Dr. Paige Patterson On Dr. Cecil Sherman

   

By My Own Reckoning. By Cecil Sherman. Macon, Georgia: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc., 2008. 280 pages. Hardcover, $24.00.

Most Southern Baptists who've been around the barnyard for any length of time will recall Cecil Sherman's ministry over the last half century.  Without doubt, those of us who wear scars from the Conservative Resurgence's initial thrust during the stormy 80s will remember Sherman as perhaps the most visible face of the army to overcome.      

Sherman's book is up and running and I plan to get a copy.  One will find among those elated with the book some interesting comments.  Ircel Harrison, whose blog may be one of the more prominent among our progressive brethren (next to Big Daddy Weave, of course), writes:

"Sherman’s memoir discusses very candidly his commitment to and ultimate disillusionment with the denomination that had nurtured him. He explains how it was necessary for him to leave one Baptist entity and begin another in order to maintain his integrity."

One has no reason to doubt that there were many in the old "regime", who like, Sherman, possessed integrity.  After all, one may be the most progressive Liberal and do so with integrity just as one may be completely Orthodox without the integrity of a Tennessee stinkbug.

Even Harrison concedes, however, that By My Own Reckoning is not just about the controversy over Inerrancy.  Rather it speaks of Sherman's personal life, ministry, controversies he faced with racism in his own church--the historic First Baptist Church, Asheville, North Carolina--and how he dealt with it, and about Sherman's flawless commitment to his wife, "Dot", during the years when Alzheimer's had struck her so severely. W. Randall Lolley, past  president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and casualty of the Conservative Resurgence transition in 1988,  pleads "with moist eyes and set jaw, Cecil bids you join him for “his story”— amazingly, a slice of our own free-church history as well."

Daniel Vestal, Executive Coordinator, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has this to say: 

"By My Own Reckoning reflects the honesty, integrity and courage of a towering figure in Baptist life. It is a poignant memoir that both inspires and disturbs. Cecil Sherman has given all of us a great gift in recounting his life and ministry."

Nonetheless, the most interesting review I've thus far read of Cecil Sherman's book is by his old contender, Dr. Paige Patterson. While it may be natural to assume Dr. Patterson would follow a scorched earth strategy toward his former arch-enemy, his review reveals the depth of both his scholarship and character, a shiny golden nugget which all of us who assume the critic's role should personally covet.
Patterson writes: 

"So, why have I always loved Cecil Sherman and why did I find his autobiography By My Own Reckoning one of the most delightful reads in many moons? The answer to the question presents itself in the very pages of the book. Cecil Sherman is an honest man who tells you up front what he thinks about everything without indulging in political spin games."

Unexpected praise, I'm quite confident, will be the jaw-dropping response of all CBFers.  But note even further: 

"The chapters on Sherman’s pastorate in Asheville will be required reading for my students in pastoral ministries. Sherman’s handling of the race issue at Asheville in a courageous, yet statesmanlike, fashion is a model for any; and no one with a sense of justice could help but admire how he functioned in that situation."

And, even the ending of Dr. Patterson's review is quite unorthodox, given the academic setting in which the review resides.  It's almost as if Patterson is offering a personal note to Sherman to come over to Fort Worth for a Starbucks coffee and some good chat: 

"Liberals, moderates, neo-orthodox, postmoderns, conservatives, evangelicals, and fundamentalists all can say a hardy “thank you” to Cecil Sherman for opening a door to his heart and inviting us in. God bless you, my brother!"

Not that Dr. Patterson does not point out what he sees as obvious insufficiencies of Sherman's work.  He most certainly does.  Rather it's the Christian class in which he does it. 

I would simply say this:  were I a professor, I'd make Dr. Patterson's review the gold standard for students to mimic as they learn to critique other people's work.

Read the entire Patterson Review first.  Then, click on the side bar and get the book.  Maybe  Smyth & Helwys should post Dr. Patterson's review.  It just may quadruple the sales!

With that, I am...

Peter    

Comments

[selahv]

Peter, I first learned of Sherman's book at SBCToday with Tim Roger's enthusiastic anticipation of reading it. Then I clicked on Dr. Patterson's review and was "sold". I've got to have the book. Had I read the review of others who support just the author's views on the CR, I know for a fact I would not have even considered reading it, much less buyint it. I've put in my order now. I'm sure both I and my husband will learn a great deal from it and be touched by the heart of this man.

I agree that Dr. Patterson's review sheds even greater light on the character, he himself, owns and the charitable mind he maintains when he reviews an adversary or considers an opposition to his decisions. selahV

[M. Steve Heartsill]

I saw this on another site today...thought you might want to make it a matter of prayer...

"We received word today that Dr. Cecil Sherman, founding coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has been diagnosed with acute leukemia. He is in M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, for tests and possible treatment options. His wife, Dot, continues to be in failing health in Richmond. Please join me in prayer for Cecil and Dot as well as their daughter Eugenia Brown during this difficult time."

[David R. Brumbelow]

Steve,
I live in the Houston area. I don't know how to get in touch with Dr. Sherman, but if anyone does and there is something I can do, just give me a call.
My prayers are with him and his wife.
Sincerely,
David R. Brumbelow
cell 281/705-3433