The J. Frank Norris I Have Known
by Dr. Louis Entzminger
The J. Frank Norris I Have Known is about the life of perhaps the most controversial man in the Independent Baptist movement, J. Frank Norris. Much has been said about the man, not all of it good. This book was written by a man who had been with him for 34 years during his ministry.
The first thing I would like to mention is that it is not a typical biography. It is not chronological. The book is broken down into four sections
1. Personal early life, education and family
2. Tragic experiences-conflicts with mayors, governors, courts
3. Denominational controversies on evolution, ecclesiasticism, modernism and communism
4. Scriptural methods used in building the world’s two greatest sunday schools and churches
I’ll look at these parts briefly
First is his early life and family. In many Christian biographies you can read about one or two experiences which really helped to shape who they became. God tries us to make us stronger so that we come out as pure gold. One of these experiences is related in great detail. God will bring us to the end of our rope so as to rely only on Him holding us up. For Dr. Norris, he had already determined to give up preaching but was told of a hardened sinner sitting in the back. He decided, since it was to be his last sermon, to preach with all he had. And God’s Spirit moved in that meeting that night. And that hardened sinner was saved, and upwards of 50 people. And from there, Dr. Norris had his joy complete.
In section two, the author goes through many of the episodes that Dr. Norris is most famous for. Namely the Chipps case and various “clashes” with saloon owners and “various sinners.” Much of the lies that go out about Dr. Norris arise from the Chipps case. Dr. Entzminger tells about the situation. A man was angry and was threatening to kill Dr. Norris, bursting into his office and causing a scene. In self-defense, Dr. Norris took a gun that the night watchman kept in the office and shot and killed the man. Many lies spread about Norris being a “pistol packing preacher.” But he never carried a gun himself. He gets much blame for the shooting, but no one mentions that there were two guns found on the floor of the office, which, conveniently were not presented as evidence in the case. Dr. Norris even brought it before his church to resign but they still wanted it. This account clears up much of what is charged against Norris in the book “Apparent Danger.”
From this book we learn that when God’s word is being preached, when righteousness is taught, people are forced to make a choice. This second section shows us how many government officials and business owners hated him, and how often it was that “the common people heard him gladly.” (Like Jesus in Mark 12:37). He was either loved or hated, no one was neutral. Many friends became his enemies, and he had some friends, that betrayed him. What is interesting to see is how God deals with people who have hardened themselves against the truth and against those who give it out. It is a fascinating account of the extremes Dr. Norris experienced. From people wanting to take his life, to companies being shut down for a time so that the workers could hear him preach.
He pastored two churches, one in Detroit, Michigan, and the other in Fort Worth, Texas. The book gives accounts of events in both places. One common denominator was how the denominational leaders hated him, and this is what section three discusses. He had problems with both the Southern BaptIst Convention and the Northern Baptist Convention. He eventually brought both of his churches out of the denomination. Dr. Entzminger tells more of the struggles Dr. Norris had with the SBC, including the evolution professors at Baylor University, the $75 million campaign and sunday school literature. Dr. Norris has just as much trouble with “the machine” as he did with the liquor business. This shows a very real example of how even Christians can be unlovely when people do not go along with them.
The last section is an encouraging one which tells a little about some of the great meetings he put on as well as a sermon entitled “But God” which God used to touch many people’s hearts to salvation.
Overall this is a great book which provided a good survey of many aspects of Dr. Norris’ life and ministry. I wished it would have talked a bit more about his study habits and provided a bit of a chronology of his life, but it is still a good read. It covers the major events of his life and more than anything, shows what the Word of God does to those who hear it. They will either run to Him for mercy, or away and desire to kill Him and anyone who brings His message. It also shows the unfortunate condition of religious leaders. “The Machine” is a phrase that is used often in this book to describe the denomination, because often good young preachers get caught up with the great “leaders” who take the spiritual life out of them and sometimes do what Jesus mentions in Matthew 23:15.
The thing to take away from this book is that God’s people will have enemies. The truth is not popular today and if you are preaching the truth, expect to have enemies, even from those you would expect to be your friends.