December 3, 2001
Pressler's 'A Hill on Which to Die' mailed to all convention pastors
___By Steve DeVane
___North Carolina Biblical Recorder
___Paul Pressler's book highlighting the conservative side of the battle for control of the Southern Baptist Convention is being mailed to about 42,000 pastors nationwide.
___The book, "A Hill on Which Die," was sent to every pastor in the SBC, according to a letter accompanying the book. SBC President James Merritt and eight former SBC presidents signed the letter.
___Pressler and Paige Patterson, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and one of the signers of the letter, are widely perceived to be the architects of fundamentalists' rise to power in the SBC in the 1980s and early '90s.
___Critics call their efforts a "takeover," while supporters refer to it as the "conservative resurgence."
___"It has become increasingly apparent that many have forgotten the conditions which necessitated the conservative resurgence," the letter said. "The oncoming generation needs to know what transpired."
___The letter said the presidents want every pastor, every seminary student and Southern Baptists in general to know and understand the issues.
___"We feel most strongly that 'A Hill on Which to Die' is must reading for an informed Southern Baptist," the letter continued. "Since each of us has served as president of the convention during the period of the conservative resurgence, we feel strongly about the issues dealt with in the book."
___Patterson, who served as SBC president in 1999-2000, said in a telephone interview that "a number of people" approached Pressler about making the book available to all pastors. Patterson said he didn't remember who the people were or how much the project cost.
___Patterson said Pressler contacted him about the idea.
___"I said, 'I think it would be a fabulous thing,'" Patterson recalled. He predicted even Pressler's sworn enemies will "probably get a kick out of reading" the book.
___"Those who love him will love him more when they read it," Patterson also said. "Those who are undecided might gain some insight."
___The letter said tax-deductible contributions to offset the cost of the project may be sent to First Baptist Church in Houston.
___Kirk Boudreaux, director of financial services for the church, said Pressler is a member there. The church has not put any money into the project, he said, but does receive and pass along tax-deductible contributions to LifeWay Christian Resources, publisher of the book.
___The version being mailed is a paperback, which the letter said costs $3.50. The hardback edition of the book was published in 1999.
___The church has received a few checks and forwarded the equivalent amount of money to LifeWay, he said.
___The book was mailed to pastors in an envelope with a LifeWay return address. It was sent with a non-profit, postage-paid permit from Tallahassee, Fla.
___LifeWay officials said the agency didn't spend or invest any money in the mailing. Pressler and a group of his supporters funded the project, they said.
___Pressler could not be reached for comment.
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