Review: Love Worth Finding
reviewed by T. C. Pinckney Vol. XX, No. 9, Nov/Dec 2007
Dr. Adrian Rogers (12 September 1931 - 15 November 2005) was a prince of preachers, a giant among Southern Baptists, one of the foremost leaders of the Conservative Resurgence, pastor of the great Bellevue Baptist Church for 32 years, a devoted husband and father, and a fully committed and humble Christian. But if one had to acclaim just one of his many strengths, it would be that he stood unswervingly on the Word of God, on its truth, inspiration, power, and inerrancy.
Love Worth Finding is in two major sections: “The Life of Adrian Rogers” and “His Philosophy of Preaching.” Joyce Rogers is the author, though “The Philosophy of Preaching” is a verbatim copy of an interview with Dr. Rogers.
The biographical section of the book is filled with heart-warming accounts of events and family experiences including Adrian’s conversion, his early commitment to the ministry, the death of their third child, their Spartan living arrangements as a young couple in seminary and the early churches. And of course, later there is the engrossing account of their call and ministry to Bellevue.
Chapter 14 recounts Rogers’ role in the transformation of the SBC beginning while he attended Stetson University, beginning in the fall semester of 1950, and found liberalism dominant in his religion courses.
“His Philosophy of Preaching” is the text of questions by researcher Dennis Brunet and Rogers’ responses. Every Southern Baptist and, especially, every preacher will read this section with deep interest and considerable benefit.
In sum, you will thoroughly enjoy Love Worth Finding. The biographical section brings heart-warming insights from an intimate, family perspective to be found nowhere else. And the preaching philosophy section allows you Adrian’s own views of the role of the pastor.
[Joyce Rogers, Love Worth Finding (Broadman & Holman, Nashville, 2005) 213 pp.]