Fired for Heresy

Slayden Yarbrough’s new book is an excellent intertwining of academic autobiography, denominational history, and authentic Christian faith. Yarbrough’s narrative is a valuable contribution to recent Baptist history. He taught Baptist history for many years, he has already written a definitive history of Southern Baptists, and he has made history in the sense of being a major participant in pivotal events. His storytelling skills are evident on every page. Slayden will be a resource for future assessments of recent Baptist history.

-Dr. Warren McWilliams, Senior Professor of Theology, Oklahoma Baptist University

Fired for Heresy! provides a personal and poignant insider’s view to what happened to Southern Baptists during the past half-century. Slayden Yarbrough served as a Southern Baptist professor and leader during the tumultuous times of the conservative resurgence. After a half-century, Yarbrough is in the unique position to be able to document and evaluate the convention’s sharp turn toward conservatism. Readers should take to heart what Yarbrough says. The book is part memoir, part denominational history and theology, and part cautionary tale. As Augustine was advised so long ago, “Take up and read”.

-Dr. Michael Kuykendall, Senior Professor of New Testament, Gateway Baptist Seminary

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Dr. Slayden A. Yarbrough is Professor Emeritus, Oklahoma Baptist University, Shawnee, OK. He has a Ph.D. from Baylor University, Waco, TX. He is author and co-author of seven books, and over 40 journal and encyclopedia articles. He served for three years as editor of Baptist History and Heritage, now published by the Baptist History & Heritage Society.

Dr. Yarbrough’s entire academic career took place during the rise and development of the “Controversy” in the Southern Baptist Convention, which took place during the 1970s through the 1990s. He taught for 29 years at Southwest Baptist College, Bolivar, MO (1972-79) and Oklahoma Baptist University (1979-2021). During the Controversy he also was a board member of the Historical Commission of the SBC for eight years, and then served two years as executive director as the agency was being dissolved by the Convention. He then served as executive director of what is now the Baptist History & Heritage Society, as it adjusted to becoming a completely independent organization after restructuring of the SBC. He and Janis are now American Baptists retired in Vancouver, WA.