Joel Gregory on the best in Baptist preaching

George Bullard on the Associated Baptist Press blog profiles the newly released volume entitled Baptist Preaching: A Global Anthology by Dr. Joel Gregory, Professor of Preaching at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Dr. Gregory arguably remains one of the finest biblical expositors today albeit his banishment from mainstream Southern Baptist sub-culture (whether just or unjust as the case may be). Gregory’s role in choosing for Baylor University Press just who qualifies as most representative of the best in Baptist pulpiteering is all the more impressive.

According to Bullard, Gregory lists six preachers all bearing certain qualities:

They could not be all white guys in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. That would not be representative; much less politically correct. Racial, ethnic, and gender diversity was mandatory. Some geographic spread was needed. Preachers from a variety of denominations were essential. Left out were about a third of the Baptist denominations in North American who are not part of the Fellowship.

Consequently, Gregory’s choices were:

• J. Peter Holmes (Toronto, Canada)
• George Mason (Dallas, USA)
• John Piper (Minneapolis, USA)
• Jacqueline A. Thompson (Oakland, USA)
• Tonya Vickery (Cullowhee, USA)
• Ralph D. West, Sr. (Houston, USA)

Since the Southern Baptist Convention is no longer wed to the Baptist World Alliance, understandably, no Southern Baptists were apparently considered. Very sad.

Question: if Southern Baptists had been considered, who might fit the qualifications Gregory apparently used?

Read George Bullard’s entire article: “Which Six Pastors Best Represent Baptist Preachers? A Review of Joel Gregory’s Glogal Anthology on Baptist Preaching“