Constituting a counter-community: A rhetorical criticism of the Southern Baptist Forum
Abstract
Since 1979, Southern Baptists have been embroiled in a major denominational conflict over theology and politics. In the course of the controversy, fundamentalists have gained control of the denomination's leadership. The dominant moderate voice during this conflict was the Southern Baptist Forum which met from 1984 to 1991. Using Edwin Black's notion of "second persona," this study analyzes the rhetorical characteristics of the Forum discourse to appraise the rhetorically constituted community. Essentially, this study concludes that the moderate speakers sought to create through discourse an identity, history, and purpose counter the dominant fundamentalist voice in the SBC. Specifically, Forum speakers used appeals of enlightenment, health, progressiveness, orthodoxy, and being "true" Baptists to define the moderate identity. In addition, moderates attempted to link their community historically to Protestant renewal, American democracy, and traditional Baptist roots. The present was presented as a crisis situation that called for decisive action to determine a future of reclamation, schism, compromise, or secession for moderate Baptists. The study concludes with an ethical appraisal of the Forum rhetoric based upon (1) the rhetorical dimension of potential for future persuasion; (2) the existence of necessary dialectical tensions; (3) the Forum's use of creative over coercive power; and (4) the attempt by moderates to demonstrate the virtues of the "church."
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Stewart, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Communication|Religion
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