Founder: ROY E. FALLS ....... Hear endless, personal tales of the "real" Dr. J. Franklyn Norris ........
PURPOSE:
1. TO SHARE LITTLE KNOWN FACTS OF NORRIS' MINISTRY.
2. TO EXPOUND ON ISSUES, RELEVANT DURING NORRIS' LIFETIME, AS WELL AS RELEVANT CURRENT ISSUES AND A REFLECTION OF HIS THEOLOGICAL VIEWS...........(In honor of America's Foremost Fundamentalist)
From time to time we will post our audience listeners:
United States (Beginning August 2010)
Russia
Canada
Croatia
Phillipines
South Korea
Hungary
Burkina Faso
Iran (new in February 2011)
Brazil (new in February 2011)
Guatemala (new in February 2011)
Singapore (new in February 2011)
Uraquay (new in February 2011)
Germany (new in March 2011)
United Kingdom (new in March 2011)
Thailand (new in April 2011)
Belarus (new in April 2011)
Denmark (new in April 2011)
Saudi Arabia (new in April 2011)
Spain (new in April 2011)
India (new in April 2011)
Australia (new in April 2011)
Uzbekistan (new in April 2011)
Netherlands (new in April 2011
Egypt (new in April 2011)
Latvia (new in May 2011)
Ukraine (new in May 2011)
Czech Republic (new in May 2011)
Bermuda (new in May 2011)
Portugal (new in May 2011)
China (new in May 2011)
France (new in June 2011)
Liberia (new in June 2011)
Romania (new in June 2011)
Kenya (new in June 2011)
United England (new in June 2011)
Taiwan (new in June 2011)
Nigeria (new in June 2011)
Ireland (new in July 2011)
Japan (new in July 2011)
Mexico (new in July 2011)
Costa Rica (new in August 2011)
Pakistan (new in August 2011)
Hong Kong (new in August 2011)
Malaysia (new in August 2011)
Zambia (new in August 2011)
South Africa (new in August 2011)
Israel (new in September 2011)
Sweden (new in September 2011)
Indonesia (new in September 2011)
Vietnam (new in September 2011)
Fiji (new in September 2011)
Serbia (new in September 2011)
Honduras (new in September 2011)
Finland (new in October 2011)
Greece (new in October 2011)
The downfall of humanity and demise of nations can be attributed to the deceitfulness of this one little element, The Subtleness of Sin. It all began in the Garden of Eden, a seemingly simple act of falling prey to the age-long trickery of Satan is as real today as it was six thousand years ago. Be not deceived, for your sins will find you out.
Mr. Stokes, in his latest book, does not seem to grasp the serious nature of this phenomenon, but having been blinded by his own naivete, nevertheless has mastered the art of deceitfulness invented by the arch deceiver of all time. Stokes, with his eloquent way with words, makes it appear that Norris was the leader of the KKK pack.
Anyone halfway familiar with the ministry of J. Frank Norris is well aware of his life-long attempt in exposing the evils of the cursed liquor traffic, which has been the downfall of multitudes. Instead of applauding the great crusader, he (Stokes) tries to make him out as a man out of touch with the times. In the minds of critics, Norris’ attacks on the liquor industry seem to be more of an evil than the curse of liquor itself. No, Mr. Stokes, J. Frank Norris was not out of touch, his early experiences in life taught him the real lessons of life. Evil is evil, even if smells like a rose in religious garb. Billy Sunday was also a great crusader.
You will note Mr. Stokes’ mishandling of the Ku Klux Klan issue. The record shows that J. Frank Norris was a shaker and a mover in the religious world resulting in the great divide, best described as “Fundamentalism vs. the Modernist controversy.” Herein lies the background and how the act of deceit plays a vital role. Instead of total honesty in giving a report of the religion/Klan entanglement, Mr. Stokes equates “Fundamentalism” as the fertile ground for Klan recruitment. He knows full well the difference between “Fundamentalism” and “Protestantism”, but yet fails to acknowledge that is was “Protestantism” not “Fundamentalism” that furnished this fertile ground. Honest research reveals the involvement of “Protestantism” in this perplexing era. In the south and in Texas, the largest Southern Baptist Churches, were leaders in the Klan movement, whose acts of violence had some similarity to that which happened in Jasper, Texas. Read the story of Jesse Washington. Ironically, it was Norris who was often threatened with violence, NOT the other way around. Incidentally, Mordecai Ham, a Norris cohort, was at one time, “tarred and feathered” by the liquor crowd.
Last but not least, the inside story of J. Frank Norris has not yet been told. It involves his early detection and recognition of the legitimacy of Jewish causes. Human conflicts involving the Middle East are shrouded in mystery. The crucial issue of Zionism lies at the heart of this mystery. Norris was in the forefront on the side of the Zionist Movement in the 1920s. But rather than focus on this life and death issue, deceitfulness has diverted the focus and thus subtle lies have become the paramount topic.
I hope by this video to give you some interpretation of what the Abrahamic covenant is all about. You will note at the beginning this covenant is just opposite from a humanistic world view.
I am reading from the 12th chapter of Genesis … verses 1 thru 3, which reads as follows:
“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all the families be blessed.”
These three verses were favorite quotes of J. Frank Norris who was the foremost supporter of the Jewish Israelites, at a time when it was unpopular to do so. He, (Norris) was capable of taking complex subjects and reducing the same into plain and simple language. When we depart from the simplistic covenant message that God made with Abraham, then human wisdom soon supplants the real message of faith and obedience. For this reason … every student of history should appreciate the ministry of J. Frank Norris for his understanding of crucial issues as revealed in the bible. So, if we understand the meaning of the Abrahamic covenant it leads to an understanding of many mysteries in the bible.
Abraham is considered to be the father of many nations. If other nations had followed his lead, the world would be a much different place than what it is today. Exploring the meaning, the Abrahamic covenant can open an understanding of many scriptures. It is not accidental that the three great religions, (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) trace their beginnings to Abraham of the old testament. But, unlike Abraham, the man who best exemplified simple faith, somewhere along the line, all but a remnant have gone the way of all flesh or have become so amalgamated, that any resemblance of Abrahamic faith is hard to find even in this late era. Abraham, by faith, was able to understand the true character of a monolithic creator. God (who is one) thus honored Abraham’s faith. It was Abraham who understood the redemptive plan of salvation initiated in the mind of God even before the creation. The folly of Babel has always raised it’s ugly head, sending mixed messages and leaving a trail of despair.
Fifteen hundred years before the event of the gospel, Abraham saw the plan of God afar off, as it were, and passed the message on to his offspring, albeit a remnant, but nevertheless untainted by pagan beliefs. It is no wonder then, that the event of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection has been labeled as the “greatest story ever told.” It is no wonder that the Queen of Sheba, a non-Israelite, exclaimed “The half has not been told.” By this quotation even pagans can have a veiled view of truth. And to this day, pagans strangely so, extol the virtue of Christ Jesus, but sadly stops short of acknowledging His divinity. The immortal Martin Luther’s heart was stirred when he came to realize that the “just” shall live by faith.
Another aspect of the Abrahamic story has to do with God’s instruction for him to leave his native land. I think the underlying lesson to be gleaned from this aspect of his call was to demonstrate the great wall of separation between truth and error. The heart of Abraham was moved by faith to separate himself from pagan beliefs. What is unique about the Abrahamic covenant is the fact that he, Abraham, best understood the mind of God in dealing with fallen humanity.
Fallen humanity can not and does not place proper emphasis on the very sound beliefs that Abraham learned as he communed with God.
Fallen humanity does not see the world thru the eyes of Abraham but rather has developed a palatable view best described in general as humanism, the new-found fad so engrained in the human heart. The concept of humanism is the extreme antithesis of the Abrahamic covenant.
Humanism is the granddaddy of all religions which magnifies unholy self-righteousness. The idea of humanism originated with the tower of Babel, and hence from this event, sprang forth in the heart of Abraham a holy desire to separate himself from paganism. The theory of humanism has found its way into all religions … Christianity notwithstanding. Listen to the average modern sermons coming from sources promoting liberal theology and you will detect a humanistic connection couched in biblical language.
Strange as it may seem, the bible can be construed to support a variety of beliefs … and indeed this is a perplexing phenomenon. But when we depart from the simplistic faith demonstrated by Abraham we’re heading in the wrong direction. Christ Himself eluded to this dangerous tendency of false teachers who He said burden men with heavy burdens.
An understanding of the Abrahamic covenant illustrates the importance of simple faith by which God judges all men. Friends, the way of salvation is simple, yet so sublime. I am not a universalist as some might suppose but I believe that God can hear the simple sinner’s prayer, which is “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.”
It matters not what your native culture might have taught you, the God of Abraham, the forerunner of our Redeemer can hear the cry of every seeking soul.
Faith in the goodness of God leads to Godly repentance. Faith creates within a holy desire to follow in His footsteps. There is a kindred spirit that binds all believers together when you can hear the testimony of a broken heart which leads us to say there will be multitudes from every kindred and tongue in the day of the Lord God Almighty.
Sadly, this kindred spirit of error embodied in the concept of humanism can be seen when man begins to listen to unsound doctrine instead of listening to that still small voice.
Institute for Lifelong Education at Dartmouth
10 Hilton Field Rd.
Hanover, New Hampshire 03755
Re: David R. Stokes’ Sept. 28th talk on his book “The Shooting Salvationist”
To Whom It May Concern,
A review of “The Shooting Salvationist” recently appeared in the Texas Monthly. The writer gives a fair and balanced account from the viewpoint of an unbiased observer. In 1938, H. L. Mencken met and heard J. Frank Norris. A quote from Mencken; “I have no doubt whatever, that his (Norris’) heart is in the right place.”
Stokes leaves out crucial testimonies of witnesses unfavorable to his purported research. It cannot be proven that Chipps was unarmed.
Norris’ KKK connection is demonstratively present only in prohibition matters. “He had no brief for the Klan” … quoted from Time Magazine 1926. Dallas Texas was the hotbed of Klanism in that era superceeding by far any events that transpired in Ft. Worth. It is noteworthy that Dallas was the prime headquarters of mainline Baptist churches. The great question is, why no emphasis is given to these facts but rather focus on the one lone voice in Ft, Worth and make it appear that all but Norris had a “lilly white” record.
Prestigious members of society were noticeably associated with J. Frank Norris.
a. Brooks Morris, a renowned violinist and director/founder of the
Ft. Worth Symphony Orchestra
b. John Birch (The John Birch Society)
c. G. V. Vick of Detroit
d. Many successful businessmen
Norris was the foremost promoter of Jewish causes which proves no kkk connection.
Barry Hankins, a Baylor professor, confirmed that Norris was no more racist than others of that era.
Personal note: I have attended black churches where he often preached. He was a man of genuine affection for the common man.
12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life, and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works.
13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works.
14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
These scenes show thousands witnessing a baptismal service, under J. Frank Norris. There were people even atop the hills, which this video is unable to capture. Wish this were commonplace today.
This picture is partial view of a baptismal service in the basin of the San Pedro River in San Antonio, Texas in the year of 1925, and published by the Texas Monthly Press. The year of 1925 was the middle point of the prohibition era between 1920 and 1933.
I want you to review this photo and permit me the privilege of pointing out what I consider few poignant observations. First of all, it depicts in a summary fashion the legacy of J. Frank Norris and the accounts of this man’s life which have often been distorted and exaggerated myths have been perpetuated, making it difficult for this generation to know the truth. Myths make for a good fairy tale, but half truths are as bad as an outright lie. Distorted accounts have long tried to associate J. Frank Norris as being “cozy” with the KKK. In this photo, I do not see any evidence of a Klan presence . Ironically, Norris’ erstwhile Baptist critics have almost ceased in reporting this “so-called” dark episode, knowing full well that Klan activity in that time period had infiltrated 90% of the Protestant churches, including main-line Southern Baptist Churches. Having researched the issue thoroughly, any friendship Norris may have cultivated with the Klan was related to the enforcement of the prohibition laws and the attempt to stamp out the cruse of liquor. Mr. Barry Hankins, a Baylor University professor is an honorable man in my opinion, who said Norris was no more racist than others of this era.
In this photo, I see a serene crowd of onlookers with rapt attention with no evidence of drunkenness. When old timers speak of the “good old days”, it is scenes like this which you could wish were more common place today. Sad to say, here is a scene you will not find duplicated in this day of moral decline and turmoil. Neither do I see evidence of a gun-toting parson, the albatross label Norris labored under for years after a tragic event in which he was forced to defend himself. And for the record, repeated references that Norris killed an “unarmed” man is NOT a part of the record proven in court.
Little by little, I am happy to say that the real story of J. Frank Norris is beginning to surface. The Texas Monthly recently published (August 2011) a review of Mr. Stokes’ book. Mr. Don Graham, in his review of the book points out that depicting Norris as having a cultist personality is not in keeping with the revival spirit of that era which brought great energy and consolation to thousands.
(I was 5 years of age at that time period (1925).
I remain an independent, fundamental Baptist
to this day and I am still sane.)
Mr. Graham concludes, “I wish Mr. Stokes had been able to get across some of that fervor.”
I hope I have given an accurate account of this review.
I see in this photo a hidden message which ranks at the top of all else which might be said. A baptismal event carries with it a whole host of symbolical meanings. Baptism represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord. It signals the dying of one’s self to the world and becoming alive in Christ (born again). Baptism is the first act of obedience and precedes the aligning of one’s self to a New Testament Church.
A new Testament Baptist Church is like an oasis in the desert. That’s why Christ referred to the church as His “called out assembly.” A true church is a unique entity. “We are in the world but not of the world”. Herein lies the root of most theological discussions. The J. Frank Norris Historical Society website is dedicated to promoting good sound doctrine and the promoting of Norris’ ministry is co-incidental with that commitment. If I miss a beat here and there, just bear with me, I assure you, my heart is in the right place.
From time to time we will post our audience listeners:
United States (Beginning August 2010)
Russia
Canada
Croatia
Phillipines
South Korea
Hungary
Burkina Faso
Iran (new in February 2011)
Brazil (new in February 2011)
Guatemala (new in February 2011)
Singapore (new in February 2011)
Uraquay (new in February 2011)
Germany (new in March 2011)
United Kingdom (new in March 2011)
Thailand (new in April 2011)
Belarus (new in April 2011)
Denmark (new in April 2011)
Saudi Arabia (new in April 2011)
Spain (new in April 2011)
India (new in April 2011)
Australia (new in April 2011)
Uzbekistan (new in April 2011)
Netherlands (new in April 2011
Egypt (new in April 2011)
Latvia (new in May 2011)
Ukraine (new in May 2011)
Czech Republic (new in May 2011)
Bermuda (new in May 2011)
Portugal (new in May 2011)
China (new in May 2011)
France (new in June 2011)
Liberia (new in June 2011)
Romania (new in June 2011)
Kenya (new in June 2011)
United England (new in June 2011)
Taiwan (new in June 2011)
Nigeria (new in June 2011)
Ireland (new in July 2011)
Japan (new in July 2011)
Mexico (new in July 2011)
Costa Rica (new in August 2011)
Pakistan (new in August 2011)
Hong Kong (new in August 2011)
Malaysia (new in August 2011)
Zambia (new in August 2011)
South Africa (new in August 2011)
Israel (new in September 2011)
Sweden (new in September 2011)
Indonesia (new in September 2011)
Vietnam (new in September 2011)
Fiji (new in September 2011)
Serbia (new in September 2011)
Honduras (new in September 2011)
