"In the Name of God" by O. S. Hawkins
A must read book
A good friend, JW, recommended that I read the book; "In the Name of God" by O. S. Hawkins. It compares the life and ministry of "J. Frank Norris" and "George W. Truett." Thank you, my dear brother, for your friendship and the recommendation.
I immensely enjoyed the book and challenge you to consider reading the book. Both Truett and Norris shot and killed a man. Truett's shooting was an accident. Norris shot and killed a man in self-defense. He was investigated, tried, and found innocent.
Both men pastored the largest churches in the country. Norris pastored the First Baptist Church in Forth Worth, Texas, while at the same time pastoring Temple Baptist Church in Detroit. Both churches pastored by Norris simultaneously were the largest in the country.
Norris believed in the local church and its autonomy and caused great controversy when the convention tried to set a quote for all churches. Norris was very controversial. He was constantly doing things to reach more souls that many churches today have adapted.
Truett was a gentleman. He did not get involved in controversy publicly. He did involve his friends in the fight from behind the scenes. He worked more as a puppet master, trying always to appear as the peacemaker.
Truett preached topical messages. He and the church were never known for preaching expositionally to the point that when Criswell became the pastor, the deacons told him that no one wanted to know what Hosea had to say. He spoke at least once a day for his entire ministry. Norris was an expositional preacher while at the same time being very controversial and pragmatic.
Norris taught how to build the Sunday School. People he trained later worked in the Southern Baptist Convention. Norris was voted out of the convention because he would not agree to many things happening.
The author believes much of what is happening today in Southern Baptist Churches is due to the influence of J. Frank Norris. The push for expositional preaching, being strong doctrinally, and defending the Word of God all stem from Norris.
Truett's name became synonymous with integrity, while Norris was known for intensity. Truett has been revered since his life till now. Norris has been intensely hated and lied about.
I challenge you to read and enjoy this book. It is a very good read.
