R. L. Sumner and the Biblical Evangelist

Where can I find some great old time sermons? How about some pastoral help or help starting a church? Where can I get some good sermon illustrations? What about good, honest book reviews?

A great source is the Biblical Evangelist edited by Evangelist Robert L. Sumner. Sumner has been pastor, evangelist, author for many years. He is an old time, independent Baptist fundamentalist. Sumner served as associate editor of the independent Baptist Sword of the Lord with John R. Rice.

R. L. Sumner has known virtually every fundamentalist leader of the last century. He is author of over 30 books. Included are commentaries on Ephesians, Hebrews, and James. They are filled with sermon illustrations. Other books include: Hell Is No Joke, Fundamentalist Foibles, Does the Bible Teach That Water Baptism is a Necessary Requirement for Salvation?, Powerhouse, and many others.

Wait a minute. Are you trying to get us Southern Baptists to leave the SBC and become independent Baptists? No. Dr. Sumner is not out to fight or destroy the SBC. He will sharply oppose what he thinks is wrong, whether it be SBC, independent Baptist, or whatever. But he often refers favorably to Southern Baptists and Baptist Press.

A couple of years ago I had some extra copies of the Biblical Evangelist that I passed out in our Baptist Association. To explain it I said I was not trying to start an independent movement. But if you read Sumner’s material and Rick Warren’s writings and mix them up, you’ll be a perfectly balanced Southern Baptist :-).

Adrian Rogers was a subscriber and contributor to the ministry of the Biblical Evangelist. Those endorsing Sumner’s books have included John R. Rice, Adrian Rogers, Lee Roberson, O. S. Hawkins, Warren Wiersbe, Bruce M. Metzger, Hyman Appelman, Theodore H. Epp, Elmer L. Towns, Tom Malone, Charles U. Wagner.

His books are available at: Biblical Evangelism, 5717 Pine Drive, Raleigh, NC 27606-8947. E-mail: kjsher@msn.com Sumner’s commentary on James is $12., Hebrews is $20, postpaid.

Adrian Rogers wrote, “This work of Robert Sumner on the Book of Hebrews represents the wisdom and experience God has built into him through years of fruitful ministry… Doubtless, much of this work will find its way into my own preaching. I commend it joyfully and fully.”

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R. L. Sumner is an interesting writer. You may lose some sleep when you get your issue of Biblical Evangelist; it is difficult to put down. No, you will not agree with everything. Sumner is sure to make you angry about something, but you‘ll get over it. In the process, you’ll be encouraged in doctrine, preaching, history, evangelism.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor; June 29, AD 2009.