Paul Pressler, a controversial figure in Southern Baptist history, dies at 94
Paul Pressler, one of the leaders of the so-called “conservative resurgence” in the Southern Baptist Convention, who was accused of sexually abusing boys and young men and later settled a lawsuit over the allegations, has died at age 94.
His death on June 7 was announced in an online obituary by Geo. H. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home in Houston. A funeral service for Pressler was held on Saturday. A cause of death was not disclosed.
Beginning in 1979, the SBC experienced an intense struggle for control of the denomination. Its initiators called it the conservative resurgence while its detractors labeled it a fundamentalist takeover.
Pressler, a former Texas judge, played a pivotal role in a plan to take over the Convention that was launched after the conservative fundamentalists charged that the seminaries and denominational agencies were dominated by liberals. Both significant achievements and controversy mark Pressler’s legacy.
The Conservative Resurgence
Pressler was one of the chief architects of the conservative resurgence that sought to transform the SBC into a decidedly conservative theological denomination with deep ties to the Republican Party.
In 1967, Pressler and seminary student Paige Patterson met at Café du Monde in New Orleans, where they first dreamed of the conservative resurgence, but it didn't materialize until 13 years later. Pressler, serving as a judge for the Texas Court of Appeals, and Patterson, a pastor, worked to reseat the convention upon its biblical moorings by placing conservatives in key leadership positions.
Political Influence
Pressler extended his influence beyond denominational politics to U.S. politics. He was part of a coalition of Christian leaders who backed Ronald Reagan for U.S. president in the 1980 election, denying Jimmy Carter a second term. He was also a founding member of the secretive network of influential conservatives called the Council for National Policy.
Controversy and Allegations
Pressler’s legacy is marred by allegations of sexual abuse. A six-year-long civil case centered on his alleged abuse of Gerald D. Rollins. Similar allegations from seven other men emerged during the case. The abuse crisis prompted a third-party investigation into how Southern Baptist leaders handled such allegations. Rollins sought to hold SBC leadership accountable for failing to prevent Pressler’s alleged abuse.
Mixed Reception
While some revere the theological beliefs championed by Pressler’s movement, others express disillusionment with the figures at its helm. Younger generations of pastors are now taking up the mantle of SBC leadership, reevaluating Pressler's legacy and its impact on the denomination.
In summary, Paul Pressler’s influence on the SBC was profound, but his controversial actions continue to shape discussions within the denomination. His story serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in religious and political movements.
Sources: religionnews.com, statesman.com, baptistpress.com, msn.com
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