Frank Stagg (theologian)

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Frank Stagg, Ph.D., (1911-2001) was a noted Baptist theologian, seminary professor, author, and pastor over a 50-year ministry career. He taught New Testament interpretation and Greek at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary from 1945 until 1964 and at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky from 1964 until 1978. His publications, recognitions and honors earned him distinction as one of the eminent theologians of the past century.^[1][2] When preaching or teaching, he read directly from the Greek New Testament, translating it into English as smoothly as if he were reading from an English translation.

Contents 1 Personal 2 A couple endeavor 3 Beliefs 4 Library collection 5 Recognition and honors 6 Education 7 Professional 8 Publications 9 References and notes

[edit] Personal

Dr. Stagg was born in the small rice-farming community of Eunice, Louisiana. He married Evelyn Owen. Their three adult children are Ted, Bob, and Ginger.

Evelyn, his wife, wanted to pursue a seminary degree. However, in her denomination women could not attend seminary and could not hold the title of minister and be ordained. When husband Frank was in the seminary in the 1930s, Evelyn was permitted to sit in some theology courses and take the exams, but not receive credit. Sarah Frances Anders wittily writes that the course report would list the men by name and add that "one unnamed woman" made one of the few A's.^[3]

[edit] A couple endeavor

Frank and Evelyn together wrote and edited Woman in the World of Jesus. Published by Westminster Press^[4] in 1978, the book is divided into three parts:

1. The world into which Jesus came
2. Jesus and woman
3. The early church and woman

[edit] Beliefs

He was labeled by some to be among the "best-known progressive activists."^[5] Stagg addressed a variety of contemporary issues including civil rights, gender equity, Vietnam, the First Gulf War, ecumenism and even aging. He also took issue with those who asked how to make the Bible relevant to contemporary living. "The Bible is relevant," said Stagg. "We don't have to make it relevant." He is quoted as suggesting that the First Gulf War presented the ideal opportunity for Southern Baptists to "reassess and reject" the just war doctrine and embrace pacifism as the appropriate Christian response to all wars.^[6] He opposed Reformed thinking such as predestination and other Calvinist beliefs in Southern Baptist life:^[7]

[edit] Library collection

Through the years, Dr. Stagg amassed an extensive library and wealth of knowledge and scholarship in the form of correspondence, writings, articles, speeches, commentaries, book reviews, photographs, sermon notes and even private musings. The Papers of Dr. Frank Stagg, 1938–1999 now reside at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The 36 linear feet represent more than a half century of his life's journey and Christian pilgrimage. His collection shares prominence in the library with the manuscript collection of famed English theologian and preacher Charles H. Spurgeon.

[edit] Recognition and honors

Frank Stagg is included in various lists of distinguished twentieth century Baptist theologians: E. Y. Mullins, W. T. Connor, W. O. Carver, Frank Stagg, W. W. Stevens, Dale Moody, Dallas Roark, James Wm. McClendon, Morris Ashcraft, Frank Tupper, Warren McWilliams, A. J. Conyers, and Curtis Freeman.^[8] He also has been called "one of the foremost interpreters of the New Testament among Baptists in the twentieth century."^[9]

At the Louisville seminary he held the prestigious James Buchanan Harrison Chair of New Testament Theology.

The Stagg-Tolbert Forum for Biblical Studies is an annual event named in his honor. It is designed to make excellence in biblical scholarship accessible to the lay person.^[10]

[edit] Education

1934	B. A. Louisiana College
1938	Th.M., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
1943	Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
1955	LL.D., Louisiana College
1948	Advanced Study, Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York, New York
1953-54	Advanced Study, University of Edinburgh, Scotland and University of Basel, Switzerland
1967-68	Advanced Study, University of Tuebingen, Germany

[edit] Professional

1941-44	Pastor; First Baptist Church, DeRidder, Louisiana
1945-64	Professor of New Testament and Greek; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
1964-77	James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
1977-82	Senior Professor of New Testament; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
1982	Emeritus Professor; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Louisville, KY

[edit] Publications

1995	Commentary on Colossians for Mercer Commentary on the Bible
1955	The Book of Acts, The Early Struggle for an Unhindered Gospel.
1953	Collated 13th Century Greek Manuscript of Luke for Textual Criticism Project.
1961	Exploring the New Testament Translated into Arabic
1962	New Testament Theology, Nashville: Broadman. Translated into Spanish, 1976.
1964	Sermon in More Baptist Preaching, ed. by H. C. Brown.
1964	Contributor, Southern Baptist Preaching.
1965-71	Managing Editor, Review and Expositor
1966	Contributor to Israel According to Holy Scriptures and Chapel Messages.
1966	Articles: Review and Expositor
1966	Articles: Southwestern Journal of Theology
1966	Articles: Journal of Biblical Literature, and Chapel Messages.
1966	Contributor, What Can You Believe.
1967	Studies in Luke's Gospel Translated into Spanish, 1967.
1967	Co-author, Glossolalia, Tongue Speaking in Biblical, Historical and Psychological Perspective
1968	Tr. into German: Glossolalia, Tongue Speaking in Biblical, Historical and Psychological Perspective
1969	Commentary on "Matthew," The Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 8.
1971	Commentary on "Philippians," The Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 2.
1973	Contributor, Should Preachers Play God.
1973	Polarities of Man's Existence in Biblical Perspective. Philadelphia: Westminster
1974	The Eternal Word: Studies in the Gospel of John, Cassette Album.
1974	Co-author, How to Understand the Bible, written with Ralph Herring.
1975	Contributor, What Faith Has Meant to Me.
1975	Contributor, New Testament Studies.
1977	"A Whole Man Made Well," The Struggle for Meaning. Judson
1978	Co-author, Woman in the World of Jesus, written with Evelyn Stagg. Philadelphia: Westminster
1980	"Galatians / Romans," Knox Preaching Guides
1981	The Bible Speaks on Aging. Nashville: Broadman
1984	The doctrine of Christ. Nashville: Convention Press
1995	Commentary on Ephesians for Mercer Commentary on the Bible
1996	"Christ Is Lord." Defining Baptist Convictions. Providence House

[edit] References and notes

Category:Christian apologetics Category:Christian ministers Category:Christian writers