Southern Baptists' charismatic leader W.A. Criswell dies

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The Rev. W.A. Criswell, whose decades-long, impassioned defense of a literal interpretation of the Bible led to the Southern Baptists' return to their conservative roots, died yesterday in Dallas. He was 92 and had been battling cancer.

The pastor for 50 years at the 28,000-member First Baptist Church of Dallas, Wallie Amos Criswell is credited with launching a conservative reformation among evangelical Christians in the late 20th century. He did so by preaching that the Bible is the exact, unerring word of God and historically accurate.

"He was redneck preacher with a scholar's head," said Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C. "That's a rough combination" for theological opponents to battle.

The charismatic preacher with advanced degrees in theology and philosophy also served twice as president (1968-69) of the Southern Baptist Convention, which represents 15.6 million congregants.

He also wrote 54 books and founded 400-student Criswell College, four Christian radio stations and a 700-bed homeless shelter.

"His devotion to Scripture inspired thousands of young clergy from many denominations," said the Rev. Billy Graham in a written statement. Graham, a member of First Baptist Church, considered the Rev. Criswell his pastor.

"His preaching was electric in its power."

Thanks to the Rev. Criswell's influence, professors at the six Southern Baptist seminaries have taught only the literal interpretation of the Bible during the past decade, resulting in thousands of pastors now trained in conservative theology.

The Southern Baptists also flexed their conservative muscle by boycotting Disney because of some of its films and called for women to submit graciously to their husbands.

The push toward conservatism earned the Rev. Criswell enemies among moderates and liberals.

"If confrontation and revolution came without hurt, that would be great," Patterson said. "But unfortunately, life doesn't happen that way."

Born in 1909, the Rev. Criswell was reared in Texline, Texas. He gave his first sermon to neighborhood children during a funeral service for his pet dog.

He received an undergraduate degree from Baylor University and a master's degree in theology and a doctorate in philosophy from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.