of Southern Baptist preachers to preach confidently and faithfully the Word of God and those who knew him said he was a "giant of the land." Criswell, longtime pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas and founder of Criswell College, died in the early morning hours of Jan. 10 in a private residence. He was 92.

He served as pastor of one of the nation's largest Southern Baptist congregations from 1944 until 1991 when he was given the title of senior pastor. He held the title of pastor emeritus since 1994. Criswell's memorial service was held Jan. 16 at noon in the sanctuary of First Baptist, Dallas. He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughter Mabel Ann; and two grandsons.

Criswell's passing was peaceful, said Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a longtime friend of Criswell. "Dr. Criswell loosed from port at the home of Jack Pogue, a beloved and trusted friend and son in Christ," Patterson said. Criswell led Pogue to the Lord 30 years ago. "We rejoice today for Dr. Criswell even as the Church of our Lord Jesus contemplates the loss of the greatest preacher of our generation. Mr. Pogue held his hand and read to him the familiar words of Philippians 2 and John 14," said Patterson from his home in North Carolina.

Patterson remembered Criswell telling him, "'Any faithful preacher of the Word of God will spend his life in a storm of some kind. You can't do anything about that. All you can be certain of is that you remain personally in the center of God's will. Hunker down in the old ship of Zion and ride out the storm and enjoy the amazing and tender providences of God as you go through the storm."

Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer of the SBC's Executive Committee, said Criswell's passing was an "event of singular significance." "In every way, Dr. Criswell was a one-of-a-kind man of God," Chapman told Baptist Press. "He was an unexcelled preacher, an unequalled visionary, an unswerving champion of the truth, and an unfailing leader of influence.

Southern Baptist Convention President James Merritt was out of the country with Bellevue Baptist Church pastor Adrian Rogers, First Baptist Church Jacksonville pastor Jerry Vines, and First Baptist Church, Orlando pastor Jim Henry when he heard the news of Criswell's death. "I consider him to be a mentor as did thousands of pastors," Merritt said in a telephone interview. "He was the father of the conservative resurgence of the Southern Baptist Convention and will be known for his stand on the inerrant word of God."

Evangelist Billy Graham said Criswell would be remembered for his "electric" preaching style. "It is almost impossible to evaluate the life and ministry of W.A. Criswell," Graham said. "He had a multiplicity of gifts. He had one of the most loving hearts I have ever known." Graham said Criswell's personal counsel and love meant more than he would ever know: "He was anointed by the Holy Spirit in an unusual way."

Annuity Board President O. S. Hawkins, a former pastor of First Baptist, Dallas, said those who one day may be prone to rewrite history and seek to temper Criswell's influence should know that "what Charles Haddon Spurgeon was to the Downgrade Controversy of 19th-century England, he was much more to 20th century America."

James T. Draper Jr., president of LifeWay Christian Resources of the SBC, was an associate pastor at First Baptist, Dallas, from September 1973 until November 1975. He said he was grateful for his friendship with Criswell. "He was one of the easiest men to love I've ever been around," Draper said. "He had a brilliant mind and a unique and passionate way of preaching. He is a great testimony to the fact that God honors the preaching of his Word. He faithfully presented the Word as he understood it, and God honored that."

Texas Judge Paul Pressler also noted the passing of his fellow Baptist Texan and friend. "Dr. Criswell gave leadership, voice, and inspiration to the restoration of the Southern Baptist Convention to its biblical roots," Pressler told Baptist Press. "I am so glad he was able to see the victories for which he so earnestly prayed." Nancy Pressler agreed with her husband's remarks, adding, "We mourn the loss of a loving friend who was so kind to us, but rejoice that he is with his Savior."

Criswell's service to the Southern Baptist Convention was historic. He is known as the patriarch of the "conservative resurgence," returning the SBC to its Bible-believing roots. Twice elected president of the SBC, in 1968 and 1969, during the 20 years that followed he was perhaps the most popular preacher at evangelism and pastors' conferences in America while also preaching extensively to mission fields worldwide.

His denominational involvement also included serving as trustee of the Baptist Sunday School Board [now LifeWay Christian Resources], Annuity Board, Baylor University, and Dallas Baptist University, as well as Baylor Health Care System and the Baptist Standard newspaper of Texas.

Criswell authored 54 books, including many collections of sermons he delivered while preaching through books of the Bible. Others dealt with issues relevant to the times in which he lived, such as the case against evolution in "Did Man Just Happen?" In "Why I Preach That the Bible Is Literally True" and "The Bible for Today's World," he addressed the movement away from belief in an inerrant Bible. "The Holy Spirit in Today's World" dealt with the emerging charismatic movement.

During Criswell's tenure at First Baptist, it grew from 5,000 members and an annual budget of $150,000 in 1944 to nearly 26,000 members and a budget of more than $11 million.

Patterson credited Criswell with a major contribution to the life of Baptists and other free church evangelicals through his emphasis on exegesis and expository preaching. "Without making any effort to imitate the precise style of Dr. Criswell, hundreds of preachers now take very seriously the task of carefully expounding the Bible," Patterson said in an essay honoring Criswell's 50th year of ministry.

Wallie Amos Criswell was born in Eldorado, OK, in 1909. The dust bowl drove the Criswell family to the Texas panhandle on the border of New Mexico. At age 10 he professed faith in Christ at a revival meeting. By the time he was 12 he made a public commitment of his life to the gospel ministry, delivering his first sermon as the funeral message for a beloved pet dog.

Criswell was licensed to preach at age 17 and held student pastorates at Devil's Bend and Pulltight, TX, during his college studies at Baylor University. After completing his master of theology and doctor of philosophy degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, Criswell married Betty Harris, the pianist of the Mount Washington Baptist Church where he pastored.

The Criswells had agreed to interpret the first call of a church to be a sign of God's direction. Although First Baptist Church of Birmingham, AL, had expressed interest in Criswell serving as pastor, it was First Baptist Church of Chickasha, OK, that issued the first call. After serving the Oklahoma church for four years, Criswell moved across state to First Baptist Church of Muskogee where he pastored until 1944.

Called to Dallas' First Baptist Church in 1944, where he followed the beloved George W. Truett who had pastored there 47 years, Criswell retired as senior pastor in 1995 after half a century of service to that church. He continued serving as chancellor of Criswell College that he founded in 1970.

Criswell's concern for the inner city led to support of more than 15 mission chapels staffed with pastors and to sponsorship of Dallas' largest shelter for the homeless, the Dallas Life Foundation. [BP]