Striving for Souls by the Power of God: The Life of Amzi Clarence Dixon

Abstract

The dissertation is a summary of the life and ministry of A. C. Dixon. The first chapter is a brief introduction of A. C. Dixon. While Dixon's fundamentalist identity is affirmed, this introduction explains how this dissertation intends to improve upon the current historiography: Dixon was a pastor-evangelist first, and his defense of the faith was in support of this first priority. Chapter 2 is a general overview of the life and church ministry of A. C. Dixon. The chapter explains his ties with persons, institutions and movements of academic interest. This chapter shows how Dixon's life must be understood in the context of church work. Except for a few years, Dixon's adult life was spent at the head of a church, leading Christians to serve God through the spreading of the gospel. Chapter 3 focuses on the pastoral ministry of Dixon. It gives some idea of what Dixon was like as a pastor: his preaching, his ministry focus, and his leadership style. Attention is given to Dixon's promotion of the church through advertisement and newspaper articles. Chapter 4 explores Dixon's extensive evangelism efforts. Though he desired to see conversions through the work of his local church, Dixon worked to organize widespread evangelistic campaigns in the cities in which he lived. Chapter 5 demonstrates Dixon's firm belief in the power of God and the necessity of that power for any ministry. The focus is on prayer and the enduement of the Holy Spirit. Chapter 6 covers a broad section of the rest of Dixon's life. All of his life was lived out in the context of pastoral ministry. This background informs Dixon's public statements and activities. Dixon believed that conversion happens through the power of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of an authoritative word that led to his involvement in The Fundamentals and his public opposition to liberal theology. Chapter 7 concludes the dissertation, relating Dixon's ministry to various fields of academic interest.