On Jan. 10, Dr. W. A. Criswell sailed placidly from the earthly port, where for 92 years he had been moored, and instantly was received on the merits of our Savior's blood into the presence of the ever-living God. Given his intense "boyish" curiosity during the entire life of this great pastor and author, one can only begin to imagine the delight of his eye and the elation of his spirit at this moment.
His death follows by less than two months the passing of another great servant of Christ, Dr. J. Harold Smith, the extraordinary pastor, evangelist, broadcaster and publisher of the past half-century. Dr. Criswell's funeral will be held on Jan. 16, at his home church, the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.
Dr. Criswell passed away at the home of his beloved and trusted friend (and "son" in Christ) Jack Pogue, while Jack held his hand and read to him the familiar words of Philippians 2 and John 14. The final words of Dr. Criswell were spoken to Jack just a few hours before his homegoing. Having been responsible for Jack's conversion to Christ more than 30 years earlier, Dr. Criswell said to Jack, "I love you, son."
Dr. Criswell assumed the pastorate of First Baptist Church of Dallas in November 1944. At that time, the Baptist Standard newspaper described him as one who was "gifted, humble, deeply spiritual and has a passion for souls." What greater legacy can a man have? He upheld that description for more than a half century, as he became a dominant voice in Texas Baptist and Southern Baptist life.
Billy Graham may have been the best-known Southern Baptist in the world over the last half of the 20th century, but Dr. Criswell – who served as Dr. Graham's pastor – was the dominant pastor of the same era. He passionately served the congregation at First Baptist Church. He was a loyal friend and unfailing counselor to the congregation.
Dr. Criswell was born in Eldorado, Okla., and was reared near Texline, where his father was a cowboy and barber. He earned a bachelor's degree at Baylor University and master's and doctor of philosophy degrees at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. He met and married his dear wife, Bessie Marie (Harris), a young schoolteacher who was a member of a congregation he steered in a student-pastorate role.
Dr. Criswell was the pastor of First Baptist Church of Muskogee, Okla., when God called him to Dallas to succeed legendary pastor George W. Truett. Under Dr. Criswell's leadership, the church solidified its position as the largest in the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Southern Baptist Convention, and became a great beacon of the Gospel.
Dr. Criswell served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1968 to 1970. He was also the author of many books and served as editor of the celebrated Criswell Study Bible. In addition, he spoke several times at my Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., and at Liberty University. I was greatly privileged to call him a friend.
We rejoice today for Dr. Criswell even as the Church of our Lord Jesus contemplates the loss of this man whom many consider the greatest preacher of our generation. I pray that his example of selfless devotion to Christ will continue to inspire us – especially in this age when radical leftists are stepping up their efforts to portray evangelical Christians as dangerous and intolerant bigots on the level of the Taliban.
May we, like Dr. Criswell, never lose sight of the goal of winning our friends and loved ones to the Christ of the Bible – no matter the cost.