Frank Stagg (October 20, 1911 – June 2, 2001) was a Southern

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul c ...

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 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) is a Baptist theological institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Missions and evangelism are core focuses of the seminary. NOBTS offers doctoral ...

from 1945 until 1964 and at the

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) is a Baptist theological institute in Louisville, Kentucky. It is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The seminary was founded in 1859 in Greenville, South Carolina, where it was at ...

Louisville, Kentucky Louisville ( , , ) is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the 28th most-populous city in the United States. Louisville is the historical seat and, since 2003, the nominal seat of Jefferson County, on the Indiana border. ...

from 1964 until 1978. His publications, recognitions and honors earned him distinction as one of the eminent theologians of the past century.Stagg. Other eminent theologians have honored him as a "Teaching Prophet."Talbert, Charles H. (ed.) ''Perspectives on the New Testament: Essays in Honor of Frank Stagg.'' Mercer University Press, 1985.

Personal

Dr. Frank Stagg was born October 20, 1911, on his grandfather's rice farm near the small community of

Eunice, Louisiana Eunice is a city in Acadia and St. Landry parishes in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The 2010 census placed the population at 10,398, a decrease of 1,101, or 9.5 percent, from the 2000 tabulation of 11,499. The St. Landry Parish portion of Eunic ...

. Although the family name comes from an English ancestor, the Stagg family was of French Catholic descent, commonly called

Cajun The Cajuns (; Louisiana French language, French: ''les Cadjins'' or ''les Cadiens'' ), also known as Louisiana ''Acadians'' (French: ''les Acadiens''), are a Louisiana French people, Louisiana French ethnic group, ethnicity mainly found in the ...

s. His grandfather and his uncle were the first of the Staggs to become Evangelical Christians. His uncle became a preacher who ministered in the native "Cajun" dialect. Frank was proud of his Louisiana French heritage and of his upbringing in the home of a Baptist deacon and Sunday School teacher. In his junior year at

Louisiana College Louisiana Christian University (LCU) is a private Baptist university in Pineville, Louisiana. It enrolls 1,100 to 1,200 students. It is affiliated with the Louisiana Baptist Convention (Southern Baptist Convention). Louisiana Christ ...

, Frank met his wife:

Evelyn Owen Evelyn Ernest Owen (15 May 1915 – 1 April 1949) was an Australian who developed the Owen gun which was used by the Australian Army in World War II, Korea and Vietnam wars. Early life Evelyn Owen was born on 15 May 1915 in Wollongong, New ...

of Ruston, Louisiana, who would become an integral part of his future endeavors. They married in 1935 and raised three children—Ted, Bob and Ginger.

Beliefs

Counted among the "best-known progressive activists," Stagg addressed a variety of contemporary issues. These included

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

gender Gender is the range of characteristics pertaining to femininity and masculinity and differentiating between them. Depending on the context, this may include sex-based social structures (i.e. gender roles) and gender identity. Most cultures ...

equity,

Vietnam Vietnam or Viet Nam ( vi, Việt Nam, ), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,., group="n" is a country in Southeast Asia, at the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia, with an area of and population of 96 million, making it ...

, the First

Gulf War The Gulf War was a 1990–1991 armed campaign waged by a Coalition of the Gulf War, 35-country military coalition in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Spearheaded by the United States, the coalition's efforts against Ba'athist Iraq, ...

ecumenism Ecumenism (), also spelled oecumenism, is the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity. The adjec ...

and

aging Ageing ( BE) or aging ( AE) is the process of becoming older. The term refers mainly to humans, many other animals, and fungi, whereas for example, bacteria, perennial plants and some simple animals are potentially biologically immortal. In ...

. He also argued for the Bible's relevance. "The Bible is relevant," Stagg said. "We don't have to make it relevant." He said that the First Gulf War presented the ideal opportunity for Southern Baptists to "reassess and reject" the

just war The just war theory ( la, bellum iustum) is a doctrine, also referred to as a tradition, of military ethics which is studied by military leaders, theologians, ethicists and policy makers. The purpose of the doctrine is to ensure that a war is ...

doctrine and embrace

pacifism Pacifism is the opposition or resistance to war, militarism (including conscription and mandatory military service) or violence. Pacifists generally reject theories of Just War. The word ''pacifism'' was coined by the French peace campa ...

as the appropriate Christian response to all wars. He opposed Reformed points of doctrine such as

predestination Predestination, in theology, is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God, usually with reference to the eventual fate of the individual soul. Explanations of predestination often seek to address the paradox of free will, whereby Go ...

and other

Calvinist Calvinism (also called the Reformed Tradition, Reformed Protestantism, Reformed Christianity, or simply Reformed) is a major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice set down by John ...

beliefs in Southern Baptist life.

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 Samford University is a private Christian university in Homewood, Alabama. In 1841, the university was founded as Howard College by Baptists. Samford University describes itself as the 87th oldest institution of higher learning in the United S ...

Birmingham, Alabama Birmingham ( ) is a city in the north central region of the U.S. state of Alabama. Birmingham is the seat of Jefferson County, Alabama's most populous county. As of the 2021 census estimates, Birmingham had a population of 197,575, down 1% fr ...

. The 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 English theologian and preacher

Charles Spurgeon Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He w ...

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, E. Frank Tupper, Warren McWilliams, A. J. Conyers, and Curtis Freeman. He also has been called "one of the foremost interpreters of the New Testament among Baptists in the twentieth century." 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.Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Louisiana

Education

Professional

Publications

Books

''The Book of Acts: The Early Struggle for an Unhindered Gospel.'' Nashville: Broadman Press, 1955. ''Exploring the New Testament.'' Nashville: Convention Press, 1961. ''New Testament Theology.'' Nashville: Broadman Press, 1962. ''Studies in Luke's Gospel.'' Nashville: Convention Press, 1967. ''The Holy Spirit Today.'' Nashville: Broadman Press, 1973. ''Polarities of Man's Existence in Biblical Perspective.'' Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1973. ''Woman in the World of Jesus'', with

Evelyn Stagg Evelyn Stagg (''née'' Evelyn Owen) (July 9, 1914 – February 28, 2011) was a trailblazer for Southern Baptist women in ministry.Allen, Bob. "Evelyn Stagg, role model for Baptist women in ministry, dies at 96." ''Associated Baptist Press.'' May 20 ...

. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1978. ''Galatians and Romans.'' "Knox Preaching Guides," ed. John H. Hayes. Atlanta: John Knox Press, 1980. ''The Bible Speaks on Aging.'' Nashville: Broadman Press, 1981.

Contributions to other books

"He that Judgeth Me." In ''More Southern Baptist Preaching'', ed. H. C. Brown, Jr., pp. 104–112. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1964. "How I Prepare My Sermons." In ''More Southern Baptist Preaching'', ed. H. C. Brown, Jr., pp. 104–106. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1964. "What and Where Is the Church?" ''In What Can You Believe?'' ed. David K. Alexander and C. W. Junker, pp. 27–34. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1966. "Glossolalia in the New Testament." In ''Glossolalia: Tongue Speaking in Biblical, Historical, and Psychological Perspective'' by Frank Stagg, E. Glenn Hinson, and Wayne E. Oates, pp. 20–44. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1967. "Matthew." In ''The Broadman Bible Commentary'', ed. Clifton J. Allen, vol. 8, pp. 612–653. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1969. "Rights and Responsibilities in the Teachings of Paul." In ''Emerging Patterns of Rights and Responsibilities Affecting Church and State'', pp. 37. Washington D.C.: Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, 1969. "Authentic Morality and Militarism." In ''Proceedings of the 1970 Christian Life Commission Seminar'', pp. 45–50. Nashville: Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 1970. "Explain the Ending of the Gospel of Mark, Mark 16:17-18." In ''What Did the Bible Mean'', ed. Claude A. Frazier, pp. 122–125. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971. "Philippians." In ''The Broadman Bible Commentary'', Clifton J. Allen, pp. 178216. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1971. "Playing God with Other People's Minds." In ''Should Preachers Play God'', ed. Claude A. Frazier, pp. 115–129. Independence: Independence Press, 1973. "The English Bible." In ''How to Understand the Bible'', by Ralph Herring, Frank Stagg, et al., pp. 148–163. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1974. "Interpreting the Bible." In ''How to Understand the Bible'', by Ralph Herring, Frank Stagg, et al., pp. 49–61. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1974. "Sources in Biblical Writings," In ''How to Understand the Bible'', by Ralph Herring, Frank Stagg, et al., pp. 134–147. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1974. "The Text and Canon of the Old Testament." In ''How to Understand the Bible'', by Ralph Herring, Frank Stagg, et al., pp. 106–117. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1974. "The Text and Canon of the New Testament." In ''How to Understand the Bible'' by Ralph Herring, Frank Stagg, et al., pp. 118–133. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1974. "A Continuing Pilgrimage." In ''What Faith Has Meant to Me'', cd. Claude A. Frazier, pp. 146–156. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1975. "Adam, Christ, and Us." In ''New Testament Studies: Essays in Honor of Ray Summers in His Sixty-Fifth Year'', ed. Huber L. Drumwright and Curtis Vaughan, pp. 115–136. Waco: Baylor University Press, 1975. "Establishing a Text for Luke-Acts." In ''1977 Seminar Papers, Society of Biblical Literature Book of Reports'', pp. 45–58. Missoula, Montana: Scholars Press, 1977. "A Whole Man Made Well." In ''The Struggle for Meaning'', ed. by William Powell Tuck, pp. 71–79. Valley Forge PA: Judson Press, 1977. "Biblical Perspectives on Women" (with Evelyn Stagg). In ''Findings of the Consultation on Women in Church-Related Vocations'', ed. Johnni Johnson, pp. 716. Nashville: Southern Baptist Convention, 1978. "What is Truth?" In ''Science, Faith and Revelation, An Approach to Christian Philosophy'', ed. Robert E. Patterson, pp. 239–260. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1979. "Understanding Call to Ministry." In ''Formation for Christian Ministry'', ed. Anne Davis and Wade Rowatt, Jr., pp. 23–38. Louisville: '' Review & Expositor'', 1981. "Preaching from Luke-Acts." In ''Biblical Preaching: An Expositor's Treasury'' ed. James W. Cox, pp. 296–305. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983. "Preaching from the Sermon on the Mount." In ''Biblical Preaching: An Expositor's Treasury'', ed. James W. Cox, pp. 212–229. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1983.

Encyclopedia article

"Women in New Testament Perspective" (with Evelyn Stagg). In ''Encyclopedia of Southern Baptists'', ed. Lynn Edward May, Jr., Vol. 4, pp. 255–260. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1982.

Journal articles

"The Purpose and Message of Acts." '' Review & Expositor'' 44 (1947) 321. "The Motif of First Corinthians." '' Southwestern Journal of Theology'' 3 (1960) 15–24. "The Christology of Matthew." '' Review & Expositor'' 59 (1962) 457–468. "The Farewell Discourses: John 13-17." '' Review & Expositor'' 62 (1965) 459–472. "The Gospel in Biblical Usage." '' Review & Expositor'' 63 (1966) 513. "The Holy Spirit in the New Testament." '' Review & Expositor'' 63 (1966) 135–147. "The Journey Toward Jerusalem in Luke's Gospel." '' Review & Expositor'' 64 (1967)499-512. "An Analysis of the Book of James." '' Review & Expositor'' 66 (1969) 365–368. "Exegetical Themes in James 1 and 2." '' Review & Expositor'' 66 (1969) 391–402. "The Lord's Supper in the New Testament." '' Review & Expositor'' 66 (1969) 514. "Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy in the Johannine Epistles." '' Review & Expositor'' 67(1970)423-432. "The Abused Aorist." ''

Journal of Biblical Literature The ''Journal of Biblical Literature'' (''JBL'') is one of three academic journals published by the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL). First published in 1881, ''JBL'' is the flagship journal of the field. ''JBL'' is published quarterly and incl ...

'' 91 (1972) 222–231. "Salvation in Synoptic Tradition." '' Review & Expositor'' 69 (1972) 355–367. "Freedom and Moral Responsibility without License or Legalism." '' Review & Expositor'' 69 (1972) 483–494. "Introduction to Colossians." '' Theological Educator'' 4 (1973) 716. "A Teaching Outline for Acts." '' Review & Expositor'' 71 (1974) 533–536. "The Unhindered Gospel." '' Review & Expositor'' 71 (1974) 451–462. "Interpreting the Book of Revelation." '' Review & Expositor'' 72 (1975) 331-343 "The Great Words of Romans." ''Theological Educator'' 7 (1976) 941–1002. "The Plight of the Jew and the Gentile in Sin: Romans 1:18-3:20." '' Review & Expositor'' 73 (1976) 401–413. "Prophetic Ministry Today." '' Review & Expositor'' 73 (1976) 179–189. "Rendering to Caesar What Belongs to Caesar: Christian Engagement with the World." '' Journal of Church and State'' 18 (1976) 951–1013. "Rendering to God What Belongs to God: Christian Disengagement from the World." '' Journal of Church and State'' 18 (1976) 217–232. "Biblical Perspectives on the Single Person." '' Review & Expositor'' 74 (1977) 519. "Southern Baptist Theology Today: An Interview," ''Theological Educator'' 3 (1977) 15–36. "Textual Criticism for Luke-Acts." '' Perspectives in Religious Studies'' 5 (1978) 152–165. "The Domestic Code and Final Appeal: Ephesians 5:21—6:24." '' Review & Expositor'' 76 (1979) 541–552. "The New International Version: New Testament." '' Review & Expositor'' 76 (1979) 377–385. "The Mind in Christ Jesus." '' Review & Expositor'' 77 (1980) 337–347. "The New Testament Doctrine of the Church." ''Theological Educator'' 12 (1981) 42–56. "Reassessing the Gospels." '' Review & Expositor'' 78 (1981) 187–203. "Eschatology: A Southern Baptist Perspective." '' Review & Expositor'' 79 (1982) 381–395.

Southern Baptist curriculum and periodical articles

Syllabus for Study and Questions for Examination on New Testament 112: From Jesus to Paul. Nashville: Seminary Extension Department, 1954. "Nature of the Church—Conditions of Admission." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (February 1964) 53–56. Nature of the Church—Constituents." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (February 1964) 50-53. "Nature of the Church—Individuality and Corporateness." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (February 1964) 56–58. "Church As the Body of Christ—the Ecclesia." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (March 1964) 50–53. "The Church As the Body of Christ—the Local Embodiment." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (March 1964) 56–58. "The Church As the Body of Christ—Unity and Diversity." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (March 1964) 53–56. "The Church As the Koinonia of the Spirit—Demands." ''The Baptist Student'': 43 (April 1964) 54–56. "The Church As the Koinonia of the Spirit—Dimensions." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (April 1964) 52–54. "The Church as the Koinonia of the Spirit—Primacy." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (April 1964) 56–58. "The Church in the World—the Church and the World." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (May 1964) 55–57. "The Church in the World—the Life and work of the Church." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (May 1964) 52–54. "The Church in the World—the Ministry of the Church." ''The Baptist Student'' 43 (May 1964) 50–52. ''The Study Guide for Seminary Extension Course New Testament. Theology'' 436 (Teacher's Edition). Nashville: Seminary Extension Department, 1964. "1965: The Church Proclaiming." ''Church Administration'' 1 (February 1965) 22–24. "Speaking in Tongues ... A Biblical Interpretation." ''The Baptist Student'' 45 (May 1966)43-45. ''The Study Guide for Seminary Extension Course New Testament'' 202: ''The Gospel According to Luke''. Nashville: Seminary Extension Department, 1967. "The Radicality of Jesus Christ." ''The Baptist Student'' 49 (June 1970) 79. "Facts About Civil Disorder." ''The Baptist Program'' 30 (August 1970) 30–35. ''The Study Guide for Seminary Extension Course New Testament Theology'' 436. Nashville: Seminary Extension Department, 1971. "The Bible Speaks on Poverty." ''Outreach'' 1 (July, 1971) 24–25, 30. "The Book of Acts" ''Advanced Bible Study'' 2 (April–June 1972) 3 lessons on Acts "The Gospel of Paul in First Corinthians." ''Outreach'' 3 (September 1973) 30–31. "The Gospel in Romans 18." ''Outreach'' 4 (October 1973) 30–31. "The Gospel According to Paul Applied in Romans 12-14." ''Outreach'' 4 (November 1973) 42–43. "The Radicality of Jesus Christ." ''The Student'' (January 1975) 811 (reprinted from ''The Baptist Student'', June 1970). "The Church—God's New People." ''Adult Bible Teacher'' 5 (April–June 1975) 3 lessons on Ephesians "The Kingdom of God: Freedom and Fulfillment Under the Rule of God." Come Alive 6 (January–March 1976) 22–33. "Free to Be: Salvation: Becoming A Person in Christ." ''Come Alive'' 6 (April–June 1976) 44–55. "First Century Demons." ''Illustrator'' 4 (Winter 1977) 58–60. "The Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew." ''Illustrator'' (1978) 36ff. "What We Believe About Sin." ''Source'' 9 (January 1979) 14–39. "Eschatology." One in Christ 17 (1981) 255–270. "The Bible Speaks on Aging." ''Search'' 12 (Summer 1982) 611. "Humanism and a Free Society." ''Report from the Capital'' 37 (September 1982) 45.

Book reviews

''An Introduction to New Testament Textual Criticism'', by J. Harold Greenlee. ''Review and Expositor'' 62 (Spring 1965) 230–231. ''The Text of the New Testament: Its Transmission, Corruption and Restoration'', by Bruce M. Metzger. ''Review and Expositor'' 62 (Spring 1965) 230. ''Only the House of Israel?'' by T. W. Manson. ''Review and Expositor'' 62 (Spring 1965) 231. ''A Beginner's Reader Grammar for New Testament Greek'', by E. C. Colwell and E. W. Tune. ''Review and Expositor'' 62 (Fall 1965) 485–487. ''The Central Message of the New Testament'', by Joachim Jeremías. ''Review and Expositor'' 63 (Winter 1966) 98–99. ''Colossians: The Church's Lord and the Christian's Liberty - An Expository Commentary with a Present-Day Application'', by Ralph P. Martin. ''Review & Expositor'' 71 (Winter 1974) 107. ''Trajectories Through Early Christianity XII'', by James M. Robinson. ''Review & Expositor'' 71 (Summer 1974) 395–397. ''Milton and the Book of Revelation: the Heavenly Cycle'', by Austin Dobbins. ''Review & Expositor'' 73 (Winter 1976) 77–78. ''Anti-Semitism in the New Testament'', by Samuel Sandmel. ''Review & Expositor'' 76 (Spring 1979) 258–261. ''The Crucifixion of the Jews: The Failure of Christians to Understand the Jewish Experience'', by Franklin H. Littell. ''Review & Expositor'' 84 (Winter 1987) 122–123. ''The Jewish Reclamation of Jesus.'' by Donald A. Hagner. ''Review & Expositor'' 84 (Winter 1987) 123–124.