It was a battle between conservatives and liberals in the denominations that would now be known as Mainline Protestantism.īut as I said, the hottest battles at this time were basically, especially in the Presbyterian and Baptist churches and conventions, they’re in the north of the United States. And even at that point, the Presbyterians and the Baptists, especially in the north were very much involved in what was known as the Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy. He was eloquent, he attracted mass crowds, but he also attracted controversy. It was considered, in many ways, the citadel of American theological liberalism and Harry Emerson Fosdick wanted it that way.īack in the 1920s, Fosdick, as a Baptist of sorts, had become the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in New York City. He was the pastor, ultimately, of what became known as the Riverside Church in New York City there in Morningside Heights, very close to Columbia University, very close to Union Theological Seminary. No, I wasn't there a hundred years ago, but I have known that sermon for virtually all my adult life.įirst of all, who was Harry Emerson Fosdick? He was pastor, very influential, twice on the cover of Time Magazine. I'm indebted to Jacob Lupfer of Religion News Service for reminding me of this anniversary, because it has a lot to do with my own theological pilgrimage. The date of his sermon was so this week marks the 100th anniversary of that sermon and of that preacher asking that question. His question, shall the fundamentalist win? The preacher was named Harry Emerson Fosdick. It is when a pastor stepped into one of the most distinguished pulpits in the entire United States of America, and he preached a sermon that asked a question. Indeed, you could say in American religious history.
I want to take a little bit of time on this Friday to set the stage for a 100th anniversary of a very important event in American Protestant history. In the second part of the program today, we will get to questions from listeners, but first I want to go back in history a bit.