11
11
Norris began a campaign of personal attack against Ketcham.
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He accused
Ketcham of controlling the GARBC, demanding that the fellowship be rid of structure
altogether. Ketcham responded by reminding Norris of his own apparent need for power.
At the meeting in 1938, Ketcham presented a new plan for leading the GARBC.
He had grown sensitive to Norris charges, and decided to step down as president, offering a
14-member "council" instead. All executive officers would be eliminated at the national and
state levels.
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The Association agreed, and a council was elected which included Ketcham,
but the chairman would be Earle Griffith. Ketcham was asked to take over editing the Baptist
Bulletin monthly magazine, which he accepted enthusiastically. Norris interpreted all of this
as the GARBC firing Ketcham, but the GARBC rallied around Ketcham and rebuffed further
contact with Norris. The ties with the old BBU giants were severed, never to be rejoined.
An Analytical Comparison of
the BBU and the GARBC
While the GARBC became the legal descendant of the BBU, questions arise as to
similarities and dissimilarities between the movements. Were they one movement with a
different name? If not, in what ways did the GARBC differ from its BBU roots, and why?
These questions can be addressed by analyzing the elements of continuity and discontinuity
between the two in light of the previous historical sketch.
Elements of Continuity
At least three areas of continuity can be demonstrated between the two
organizations. To summarize, a few of the BBUs less prominent leaders molded the GARBC
to continue the BBUs militantly fundamental Baptist mindset.
Baptist Orientation
Many in the BBU were interested in interdenominational affairs. Riley had his
Worlds Christian Fundamentals Association as his pet project. The Bible conference
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Murdoch, chapters 17-18, thoroughly chronicles this little known aspect of
Norris career. Norris revealed a great propensity for malice. Ketcham considered this the
greatest spiritual battle of his life, culminating in a vivid experience. Ketcham locked himself
in his bathroom until he could "pray in love" for Norris. After several hours he finally was
granted victory.
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The GARBC would later hire H. O. Van Gilder, pastor of Temple Baptist in
Portsmouth, Ohio as its first "National Representative" in 1944 (Tassell, 81-82), and open a
"home office" in Chicago (not "headquarters" like in the Convention, a point frequently
made).