"I hold Texans accountable for a lot of wicked things (like J. Frank Norris, Clyde Barrow, Lyndon Johnson, and Dan Rather),...Whoa thar pardner! J. Frank Norris; wicked...? I thought I was the only one who looked for and actually reads obscure history about people I hear mentioned from time to time.
Not too long ago, last year, or the year before, my church - we are not far from the old Temple Baptist Church, in Detroit, which Norris pastored - learned of an old pulpit Norris had used when preaching in that church. Some in the church thought it would be a nice historical addition to Arlington Baptist College, in Arlington Texas, a school from which many of our people graduated. So, we sent it to the school as an historical icon. As far as I know the school has not commented. Maybe they held a cookout at a Cowboy's game and started the fire with that pulpit: I just don't know. But, I digress.
I had never heard of Norris prior to joining this church, so I didn't have an opinion about him one way or the other. I still don't, really. It just seems curious to me why we honor a man who shot and killed another man in his office. I thought as Christians we were supposed to be peacable, humble, etc. Apprently, I'm supposed to be all those things but the wheeler-dealers, past and present (I won't go into the present), who preach at us are not required to abide by the same rules.
Trials for perjury and arson in 1912 (related to a fire which destroyed the church auditorium) and murder in 1927 (Norris had killed a man in his office who threatened his life) ended with his acquittal on all charges. Norris successfully forced at least five newspapers to retract statements they made about him during the second trial."Activities which bring the full weight of the Judical system to bear should be highly suspect, particularly if they involve a preacher of the Gospel. I'm not saying Norris was guilty of anything: Don't jump on that wagon. What I'm saying is that scripture is explicit in instructing us to "walk" (behave) peaceably toward all men. (Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. ) Apparently it didn't "lieth" in J. Frank Norris to live peaceably with very many.
"Norris' running feud with the Southern Baptist Convention over the issues of evolution, modernism and liberalism and local church independence covered many years. He was excluded from the Tarrant County Baptist Association in 1922 and from the Texas Baptist Convention in 1924.Feuding with other Baptist, allegedly burning stuff, actually killing another human, seems to have been what Norris was made of. He also did his best to create havoc in his home base community, Ft. Worth, Texas.
Norris continued his crusade against corruption in city politics. Twice his church was burned to the ground, but he rebuilt it. An unruly mob gathered on a Fort Worth street and an agitator offered $1,000 to the person who would shoot J. Frank Norris. Upon hearing about the mob, Norris went to the street corner and, in view of the crowd, bought a newspaper and turned to read it leaving his back as a target. On another occasion a crowd gathered in the town hall and threatened to hang Norris. He strolled into the meeting and sat in the first row.I know Christians are just forgiven people with all kinds of problems, hangups, personality disorders, psychosis, and sins; but, for crying out loud, shouldn't we at least have the common courtesy to not antagonize town hall meetings into considering hanging us? Moreover, turning one's back to tempt a shooter is not Christ-like, I don't care what you claim you are, or who's work you believe you are carrying out.
Rabble-rousing as a way of life sounds to me more like a Sanballat than a Stephen.
There's more about Norris, but this is enough for one post.
2 comments:
Mason,
Hey, just thought I would reply since I consider Norris to be one of my “spiritual heroes” and since I know I can disagree with you and we can still respect each other. I have studied and read almost every book and read every article I can find on Norris (good and bad) so I believe I have a good knowledge of him and his life. As to the pulpit, that was a personal endeavor of mine, because of my respect for Norris. The school does have it in their “museum” where it is a part of the historical tour that hundreds of people go on each year.
As to the shooting, we are supposed to be peaceable and humble, I agree, but I also believe biblically we have a right to defend our lives. I for one keep a gun in my office, and I can’t say that if someone walked in threatening my life and on the verge of doing so, I wouldn’t do the same. That’s why I keep it there, in order to defend myself.
About the burning of the church, there was never any evidence he did it. I look at this way, he was controversial, people hated him; therefore, if something like that happens, blame the one that everyone hates. If Jerry Falwells church would have ever burnt to the ground, I can promise you that Jerry would have been the number one suspect. Why? Because people didn’t like him.
As much as we are to “live peaceably with all men,” in a world where Christianity is opposed, it is quite difficult (I know you know this). As Norris apposed liberalism, etc. it would have been impossible to do so without stirring up some dust. The same way that it is today.
As to Norris “antagonizing,” he never said a word, he just showed up. And while turning your back to tempt a shooter may not be Christ-like, I don’t believe running or avoiding the situations he faced would have necessarily been Christ-like either. If someone were to attack me and my name, rest assured I’m not going to just passively let it go by. If someone were to want to kill me, I would want to be there as well. At least let those making the accusations and threats have the guts to stand face to face (or face to back in Norris’ situation) with the one they are accusing and threatening. I would hope that I would have had the kind of courage it took to stand before those, if it had been me.
In no way do I believe Norris was perfect, in fact he was quite weird at times. And while we can focus on the negative aspects of Norris life, it must also be noted that he was pastor of the two largest churches in the world, Temple Baptist in Detroit and First Baptist in Fort Worth (at the same time for a long time). He was a great soul winner, winning hundreds of thousands to Christ during his life. He was considered the fundamental Billy Graham of his day. In spite of all the “weirdness” God still used him and I continue to meet people older in age who were impacted and even saved by his ministry, or by someone else that was saved because of his ministry.
Ok, enough said. Hope all is well…looking forward to seeing yall next month.
Hi Lonestar:
I didn't realize you were reading my "stuff." I don't track who reads - I just throw it out there to see if it sticks. I'm looking forward to seeing. Joyce and I both miss you guys.
As to Norris. I think what concerns me is the pattern I see in his life, wherein, rather than back-off, or using prudence more effectively, he just seems to me to have been "in your face" if you were to challenge him on anything.
If that were so, you and I both know that Christ would want us to back-off if possible and not challenge. I think that's why Paul in the verse I quoted from Romans, "if it lieth in you."
As to self defense, of course, as Americans we are entitled - that's what "human rights" are all about, but aren't we supposed to live by a higher standard. After all Christ made Peter back-off.
Anyway, I'm glad to find other Christians anytime, anywhere, who actually think.
We'll chat, when you get here, maybe get a cup of coffe and I'll talk about how the Lion's always back-off in tough situations: And you talk about that team...Oh! what is there name? I hate getting old.
Mason
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