BPREACHING THEee REFORMATION SOn 2017 Candle of Reformation

Called the Candle of Reformation, the image to the right is of a woodcut by John Shirley (1680- 1702), which depicts Protestant reformers sitting around the “lit candle” of the Reformation. The reformers depicted are: John Wycliffe (1320-1384), Heinrich Bullinger (1504-1575), John Bradford (1510-1555), Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556), Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531), Martin Luther (1483-1546), Hugh Latimer (1487- 1555), Martin Bucer (1491-1551), John Calvin (1509-1564), Jan Hus (1372-1415), Theodore Beza (1519- 1605), William Perkins (1558- 1602), Nicholas Ridley (1500-1555) and William Tyndale (1494-1536). Below the candle are the pope, a monk, a Jesuit priest and Satan, who attempt to blow out the candle, symbolizing attempts to suppress the Reformation.

Pitts Theological Library, Emory University.

In This Issue This issue of magazine commemorates the Reformation and an actual sermon he preached on 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. As Reformation Day 2015 (pp. 4-8). Also included are an a school that trains “pastors who can preach,” we are interview with Beeson alum David Riker on English particularly interested in the Reformation’s influence Baptist Reformer Benjamin Keach (pp. 12-13) and an on preaching. The theme for this year’s issue is article by faculty member Doug Webster on how the “Preaching the Reformation,” which features an article Reformational principles apply to pastoral preaching written by Dean Timothy George on the history of (pp. 14-17). This issue is made possible in part by Reformation preaching (pp. 2-3) and an article written the generosity of the Lilly Grant and the Initiative to by faculty member Piotr Małysz on how to preach the Strengthen the Quality of Preaching.

2 Dean Editorial Assistants Designer Photography Timothy George Hunter Sandlin Scott Camp Caroline Summers Hunter Upton Editor Creative Services Kristen Padilla Katie Stewart

12 30

2 4 10

14 26 20

2 Reformation Preaching 20 Timothy Keller

4 Living in God's Faithfulness 22 The Institute of Anglican Studies

10 Women of the Reformation 26 Beeson Happenings

12 Interview with David Riker 28 Beeson Portrait: Yannick Christos-Wahab

14 The Preaching Challenge 29 Alumni News

18 "Preach the Word" 30 Alumni Spotlight: Carolyn McKinstry

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© 2017 Beeson Divinity School, Samford University Produced by Samford Marketing and Communication 1 Reformation

Preachingby Timothy George

At the heart of the Christian faith in the early church, Bernard of Clairvaux, stands a Savior who was a preacher. “And John Hus, and the many mendicant friars Jesus came preaching” (Mark 1:14). Jesus once who fanned out across Europe in the Middle declared that the very purpose of his mission Ages. St. Francis preached the gospel to a on earth was to preach: “'I must proclaim the Muslim sultan, and Savonarola declared God’s Good News of the kingdom of God to the judgment on the sinful leaders of Florence. The other towns also, because that is why I was sent,' Protestant reformers knew this tradition and and he kept on preaching …” (Luke 4:43-44a). built upon it, but they also transformed it in Preaching is also at the heart of Reformation two important respects. faith—preaching as an indispensable means First, they made the sermon the of grace and a sure sign of the true church. centerpiece of the regular worship of the Where is the church? According to Article church. Prior to the Reformation, the sermon VII of the Augsburg Confession (1530), the was mostly an ad hoc event reserved for church is that place where the Word is special occasions or seasons of the liturgical purely preached and the sacraments cycle, especially Christmas and Eastertide. are duly administered. The Second Most sermons were preached in town squares Helvetic Confession (1566) went or open fields. The reformers brought the even further when it declared that sermon back inside the church and gave it “the preaching of the Word of an honored place in the public worship of God is the Word of God.” the gathered community. The central role of Of course, preaching— preaching in Protestant worship can be seen unlike the printing press— in the way the pulpit was raised to a higher was not a new invention elevation as families gathered around with of the Reformation era. their children to hear the Word proclaimed. Think of St. Augustine Second, the reformers introduced a new and St. Chrysostom theology of preaching. They were concerned 2 Left: A painting depicting the Protestant Church in Lyon, France, called The Paradise. The image shows the centrality of the pulpit and preaching and the welcoming of the entire community, even pets, into the worship service. Art Resource, NY. Right: John Calvin's pulpit in St. Pierre Cathedral, Geneva, Switzerland. Bottom left: Woodcut of Reformer Huldrych Zwingli. Pitts Theology Library, Emory University that the Bible did not take deep root in the lives of the people. The Word of God was meant to be not only read, studied, translated, memorized and meditated on. It was also to be embodied in the life and worship of the church. This embodiment of the Bible was most clearly expressed in the ministry of preaching. Luther believed that a call to the preaching office was a sacred trust and should not be used for selfish purposes. “Christ did not establish the marked by sequential, text-driven preaching. sermon is “not legalistic but redemptive, ministry of proclamation to provide us with In the course of his ministry at Geneva, Calvin not only directed to individual souls but the money, property, popularity, honor, or delivered more than 4,000 such sermons, and especially to the corporate existence of the friendship,” he said. many have survived for us to study. congregation, not elevating but mobilizing, Preaching was no less important in the In an important essay from 1961, Heiko not a refuge but a starting point and, finally, Reformed tradition. When one visits the A. Oberman set forth the distinctive marks not holy and vertical, but secular and Great Minster Church in Zurich today, the of Reformation preaching in terms of three horizontal: time, space, and dust.” following inscription can be read over the interrelated aspects. First, the sermon is an Finally, the event of preaching in portal: “The Reformation of Huldrych Zwingli apocalyptic event, not quite in the sense of Reformation theology is similar in one began here on January 1, 1519.” That date, Savonarola’s preaching of impending doom respect to the role of the Eucharist in no less than October 31, 1517, can be given to the people of Florence, but in the sense medieval Catholic theology. It has an utterly as an answer to the question, “When did the that the sermon unveils and makes present objective character that transcends the weak Reformation begin?” the last judgment here and now. Without and sinful status of the preacher. Whenever For on that first day of January, which demythologizing the coming of Christ in the God’s Word is proclaimed, the Lord truly happened to be Zwingli’s birthday, the future, gospel preaching existentializes the speaks and is truly present in judgment new pastor began his pulpit ministry by final will of God for every hearer by calling and in grace. There is, to say it boldly, an announcing his intention to dispense with the for a decisive response here and now. “In the ex opere operato presence of God’s Word in prescribed texts of the traditional lectionary. sermon, Christ and the Devil are revealed, the preached Word. For this reason, God He would follow a new paradigm: preaching Creator and creature, love and wrath, essence has chosen what St. Paul called “the folly of expositional sermons, chapter by chapter, and existence, ‘Yes’ and ‘No.’” preaching” to bring sinful men and women starting with the Gospel of Matthew. After Second, the sermon is not meant to be an to new life in Jesus Christ, to nourish the completing Matthew, Zwingli resumed the isolated speaking part in an otherwise sterile flock of God and to sustain the pilgrim same lectio continua method by taking up Acts, liturgy. The sermon is a vital and integral church on its way to the heavenly city. D then the letters to Timothy, Galatians, 1 and part of corporate worship. Praying, singing, 2 Peter, Hebrews, the Gospel of John, and the confession of sins, declaration of forgiveness, Adapted from Timothy George, Reading other Pauline letters. He then turned to the baptisms, weddings, the congregation Scripture with the Reformers (InterVarsity Old Testament, beginning with the Psalms, gathered around the Lord’s Table to receive Press, 2011). then the Pentateuch and the historical books. in faith the body and blood of Jesus Christ ______Thomas Platter, a young student in Zurich in “in with and under” (Luther) and “exhibited the 1520s, tells of hearing a sermon by Zwingli by” (Calvin) the earthly elements of bread that was “expounded so powerfully that I felt and wine—all of these activities presuppose, Timothy George is dean of Beeson Divinity School and general editor as if someone was pulling me up by my hair.” and are supported by, the lively preaching of of the Reformation Commentary From the pulpit of St. Pierre in Geneva, the Word of God. Woven into the texture of on Scripture. Calvin followed the preaching pattern the complete worship event by the dynamic established by Zwingli. His pulpit work was operation of the Holy Spirit, the Reformation 3 Living in God's Faithfulness

Preaching By Piotr J. Małysz the Reformation Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, published in 1517, were a protest against the sale of indulgence letters. Luther draws attention to the damage that indulgences cause to piety and the Christian life. The faithful, concerned about their standing with God, are goaded to purchase indulgences at the expense, for example, of providing for their families. But Luther’s Theses are more than polemical.

Luther above all highlights what he Eucharistic eating, which conveys Christ’s absolution which roots one—one’s entire considers to be the true treasure death until he comes again (1 Corinthians identity—in Christ. of the church, the gospel of Jesus 11:26). Above all, the telling takes place The gospel, when trusted, when Christ (Thesis 62). It is to the gospel that through the spoken word. What Luther, embraced in faith, sets aside one’s sin and anxious believers must be directed. In the followed by other 16th-century reformers, relieves one of self-absorption. It relieves merits of Christ—as Luther will repeatedly underscores is that the word not only one of being the sum total of what one emphasize throughout his career—they narrates the events of salvation in some has done, and it relieves one of still having will find not only the much desired peace of general God-is-in-control way. Importantly, to make something of oneself. The gospel conscience but also the freedom to be and and more than that, the word explicitly brings Christ to us with all his benefits. And act toward their neighbor the way Christ brings out Christ’s ministry’s personal— that is infinitely more than we could ever has been and acted toward them. When the “for you”—dimension. It addresses the make of ourselves. gospel is allowed to shine, the Christian life, hearer. For Luther, as well as for John Calvin, too, will flourish. To proclaim the gospel, therefore, is proclamation of the gospel must be preceded To proclaim the gospel, Luther insists, is to bestow Christ with all his work on the by proclamation of the law. The law can take the church’s privilege and non-negotiable believer. It is to invite the person to believe many forms, from God’s commands, through task. Without the gospel at its center, that “Christ himself, with his deeds and natural law written on the heart, to the more the church loses its identity. How is the suffering, belongs to you,” in a manner that existential law that each person is to him- or gospel proclaimed? In no other way than is utterly dependable, “as if you had done herself. The point of preaching the law is to by telling Christ’s story, whether briefly or it yourself; indeed as if you were Christ awaken the conscience, to undercut false more elaborately, yet always in a manner himself,” Luther writes.1 confidence in oneself or one’s idols and to that invariably zeros in on his passion The gospel, in other words, conveys bring the person—even Christians, sinners and resurrection victory over death. This Christ as a gift to be grasped. One grasps that they still are—face to face with their telling may happen through the gestures this gift in no other way than by taking God own fundamental insufficiency and inability of sacramental action: the baptismal at his word, that is, by believing that he has to rely on God. burying of the person into Christ’s death indeed done it all and done it for you and Only a despairing person, a person and resurrection (Romans 6:4) and the for me. Preaching is thus basically a word of willing to clutch at straws, a person ready

4 to be renewed in the very core of his or her being is ready to take shelter in the cross of Christ and find hope in his resurrection. For the gospel does not merely supply what one lacks; it makes one into a new creation! To let go of one’s old self and to grasp one’s self as Christ’s workmanship is what faith in the gospel ultimately is. It is for the sake of this faith that all proclamation takes place. Here one may ask: If the gospel is this singular story, how does it relate to the rest of Scripture? Can one preach the gospel from all of Scripture? The Reformation’s answer was a resounding yes. To be sure, Reformation preaching—for all its attentiveness to the biblical text, or rather because of it—strove never to lose sight of the singularity of the gospel story as well as the need to preach the Law. But it did this with the confidence that Jesus Christ is the meaning of all Scripture. He constitutes the culmination of God’s history with his creation. Christ shows the gospel to be truly a many-splendored thing, in that it embraces Israel in its continued striving with God and reaches out to all humanity in its alienation from God. The Law is thus never clichéd for the entire arc of Scripture testifies to the many facets of human faithlessness and waywardness. Even more so, the gospel is never boring, for in it the Triune God outpaces and sets aside, outshines and transfigures the worst of human waywardness. What does all this mean for us as heirs of the Reformation? Given the Reformation’s central focus on the gospel, it would be a mistake to celebrate the Reformation in any other way than by proclaiming the gospel. We remember the Reformation because of its witness. We do not remember it as a thing unto itself. To do that would be to turn the Reformation and its witness into a law that could only tell us how we do not measure up to our forefathers' faith. So perceived, the Reformation would then condemn our lukewarmness, our insipid testimony, our failure to speak up and so on. But the lesson is different. To celebrate the Reformation, indeed to preach the Reformation, is to remain faithful to its focus, to look where it looked and to be refreshed time and again by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this gospel we also, like the reformers, find forgiveness and peace of conscience; and by its power we also, like the reformers, can be the face of Christ to the world. Why? Not because of the Reformation, but because God is faithful. And he invites even us to take him Martin Luther (1483-1546) at his word.

5 A Sermon for after the cucumbers that the Israelites for the unfaithful people. Too late for the ate in Egyptian slavery: “We remember adulterous spouse. For what is there to Reformation Day the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also be done other than merely putting on an Matthew 11:12-19 the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions appearance of faithfulness, make-up over and garlic” (Numbers 11:5). “We want decay, a façade to hide a wayward heart? What do we hope for? A new car? A less the juicy cucumbers, cucumbers now, Too late! taxing job? A better paying job? A job?! not a land flowing with milk and honey But it is not too late for God! Enter Appreciation from bosses? Health? A long ahead!” (Can you believe it?! I’m afraid, I John the Baptist. John’s voice is that of a life? Loving children? – To be human is to can. Disgruntlement runs deep in human prophet rather than a motivational speaker. hope. More than that, to be human is to psyche.) He doesn’t say, as do the Pharisees, “Pull allow yourself to dream. But who will help Israel’s story is a tale of wanting to be yourself together. Pull yourself together my hopes to come true? Who is the hope not God’s unique people, but just like the because there’s nothing else you can do. for all my hopes? The next president? The surrounding nations (1 Samuel 8:4-8): a It’s too late for anything else.” John is lottery? Who will underwrite and save my story of chasing after foreign gods and ways, no motivator. He is the expected Elijah, hopes for me? more glittering gods and more attractive a prophet of these last days. Instead of The people of Israel had their hopes, ways. Israel’s is a story of not hoping in God, motivating, John announces, in a loud too. They hoped for freedom, freedom from but of hoping in yourself, your own idea of a and clear voice, “Repent for the kingdom of occupation by a foreign power; they hoped better life – at the expense of the community heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). John for a land flowing with milk and honey; like and of the neighbor. “They sell the innocent points to God’s blessing, God’s faithfulness, us, they hoped for health, loving spouses, for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. God’s righteousness. devoted children; they hoped for justice They trample on the heads of the poor as on God has not abandoned his unfaithful and mercy in public life. God was to be the the dust of the ground and deny justice to people, his adulterous spouse. God will savior of their hopes. God was their God, the oppressed” (Amos 2:6-7). yet be the salvation of Israel’s hopes. God and they were his children, “the sheep of his And so, in a series of God’s acts, Israel’s will yet again disregard the people’s lack pasture and the people of his hand.” story is also one of judgment. It is a story of trust, the dirt they sweep under the The history of Israel is a history of of the loss of the kingdom, a story of the carpet like nothing has happened. He will blessing…and of unfaithfulness. It has its loss of the temple, of exile, of foreign disregard their pretense, their disfigured roots in a promise God made to Abraham occupation. It’s a story of self-made fasting faces, their self-righteous piety, and that his descendants would be as numerous glory turned all too quickly into a self- their belated observances (Matthew 6:1- as the stars of the sky. It begins – as a inflicted tragedy. A story of divine blessing 18). And he will renew them, renew them history of the Israelite people – when God exchanged for delusions of grandeur, of yet again. But now he will renew them in liberates the Hebrews from Pharaoh’s God’s gift rejected because “we know better, the depth of their hearts – by wiping their slavery. There is a parted sea, and the spoils thank you very much.” slate clean. “Repent! And for God’s sake of Egypt, and a mountain full of smoke Enter the Pharisees. They appear late stop all that foolishness!” says John. “For and fire, brimming with God’s majesty in the story, but they think they have the the Christ – the Christ! – is coming!” and God’s zeal for his own. There is God’s answers. “If only we can keep the covenant, The response is amazing and wild. It presence in a pillar of fire by night and a if we can be observant even more than what is Jesus who comments on this response pillar of cloud by day, and God’s provision God originally required of us – we could in our Gospel lesson. He makes his of quail and manna during their desert still be what God originally wanted us to comment in yet another confrontation sojourn. And there is a beautiful land ahead, be.” What the Pharisees advocate amounts with the Pharisees; Jesus the Son of beyond the Jordan. God blesses his people; to trying to get spilled milk back into the God in confrontation with the would-be he blesses them beyond all measure! God’s bottle. “Let’s grit our teeth and be what spokesmen for God. “From the days of blessing guarantees that their hopes for a we should have been in the first place. John the Baptist until now the kingdom better and abundant life will come true. Let’s do our best to preserve our identity of heaven has suffered violence, and the But Israel doubts God. The people amidst hostility and tragedy. Let’s make violent take it by force.” Look! There is doubt whether God can really be taken every effort to not be overcome by the thirst for righteousness. Not the paste-over, at his word and provide like he said he forces of disintegration around us. Let’s dot paint-over and gloss-over righteousness of would. From Israel’s side, the story is our i’s and cross our t’s. Let’s redouble our the Pharisees, but for God’s righteousness, one of unfaithfulness, repeated betrayal efforts, observe all observances, purify our for God’s Spirit hovering over dry bones, and adultery (Hosea 1:2; Jeremiah 3:8). purity, identify our identity and sanctify for living water, for nothing short of a It is a story of complaining, hankering our sanctity!” Too late, too late! Too late miracle. There is thirst not for a new coat of

6 Lutheran worship depicted on an altarpiece of the Church of Torslunde, Denmark, 16th century. whitewash to beautify a tomb but thirst for curiosity than out of repentance, it seems.) underestimate God. For with God, you may a resurrection! Like all the prophets before “It is Jesus who is sabotaging our mission! – and you should – dream big again. him, John understands the people’s need, He cares not about purity, identity and God is love. His is a zealous love. He is even when they are foolish and misguided, pious effort. He is a drunkard, a friend of love with his whole being. Love that even misled by their leaders and self-absorbed. tax collectors and sinners! Look at us! Given out of lifeless stones can raise children for When all hearts are open, all desires known, enough time, we can be the force of renewal Abraham (Matthew 3:9). And herein lies and no secrets are hidden – when we are from within, a true spiritual reformation hope, even for the Pharisee. “Repent for the honest with ourselves – then in all honesty and rebirth of Israel.” The Pharisees are kingdom of heaven has come near!” Herein God, and God alone, can be our hope. The touched to the raw. And how far they lies hope even for us who so often grit our salvation of all our hopes. He who has ears are ready to go to justify and defend teeth and try harder and completely forget to hear, let him hear. themselves, only the Cross will tell. about God’s faithfulness. Hope even for us The Pharisees are offended. “But we But God will have none of it. In his who so often believe we are the only hope offered such a great program of national faithfulness to his wayward people, God for all our hopes, that without us things will and self-improvement! We made the bones will have none of it, none of the posturing not come out right, that we must be gods look so lively. The tomb so dazzling. The and whitewashed grandeur. John’s call to and guardians and saviors of our world. purity so pure. The identity so identifiable. repentance – to faithful remembrance of It is a sobering thought to recall that We played the flute. It’s the people’s fault God’s promise – was intended to underscore Jesus Christ died at the hands of those they didn’t dance. We did sing a dirge, that. “The kingdom of God is on its way. who called themselves the saviors of the but nobody mourned. Can we be blamed? He,” John then said of Jesus, “will baptize people. “It is better for one man to die than We did everything right. Is it our fault you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His an entire nation perish,” they reasoned that it all fell on deaf ears?! Surely not.” winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will (John 18:14). And they crucified the Lord The Pharisees go even further: “John the clear his threshing floor and will gather his of glory (1 Corinthians 2:8). Yet wisdom Baptist is undermining our program! He wheat into the granary; but the chaff he is justified by her deeds. In spite of their has a demon!” (Some of them, though, did will burn with unquenchable fire” (Matthew crime, God the Father raised his Son from actually go and get baptized. More out of 3:11-12). Don’t ignore God and don’t the dead! God defied our pragmatism, our

7 self-righteousness, our petty calculating Instead, God’s righteousness is what God dreams – beyond hope as we think of it and realism. He says, “Behold, I am faithful to shares with us by renewing us, accepting us as it often seems best to us. But it is no less you. And I will make all things new.” And and making us his own people. God shares true. Trust him! And may the peace of God, he calls us not to belated effort, feats of his righteousness and overwhelms our which passes all understanding, keep your piety and displays of righteousness. No. sin – again and again. It is we who often hearts and minds in Christ Jesus unto life God invites us to take him at his word; he blind ourselves to this many-splendored everlasting. Amen. D invites us to dream big and to bring our gift. God’s righteousness becomes ours hopes before him in prayer. The faith that by faith. It becomes ours when we take This sermon was given at St. Paul Lutheran lets God work for us and for our salvation is God’s faithfulness, his promises, his zeal, Church in Birmingham, Alabama, where Piotr what makes us truly righteous. It makes us his works for us seriously, when we take Małysz is a pastor, on Reformation Sunday righteous even when it seems too late. his love seriously. And when we take God 2015. Today we celebrate the Reformation. seriously, we are righteous in his eyes ______Martin Luther was born into a culture that for we have done the righteous thing: we Piotr Małysz, assistant professor had also lost sight of God’s overabundant have taken him at his word that “he who of history and doctrine at Beeson faithfulness. Christians were encouraged, watches over his people will neither sleep Divinity School, is an ordained Lutheran pastor, author of Trinity, instead, to do their best, to try harder and nor slumber” (Psalms 121:4). A person who Freedom and Love, and editor of to hope for God’s grace. To see that this through such faith is righteous shall live and author of Luther Refracted: was a rather tall order, we need look no (Romans 1:16-17) – not as a whitewashed The Reformer's Ecumenical Legacy. further than the popularity of indulgences. tomb but as a child of the heavenly Father. What Luther came to realize was that God’s This may be beyond even our wildest righteousness is not beyond our reach, a Below: Woodcut of Martin Luther standard that we need to measure up to, or preaching the gospel with the cross in one are left to realize in our lives. hand and the Bible in the other hand. Pitts Theology Library, Emory University 1 Martin Luther, “A Brief Instruction on What to Look for and Expect in the Gospels,” Luther’s Works 35:119.

8 THE REFORMATION AS A SENSORY EVENT 29TH ANNUAL REFORMATION HERITAGE LECTURES

Featuring Timothy George Founding Dean of Beeson Divinity School 11 a.m., Hodges Chapel Oct. 31—Nov. 2 Join us each Tuesday this fall semester as we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

beesondivinity.com The Reformation of the sixteenth century was a movement of tremendous spiritual and ecclesial renewal, and it touched and changed the lives of men and women alike. While the closing of convents deprived many women of the option to pursue a religious life within the cloister, the Protestant rejection of clerical celibacy and the new championing of marriage and family life opened avenues of service hitherto unavailable for women. Katarina von Bora, a former nun, married pastor Martin Luther and together they established the first Protestant manse. The translation of the Bible into the vernacular meant that the Bible could be read and studied by any literate person—the milkmaid at her pail as well as the farm boy at his plow, as Erasmus put it. The Reformation established schools for girls as well as boys, and both were taught to pray, sing and worship. Both girls and boys were catechized

WOMENthe Reformation of by Timothy George and both were welcomed to the communion table. Some women took a much more active role in the development of the Reformation. They wrote hymns, offered prayers, memorized the Bible and defended the faith. Some of them became martyrs, including one-fifth of those put to death under Mary Tudor in England. Calvin wrote many letters to French noblewomen who played a major role in the spread of the Reformed faith in France and elsewhere. In the midst of a traditional society, and against great odds, the Reformation’s gospel message touched the lives of many women who in turn contributed to the renewal of the church and transformed the spirituality of the rising generation.

10 Melanchthon. Her letter met such swift occupied with the Bible, to which all of Argula Von acclaim that within two months it was [Luther’s] work is directed anyway—to reprinted 14 times. Argula would continue bring us to read it.” Grumbach writing letters, including poetry, but this letter of protest was by far her most popular. Argula was born into Bavarian nobility around 1492. At the age of 10, she received “I’ll say again, what I’ve said before the Koberger Bible printed in German from “I beseech you for the sake of God, They (Luther and Melanchthon) plainly her father, but she didn’t read it because and exhort you by God’s judgement and write God’s word, no more. clerics said she “would be led astray.” righteousness, to tell me in writing which Why then abuse such Christian men Eventually, Argula began reading the writings of the articles written by Martin or Who’ve never done you any harm. of Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon and made many contacts with reformers, even Melanchthon you consider heretical. In Through God’s word I’ve been reborn meeting Luther in 1530. She’s most famously German not a single one seems heretical However your angry heart may scorn. known for her open letter to the rector and to me. And the fact is that a great deal Through them—and others—you general council of the University of Ingolstadt has been published in German, and I’ve defame. Their teachings dear to me decrying the university’s coercion of a young student to both recant his evangelical faith read it all. … Although of late I have remain!” and condemn the teachings of Luther and not been reading any, for I have been

“My Lord laid unto my charge that I the question. … Anne Askew should say that the Mass was idolatry. I Then my Lord went away, and said Anne was an English noblewoman. She answered him. No, I said not so. Howbeit he would entitle somewhat of my was first arrested, in 1545, for her religious views, particularly for denying the doctrine (I said) the [previous] questioner did ask meaning. … Then he read it to me, and of transubstantiation, which Henry VIII’s me, whether private Masses did relive asked me, if I did agree to it. And I said Six Articles made mandatory. During her souls departed [from purgatory], or not? again, I believe so much thereof, as the second arrest, she was so severely crippled Unto whom I then answered, O Lord, holy Scripture does agree to. Wherefore by torture that she had to be carried around what idolatry is this? That we should I desire you, that you will add that in a chair. She was burned at the stake in 1546. The record of her examination shows rather believe in private Masses, than thereunto. Then he answered, that I both her biblical literacy and her refusal to in the healthsome death of the dear Son should not teach him what he should be intimidated by the authorities. It also of God. Then said my Lord again. What write.” demonstrates the refusal of the authorities an answer was that? Though it were but to treat her as an equal conversation partner. mean (said I) yet was it good enough for

the bishop William von Honstein, who was not in myself. I glory that God the Katharina responsible for the excommunications. Father gave me the gift of faith in His She was affectionately known by many as Son (which is not given to everyone), Shutz Zell the Church Mother of Strasbourg, a fitting title as her letters reveal unbridled care for solely out of His gracious love, without Around 1521 to 1522, Katharina converted the women and children of her community. to the Evangelical faith after reading Martin any ability or merit on my part [see As a lay theologian, Katharina’s writings Luther’s works and listening to Protestant Ephesians 2:4-8, 19]. combined pastoral care and ecclesial sermons. A pious yet daring woman, “I am not usurping the office of concerns to form a Reformation vision Katharina was embroiled in controversy consistent with her convictions about the preacher or apostle, I am like the dear after marrying a priest, Matthew Zell: one gospel. Unhindered by gender roles of Mary Magdalene, who with no thought of several priests excommunicated from her time, the authority of Scripture led the church for taking a wife. Shortly after of being an apostle, came to tell the Katharina to fill a unique, prophetic role as reformer Martin Bucer officiated their disciples that she had encountered the a leader of the Reformation. wedding in 1523, Katharina wrote a public, risen Lord.” biblical defense of all clerical marriages to “That is my glory…in God and Christ,

11 Inter with David Riker by Kristen Padilla David Riker (M.Div. 1997) is pastor of First Baptist Church in Pará, Brazil. A graduate of Beeson Divinity School, Riker formerly served as the president of Equatorial Baptist Theological School in Belém do Pará, Brazil. Riker wrote his doctoral dissertation on Baptist Reformer Benjamin Keach and published it in 2010 with Wipf and Stock. It’s called, A Catholic Reformed Theologian: Federalism and Baptism in the Thought of Benjamin Keach, 1640-1704.

12 K You wrote your dissertation on a K What does Keach have to teach us guitar while we all sang a few choruses and Baptist theologian from the Reformation about preaching today? one of us shared a word. The environment, period in England, Benjamin Keach. Who an open-air large plaza right in the middle of the prison, was often indifferent and was Benjamin Keach and how did he DR Benjamin Keach was a typical Puritan embody the pastor-theologian role? in his style of Bible teaching. He preached sometimes hostile. Around the same time, using the lectio continua method, i.e, the I also began to preach for several small congregations without pastors in and DR It is lamentable that Benjamin sequential, verse by verse, exposition of outside the city where I lived in northern Keach (1640-1704), a first-generation Holy Scripture. If the verse or the “preaching Brazil. The more I preached, the less joy I shaper of the Baptist tradition, is largely unit” (several verses containing a complete had at my secular work. (I was a manager of unknown to Protestants and to Baptists thought) was loaded with meaning, it could the tire department at a large dealership.) in particular! As the most preeminent take several Sundays to explain the whole Eventually, I decided to leave my job and voice of the Baptist tradition in the 1600s, meaning of the text. This style of preaching went to Beeson Divinity School. Keach was the most important defender brings to mind Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. of the early Baptist tradition. By 1660, Based on his extensive and thorough K What advice would you give pastors Keach was a leader in a General Baptist preaching of God’s word, Paul could say to about how to continue in the great tradition congregation, and by 1664, he wrote The the Ephesians, “Therefore I testify to you of the Reformation, especially in regard to Child’s Instructor in which he argued that this day that I am innocent of the blood of preaching? baptism should not be applied to children, all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you that laymen could preach the gospel, and the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:26–27, DR I would encourage young ministers to that at the second coming Christ would English Standard Version). Like Keach and use lectio continua in their ministries. The return to reign on earth. Soon after, Paul, I cannot think of a better manner to method is not original to the Reformers, Keach was sent to jail and his book was teach Christian doctrine today or at any time but it became one of the marks of the burned. Once out of prison, he rewrote and age. Reformation. It is worth repeating: I do not The Child’s Instructor from memory, a book know a better way to preach, a better way to so successful that it had run through 30 K When did you first feel called to teach Christian doctrine, than through the editions by the second half of the 18th preach? systematic exposition of the Bible. D century. With the curtail of intolerance, this pastor-theologian began to publish DR I was in my late twenties when I had Interview has been edited for length. profusely, penning almost 40 works from my first experience with preaching. The 1689 to 1702. Keach also had a pivotal role ‘youth group & young adults’ of my church held services at the local jail on Sunday 1 Hugh T. McElrath, Turning Points in the in establishing the great tradition of hymn Story of Baptist Church Music, 4. singing among evangelical Christians. afternoons. Usually, someone played the He wrote about five hundred hymns and fought for the establishment of this practice during the rise of an opposing Reformed praxis that rejected set forms of singing. On account of his efforts, the great General Assembly of 1689 of the Particular Baptists approved the singing of hymns, leaving each congregation free to practice or abstain. On the whole, Puritanism owes to Keach’s pioneering work, the “privilege of holding a hymnal in hand and singing forth praises and prayers” corporately.1

Left: David Riker pictured in England. Right: Called The Unjust Sentence, this woodcut depicts Benjamin Keach placed in the stocks after writing The Child's Instructor, a catechism for children.

13 The Preaching Applying reformational Challengeby Doug Webster principles to today's pulpit

seminary, open your Greek New Testament notions and our easy familiarity with the text. Passion for the Truth and study the text along with your English We have a wealth of resources from which to When Agatha Christie’s fictional detective version. Embrace your mother tongue. choose. A careful study of these commentaries Hercule Poirot, played by David Suchet, was Meditate on the biblical text. Mull it over in will answer basic questions, stimulate fresh asked if he was an artist, he said, “No, no, my your mind. Memorize it. If you know another insights and lead us deeper into the text. friend. I’m not an artist. I have known crimes language, like Spanish or Chinese or Russian, Instead of using commentaries the way we that were artistic, supreme exercises of the read it in your second language. Pray out the use a dictionary or an encyclopedia, it would imagination. But the solving of them, no, not meaning of the text. Read it for information. be beneficial to read commentaries cover-to- the artist, the creative power is not what is Read it for formation. Note the textual weave cover. Pastor Eugene Peterson reminds us that needed. What is required is a passion for the of exposition and exhortation. “exegesis is not in the first place a specialist truth.”1 It is this passion for the truth that Country singer Johnny Cash reportedly activity of scholars.” Yes, we need the help of compels preachers to delve into the biblical text. said, “I read the Bible to understand the scholars, but exegesis is mainly about paying Imagine yourself in a first century commentaries.” That’s good advice. But if attention, “simply noticing and responding household of faith praying the psalms, you are inclined to write commentaries off adequately (which is not simple!) to the studying the prophets, meditating on the as dull and boring, it might be wise for us to demand that words make on us.”2 gospel narratives and hearing the epistles for reconsider. Commentaries help us poke around There is an unnecessary mystique that the first time. If you have studied Greek in in the text. They challenge our preconceived surrounds the Bible that keeps even earnest

14 The preaching challenge hit

home to Aaron Ashlock (M.Div. 2011) as he was biking home from preaching class one day.

“The popular methods used in most pulpits today are doable,” he wrote to me in an email. “I could totally work myself into that game. But true text- based, Spirit-inspired, Christ-centered, stay-in-the-story preaching isn’t that easy. It’s demanding.” He went on to describe just how demanding he thought it was, concluding, “This will require all of me—body, mind and soul.” In that critical moment, Aaron realized what all good preachers must realize, that preaching requires something far more than the ability to communicate. Preaching is an act of worship. We place ourselves under Jesus’ easy yoke and submit to the God-breathed biblical text. In the Spirit we cultivate a passion for the truth and a love for God’s Word that is all-consuming. We want our personal lives and every part of our public Challenge ministry grounded in the whole counsel of God. We seek to discover the tension in the text and exegete our culture in light of the text. We aim to edify and evangelize. We confront our culture’s idols and preach the good news of Jesus Christ.

believers from grasping its meaning. We make and impenetrable mysticism.”3 Bryan Chapell the text out to be unwieldy and complicated. counters this common fallacy by insisting that Tension in the Text We have parsed, translated, exegeted, “the best preachers guide in such a way that Exegetical clarity is essential if we hope researched, debated and interpreted the text to their listeners discover that the labyrinth is a to discover the tension in the text. Text is the point of abstraction. Paradoxically, we have myth. There are no dark passageways through an old Latin word with roots in the textile reduced the drama of the text to three points twisted mazes of logic to biblical truth that industry. It comes from the root word and anecdotal illustrations. Good preachers require the expertise of the spiritually elite. tex-ere, to weave. Texture literally means know that the Bible is not a moralistic story- There is only a well-worn path that anyone the process or art of weaving. The idea of book or a guide for self-help or a resource for can follow if a preacher sheds some ordinary weaving a garment and weaving a sermon motivational speakers. Too many church-goers light along the way.”4 Explanation and are linked linguistically. There is a connection see the Bible as a huge undifferentiated mass of understanding are not as elusive as they are between weaving strands of yarn together ancient material designed to inspire devotional made out to be. Through the careful work of and weaving a message out of verbs, nouns, daily thoughts, or they see it as The Good Book meditating on the text, asking basic questions prepositions and adjectives. The exegete is with secrets for success and stories of courage. and hearing the text, we can grasp the biblical on a quest for the truth. We are committed "For most people in our culture, the message. “Excellent preaching makes people to discovering what the text actually means. Bible is an opaque book whose truths are confident that biblical truth lies within their New Testament scholar Bruce Metzger hidden in an endless maze of difficult words, reach, not beyond their grasp.”5 used to say to his seminarians, “The text unfamiliar history, unpronounceable names, doesn’t mean what it says; it means what

15 it means.”6 Like words in a love letter, the hard work. Someone needs to pay attention preaching to manual labor, admonishing depth of meaning is not always obvious on prayerfully and thoughtfully to God’s and teaching everyone with all wisdom the surface. Biblical scholar Adele Berlin is overarching salvation history, the original meant hard work (Colossians 1:28-29). He right, “We don’t know what a text means intention of the passage, the context of compared it to exhausting physical work, until we know how it means.”7 the text and the people to whom one is commonly associated with farming and The meaning of the text is tied to the preaching. construction. Good preachers always make tension in the text. Every biblical passage preaching look easier than it actually is. deals with the clash between the mystery of What is hidden is all the hard work and God and the mess of the human condition. Hidden Work prayer. The listener benefits from the fruit The tension lies between humanity’s fallen Before we feel at home in the biblical of the skilled preacher’s labor without being condition and God’s work of redemption. text, a fair amount of reading, prayer, study constantly reminded of the effort behind To the degree that we identify with Jesus, and reflection is required. the finished message. his person and his work, we live in that Coming to terms with a biblical text is Much of the preacher’s work is unseen tension. Sermons miss the mark when a long, slow process that requires patience by the congregation, and that’s how it they shrink the text down to a self-help and perseverance. We also want to pay should be. Our sermon is not meant to life principle and edit out the tension. attention to what the biblical text is impress people with our hard work, but Conventional sermons may tell a clever saying to our culture. Simply explaining rather with how wonderful the gospel is. opening story, plow through a text, make what the Bible says does not proclaim My father was a mathematician, but his a few points and draw a conclusion, but in the impact of God’s Word for Christians avocation was wood-working. His tools and the process miss the passion of the passage. today. We must find ways to bridge the workbench were in the basement of our Good exegesis discovers the tension in the Word of God and contemporary culture. home. When he was running his power saw text, and good preaching brings out the Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “All the or turning wood on a lathe, he produced a passion of the passage. parts of preaching can be taught: exegesis, lot of sawdust, but he made sure that the Poor preaching can be used mightily by language, metaphor, development, delivery. sawdust never made it upstairs. Only his the Spirit of Christ to preach the gospel What is hard to teach is how to put them finely finished hutch or hand-crafted desk and make disciples. It happens every all together, so that what is true is also made it upstairs. Good preachers make Sunday, but that’s no excuse for poor beautiful, and evocative, and alive.”10 a point of not tracking their exegetical preaching. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was right, The depth and beauty of the biblical text sawdust into the sanctuary. Their hard work “There is something radically wrong with can be likened to a well-made instrument. remains hidden and their finished work dull and boring preachers.”8 We can be In the hands of a skilled violinist, a light- speaks for itself. thankful however that, “God in his ordinary weight, fragile piece of finely crafted providence makes use of means, yet is maple or mahogany can fill a concert hall free to work without, above and against with music. Preachers are like musicians. Preaching-in-Community them, at his pleasure”—and for his glory!9 Congregations don’t listen to hours upon The prophet Isaiah has a line that Yet how much better when the preacher hours of practice time. They listen to well- helps me understand the meaning of is standing on the fault line between the crafted, prayerfully focused sermons. Good preaching. The Lord says to the people, mystery of God and the mess of the human preachers draw out the meaning of the text “Come now, let us reason together” (Isaiah condition and preaches the Word of God in the way a skilled violinist plays music. 1:18). In the Spirit, preachers are part of a the Spirit as it was intended to be preached. When the apostle Paul wrote to the conversation between the Triune God and Good preaching requires discernment and church at Colossae, he compared good the people of God. Sermon preparation and

16 understanding is a community effort. The Good preachers are text-driven not idea that the pastor prepares a sermon in Text-to-Table pulpit-driven. The pulpit doesn’t drive secret and springs it on an unsuspecting Whether or not your church practices the preachers to the text; the text drives congregation is a prescription for failure. Eucharist weekly, a good test for all sermons preachers to the pulpit. Good preachers The idea that the solitary pastor emerges is how well they transition to the Lord’s Table. ask, “What does the Word of God say to the from his study with an authoritative word If the message is ill-suited to Eucharistic congregation this week?” Not, “What do I from the Lord may sound more spiritual worship, then chances are it is a moralistic say to the congregation this week?” Peter’s than it really is. The truth of God’s Word sermon that casts the burden of trying challenge echoes in their souls, “If you speak, belongs to the body of Christ and is shared, harder on the believer or it may be a self-help you should do so as one who speaks the very nurtured, proclaimed, preached, mentored, sermon that sends the spiritual consumer words of God” (1 Peter 4:11). The question modeled and discussed in the matrix of the out with a to-do list. All Christ-honoring, on their mind is, “Did Jesus have to die to household of faith. gospel-centered sermons transition to Holy preach this sermon?” And they wonder along The church has been entrusted with the Communion beautifully. Every sermon that with Martin Luther, “How will the devil be authoritative Word of God. Reading good ends at the Table is bound to witness to the defeated by this sermon?” D commentaries factors into this dialogue, redeeming work of Christ. but so also does discussing the biblical text On the road to Emmaus, Jesus told the story of salvation history. In seven miles, with brothers and sisters in Christ. I can’t Douglas D. Webster, an ordained imagine preaching without gaining the he drew out its salvation-making, history- Presbyterian minister, is professor perspective of “many advisors” (Proverbs changing, life-transforming significance. of Pastoral Theology and Christian Preaching at Beeson Divinity School 15:22), including men and women, older The two disciples felt the impact of the and a prolific author. Learn more at people (like myself), college students and Word of God rightly divided: “Were not douglasdwebster.com. young people. Often when I preach in our hearts burning within us while he 1 From the PBS series, “The Hollows.” multiple Sunday morning services I will talked with us on the road and opened the 2 Eugene Peterson, Eat this Book, 51. go for coffee between services with one or Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). This is 3 Bryan Chapell, Christ-Centered Preaching: Redeeming the two people who were in the early service what good preaching does. Expository Sermon, 103. 4 to discuss the sermon. I’m convinced that Ironically, the risen Lord was perceived Chapell, 103. 5 Chapell, 110. we need conversational partners that as an ignorant stranger. Their delayed 6 M. Craig Barnes, The Pastor As Minor Poet, 74. will stimulate our thinking, inform our recognition gave them the opportunity to 7 Bruce Waltke, Old Testament perspectives, deepen our discernment, absorb the message intellectually. They met Theology, 114. correct our grammar, hold us accountable the risen Lord by grasping the truth of the 8 D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Preaching and Preachers, 87. and pray for us. My friend and colleague Savior. Their eyes were opened, and they 9 Westminster Confession, on Providence, V, 3 Robert Smith says it well, “Preachers recognized him because the Lord opened 10 Barbara Brown Taylor, The Preaching Life, 83. preach, for one reason only, so that their the Scriptures for them. The moment of 11 Robert Smith, Jr., Doctrine that Dances: Bringing Doctrinal congregations will preach!”11 The apostle personal recognition came at the table when Preaching and Teaching to Life, 44. Paul had this goal in mind when he taught Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and the Lord’s Supper: “For whenever you eat began to give it to them. In that Eucharistic this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim moment, they discovered the Person of [Preach!] the Lord’s death until he comes” Christ because they understood the Work (1 Corinthians 11:26). of Christ. But for all this tension between identification and recognition, there was no tension between text and table!

17 “PreachBeeson's partnership with thethe Lilly Endowment, Word” Inc. continues to enhance the quality of preaching By Grant Taylor

The apostle Paul exhorts Timothy, “Preach the word; be ready in Beeson have taught new elective courses in preaching. In spring 2016, season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete The Rev. Phillip Jensen, former dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral in patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Sydney, Australia, and Dr. Todd Wilson of Calvary Memorial Church led The “word” corresponds with the Scriptures upon which Paul and preaching workshops in preaching for Beeson students and other area Timothy rely for their faith and ministry. The Scriptures must be pastors. In 2017 Beeson welcomed Dr. Cleophus LaRue of Princeton preached because they are “God-breathed” and therefore profitable Theological Seminary to teach a January elective, “Preaching in the for the ministry of the church, indeed for “every good work” (see 2 African American Tradition,” and Dr. Christian George of Midwestern Timothy 3:16-17). Preaching the word, then, describes Timothy’s job Baptist Theological Seminary, who delivered the Conger Preaching description as Paul’s apostolic delegate in Ephesus. Timothy must Lectures. remind the churches of Jesus Christ of the “mystery of godliness” The heartbeat of the initiative is the six peer groups of Christian

(1 Timothy 3:16). The propagation of the gospel and the health of ministers who are actively engaged in preaching ministries (one of the church depend upon faithful and persuasive preaching of the which is pictured here). These groups meet monthly for discussion Scriptures. and prayer related to strengthening their own preaching. The Ralph Waldo Beeson, the founding donor of Beeson Divinity initiative also supports conferences, retreats and cross-cultural School, shared this vision of the primacy of preaching in and for preaching experiences. Mrs. Hayden Walker, Beeson alumna and the church. Mr. Beeson believed that the divinity school that now former recipient of the James Earl Massey Preaching Award, serves as bears his name should train “pastors who can preach.” In observance assistant project director and coordinates the peer groups. with his vision, Beeson’s faculty teaches the exegetical, historical, “Our greatest success comes from hearing that pastors have been theological, homiletical and pastoral knowledge and skills required to encouraged to think more carefully about how they communicate the form “pastors who can preach.” Beeson’s recent partnership with the gospel,” she says. Personal relationships and deepening convictions Lilly Endowment, Inc. enhances this vision. about the centrality of Christian preaching reflect the vision and In 2013, Beeson was awarded a five-year grant by the Lilly mission of Beeson. Endowment, Inc., as part of its pilot Initiative to Strengthen the In addition to Walker's role, a committed team leads the initiative Quality of Preaching. This project is designed to strengthen preaching at Beeson. Dr. Grant Taylor, associate dean for academic affairs, and using new course offerings, conferences and lectures, web resources Dr. Robert Smith, Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity, serve and quality peer groups of pastors and current Master of Divinity as co-directors. Mr. Hunter Upton, Beeson M.Div. student, serves as students. communications coordinator. Through the partnership with the initiative, Beeson is able to Beeson Divinity School thanks the Lilly Endowment, in particular host many renowned preachers. The Rev. Liam Goligher of Tenth Dr. John Wimmer, for their support in this vibrant initiative. The Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia and Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi current issue of Beeson magazine offers more evidence of this good of Jos, Nigeria delivered lectures on preaching. Dr. Scott Gibson of partnership. Beeson looks forward to continued success in this Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Dr. Douglas Webster of initiative shaping “pastors who can preach.” D 18 “Preach the Word”

Beeson Divinity School An evangelical interdenominational divinity school committed to the principles of the Reformation.

Beeson is a living community of faith and learning, committed to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the authority of Scripture and the mission of the church in the world. In light of these commitments we teach a classical theological curriculum rooted in exegesis, church history and doctrine and pastoral ministry. We practice incarnational theological education as we study, worship and pray for one another in person, face-to-face. The Reformation is alive and well at Beeson Divinity School!

Experience Beeson for yourself: beesondivinity.com/visit Refer a student: beesondivinity.com/referastudent 800 Lakeshore Drive | Birmingham, AL 35229 1-800-888-8266

19 New York City pastor and The New York Times best- selling author Timothy Keller made his first visit to Beeson Divinity School on Nov. 8, 2016, as part of Beeson’s Faith and Work Lecture series.

New York City Pastor, Author Timothy Keller Makes First Visit to Beeson

Left: Keller speaks with Timothy George for the Beeson podcast during a special luncheon. Above: Keller addresses the Beeson community during a private worship service.

20 Keller, who is the founding pastor of Work Lecture, which is made possible Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New by the Kern Family Foundation and York City, spoke to a crowd of about 1,750 at directed by Associate Professor D. Mark Samford University’s Leslie S. Wright Center DeVine, is made available on the website, on the topic of his book, Every Good Endeavor: beesondivinity.com. Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. Prior to the lecture, Keller preached “How does the gospel transform your on “The Temptation of Ministry” from daily work?” he asked. Keller, who also co- 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, during a private founded The Gospel Coalition, responded service of worship for Beeson faculty, staff with five principles. and students. Speaking from 42 years of First, Christian faith gives you a new experience in ordained ministry, Keller said identity without which work can sink you. there are at least three ways the ministry Second, faith gives you a new concept of can “make you conceited unless God dignity of all work without which work can intervenes with your cooperation.” bore you. First, you can become conceited in Third, faith gives you a moral compass theological knowledge. “Knowing the truth without which work could corrupt you. has the tendency to inflate you,” Keller said. Fourth, the Christian faith gives you a Second, you can become tempted to take new worldview without which work will be on a false identity. “You will tend to identify your master not your servant. personally with your ministry so that if your Fifth, Christianity gives you a ministry fails or succeeds it reflects on you,” he sophisticated hope without which work will said. New York City Pastor, Author Timothy Keller frustrate you. Third, ministry can tempt you to fake “When you make your work your it. “Either ministry will make you a far identity, if you’re successful, it goes to your better Christian or a far worse Christian Makes First Visit to Beeson head, and if you are unsuccessful, it destroys than you are,” Keller said. “It’s either your heart,” Keller said in discussing his first going to drive you to him or drive you principle. away from him.” If you do not want work to sink you, then “Look at all the things God has done to your identity must rest in the person and bring you to your knees. Look at all the work of Jesus Christ, not your work, Keller ways in which he has broken your pride. explained. Look at all the ways he has brought you “We live in a culture right now in which to the end of yourself so that you have to everyone wants to change the world and cling to him because you got nothing else make lots of money while they are doing it,” to cling to.” he said about his second principle. But “all The audio and video from Keller’s sermon Top left: Keller greets guests work that helps people is God’s work.” is also available on Beeson’s website. during a luncheon. Top right: Do your work as “unto the Lord,” Keller Keller ended his visit by giving a podcast Keller lectures to a large crowd at the Wright Center. urged the crowd, and be encouraged that interview with Dean Timothy George “the vision God has given you he will one during his visit. You can find the podcast day bring to pass.” conversation on Beeson’s website or on The audio and video of the Faith and iTunes. D

21 Beeson Divinity School’s The Institute of Anglican Studies Continues Rapid Growth, Reach

22 The Institute of Anglican Studies at Beeson Divinity School is one of the school’s “major innovations in the last 10 years,” said Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School.

Founded in response to an influx of Canterbury, George L. Care; the archbishop become Anglican priests and deacons.” Anglican applicants who were looking of ACNA, Foley Beach; and the archbishop Anglican Intensives is a two-year for a program with both academic rigor and of Jos, Nigeria, Benjamin Kwashi, to preach noncredit program that will be comprised practical ministry preparation, the Institute in Andrew Gerow Hodges Chapel. Also in of a directed study and two weeklong of Anglican Studies began in 2013 with the 2016, the institute’s first Advisory Council on-campus residencies, the first residency goal to prepare men and women for gospel was formed with 10 members who represent taking place in May 2018. Those who ministry in Anglican parishes. The institute the Episcopal Church USA and ACNA. The complete the program will receive a awarded its first Certificate of Anglican institute also has official partnerships with certificate. Cost for the program is $1,200/ Studies to graduating M.Div. student, Peter churches in the greater Birmingham area: year plus travel, lodging and book expenses. Smith, in December 2013. Christ the King Anglican Church, St. John’s To request an application form or for Under the leadership of Gerald R. Anglican Church, St. Peter’s Anglican Church other questions, contact McDermott at McDermott, Anglican chair of divinity, and the Cathedral Church of the Advent. [email protected]. Applications for Samford University’s Beeson Divinity School “One of the things we are doing through the 2017-18 academic year are due July 1, is now one of three non-Anglican seminaries the institute is cultivating good relationships 2017. in the United States recognized by the with Anglican churches and bishops,” “We are excited for what this institute Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) George said. “In the same year, we had both will mean for students around the world who to train Anglican clergy. ACNA approved the Archbishop George Carey and Archbishop want to go into Anglican ministry and for school’s Certificate of Anglican Studies in Foley Beach. They spoke at convocation— the theological enrichment of the Anglican May 2016, only one year after McDermott one spring, one fall, same academic year. I Communion worldwide,” McDermott said. was hired, in part, to oversee the institute. think it shows something about the breadth The institute is one more way that Beeson Now in its third year, the institute of our reach and of the fact that we have Divinity School continues to fulfill the vision includes around 15 Anglican students in the attracted this kind of support from leaders of its benefactor Ralph Waldo Beeson. In his certificate program, and a larger number— within the worldwide Anglican Communion.” will, Beeson wrote that he wanted Beeson including non-Anglican students—who Beginning in September 2017, the Divinity School to be “Christian, Protestant, participate in some of its offerings. In the institute will offer a new program, Anglican evangelical and interdenominational.” last year, McDermott has begun a weekly Intensives. This program is designed “The Institute of Anglican Studies is evensong service, a monthly Anglican for those who have already completed a a major advance in the effort of Beeson theology night and a monthly luncheon with M.Div. or equivalent in a non-Anglican Divinity School to prepare God-called men Anglican speakers. The institute also plans denomination, and who now desire to study and women for the service of the Church. an annual Anglican theology conference with Anglican theology and ministry. This helps us to do that,” George said. “There the first one scheduled for Sept. 25-26, 2018, “After we announced that Beeson’s is a great need for it now, and the need for on the theme of “What is Anglicanism?”. Institute for Anglican Studies was accepted it and the response to it will only increase in “We are so blessed to have a world- officially by ACNA as a place for training the years to come if we continue to have the renowned scholar of Dr. McDermott’s caliber future Anglican ministers within ACNA, kind of quality faculty and programs that we to lead this new program,” George said. “His we received requests from people around now have in place. leadership and vision have already proven the country who wanted to pursue various “I’m very excited about it,” George to be invaluable to the institute and our levels of ordination within the Anglican continued. “The future of the Institute of school.” Communion,” McDermott said. “They Anglican Studies is as bright as the promises A major contribution of the institute wanted to know where they could get their of God.” has been the formation of partnerships Anglican training post-M.Div. So this is why For more information about the institute within the Anglican Communion. During we have started the Anglican Intensives or the new Anglican Intensives program, go the 2016 academic year, the divinity program: to teach Anglican theology and to beesondivinity.com/anglican-institute or school welcomed the 103rd archbishop of ministry to those who are wanting to email [email protected]. D

23 news

Faculty Beloved Beeson Divinity School professor Patricia A. Staff Outlaw retires in May 2016 after 15 years

Patricia Outlaw, professor of pastoral mere academic perspective, but it is another counseling at Beeson, retired last May thing altogether to teach from the pulpit of a after 15 years. She said the highlight of her seasoned pastor.” tenure was “the privilege of working with a Outlaw said the most significant changes community of believers who frequently prays in the field of pastoral care and psychology together in their offices, in their classroom have been the ongoing effort to integrate settings and in community worship services.” spirituality and psychology. Thirty years ago, It has been a joy and a privilege to work in a it would have been considered outside the context “where prayer is the norm and not norm for psychologists to give consideration the exception,” Outlaw added. or merit to the spiritual orientation of his or An ordained minister in the African her clients, she said. Methodist Episcopal church, Outlaw serves Outlaw was the first woman to graduate as pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church-Rising in from Beeson’s Doctor of Ministry program Birmingham, Alabama. (2002). She also holds degrees from Towson “I don’t think I would have survived as State, St. Mary’s Seminary and University, long as I did at Beeson had I not been able and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. to combine my teaching and ministry in the “In the African tradition, ‘to dance’ is ‘to classroom setting,” she said. “My training breathe.’ To everything there is a season,” as a psychologist, preacher, professor she said, including “a time to dance. Having and pastor equipped me to teach with been bivocational for the majority of my Patricia Outlaw passion from an academic and pragmatic working life, I am looking forward to the approach. It is one thing to teach from a days ahead to dance.” D

Global New missions certificate to 'provide maximum Center impact for cross-cultural ministry'

In fall 2016, Beeson began offering for the Associate Dean Grant Taylor said, “We are through International Lunch Club. first time a missions certificate to students confident that Beeson’s faculty, evangelical For more information about the interested in intentional training in cross- convictions and personal approach will missions certificate, contact Parks at cultural ministry and who pursue a M.Div. prepare students for a lifetime of effective [email protected]. D To complete the certificate, students will be cross-cultural ministry. The missions required to take three missions courses and certificate reflects that confidence.” complete two cross-cultural practicums, in Those pursuing a missions certificate also addition to meeting all other components of will be able to take advantage of Beeson’s the M.Div. This certificate will be accepted by Global Center, a hub of resources to equip mission agencies such as the International the student for missions and to build Mission Board and Launch Global. awareness of the global Christian cause and “The missions certificate is designed to community. The Global Center does this in work within Beeson’s existing curriculum to many ways, most notably through its two provide maximum impact for cross-cultural annual, mission-focused lectures: Go Global ministry,” said David Parks, director of and World Christianity Focus Week. The Beeson’s Global Center. “We aim for this center also provides weekly opportunities to certificate to help students better bridge the learn about missions through Global Voices Beeson student Jonathan Smith teaches gap from seminary to the mission field.” and to build relationships with internationals the Bible in Oaxaca, Mexico.

24 “My dream and my prayer is that Beeson Divinity School will be able to support with generous scholarship funding the rising generation of theological students God is sending our way." –Timothy George, Dean

Beeson Participating in the Forever Samford Capital Campaign By Carolyn Lankford

Samford University The Timothy George Scholarship for scholarship assistance. Every Master of announced the Excellence was established two years ago by Divinity student receives some level of launch of a $300 a member of Beeson’s Advisory Board with financial assistance, and the goal is to million capital the intention of honoring Beeson’s founding forever grow this source of revenue, thereby campaign called and current dean, Timothy George, for his increasing the amount of assistance for Forever Samford influence on the Christian church through students. during Homecoming his ministry of writing, teaching and Beeson asks much of its students in Weekend, November preaching. This scholarship is also designed terms of time commitment, physical 2016. Beeson Divinity to attract top-tier students who might location, required academic hours and School is pleased to participate in this otherwise choose a sister institution due to a whole-person membership in a real ambitious six-year effort. greater financial assistance. community. We invite your prayers for Beeson Divinity School’s targeted The Gary and Alta Faye Fenton Student a continued provision of financial gifts goals for the Forever Samford campaign Scholarship was established to both honor so that Beeson may be affordable to its include the Timothy George Scholarship the ministry of Dr. and Mrs. Fenton, who students while they are preparing for God- for Excellence; The Gary and Alta Faye served at Dawson Memorial Baptist Church called ministry within Christ’s church. Fenton Student Scholarship; and the in Homewood for 25 years, and to provide All financial donations made to Beeson Student Scholarship Fund, a permanent greater financial resources to future Divinity School will further the Forever line item in the annual budget. The heart students so they may receive a Master of Samford campaign. For more information of all fundraising efforts at the divinity Divinity from Beeson Divinity School and about these funds or how to give, school are directly or indirectly focused on graduate debt free. contact Carolyn Lankford at increasing financial aid for every student, The general Student Scholarship Fund is [email protected]. D both through endowed funds and annual a part of Beeson’s annual operating budget funds. and the internal resource for awarding 25 Beeson Happenings

Finkenwalde Day II Global Center News 1 Beeson celebrated its second annual 2 On Sept. 15, 2016, Beeson’s Global Finkenwalde Day on Oct. 11, 2016, a day set Center hosted a special Global Voices with aside for spiritual, academic and recreational documentary filmmaker Cliff Vaughn and retreat. retired Samford professor Bill Cowley Beeson held its first Finkenwalde Day in and his wife, Audrey, discussing the new fall 2015 during its semester-long chapel documentary, The Disturbances. This new series on German theologian Dietrich documentary tells the story of the Nigerian Bonhoeffer’s seminary vision. The daylong Stefana Dan Laing genocide of 1966, the role the Cowleys and retreat was patterned after a day in the life other missionaries played in evacuating of Bonhoeffer’s underground seminary in campus praying for the Samford employees students to safety, and the reunion the Finkenwalde, Poland during Nazi Germany, and students. Cowleys had decades later with one of which included prayer, meditation, worship, “From the time Beeson Divinity School those students, Jonathan Ikerionwu, at lectures, singing, recreation and fellowship at was established in 1988, the life and witness the Global Center in spring 2016. You can table. of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and especially his learn more and find dates for screenings at “I had a number of students approach me book Life Together, have informed our vision thedisturbances.com. after we did Finkenwalde Day last fall about of theological education,” George said. During Go Global in October 2016, one doing this again,” said Timothy George, dean “Theological education is not just about mission agency representative shared the of Beeson Divinity School. information but about transformation. I think gospel with a Chinese Samford student, Stefana Dan Laing, adjunct assistant we learn a lot by being in community. This is who in turn placed her faith in Jesus Christ. professor of theology at Houston Graduate really what seminary should be about.” In 2016, Beeson students served for School of Theology in Texas, lectured on The third annual Finkenwalde Day is at least two weeks doing mission work in “Prayer in the Early Church,” and Beeson scheduled for Oct. 31, 2017, which will be places such as Germany, Mexico, Ecuador, professor Carl Beckwith lectured on “Prayer in held in conjunction with Reformation Day in Czech Republic, Brooklyn, New York and the Reformation.” celebration of the 500th anniversary of the the Middle East for their cross-cultural New to Finkenwalde Day II, participants Reformation. ministry practicums. walked around the entire Samford University New viewbook 3 In fall 2016, the Office of Admission produced its first-ever viewbook. This 28- page book highlights Beeson distinctives, curriculum, faculty, graduates, Samford University and Birmingham. To request a copy, please email Sharon Head at [email protected].

New website Led by Todd Cotton, executive director 4 of web and digital marketing of Samford University, and Kristen Padilla, Beeson’s marketing and communications coordinator, Beeson has redesigned its website to now become mobile-ready and

26 New staff YouTube.com/BeesonDivinity. 6 member In addition to Beeson’s free resources, the In 2016, Beeson media center has audio CDs of lecture series, Divinity School classes and more available for purchase. welcomed Melanie Van These are great resources for church or Laningham (M.Div. personal libraries and make excellent gifts 2013), who joined the that will have lasting gospel impact. Beeson staff as the program assistant of Beeson trip to Israel the Global Center in 8 A group of Beeson students, led by friendly. Explore the newly designed site at August, overseeing events and assisting faculty and staff members Dr. Osvaldo beesondivinity.com. Director David Parks in fulfilling the center’s and Kristen Padilla, went to Israel, Dec. mission. An Alabama native, Van Laningham 31, 2016-Jan. 11, 2017 through a newly- Beeson podcast served in Eastern Europe as an International formed organization called Passages. 5 The Beeson podcast marked its sixth Mission Board (SBC) journeyman missionary Passages offers young Christian leaders year in 2016, including its 300th episode. for two years prior to studying at Beeson. the opportunity to visit the Holy Land and Special guests this year included Beeson Van Laningham is a member of Dawson learn about modern Israel at a very minimal alumni Dennis Aggrey, Betsy Childs Memorial Baptist Church, where she cost to the student. Howard, Chris Baker and Jake Hanson; has been involved with an international In January 2016, Beeson was one of Beeson faculty Carl Beckwith, Lyle congregation for the last two years. four schools of Passages’ inaugural winter Dorsett, Paul House, Piotr Malysz, Gerald trip to Israel. In conjunction with the 2017 McDermott and Osvaldo Padilla; and Media Center trip, Beeson students took a course with notable guests such as Lord George Carey of 7 Beeson now has more than 750 Osvaldo that focused on the sermons of Canterbury, Timothy Keller and Archbishop YouTube subscribers. Beeson’s media Jesus. For instance, students learned about Benjamin Kwashi. A new podcast episode center is continually adding new content the Sermon on the Mount while visiting is published weekly on Tuesday mornings. to its YouTube page, including chapel the site. This course was made possible by Twice a month the podcast features an sermons, special lectures and professors the Lilly Grant. Beeson hopes to continue interview, once a month a sermon and once answering the question, Why Beeson?. The its partnership with Passages so that more a month a lecture. You can subscribe to Media Center also live streams each week’s of its students will be able to visit the Holy the Beeson podcast on iTunes or listen to chapel service on its YouTube page. Join Land. The 2017 group is pictured here episodes on our website at beesondivinity. us for community worship each Tuesday standing in front of the Jordan River. D com/podcast. at 11 a.m. CST in person or on the web at

Beeson Israel Trip 2016

27 Beeson Portrait Yannick Christos-Wahab Yannick Christos-Wahab is a third-year Master of Divinity student at Beeson Divinity School

When Yannick Christos-Wahab was to do as a boy: study theology. But now he 10 years old, his father changed his family’s is tapping into his other passion: teaching surname. theology to those who need it. Previously, Yannick’s last name was Through the newly formed School Wahab, a common Muslim surname that Ministries of Birmingham, Christos- means “servant of the Giver.” But years Wahab teaches a Biblical Worldviews class after his father’s conversion from Islam to to 16- and 17-year-old Spain Park High Christianity, he added the Greek word for School students weekday afternoons, Christ, “Anointed One,” to Wahab, making except Thursdays. School Ministries of his son Yannick one of five people in the Birmingham is a released time education world with that surname. program that offers a Bible class to public Christos-Wahab smiled as he retold school students off campus during a class the story. His dad did not know Greek but period. On Saturdays, Christos-Wahab “he knew I was going to end up studying teaches Hebrew at a Jewish Messianic theology.” Center to people in their 40s and older. But for Christos-Wahab, studying Christos-Wahab says it’s a great privilege theology was a bit of an anomaly given his to be able to teach what he is learning during African Pentecostal context. He grew up in his classes at Beeson. a Nigerian home in a Nigerian community “The professors have been great in a borough of London. While worship This fits,’ and what he’s saying is actually examples, not just in their knowledge, but services were vibrant and its people zealous biblical,” Christos-Wahab said about in how they teach,” he said. “It’s refreshing for the Lord, the prosperity gospel (the belief Hafemann’s class. “It helped me to recover to be in a setting with believers, to be in an that the ultimate sign of God’s blessing is my Bible because I’ve always read my interdenominational setting where I get health and wealth) had taken root in some Bible but now I was reading my Bible in a to have conversations with Anglicans and forms of African Pentecostalism. According different way.” Lutherans, to be in a setting where I can to Christos-Wahab, the ministers he knew It was also Hafemann who first have great relationships with my professors had no theological training and feared that encouraged him to go to seminary and and to learn from their teaching.” being academic meant a loss of faith. When mentioned Beeson Divinity School. Christos-Wahab is so “passionate about Christos-Wahab went to the University of Christos-Wahab was impressed by theological education” that he feels called to St. Andrews in Scotland to study theology Beeson Divinity School’s stress on biblical teach theology to people who have not been for his undergraduate work, he was the first languages, studying theology historically taught, people who, once like himself, grew person he had known to do so. and not just systematically, studying in up with the prosperity gospel and who do While at St. Andrews, he took a New an interdenominational setting, and on not know anything different. One day, he Testament and Greek class from Scott personal education. hopes to go to Nigeria to teach theology to Hafemann, a professor whom Christos- “I wanted to learn theology in a setting his people. Wahab credits to having changed how he where people were being trained for “I’m very passionate about theological now reads and interprets Scripture. For the ministry,” he said. “I just prayed about it, education among people who don’t have it,” first time, he began seeing that the Bible and in the end, Beeson was the only place I Christos-Wahab said. “I cannot imagine not was not a collection of isolated stories and applied to. I was really certain that’s where teaching.” thoughts, but rather one large narrative of God wanted me.” To support students like Christos-Wahab, Jesus Christ redeeming the world. Now in his third year at Beeson, Christos- consider giving to one of the scholarships D “All of a sudden I was realizing, ‘Wow! Wahab continues doing what he wanted listed on page 25.

28 alumni Beeson Divinity Award Winners Wayne and Mary Splawn are co- Jason R. McConnell (D.Min. 2011) is recipients of the 2017 Master of Divinity the 2017 D.Min. Distinguished Alumnus Distinguished Alumnus award. This is the award winner. He will be presented his award first time Beeson has given this award to a on April 18 during community worship in married couple. Previously, they also were Hodges Chapel. McConnell is the pastor of the co-recipients of Beeson’s Distinguished Franklin United Church in Franklin, Vermont, Student Award in 2007. Wayne and Mary where he has served since Jan. 1, 2004. Prior were presented their award on Feb. 28 during to moving to Franklin, McConnell served community worship in Hodges Chapel. in various pastoral roles at the Chapel of Wayne Splawn (M.Div. 2007) is Hope in Josephine, Pennsylvania; Parkview the associate minister of Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church in Oak Park, Illinois; and Baptist Church, where he works with young Peoples Evangelical Congregational Church in professionals, young married couples and Ashburnham, Massachusetts. associate deacons. Wayne also preaches once Before earning his Doctor of Ministry a month in the contemporary worship service from Beeson Divinity School, he graduated and is a staff liaison for the church’s missions from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago (B.A.) committee. A graduate of the University of and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary South Carolina, Wayne is currently working in South Hamilton, Massachusetts (M.Div., toward a Doctor of Ministry from Beeson. He Th.M.). Franklin United Church recently Wayne and Mary Splawn DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI M.DIV. and his wife, Mary, have two children. received a Lilly Endowment grant to enable Mary Splawn (M.Div. 2007) is the McConnell to participate in the 2016 National minister of connections of Mountain Brook Clergy Renewal Program, which will allow him Baptist Church, where she provides leadership to be on sabbatical from May to August of for the varied women’s ministry programs, 2017. McConnell and his wife, Jennifer, have helps new members connect with service and four children. discipleship opportunities, and manages the Dr. Mark Searby, director of D.Min. Christian Life Center and family life programs. Studies, said McConnell is a pastor who has She is a graduate of the University of South a heart for other pastors, especially those Carolina and a former journeyman missionary serving in rural areas or small churches. with the International Mission Board (SBC). “Jason is a solid preacher and teacher of Mary has served on Beeson’s Alumni Advisory God’s Word who practices serious theological Board since 2013 and as a peer group mentor reflection on the practice of ministry. His D. for the supervised practicum component of Min. project and dissertation was on rural Beeson’s curriculum. Mary and her husband, ministry, and it has provided a resource for Wayne, have two children. others who serve in that context.” “Wayne and Mary Splawn are both God- called ministers of the gospel who serve the Lord's church with integrity and compassion,” said Dean Timothy George. “I am delighted that they have been chosen to receive and Jason R. McConnell D.MIN. DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS to share Beeson’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Award for this year.” D

29 alumni Clay Hallmark (M.Div. 1992) is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Lexington, Tennessee. He is married to Leslie, and they have two daughters, Cassie and Kayla.

J. Norfleete Day (M.Div. 1993) published

SPOTLIGHT Daring to Speak for God in March 2016. The book is a select collection of sermons, meditations and devotions during her years of ministry and teaching. Day was a member of the Beeson Divinity School faculty from 1992 until 2009.

In summer 2016 Ed Stetzer (D.Min. 1998) became the executive director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College, where he also holds the Billy Graham distinguished chair for church, mission and evangelism. Stetzer is also the executive editor of The Gospel Project and co-hosts the radio broadcast BreakPoint This Week.

MCKINSTRY Michael MacCaughelty (M.Div. 1998) is the assistant pastor of outreach and mercy at Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church “Pray for a reconciled world” is on commission, “to love him and to love one (PCA) in Birmingham, Alabama. Previously Carolyn Maull McKinstry’s stationery and another.” he served as the pastor of Monroeville business cards. The appeal reflects her “I feel strongly that God has called Presbyterian Church. MacCaughelty is passionate commitment to help love triumph me to the ministry of reconciliation, and married to Amy, and they have four children. over hate. that means carrying the message of love Carolyn McKinstry (M.Div. 2008) was everywhere I go, whether it’s in words or by Beginning in June 2016 Riley Green (M.T.S. 1999) assumed the role of senior one of two outstanding Samford University actions. We have opportunities every day,” director of homes for Winshape Foundation. graduates to receive the new Humanitarian of McKinstry said, adding that it’s not always Before this Green served for many years at about money. “Sometimes, a kind word is all the Year award during Homecoming activity the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes and in November 2016. somebody needs.” Family Ministries, where he was the vice The Humanitarian of the Year award was McKinstry chronicled her life experiences president for administration. established in 2016 to recognize Samford in a memoir, While the World Watched graduates who have made outstanding (Tyndale Publishers). The book is required In 2015 Morris Murray, Jr. (D.Min. 1999) contributions to better the lives of those reading in Georgia schools and in other assumed the role of associate pastor at New around them by staying true to the Samford common core curricula. Life Baptist Church. Previously Murray University mission. A graduate of Fisk University in Nashville, served in pastoral ministry within the “Carolyn’s life is a testimony of choosing Tennessee, she earned a Master of Divinity Church of the Nazarene denomination. He is to offer forgiveness and hope in a broken from Beeson Divinity School in 2008 and married to Betty, and they reside in Jasper, Alabama. world, and to commit her life to serving received an honorary degree honoris causa others,” wrote her nominator for a Samford from Samford in 2013. She is the vice chair Oleg Turlac (M.Div. 1999, D.Min. 2006) of the Samford board of overseers and is Humanitarian of the Year Award. is the founder of Turlac Mission, an McKinstry was present at Birmingham’s a member of the Beeson Divinity School organization focused on world missions. Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in September advisory board. Committed to preaching the gospel and 1963 when the church was bombed, killing McKinstry shared her testimony on reaching the nations, some areas of ministry four of her young friends. “I spent 20 years video as part of Beeson’s Spring community include anti-trafficking, supporting after the bombing trying to understand it,” worship series on Ephesians, “In One Body the persecuted church, refugee aid and said McKinstry, who has spent her adult Through the Cross.” You can watch this video equipping ministry leaders. Turlac and his life encouraging others to fulfill God’s great on YouTube.com/BeesonDivinity. D wife, Natalia, are based in Toronto, Canada, and they have two children.

30 alumni Randy (M.Div. 2000, D.Min. 2014) and in spiritual formation at Fuller Theological In March 2016 Jamie Greening (D.Min. Melody Hemphill lead LIFE Ministries and Seminary. 2006) assumed the role of senior pastor at have written a new book for pastors to use Fellowship Baptist Church in Marble Falls, as a resource in counseling hurting couples. In 2016 Chad Raith (M.Div. 2004) Texas. Greening is the author of several 30 Days of Hope for Hurting Marriages published After Merit: John Calvin’s Theology books, most recently How Great is the (New Hope Publishers) is now available on of Works and Reward (Vandenhoeck & Darkness, published in May 2016. He and his Amazon. Ruprecht). Raith is assistant professor of wife, Kim, are the parents of two daughters. religion and philosophy at John Brown Jennifer Rash (M.T.S. 2007) is the newly In spring 2016 Naomi Reese (M.Div. 2000) University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, appointed executive editor of The Alabama completed her Ph.D. in systematic theology where he also directs the Paradosis Center Baptist, a weekly print, digital and social from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. She for Theology and Scripture. teaches as an adjunct instructor at Belmont media publication. She has held various roles with the publication office since 1996 and University, and is contributing four entries to Wyman Richardson (D.Min. 2004) is the has helped it receive nearly 200 national Zondervan's The Dictionary of Christianity and editor for the forthcoming series entitled awards. In addition to editing The Alabama Science (forthcoming, 2017). Reese is married The Collected Writings of James Leo Garrett, Baptist, Jennifer is also the vice president of to Chris (M.Div. 2000) and they reside in the Jr., 1950-2015. The eight-volume series will Associated Church Press. greater Nashville area. consist of articles, lectures, book chapters and privately published pieces by Dr. James Gregory Smith (M.Div. 2007) is the Anna Gissing (M.T.S. 2003) was recently Leo Garrett, Jr., distinguished professor of associate pastor of First United Methodist named the new associate editor for IVP theology emeritus at Southwestern Baptist Church in New Albany, Mississippi. He Books. Previously she served as the editor Theological Seminary. Richardson serves as is married to Helen, and they have one of The Well, an online publication designed pastor of Central Baptist Church in North daughter, Megan. for women in higher education. Anna is Little Rock, Arkansas. married to Jeff (M.Div. 2002) an ordained Dan Stockum minister in the Presbyterian church, and Awon Shanglai (M.Div. 2008) is they have two children. (M.Div. 2004) is the the young adult regional training center pastor at Bridges Brad Hodges director of Project Community Church (M.Div. 2003) is Light, a ministry in Los Altos, the discipleship she has led since its California. Prior to pastor at Temple formation in 2012. this new role he served as a campus minister Baptist Church Project Light focuses at Georgia Tech. Stockum is married to Beth, in Hattiesburg, on mentoring and and they have two sons. Mississippi. He educating children and Brian Argo (M.Div. 2009) and his wife, is married to young adults from rural communities in Sarah, have been appointed as career Raegan, and they Shillong, India. missionaries with Reaching and Teaching are the parents of International Ministries. They are currently three children. In summer 2016 Jimbo Tucker (M.Div. 2005) became the lead pastor at Redstone raising support to do full-time ministry in Chris Brooks (M.Div. 2004) is pastor Church in Birmingham. Tucker previously Oaxaca, Mexico. The Argos are the proud of Kairos, a campus of Brentwood Baptist served Mountain Brook Community Church parents of four children. Church designed to reach urban young as its missions pastor. He and his wife, Randy Eaton (D.Min. adults in Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to this, Hayley, have four children. he served for seven years as the pastor at The 2009) is the senior pastor Well, the college ministry of Calvary Baptist Garland Vance (M.Div. 2005) is the at Cross Community Church at the University of Alabama. Brooks leadership development pastor at Grace Church in North Palm is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry Fellowship United Beach, Florida. Eaton Methodist Church in also serves as an adjunct Katy, Texas. In May professor at Palm Beach of 2016, he received Atlantic University’s his D.Min. in spiritual School of Ministry and formation from Denver is currently pursuing his Seminary. He blogs at Ph.D. from Biola’s Cook www.garlandvance.com School of Intercultural Studies. He and his on the theme of “With God Leadership.” wife, Deana, have five children: Grace, Tess, Jackson, Scott and Emma.

31 alumni Jacob Gerber (M.Div. 2009) has served as Noel Forlini (M.Div. 2010) accepted a full- Aaron Ashlock (M.Div. 2011) and his senior pastor of Harvest Community Church time faculty position at Baylor University wife, Diana, welcomed the birth of their son, in Omaha, Nebraska since fall 2015. He is in Waco, Texas to teach biblical studies. She Baylor Coleman, in April 2016. Ashlock is the author of That You May Know: A Primer and alumnus Spike Burt (M.Div. 2009) currently completing doctoral studies at B.H. on Christian Discipleship, and wrote the first married in fall 2015. Carroll Institute and continues to serve as volume of a daily Bible study devotional senior pastor at Oak Knoll Baptist Church in called Free Daily Bible Study, which is Haltom City, Texas. available via podcast and email. Gerber is married to Allison, and they have three children.

Chris McCaghren (M.T.S. 2010) is the vice president of academic affairs at the University of Mobile. Previously he held administrative roles at Anderson University and Samford University. McCaghren is married to Lauren, and they have one daughter. Hope Gray (M.T.S. 2011) is a systems In spring 2016 Brian Oaks (M.Div. 2009) analyst in the information technology relocated to Roswell, Georgia, to plant In January 2016 Ben Richey (M.Div. department at Christ Fellowship, a church plant within 2010) along with his wife Heather and their Children’s of the Presbyterian (PCA) denomination. He children Mikaela, Topher and Calvin, moved Alabama Hospital. is married to Heather, and they have three from Heritage Baptist Church in Prattville, She also recently children. Alabama to begin a new ministry at First completed the Baptist Church of Kernville, California. board of chaplaincy Ryan Adams (M.T.S. 2010) joined Kernville is located in the Sierra Nevada certification the staff at Christ Fellowship Church in mountains, and the Richey family looks through the Birmingham, Alabama as the associate forward to many years of ministry among Association of pastor. He is married to Laura, and they have the people of the Kern River Valley. Professional two children, Rose and Luke. Chaplains.

Robbie Crouse (M.Div. 2011) received his Ph.D. in theology from Wheaton College and teaches systematic theology at Knox Seminary in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Crouse is married to Becky, and they have one daughter Susanne Abigail.

John MacTaggart (M.Div. 2011) is the student ministry pastor at Austin Ridge Bible Church in Austin, Texas. He had previously served at Grace Church in Tracy, Chris (M.Div. 2010) and Elizabeth Baker California, for four years. MacTaggart is began serving as missionaries with Africa J. Ralph Wooten (M.Div. 1993, D.Min. married to Brooke, and they have two young Inland Mission (AIM) in October of 2016. 2010) is the pastor of First United Methodist children, Everly and Elijah. They are ministering in the northern region Church in Phenix City, Alabama. In addition of Madagascar, primarily to the Malagasy to pastoring, Wooten serves on the board Jason McConnell (D.Min. 2011) is the people group. The Bakers have three of Ordained Ministry for the Alabama-West pastor of Franklin United Church and children: Michael, Lydia and Lucas. Conference of the United Methodist Church. East Franklin United Church in Franklin, He is married to Janet and they have two Vermont. He recently received a sabbatical children, James and Rebekah. grant from the Lilly Endowment’s National 32 alumni Clergy Renewal Program, which he will take the staff at Cathedral Church of the Advent works as an editor for The Gospel Coalition, from May to August 2017. In addition to in Birmingham, Alabama in April 2015. and she and her husband, Bernard, are in the pastoring, Jason serves on the Conservative He currently serves as the young adult process of planting an Anglican church in Congregational Christian Conference’s and college minister, helps lead the 5 p.m. Manhattan’s Upper West Side. national board of directors and teaches service and coordinates the church’s arts seminary courses in rural ministry. He is and culture series throughout the year. married to Jennifer, and they have four children. In April 2016 Jason Cook (M.Div. 2014) accepted a position In summer 2016 Joel Oliver (M.Div. 2011) as an editor for The and his wife, Deidre, moved to Honduras Gospel Coalition, to do full-time mission work with The 600 with a focus on ministry. The Olivers live in a community pastoral ministry near La Ceiba, where they teach sustainable and integrating faith farming and serve as parents to teen and and work. He also adult orphans. serves as associate pastor of preaching In spring 2016 Brett Brandewie (M.Div. at Fellowship Ryan Martin (M.Div. 2015) and his 2012) became the high school pastor at Memphis. Previously wife, Aubry, are preparing to move to Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon, Georgia, Jason served as the the Democratic Republic of the Congo as where he joins several Beeson Divinity pastor of Iron City Church in Birmingham, missionaries with World United Mission. School alumni on staff. Prior to serving at Alabama. He and his wife, Courtney, have Martin will train pastors in theological Ingleside, Brandewie was a student pastor two children, Charlie and Cager. education, and Aubrey will teach primary at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Franklin, school. Tennessee. Brandewie is married to Laura, Kyle DeBoer (M.Div. 2014) was ordained and they have one son, Bobby Cash. as a deacon in the Anglican Church Bruce Persons (M.Div. 2015) is currently (ACNA) in February 2016. He and his wife, serving with the mid-Atlantic district of Matt Harber (M.Div. 2013) is currently Rebekah (M.A.T.S. 2016) have two sons, the Christian and Missionary Alliance as pursuing a Ph.D. in Old Testament at Duke Luke and Caleb. the pastor of deaf ministries. His ministry University in Durham, North Carolina. He involves reaching deaf and hard of hearing and his wife, Katie, have two children, Richie Kyle Logan (M.Div. 2014) was ordained people in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and and Kari Beth. to the priesthood in the Washington D.C. area. Persons is also the October 2016 and chaplain at Gallaudet University. In fall 2016 R.J. Voorhees (M.Div. serves as assistant 2013) became the college minister at First priest at Eucharist In April 2016, Hunter Van Wagenen Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Church (ACNA) (M.Div. 2015) began serving as curate at He was previously the college minister at in San Francisco, Church of the Redeemer in Greensboro, First Baptist Church in Columbia, South California. Eucharist North Carolina. He is married to his high Carolina. Voorhees and his wife, Casey, have Church seeks to school sweetheart, Stephie. D a daughter, Emerson, and a son, Everett connect ancient forms of worship and Brandon Bennett (M.Div. 2014) joined classic Christian faith to the lives of 21st century people.

In July 2016 Joseph Weaver (M.Div. 2014) was called to the pastorate at Pleasant Oak Baptist Church in Placerville, California. He is married to Piper, who serves alongside him in ministry and is a freelance graphic design contractor.

Betsy Childs Howard (M.A.T.S. 2015) authored Seasons of Waiting: Walking by Faith When Dreams are Delayed, which was published by Crossway in 2016. Howard

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Faculty Bookshelf

Martin Luther’s Basic Joshua Malachi Then and Now: Exegetical Writings (Teach the Text An Expository Commentary Carl L. Beckwith Commentary Series) Based on Detailed (Concordia Publishing Kenneth A. Mathews Exegetical Analysis House, 2017) (Baker Books, 2016) Allen P. Ross (Weaver Book Company, 2016)

Israel Matters: Why The God Who Comforts: A Confessional Lutheran Christians Must Think Forty-Day Meditation on Dogmatics: The Holy Trinity Differently about the People John 14:1-16:15 Carl L. Beckwith (Luther Academy, 2016) and the Land Douglas D. Webster Gerald R. McDermott (Cascade Books, 2016) (Brazos Press, 2017)

Romans 9-16 Famous Stutterers: Twelve The God Who Prays: (Reformation Commentary Inspiring People Who A Forty Day Meditation on Scripture Series: Achieved Great Things on Jesus’ Farewell Prayers New Testament, Vol. 8) while Struggling with Douglas D. Webster Timothy George, an Impediment (Cascade Books, 2017) General Editor Gerald R. McDermott (IVP Academic, 2016) (Cascade Books, 2016)

1 Corinthians The New Christian (Reformation Commentary Zionism: Fresh Perspectives on Scripture Series: New on Israel and the Land Testament, Vol. 9) Gerald R. McDermott Timothy George, (IVP Academic, 2016) General Editor (IVP Academic, 2017)