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Frank Stagg Library Adds
Greatly to Samford Baptist Collection
Dr.
Frank Stagg taught theology, pastored churches and wrote 10 books
and numerous journal articles over a 50-year ministry.
He taught New Testament interpretation and Greek at New Orleans
Baptist Seminary from 1945 until 1964 and at Southern Baptist Seminary
from 1964 until 1978, becoming one of the most noted theologians
of the century.
Through the years, he amassed an extensive library and wealth of
knowledge and scholarship in the form of correspondence, writings,
articles, sermon notes and even private musings.
Long before he died at 90 on June 2, Dr. Stagg had made plans for
this treasure trove of theological resources. They would go to the
Samford University Library.
"On
a hot August Louisiana day in 1999, we loaded a truck with 35 boxes
of manuscripts from Frank and Evelyn Stagg," recalled Special
Collection Librarian Elizabeth Wells. “They represented more than
a half century of his life’s journey and Christian pilgrimage.”
A year later, Wells and her colleagues were back in Louisiana, filling
another truck with the Staggs' library.
"Each
book had a story," she said. "Certain books were used
and loved treasures. Preaching directly from the Greek New Testament
really wears on the binding."
The collection included etched leather bindings and autographed
volumes by the score.
"All
the Staggs asked of Samford was that these volumes be used,"
said Wells.
In his writing and his ministry, Stagg addressed a variety of contemporary
issues-civil rights, Vietnam, gender equity, ecumenism and even
aging. Along the way, he took issue with those who asked how to
make the Bible relevant.
"The
Bible is relevant," said Stagg. "We don’t have to make
it relevant."
Samford is home to a vast and valuable storehouse of Baptist materials
and treasures. The Stagg Collection has made it even more valuable.
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