D. N. Jackson
Encyclopedia
Doss Nathan Jackson was a Baptist pastor
from the United States who was fundamental in the founding of the North American Baptist Association (now the Baptist Missionary Association of America
). He was a debater and conference speaker, publisher and a prolific writer of Christian
literature and theological works including Studies in Baptist Doctrine and History.
His denominational work began in 1918 when, as a 23 year old pastor, the General Association of Baptists in the United States of America elected him editor-in-chief of the Baptist Sunday School Committee. C.A. Gilbert, who became Jackson's father-in-law the same year, was elected business manager at the same meeting. A movement began to unify various state and regional associations of missionary Baptists into a national association – a scope which the General Association apparently never enjoyed. The result of the movement was the forming of the American Baptist Association
in 1924. Jackson served on the committee which drafted the constitution for the new Baptist association.
He served as the president of the American Baptist Association
from 1935 to 1937 and held the position of Editor in Chief from 1924 to 1942. Dr. Jackson was instrumental in leading a group to leave the American Baptist Association
and start the North American Baptist Association, now known as Baptist Missionary Association of America
, in 1950. He was a leader in this work for many years, yet was never the president of the body but was elected one of two vice-presidents in 1955, and was given the honor of preaching the annual message on two occasions. In 1951 Jackson preached the annual message for the association meeting in Laurel, Mississippi
while his friend, Gerlad D. Kellar presided. Dr. Jackson also drafted the original Doctrinal Statement of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
and served as the first promotional secretary.
degree from Jacksonville College
in 1917. He later studied at Moody Bible Institute
, Chicago
in 1920–21 and did graduate work at Princeton University
in 1925–26. Jackson later had a LLD
degree conferred by the Missionary Baptist College in Sheridan, Arkansas
after which he was known as Dr. Jackson.
, from 1934 until his death. The paper was founded in St. Louis in 1875 by D. B. Ray, Sr. Jackson later sold the American Baptist to a group of BMAA pastors.
Jackson also served as moderater for many debates. Two notable ones include:
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
from the United States who was fundamental in the founding of the North American Baptist Association (now the Baptist Missionary Association of America
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
). He was a debater and conference speaker, publisher and a prolific writer of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
literature and theological works including Studies in Baptist Doctrine and History.
Biography
Jackson was the son of James Ferguson and Josephine (Bridges) Jackson and the youngest of twelve children. In 1918 he was married to Erma Oretus Gilbert, the daughter of Dr. C. A. Gilbert, The Business Manager of the Baptist Sunday School Committee in Texarkana, Arkansas. Dr. and Mrs. Jackson had three children: Dr. Tillman Sherron (T.S.) Jackson, Carroll F. Jackson and Mrs. Ermagene (Jean) S.T. Sullivan.His denominational work began in 1918 when, as a 23 year old pastor, the General Association of Baptists in the United States of America elected him editor-in-chief of the Baptist Sunday School Committee. C.A. Gilbert, who became Jackson's father-in-law the same year, was elected business manager at the same meeting. A movement began to unify various state and regional associations of missionary Baptists into a national association – a scope which the General Association apparently never enjoyed. The result of the movement was the forming of the American Baptist Association
American Baptist Association
The American Baptist Association , formed in 1924, is an association of nearly 2,000 theologically conservative churches that are Landmark Baptist in their missions and teachings...
in 1924. Jackson served on the committee which drafted the constitution for the new Baptist association.
He served as the president of the American Baptist Association
American Baptist Association
The American Baptist Association , formed in 1924, is an association of nearly 2,000 theologically conservative churches that are Landmark Baptist in their missions and teachings...
from 1935 to 1937 and held the position of Editor in Chief from 1924 to 1942. Dr. Jackson was instrumental in leading a group to leave the American Baptist Association
American Baptist Association
The American Baptist Association , formed in 1924, is an association of nearly 2,000 theologically conservative churches that are Landmark Baptist in their missions and teachings...
and start the North American Baptist Association, now known as Baptist Missionary Association of America
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
, in 1950. He was a leader in this work for many years, yet was never the president of the body but was elected one of two vice-presidents in 1955, and was given the honor of preaching the annual message on two occasions. In 1951 Jackson preached the annual message for the association meeting in Laurel, Mississippi
Laurel, Mississippi
Laurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of...
while his friend, Gerlad D. Kellar presided. Dr. Jackson also drafted the original Doctrinal Statement of the Baptist Missionary Association of America
Baptist Missionary Association of America
The Baptist Missionary Association of America is a fellowship of autonomous Baptist churches for the purpose of benevolence, Christian education, and missions....
and served as the first promotional secretary.
Education
He received a Bachelor of ArtsBachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree from Jacksonville College
Jacksonville College
Jacksonville College has the distinction of being one of only two private junior colleges in the state of Texas. Jacksonville College is fully accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, providing Associates Degrees in Science and Arts providing core-curriculum classes for almost...
in 1917. He later studied at Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute
Moody Bible Institute is a Christian institution of higher education and related ministries that was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Since its founding, MBI's main campus has been located in the Near North Side of Chicago. MBI's primary ministries are education,...
, Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in 1920–21 and did graduate work at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1925–26. Jackson later had a LLD
Legum Doctor
Legum Doctor is a doctorate-level academic degree in law, or an honorary doctorate, depending on the jurisdiction. The double L in the abbreviation refers to the early practice in the University of Cambridge to teach both Canon Law and Civil Law, the double L indicating the plural, Doctor of both...
degree conferred by the Missionary Baptist College in Sheridan, Arkansas
Sheridan, Arkansas
Sheridan is the largest city and county seat in Grant County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,872 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway Metropolitan Statistical Area. .-History:Robert W...
after which he was known as Dr. Jackson.
Pastorates
Dr. Jackson was ordained on September 2, 1913.- First Baptist Church, Jefferson, TexasJefferson, TexasJefferson is an historic city in Marion County in northeastern Texas, United States. The population was 2,024 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Marion County, Texas, and is situated in East Texas...
, 1917–18 - County Avenue Baptist Church, Texarkana, 1918-34 (four years on leave of absence for school studies at Princeton and Chicago)*Organized and pastored Central Baptist Church, Texarkana, 1934–40
- Parkview Baptist Church, Laurel, MississippiLaurel, MississippiLaurel is a city located in Jones County in Mississippi, a state of the United States of America. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,393 although a significant population increase has been reported following Hurricane Katrina. Located in southeast Mississippi, southeast of...
in 1940 - Malta, Texas
- Fulton, Arkansas
- Emmanuel Baptist Church, Nashville, Arkansas
- Calvary Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
- Park Place Baptist Church, Little Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock, ArkansasLittle Rock is the capital and the largest city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 699,757 people in the 2010 census...
, in the fall of 1949 - Berean Baptist Church, Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, TennesseeMemphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
- Creston Hills Baptist Church, Jackson, MississippiJackson, MississippiJackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
- Walston Springs Baptist Church, Palestine, TexasPalestine, TexasPalestine is a city in Anderson County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 17,598, and 18,458 in the 2009 estimate. It is the county seat of Anderson County and is situated in East Texas...
- Pine Grove Baptist Church, Diboll, TexasDiboll, TexasDiboll is a city in Angelina County, Texas, United States. The population was 4,476 at the 2010 census. Diboll is named for J. C. Diboll, a local timber salesman.-Geography:Diboll is located at ....
- His last pastorate was First Baptist Church, Mixon, Texas (now called "First Missionary Baptist Church" after a different Baptist group used the name "First Baptist in the town".)
Pedagogy
In 1952 Southeastern Baptist College was organized with Dr. Jackson as its first President. In Arkansas he provided the leadership for purchasing property Conway Baptist College, now known as the Central Baptist College, Conway. He served the school's first President also. He played a significant role in the organization and development of the North American Theological Seminary (now Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary.) Dr. Jackson was offered a life-time professorship at North American (BMA) Theological Seminary. He became Professor of Theology and Church History and remained with the seminary from 1955 to 1967. He also served as President of Midwestern Baptist College, Oklahoma City from 1967 until his death a year later.Publishing
He was editor and publisher of the American Baptist, the oldest Baptist paper west of the MississippiMississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
, from 1934 until his death. The paper was founded in St. Louis in 1875 by D. B. Ray, Sr. Jackson later sold the American Baptist to a group of BMAA pastors.
Debates
Debates between denominational representatives were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Jackson was widely used as a debater in earlier years, defending the Baptist faith. He is credited with engaging in at least 162 formal debates, mostly with "Christians" (i.e., "Church of Christ"), from 1916 to 1957. Many of them were in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, but he also debated in Mississippi, Missouri, California and Michigan. A partial list includes- Jesse T. Lashlee (Church of Christ); 1916
- W. Curtis Porter (Church of Christ); Monette, Arkansas; 1916; baptism; Porter's 1st debate
- J. T. Riley (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints); Tapp school house (near Fisher), Arkansas; January 8-?, 1918; general church; 12 sessions
- Thomas Wiley Croom (Church of Christ); County Line, Arkansas; January 1922; apostasy, Holy Spirit, baptism; Croom's first debate
- John W. Hedge (Church of Christ); Bearden, Arkansas; 1926 and 127 on the topic of salvation
- G. C. Brewer (Church of Christ); Texarkana, _; c 1931
- Glen Earl Green (Church of Christ)
- W. L. Oliphant (Church of Christ); Hollis, Oklahoma; 1933
- J. D. Tant (Church of Christ); 5 times including in Texarkana, Texas; fall 1933
- Charles B. Middleton (Church of Christ); 1938
- Jesse Powell (Church of Christ); Jacksonville, Texas; 1938
- Clyde L. Embrey (Church of Christ); Texarkana, Arkansas; c 1938
- George B. Curtis (Church of Christ); Fayetteville, Arkansas; 1938
- Guy N. Woods (Church of Christ); Wellington, Texas; c 1938
- Thomas L. Conner (Church of Christ); Bald Knob, Arkansas, 1939
- Guy N. Woods (Church of Christ); Independence, Texas; c 1939
- W. Curtis Porter (Church of Christ); Rush Springs, Oklahoma; September 1939; their 2nd debate
- J. Porter Wilhite (Church of Christ); Burnsville, MS
- Leroy Garrett (Church of Christ); 1940 and again in Taylor, Arkansas; 1941
- John O'Dowd (Church of Christ); Sand Flat, Texas; February 11–14, 1941; establishment of Baptist Church
- Coleman Overby (Church of Christ); Bearden, Arkansas; 1941
- Clyde L. Embrey (Church of Christ); 1941
- Eugene S. Smith (Church of Christ); written; 1944; depravity & operation of the Spirit.
- Thomas L. Conner (Church of Christ); Deering, Missouri; 1944
- Eugene S. Smith (Church of Christ); written; 1945; baptism.
- W. Curtis Porter (Church of Christ); Flint, Michigan; September 18–21, 1945; baptism, apostasy; their 3rd debate, and the again in Poplar Bluff, Missouri; May 7-?, 1946 and at St. Louis, Missouri; November 18–21, 1946; baptism, apostasy
- Roy E. Cogdill (Church of Christ) twice including in Lufkin, Texas; December 10–13, 1946.
- J. Porter Wilhite (Church of Christ); 1947 and again in Laurel, MS; March 1949; establishment of church, baptism
- G. C. Brewer (Church of Christ); Fulton, MS; May 9–12, 1950; baptism, apostasy
- J. Porter Wilhite (Church of Christ); Burnsville, MS; 1950; establishment of church, baptism
- Roy E. Cogdill (Church of Christ); Houston, Texas; March 26–29, 1951
- W. Curtis Porter (Church of Christ); Fulton, MS; June 18–20, 1952; establishment of church, apostasy, faith only
- W. Curtis Porter (Church of Christ); Fillmore, Oklahoma; November 4-?, 1952 and in Jonesboro, Arkansas; December 9-?, 1952
- Clyde L. Embrey (Church of Christ); Lucedale, MS; December 6–9, 1955
- John W. Wilson (Church of Christ); Bellflower, California; September 17–20, 1956; baptism, apostasy; Jackson's 161st debate
- Guy N. Woods (Church of Christ); Sikeston, Missouri; late August 1957
Jackson also served as moderater for many debates. Two notable ones include:
- Harold F. Sharp, Sr vs. Dr. J.E. Cobb at Conway, Arkansas (1954).
- Mrs. Aimee Semple McPherson vs. Dr. Ben M. Bogard at the McPherson Tabernacle in the city of North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, on the 22nd day of May, 1934.
Preaching
through his preaching ministry Dr. Jackson was able to see many lives changed and many professions of faith, but on one Easter morning his ministry produced a new response. The words that flowed from that pulpit on that Resurrection Sunday caused Luther G. Presley to pick up a pen and compose, "I'll Have A New Life" after he heard a sermon by Dr. D.N. Jackson.Theology
Perpetuity of the church is a doctrine which is cherished by Missionary Baptists. By perpetuity is meant that there has never been a day since Christ founded His church when there was no scriptural church upon earth. The church shall continue in existence until He shall come again. Church "succession" is another term which denotes perpetuity, implying that churches have succeeded in all ages the one founded by Christ. Baptists believe in a succession of churches---not of the apostles, as taught by the Roman doctrine of ‘apostolic succession.
Baptism is one way of making a confession of faith in Christ. Scriptural baptism is performed by the authority of the triune God (Matthew 28:19-20). No one without baptism is qualified for membership in a church, but baptism does not wholly qualify him. It is the ceremonial qualification he is required to meet. It is the first act of Christian obedience after one's profession, although one may have the opportunity to witness for Christ as Saviour before he is baptized.
Publications
Dr. Jackson was a prolific writer of books, pamphlets, tracts, news articles and study courses.- The Doctrine of Divine Election: Calvinism and Arminianism Examined
- Jackson-Smith debate: The plan of salvation
- Are We Missionary Baptists? Laurel, Mississippi.: American Baptist Publishing Company, n.d.
- The Lord's Supper: A Sermon Preached at the Race Street Baptist Church, Searcy, Arkansas, February 3, 1935. Texarkana, Texas-Arkansas: D. N. Jackson, n.d.
- Studies in Baptist Church Doctrines and History. Little Rock, Arkansas: Baptist Publications Committee, n.d.
- Ten Reasons Why I Am a Baptist. 2d. Ed. Memphis, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas: American Baptist Publishing Company, n.d.
- Conventionism Refuted, with Bogard, Ben M.,; Ballard, L. S.; Matheny, M.P., Texarkana, Arkansas-Texas: Baptist Sunday School Committee, 1927.
- The Cogdill-Jackson Debate 1949
- The Roger Williams Memorial
- Evolution, Unscientific and Unscriptural. A Short Treatise on the Philosophy of Evolution
- National Danger in Roman Catholicism
- Fifty-two New Testament Lessons
- Speaking in Tongues 1941
- Holy Ghost Baptism 1940
- Are we Missionary Baptists?: The identity of the original Missionary Baptists shown by true facts 1970
- Baptist Searchlight
- Baptist Claims Vindicated
- National Danger in Catholicism 1928
- Woman's Sphere and Function
- Baptist Young People's Manual
- The Lord's Supper
- Our Travels to the Holy Land
- The Lakeland Review: A True Account of What Happened at Lakeland, Florida, April 19, 20, 1950