Battle of the Minds

Battle of the Minds is a powerful documentary produced by our colleague, Steve Lipscomb, and broadcast on POV/PBS back in 1997. Profiling key leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention during the conservative take over of SBC, PBS writes, Battle of the Minds chronicles Steve's "mother's recent struggle to become a Southern Baptist pastor.."Lipscomb uncovered a whirlwind of change and a rising tide of opposition to women as senior church leaders. Part of a broader, highly-charged ideological debate, leading voices on both sides of the divide to speak out about practical interpretation of Biblical scripture and the contemporary role of women in the ministry." The documentary focuses on the early days of the Southern Baptist Convention's conservative resurgence where women suddenly could no longer be preachers, and emphases was placed on women's need to submit to their husbands. Outraged, Jimmy Carter left the SBC after 70 years of membership. Battle of the Minds profiles key leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, most still leaders in SBC today. In part, our in-progress documentary, Baptizing Feminism, explores Christian feminist activists on the front lines challenging some of the same leaders featured in Battle of the Minds, and the male-headship theologies they believe contribute to the culture of abuse, sexism and abuse cover-ups in SBC churches and related networks. Battle of the Minds, and Steve's support of Baptizing Feminism, inspires us to forge ahead toward crafting a film that tells the stories of outspoken women and men pulling back the curtain on the power of contemporary Christian patriarchy in such church networks and in our country, while exploring the voices of opposition. Baptizing Feminism also investigates how a handful of Bible scripture translations regarding gender roles stand at the heart of this all -- with Christian feminists and egalitarian Christian biblical scholars standing strong in challenging what they believe to be patriarchal interpretations and misinterpretations by modern day evangelical and Christian leaders who say that God ordained men to lead. PBS writes, Steve Lipscomb's Battle of the Minds "uncovered a whirlwind of change and a rising tide of opposition to women as senior church leaders". Battle of the Minds is a much watch film that brings viewers up front and close to the days when the seeds of contemporary patriarchy were planted, and many believe, the oppression of women began full force in the Southern Baptist church. Steve has given us permission to upload his film for. ( Our channel will eventually have behind-the-even clips of Baptizing Feminism, and other relevant videos). To learn more about Baptizing Feminism visit www.baptizingfeminism.com produced in association with The International Documentary Association as fiscal sponsors.