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CURRENTLY IN BOOKS
Biography reveals leader’s enigma

Peter Penner

Not Without Zeal Lessons From Life: The Story of Henry R. Baerg Elfrieda and David Dick. Calgary, Alta.: Elfrieda and David Dick, 2000. 192 pp.

Despite the title, the biographers did more than detail Henry Baerg’s life. They included much about his wife Anne and their six children. She deserves much credit for her unreserved support through 60 years of this somewhat restless man with strong convictions: preacher, evangelist, world tour leader and professor.

Besides demonstrating the “multiple influences” that shaped Baerg’s life, the authors revealed what they call an “enigma” in Baerg. While he asked them to be candid and objective about his life, he could “take intense objection to another’s perception of reality” (192). Nowhere is this shown more clearly than in their candid telling of his presidency of Winkler Bible Institute, 1969-78. The euphoria among all parties involved for his apparent success as president ended in extreme disappointment, not the least for him. Included are the reasons for his dismissal as well as the struggle for reconciliation and continued service within the Conference.

Those of Baerg’s generation will appreciate this attempt to portray what a zealous person will undertake to accomplish while leaving himself open to peer criticism. The present generation of church workers and youth will also want to ponder some of his “lessons from life”.

The story may appear to be well written because it is relatively easy to read. Certain chapters, however, could have benefited from a critical literary review. Moreover, many gratuitous details have been pushed into paragraphs alongside the truly significant. As for the many sidebars and 14 appendices – if their content could not have been worked into the story, should they have been included at all?

Peter Penner lives in Calgary and is professor emeritus of history at Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B.

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Last modified May 17, 2001.

© 2001 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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