Too Great a Temptation

This book by Dr. Joel Gregory concerns his disappointment in his attempt to follow Dr. W. A. Criswell at the First Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas. He does not admit to bitterness but his words betray that there is a great deal of emotion in his heart regarding his experience. This makes for better reading than if his words contained only "the facts." Well-written, well-thought.

First off, the editorial review of this book is untrue. This book is NOT about hypocrisy and does NOT discuss or involve all super mega-churches in America!! It deals ONLY with First Baptist Church of Dallas. Having said that-I will say what I thought of this book. For the first 50 pages or so, I really thought Dr. Gregory was whining and feeling sorry for himself over what happened. I thought he was bitter and that he was making very snide remarks regarding Dr. W.A. Criswell and other church members. But as I continued to read on, I really changed my mind, he changed his tone, and if anything, I really feel sorry for him for what he went through and what happened to him. On the back cover Dr. Criswell says "I've been told it's a blistering indictment of me and the church." I suppose this is so, but not without good reason. What Dr. Gregory went through at FBC-Dallas, I do not doubt at all and believe every word was true and factual. Was it anybody's fault?? Who can say? I think he must have known in his deepest innermost thoughts that there would be no way he could take over as pastor of FBC-Dallas while Dr. Criswell was still able to preach, teach & be in the limelight. Fourty four years is a long time to pastor a church and I can understand his not wanting to back down or retire. I also understand what Dr. Gregory experienced and why he could take it no longer, after only a 21 month pastorate. Really sad and unfortunate. I don't have any criciticism for Dr. Gregory, although he does say that the church presented too great a temptation (hence the title), and that it had a seductive power that weaved its spell even on someone who ought to have known better, and later on he even says that. He does not understand how he got pulled under to accept the pastorate. My only guess is that he couldn't resist pastoring a mega church in his home state. The results were very disappointing for him and I do hope that he has recovered and is back in the ministry because I think he is a true minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he deserves to be leading a flock somewhere. Just watch those 'big' churches Joel. Bless you.

I read this book straight through in a little over three hours. A real page turner is an under statement. Dr. Gregory was my pastor at Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, while I was in seminary. A spellbinding orator in the first order, one almost felt it was inevitable that he suceed Dr. Criswell. The surprise that reverabated across the Southern Baptist Convention when Dr. Gregory resigned, is still felt today. This book chronicles the steps that led Dr. Gregory to assume the pulpit of Southern Baptist's most famous church. This book is a must read for every minister who aspires to "greatness." What I learned is that any place is a great place if God has called you. There is a longing for simpler times and less prestigious pulpits that comes through Dr. Gregory's writings. This book serves as a warning that ambition, improperly channeled, leads often to an unfavorable conclusion.

This book is more about the quest for power than about religion. Dr. Gregory, although a preacher, relates his experiences based on man's struggle with and thirst for fame and power. The lure of the prestige of becoming the pastor of the largest church in America was a temptation he could not resist and one which eventually led to disillusionment and Dr. Gregory leaving the ministry. I read this book every year to remind me that power is addictive and fame is, at best, a fleeting thing.

As a Texas Baptist Pastor , I was intrigued. I had Dr. W.A.Criswell in my pulpit, 10 months after I read the book. He still is my hero. I think much of the book is true. Yet a man at his best is still a man. Dr. Gregory was truly a Preacher's Preacher. I hate that he did not try to be a Bible Conference Speaker or Revival Speaker. If he would come and share his feelings and ask for a new start with Texas Baptist, then Texas Baptist would open their arms to him. We need a great preacher like Gregory. He is to gifted to be editing books. I would love to see him back in the pulpit. Charles Higgs, Pastor First Baptist Church Madisonville, Texas