Too Great a Temptation: The Seductive Power of America's Super Church

by Joel Gregory

Dr. Gregory goes behind the scenes to reveal the inside story on the inner politics, corruption of character, power struggles and hypocracy that have existed in super churches hiding behind the claims of being houses of God.

332 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

There is more than one author with this name

Dr. Gregory goes behind the scenes to reveal the inside story on the inner politics, corruption of character, power struggles and hypocracy that have existed in super churches hiding behind the claims of being houses of God.

Reviews

[Asher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story. Seems unreal.

[JAD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Painful, fascinating but important reminder of the feet of clay each pastor and local church walk on. I appreciate and respect Gregory’s candidness.

[Becky Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been a member at First Baptist Church since the 1980's and one who experienced the pastorate of Joel Gregory, I appreciated his candor as he shared his experience. This book helped me release some of my own confusion and misperceptions over his actions during his pastorate.

[Andre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Gregory shows the danger of ministerial ambition.

[Johnnie Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joel was my pastor while attending seminary at SWBTS. I learned a lot about preaching and he was a great pastor. Still love him in the Lord.

[Chris Leroux · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bizarre book with no clear appeal for most people but one that I have a personal connection to and thus more than a passing interest. This is a pastoral account of a church I attended growing up in which one of the more scandalous and perplexing times of the church’s history is covered. Seeing the names of family friends in print is a somewhat odd experience, but added a level of entertainment for me.
The author’s stance is always clear, and while he attempts to maintain a balanced position on the trouble he encountered, his personal and more progressive views come into focus in several passages that makes it a little harder to accept his supposed neutral stance. (For a pastor of a renown conservative church, he seems strangely opposed to certain standard concepts including prayer; some individuals receive something resembling criticism for simply expressing a desire to pray more during the crisis.)
Ultimately this book may obtain some level of significance if for no other reason than it shows the inability of man-made religious institutions to accurately reflect the truths and ideals they claim to hold. Religious values are reflected in institutions of faith, but will always fall short of 100% attainment due to man’s constant failings at actually having to love people who hold differing theological or political views.
A majority of people will have no interest in reading this. Anyone with a passing interest in church history or American evangelicalism MAY find it worth the time.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing or having met some of these men, I was unsure how to rate it??

But my interest is the subject of ambition, the SBC, mega-churches & Gregory himself. I served on staff with a Sr pastor who introduced me to Gregory. I personally transferred 200 sermons from cassette to CD for my pastor, LOL! So I heard A LOT of his preaching. He is one of the greatest preaching minds, homiletically AND oratorically I’ve ever heard, especially for his time.

Gregory comes across a bit whiny & victimized. Sometimes in areas that seem petty. Some portions are possibly exaggerated. But Knowing the SBC, I generally believe his account. And reading of the account of the SBC politics then and looking at it today, during the Great Sort of 2020/2021 + COVID hits home.

The last chapter is memorable in particular. It’s a brief homily we’ve found to be true 25 years later.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The last paragraph puts it all in the right perspective. I'm glad he added the last chapter.

[Michael Locklear]

Per Wayne Miracle (12.6.2023)

[Ryan Linkous · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tragic and toxic book. It's important for a number of reasons but its purpose and necessity are heartbreaking. Gregory essentially gives a tell-all exposé of the inner politic of FBC Dallas during his unsuccessful 2-year transition into the role of pastor following SBC legend W. A. Criswell. This book makes me disappointed both with Criswell and Gregory. Ego is the name of the game. There is enough in here to disenfranchise any young Baptist, and so I would only recommend it committed Baptists who are already aware of our traditions and denominations foibles. Even then, one should only read this as a warning for soon many things.

This book also gives a book into the inner-politics of SBC leaders and leadership. I know these exist all over the SBC and in the upper eschalons, but many of decisions were made by a cadre of SBC megapastor friends who had prominent followers outside of their own local churches. In light of today (12/20/16), in which the best, young, winsome public SBC leader, Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission is denounced by many SBC leaders and pastors for his unrelenting opposition to Donald Trump. Their opposition is not surprising, but their threats to cease or cut back giving to the denomination are childish. The same things occurred at FBC Dallas in the late 80's and early 90's and likely continue today there and in many churches.

For more info on Russ Moore:
http://www.npr.org/2016/12/20/5062481...
http://religionnews.com/2016/12/20/ma...

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

My church history professor (Dr. Chute) suggested this book, and I got it on amazon for a whopping 1 penny plus 3.99 shipping. Looks intriguing and quite provocative. Criswell is a superstar to many in circles I have run with (SBC), so it will be interesting to see what Dr. Gregory experienced as a pastor at First Baptist, Dallas.

Edit: Finished the book. A little whiny and defensive, like Dr. Gregory was trying to write an apologetic for his abrupt exodus from First Baptist. If many of the things that he reported are true, then First Baptist really was in a sad state of affairs. Worth reading if you are really bored.

[PJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joel was my home church pastor when I was in high school. (Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth, TX) He performed the wedding for me and my first husband. I had heard "through the grapevine" what happened to him after he left my home church, but I always wondered what really went on. This book gave me the answers from HIS point of view. Of course, there's always more than one point of view, but it was an interesting read. Very sad to think what happens behind the scenes of a mega church.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't help but crane my neck and look at this one, much like a bad car accident. It's the intriguing, ugly, behind-the-scenes look at Gregory's short, tumultuous ministry at First Baptist Dallas. Gregory is definitely talented, intelligent...and bitter. I feel kind of guilty for having enjoyed this one so much.

[Jef · Rating 3 out of 5]

basis (partly) for 'god's man in texas,' which i was directing at the time. an interesting look into the political struggles of a superchurch, but fairly one-sided.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, although I did think that Gregory seemed a little whiny at times. I wish he had focused more on the hypocrisy of the church instead of Criswell refusing to step aside.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read like fiction. Some would probably say it was. Tremendous account of one of the ugly sides of the Bride of Christ.

[Gerry Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incites into the politics of Mega churches and the pitfalls leaders with large egos. Good read for Southern Baptists.