The First Question: Family Stories

Some of my earliest memories are of my father, who was a Methodist minister, debating theological fine points with my grandmother, who was the wife of a Baptist minister. The specific topic was Sanctification. Nanna insisted that once a person was sanctified, they were sanctified for life, although there might be some "backsliding". Dad insisted just as vociferously that the relationship with God is on-going, and that we can fall very far away. In that case, one must become sanctified anew.

I didn't know it at the time, but this type of passionate debate was anchored in our family history. Later, I heard stories from Granddad about his father. Great-grandfather Owen was an active participant in the theological debates which were a major aspect of the Texas religious scene during the post Civil-War era. These debates were apparently a major social event. People would come from miles around and picnic as the theologians debated. At the beginning of this period, my great-grandfather was a Methodist. However, during the course of the debates, he became convinced of the necessity of adult baptism, so he converted to the Baptist persuasion.