A synopsis of the biographies of Baptist leaders as per required for masters students.

Giants of fundamentalism stand out in the twentieth century. Common ingredients are a stalwart faith, a staunch independence and an institute or college where young preachers learn the same stance. Dr. Tom Malone is such a giant of fundamentalism. His humble beginnings gave no indication of the influence he would exhibit on the twentieth century. When a man is given over to full surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ we stand amazed at the results, but to often stand short of such surrender. Joyce Vick has compiled a biography of Tom Maloneⁱ that could move any man of God toward a more complete surrender.

I have interviewed a hundred saved Methodists and a thousand lost ones. I never met one that was saved in a Methodist Church service. It was always a revival service or the preaching of a Baptist that got these Methodists saved. There has not been an Old fashioned Methodist revival meeting in 50 years, but in August of 1935 revival services started at Isbell Methodist Church in Louisiana. The 20 year old, raised on his grand parents farm, raised up in that revival service, shook the circuit riding preachers hand, and announced “The Lord saved me, and I know He wants me to be a preacher.”ⁱⁱ

A saved mother and the hard work of Louisianian farm life had instilled some character into Tom Lloyd Malone. At the revival services, after weeks of conviction, the Lord Jesus Christ had instilled eternal life. The two met in combination to cause God to pursue great things through this sturdy youth. In the parable of the sower God said some 'seed' springs up quickly but anon when persecution arises they 'have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time.' Tom Malone had root in himself, and was to ' bring forth a hundred fold.'

We have entered the twenty first century and have seen a couple generations raised up without much character. Dr. Tom Malone came from a broken home of humble beginnings but he was raised with discipline and character that God could inhabit for greatness. We have no shortage of broken homes but very few youths raised up with a discipline and character as a vessel for God for greatness. When I see a youth come to Christ, even as Tom Malone did, my flesh would disdain that anything great would come of it. But I have read this biography and know that “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

He was saved in a Methodist Church, in a revival under a Methodist circuit riding preacher, and whisked off to a college under a famous Methodist Evangelist, so where did Tom Malone pick up his Baptist convictions? Baptist convictions, yeah the seven Baptist distinctivesⁱⁱⁱ, are not taught in creed or confirmation class, they are engulfed in the very word of God that converted Tom's soul and now captured his every meditation.

Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. was his greatest mentor. “He was up early, worked hard, had a passion for lost souls and was a powerful preacher”^iv Although Dr. Bob Jones influence was larger than life it was a Baptist co-worker that moved Tom away from his error on baptismal doctrine. Dr. Bob Jones, the circuit riding preacher and the Methodist Church all offered to baptize their converts by the method of their choice. Bible conviction allows no such selection. Much like that Baptists of old that stepped outside their Church to accept believers baptism, Dr. Malone stepped outside the auspicious of Bob Jones University and got baptized by a Baptist preacher and co-worker.^v

Baptist convictions are like an adhesive patch on a fractured beam, they stick better and last longer when applied in layers with a curing period between applications. Dr. Tom Malone had Baptist convictions applied and cured into his life and ministry. No one who becomes someone in God's work avoids the trial of their faith. Those squared away on the fundamentals and Baptist distinctions shine forth as gold. This biography beams gold.

In review it can be seen that God does not raise up great ministries, he raises up great ministers. Dr. Tom Malone was so raised up. Certainly the souls directed to the narrow gate and straight path by Tom Malone are an enviable eternal accomplishment. A thriving Emmanuel Baptist Church in Pontiac Michigan is a testimony of his depth and character through trials. A Bible college that trains Baptist Preachers with the character of the character is without doubt an influence on a nation and even on the world. These accomplishments are immense. But the study of the man and the God that moved him, may yet dwarf these major eternal accomplishments. Read “Tom Malone, The Preacher From Pontiac.”

i Vick, Joyce, Tom Malone, The Preacher From Pontiac, Sword of the Lord Publishers @2003

iii Bible as sole authority; Autonomous independent local churches; Priesthood of all believers; Two ordinances, believers baptism and believers receiving of the Lord's Supper; Individual soul liberty; and Total separation of Church and state authority.

Vick, Joyce, Tom Malone, The Preacher From Pontiac, Sword of the Lord Publishers @2003

Stringer, Phil. The Faithful Baptist Witness. Landmark Baptist Press: Haines City, FL, 1998

iVick, Joyce, Tom Malone, The Preacher From Pontiac, Sword of the Lord Publishers @2003

iiIbid Chapter 3 p26.

iiiBible as sole authority; Autonomous independent local churches; Priesthood of all believers; Two ordinances, believers baptism and believers receiving of the Lord's Supper; Individual soul liberty; and Total separation of Church and state authority.

ivIbid. Chap 4 p37.

vIbid. Chap 4 p40