Changes

This controversy originated initially in the Presbyterian denomination, but spilled over into the Southern Baptist ranks.  Pastors such as [[J. Frank Norris]] contended that Baptist universities (such as [[Baylor University]]) were teaching [[Modernism]] (a form of liberal Christianity which argued that "antiquated beliefs" needed to be discarded).  The ensuing result was that many churches (or large segments of churches) left the SBC.  Although some minor denominations were formed (such as the Texarkana, Texas-based [[American Baptist Association]]), the movement greatly spawned the modern-day [[Independent Baptist]] movement.

This controversy originated initially in the Presbyterian denomination, but spilled over into the Southern Baptist ranks.  Pastors such as [[J. Frank Norris]] contended that Baptist universities (such as [[Baylor University]]) were teaching [[Modernism]] (a form of liberal Christianity which argued that "antiquated beliefs" needed to be discarded).  The ensuing result was that many churches (or large segments of churches) left the SBC.  Although some minor denominations were formed (such as the Texarkana, Texas-based [[American Baptist Association]]), the movement greatly spawned the modern-day [[Independent Baptist]] movement.

===Conservatives vs Moderates===

==="Conservative Resurgence"===

For most of the 20th century, the factions that became known as "conservatives" and "moderates"<ref>These are the terms preferred by the conservative wing, which ultimately gained control of the convention and refers to their regaining control as the "Conservative Resurgence"; the "moderates" -- who were really theological and social gospel liberals -- preferred to be called "conservatives" while labeling their opponents as "fundamentalists" (notwithstanding that true fundamentalists -- who had formed other denominations or were in the [[Independent Baptist]] camp a half-century or more before -- thought that the conservatives were, and still believe they are, misguided at best and apostate at worst) and the conservatives' actions as the "Fundamentalist Takeover".</ref> were at the fringe of the SBC. That changed when the Civil Rights issue and opposition to [[Jim Crow]] (racial segregation) energized the moderate in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1970s the conservatives had coalesced. Conservatives believe that moderates were right to support desegregation but that they went too far by accepting changes in changing national social norms, especially regarding abortion, homosexuality and women's roles in society and the ministry.<ref>See Hankins (2002).</ref>  

For most of the 20th century, the factions that became known as "conservatives" and "moderates"<ref>These are the terms preferred by the conservative wing, which ultimately gained control of the convention and refers to their regaining control as the "Conservative Resurgence"; the "moderates" -- who were really theological and social gospel liberals -- preferred to be called "conservatives" while labeling their opponents as "fundamentalists" (notwithstanding that true fundamentalists -- who had formed other denominations or were in the [[Independent Baptist]] camp a half-century or more before -- thought that the conservatives were, and still believe they are, misguided at best and apostate at worst) and the conservatives' actions as the "Fundamentalist Takeover".</ref> were at the fringe of the SBC. That changed when the Civil Rights issue and opposition to [[Jim Crow]] (racial segregation) energized the moderate in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1970s the conservatives had coalesced. Conservatives believe that moderates were right to support desegregation but that they went too far by accepting changes in changing national social norms, especially regarding abortion, homosexuality and women's roles in society and the ministry.<ref>See Hankins (2002).</ref>