New series collects writings of notable Southwestern professor, scholar

The first of an eight-volume series containing the works of James Leo Garrett, distinguished professor of theology emeritus at Southwestern Seminary, is now available for purchase. The series, “The Collected Writings of James Leo Garrett, Jr., 1950-2015,” contains a collection of Garrett’s writings, highlighting his contribution to Southern Baptist history and scholarship. The series is published by Wipf & Stock and edited by Wyman Lewis Richardson, a Southwestern alumnus and pastor of Central Baptist Church in North Little Rock, Ark.

Garrett earned his Bachelor of Divinity (1948) and Doctor of Philosophy (1954) from Southwestern, and he first served on faculty at the seminary from 1949 to 1959 and later returned in 1971. His impact was felt by many of those who took his classes, including Richardson, who in an announcement of the series on his website noted, “Over the years, I have collected Dr. Garrett’s writings, turning to them often for help and guidance.”

The volumes were produced with the involvement of Garrett, who is now in his early 90s. One volume will be released each year and will contain various pieces by Garrett, some of which have never been published. Works will include journal and magazine articles, lectures, book chapters, and privately published pieces.

Several of the volumes’ forewords have been written by Southwestern faculty (including Malcolm Yarnell, research professor of systematic theology; and Dongsun Cho, associate professor of systematic and historical theology) and Southwestern alumni (such as David Dockery). The following is a complete list of the forthcoming volumes:

Vol. 1: Baptists, Part I (Foreword by Malcolm B. Yarnell, III)

Vol. 2: Baptists, Part II (Foreword by Dongsun Cho)

Vol. 3: Ecclesiology (Foreword by David S. Dockery)

Vol. 4: Theology, Part I (Foreword by Robert B. Stewart)

Vol. 5: Theology, Part II and 20th-Century Christian Leaders (Foreword by Paul A. Basden)

Vol. 6: Roman Catholic Church (Foreword by Steven R. Harmon)

Vol. 7: Church, State, and Religious Liberty (Foreword by William M. Pinson, Jr.)

Vol. 8: The Christian Life (Foreword by Peter L. Tie)

In an endorsement for the collection, Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson noted Garrett’s knowledge and expertise in Baptist history and theology. “On the most important matters and in the extent to which he grasped the whole of Baptist and church history, I believe this to be one of the greatest gifts ever given to the Lord’s church. Southwestern Seminary is forever in debt to this gracious Christian,” Patterson said.

This series complements works by Garrett that are already available in Southwestern Seminary’s Roberts Library. The James Leo Garrett Papers comprise 105 boxes, which include correspondence, engagements, writings, research, and teaching materials related to his time serving on the faculties of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Baylor University and Southwestern Seminary. Included in these papers are the original manuscripts for Garrett’s books, including “Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical, and Evangelical, Vol. 1 and 2,” and “Baptist Theology: A Four-Century Study.” Access to these papers is available through Southwestern’s J.T. and Zelma Luther Archives.

Also available at Southwestern is a special collection containing Garrett’s personal library that also holds many unique items relating to Baptist studies. The “Garrett Collection” is a non-circulation collection but can be accessed by request with the Roberts Library Archives department.