SOUTHERN SEMINARY VOLUME 77, NUMBER 2

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 1 SUMMER 2009 A Letter from the President ommencement was my big even as we welcomed new students to surprise. After sixteen years as take their places. The long line of faith- Cpresident of Southern Seminary, fulness continues. I can confess that the experience of Consider for a moment what is commencement is the most emotional required for us to stand at that com- experience of this responsibility. The mencement ceremony. We have to go process is formal and simple – the gradu- back a century and a half to the deter- ate’s name is called, there is a short walk mined vision of James Petigru Boyce across the platform, and I hand them and the others of the founding four. their diploma at the end. We have to trace that line of faithful- But that short walk across the plat- ness through dangers, toils, and snares. form represents far more than the gradu- We would have to trace that line back to ate may recognize. When the graduate churches that needed educated pastors reaches out for the diploma, he or she and sustained this work, to the Southern joins the thousands of others who have Baptist Convention and its support for gone before us. Many have long since education, to donors who generously died, while others serve on the fields of have kept this institution to a standard mission and ministry around the world. of excellence, to professors who have After 150 years, that means a long line dedicated their lives to this teaching President R. Albert Mohler Jr. of faithfulness. ministry, to trustees who have held this We come to love them as students, institution secure and faithful on behalf but then we have to send them out. of our churches, and to students who We do not get to keep them here, nor come, determined to prepare themselves is that our purpose. I stand there at each for the high calling of the ministry. commencement, wondering how God I see them all at commencement. will use these newly-minted graduates Every single graduate represents this of Southern Seminary for the cause entire line of faithfulness. Every one of of Christ, the them is what makes this school what, Church, and the by God’s grace, it has become. When the graduate reaches out Gospel. A sesquicentennial is such a significant Some will serve observance. 150 years represents a time- for the diploma, he or she joins in churches here in line few schools ever reach and a legacy the United States. few schools can claim. The Southern the thousands of others who Others will answer Baptist Theological Seminary stands in the missionary call 2009 in a stronger position than ever have gone before us. Many have to serve around before. We have a world-class faculty the world. Some of Christian scholars, a campus beyond long since died, while others will plant new compare, resources unparalleled, and churches, while global opportunities beyond others go to bring our imagination. serve on the fields of mission and new life, convic- We celebrate this sesquicentennial tion, and vision to with the confidence that God is call- ministry around the world. existing churches. ing us to do more, not less. The legacy Some we will see we celebrate propels us to the future After 150 years, that means often, others we of ­ministry and global missions. The may never see preaching and teaching of the Word a long line of faithfulness. again in this life. of God is at stake. As the Southern That famous line of our Seminary Seminary hymn, “Soldiers of Christ, in Hymn ends with these words: “To join Truth Arrayed,” reminds us with each in yet more blessed employ, in an eternal singing, “We meet to part, and part to world of joy.” This sesquicentennial meet, when earthly labors are complete.” ­celebration is but a small foretaste of It is impossible to sing that line without a that reunion. Between now and then, lump in the throat. we draw a yet longer line of faithfulness. And so, Southern Seminary sent out several hundred new graduates this year,

2 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 The Building of a Legacy

1859 – The first ses- 1888 – The seminary 1894 – First Doctor of sion of the seminary moved from rented Theology degree was buildings to its own conferred. opened at Greenville, 1877 – Opening of the 1889 – Dr. John A. property at Fifth and South Carolina, with seminary’s first session Broadus was elected Broadway in downtown 26 students and four 1862 – The seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. second President. professors. was closed, until Louisville. Dr. James ­October 1865, due P. Boyce was named to the Civil War. President. He had served since 1859 as “Chair- man of the Faculty.”

1926 – The seminary 1937 – The seminary moved to its present was in the first group of campus, “The Beeches.” institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in 1895 – Dr. William H. 1929 – Dr. John R. 1942 – Dr. Ellis A. 1899 – Dr. Edgar Young the United States and Whitsitt was elected Sampey was elected fifth Fuller was elected sixth Mullins was elected Canada. third President. President. President. fourth President.

1953 –The School of 1963 – Carver School 1968 – The seminary Religious Education of Missions and Social was accredited by the was established and the Work (formerly the Southern Association of seminary was organized Woman’s Missionary Colleges and Schools. into three schools: Union Training School) Theology, Church Music was merged with the 1969 – The seminary 1944 – The School and Religious Education. seminary. became a founding of Church Music was member of Kentucki- established. 1967 – The School of ana Metroversity, a Church Music was consortium of seven accredited by the Louisville area colleges National Association and seminaries. 1950 – Alumni of Schools of Music. Memorial Chapel was 1951 – Dr. Duke K. dedicated. ­McCall was elected 1960 –James P. Boyce seventh President. Centennial Library was dedicated.

1970 – The seminary 1984 – The Carver 1998 – Establishment 2002 – Completion of was one of five area School of Church Social of the James P. Boyce The Legacy Center. schools chartering the Work was established. College of the Bible. Theological Education The School of Religious Renovation of Norton Association of Mid- Education was renamed Hall, Phase III. Renova- America, TEAM-A. School of Christian tion of Sampey Hall Education. for the relocation of 1974 – The Boyce Bible Business Services. Reno- School was established. vation of Carver Hall 2009 – The seminary for the James P. Boyce celebrates its Sesquicen- College of the Bible. tennial anniversary. 1999 – Completion of The School of Church 1996 – The School of 1993 – Dr. R. Albert the John A. Broadus Ministries is established. Christian Education Mohler Jr. was elected Chapel. 1990 – The Roy L. and ninth President. was renamed School June Honeycutt Campus of Christian Education 2001 – The School of Center was dedicated. and Leadership. The 1994 – The Billy Gra- Christian Education and School of Church Music ham School of Missions, Leadership was renamed was renamed School Evangelism and Church School of Leadership of Church Music and 1982 – Dr. Roy L. Growth was established. and Church Ministry. Honeycutt was elected Worship. eighth President. SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 3 God gave you the gift. We can help you refine it.

the Southern Seminary D.Min. You’ll leave sharper, stronger, better, so God can impact more lives through you.

the Southern Baptist Dr. Kevin Ezell Senior Pastor, Theological Seminary Highview Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky www.sbts.edu/dmin D.Min. graduate, 4 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Southern Seminary SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Table of Contents

FEATURE

IN THIS ISSUE

MAIN ARTICLES Senior Vice President for Institutional Administration: Dan Dumas Executive Editor: Dan DeWitt 18 Editor: Jeff Robinson Truth and the Nations Writers: Garrett E. Wishall& David Roach Project Manager: Jared Hallal Chuck Lawless Lead Designer: David Yeiser 14 Photography: John Gill & Abigail McBroom Summary of Truth, 20 Proofreaders: Jessica Sampler, Emily Griffin, Legacy and Vision Truth and Family Elizabeth Mejia, Lawrence and Garnetta Smith Randy Stinson Summer 2009. Vol. 77, No. 2. Copyright © 2009 26 The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Excerpt from Dr. Wills' Book Subscription information: Greg Wills To receive a free subscription to the Southern Seminary Magazine, to change your address or to cancel your subscription, you may contact us in one 36 of the following ways: IN SHORT Memoirs & A Manifesto for Traning Ministers The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Public news 6–9 Denny Burk Relations, 2825 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY reviews 10–11 40280 thoughts 11–13 38 online: www.sbts.edu Southern Seminary and the Future of email: [email protected] American Culture call: 1-800-626-5525, ext. 4141 ALSO Russell D. Moore Southern Seminary Magazine is published by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary A Letter from the President – 2

Grad Seeing Church Plant ­Growing ON THE COVER Strong Near City of Brotherly Love – 22 Norton Hall, completed in 1893, SBTS Was Ahead of American Culture was located on Broadway between in Civil Rights – 30 4th and 5th Streets in downtown Louisville.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 5 IN SHORT news events reviews thoughts

A welcome 150 years in the making By David Roach

Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr., cut the ribbon on the new Sesquicentennial Pavilion which was dedicated and opened in April. A marker of Southern’s 150th anni- versary, the pavilion serves as a welcome center for the entire campus and houses the admissions and security offices. The new building took approximately eight months to complete. “With this building we are making a statement that 150 years after Southern Seminary was established we have more to do, not less,” Mohler said. “We have a greater challenge, not a lesser challenge. We have a glorious challenge and the Lord has given us more than we’ve ever dreamed. “This is a statement about the serious- ness with which Southern Seminary “The new building is ultimately a takes this task and about the perma- reminder of God’s blessings on the semi- CAKE STATS nence that we believe the Lord has nary and His faithfulness to provide for invested in us—not in an institution, but the training of ministers,” Mohler said. in the unchanging, eternal truths upon “We are here today on a very happy which this institution is established.” day as a very happy institution to be a As part of the ceremony, Mohler part of a very happy observance to see placed a time capsule behind a stone the Lord’s faithfulness manifested here,” encasement. The capsule is scheduled he said. to be opened in 2059 on the seminary’s “In a day in which many people say 200th birthday. Among the items in that an institution that stands for what the capsule are seminary publications, this institution stands for would not a campus directory, an academic catalog ­survive, look how the Lord has blessed and a letter from Mohler to the seminary us beyond anything we could imagine.” president 50 years from now. Following Mohler’s remarks, Mark Mohler said his letter contains an Dever, chairman of the seminary’s board admonition to keep the seminary faith- of trustees and pastor of Capitol Hill fully in line with biblical truth. Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., “What I basically did was write in led a dedicatory prayer and Mohler cut such a way that if this institution isn’t a ribbon across the pavilion’s entrance. theologically where it needs to be when- Students and faculty then enjoyed a WEIGHT = 615 lbs ever that thing is opened, they’re going 600-pound cake created by Chefs SUGAR = 120 to know it,” he said. “It’s going to be Pam Price and Meg Hiser to celebrate lbs the most embarrassing letter ever read the occasion. FLOUR = 180 lbs if indeed this institution is not preserved EGGS = 20 dozen in that way. That is our prayer – that it BUTTER = 30 lbs will be. MILK = 5 gallons FROSTING = 210 lbs

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Crookshank named director of SBTS Academy of Sacred Music By David Roach and Jeff Robinson

Esther Crookshank, Ollie Hale Chiles Professor of Church Music at The South- ern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been named director of the seminary’s new Academy of Sacred Music. Approved by trustees during their April meeting, the academy will serve as a think tank for the conservation of Christian hymnody and music by spon- soring lectures, performances, recitals and symposia along with other programs and initiatives. Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr., said the academy will A Point and Click Vision help students to remain Emily Griffin conversant with the By rich musical and hym- April’s revealing of Southern Semi- tion, led the charge to engage the South- nological traditions of nary’s Sesquicentennial Pavilion marked ern faculty with these outlets to promote the church. the arrival of a new doorway, both outside-the-classroom communication “I am very excited figuratively and literally, into the heart of with students. about the new Acad- the institution. While grand in scope and “When you have a world-class faculty emy of Sacred Music,” meaning, the pavilion wasn’t the only and staff, students are eager to experi- Mohler said. “This new new gateway into Southern revealed in ence them outside the brick and mortar program will honor the rich musical tra- the spring term. of Southern,” Dumas said. “Social media ditions of the Christian church and assist As the pavilion’s beams and rafters provides personal depth and dimension our students to understand the place of were erected, the Southern Communica- to the team at Southern.” music within the culture, the church, and tions Department was keenly crafting At any given time you may follow the Christian worldview. a new communication and connection Russell Moore’s daily blog, see what R. “I am also absolutely confident that, effort. The department was charged Albert Mohler Jr. is up to via Twitter, in professor Esther Crookshank, we have with launching a more modern and inter­ and connect with classmates through just the right leader for this program. active communications infrastructure Southern’s Facebook page. She is a brilliant musicologist and she is in a manner that respects the last 150 This spring also saw the redesign of gifted with an infectious love of music. years while also setting the stage for the the Southern Seminary Magazine which Expect great things from this program.” next 150. The Southern community first granted the Communications Depart- Crookshank is looking forward to observed the department’s handiwork ment the ability to use the publication leading the new program and says it will with the launch of a new, engaging web- to further engage those within the serve as an important element in the site that serves both students and visitors Southern community and reach a new scope of theological training. with up to date information and forums set of readers. The magazine received “We as a theological seminary exist accessible at any time. The new website an updated but timeless logo and page to serve the churches through training is complemented by the online edition of design which supports the magazine’s ministers,” Crookshank said. “I think Towers, the student-created publication articles on Southern’s rich theology and that means developing the whole person, for the Southern community. Towers world-class instructors. helping one another love beauty and online allows those beyond the walls of “Holding the heft of a striking maga- music as God’s gifts, as Martin Luther the institution to keep abreast of campus zine that articulates the mission and taught. I want our students to under- news and hear how God is working in passion of the Seminary is an experi- stand why Bach’s music is great and the lives of the Southern community. ence that will not soon go away,” said how a fugue works, but also to be able to Social networking outlets like Face- Dumas. “We have set ourselves apart unpack the theology in a country music book, Twitter, and personal web-blogs by recreating a magazine that keeps our song and even study voice or perform in are hugely popular within the Southern community current, captures our talent an ensemble for a few semesters.” student body. Dan Dumas, Senior Vice in journalism and casts a long vision for President for Institutional Administra- the future.”

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 7 News IN SHORT

Lesson learned: Sharing Southern’s teachings with the church By Garrett E. Wishall

Seminary students engage in many ships is very important for what I do. It Both Miller and McCall say they disciplines – systematic theology, church is important that I get to know people valued the twin emphases at Southern of history, hermeneutics, New and Old at the deepest level so that we can talk viewing Scripture as a redemptive story Testament studies, to name a few – but about the most important things in life.” with Christ at the center and of center- does such work translate into Gospel- McCall serves as student ministry ing one’s ministry on Him. Exhortations centered, people-loving ministry? leader at Ashland Avenue Baptist from numerous professors to love people Southern Seminary grad Andy Miller Church in Lexington, Ky. McCall headed also impacted Miller. thinks so. up the church’s college ministry for two “I valued the constant focus from the Miller earned his master of divinity in years before adding youth ministry to his professors at Southern on loving and May and immediately began serving as duties in January. McCall said partici- serving the people you minister to in the pastor of children and families at First pating in God’s plan in the world, while local church,” he said. Baptist Church of Wolfforth, Texas. serving under leaders he respects, drives McCall said Southern’s commitment “Working with people in the church his ministry. to the sufficiency of Scripture in counsel- is something I look forward to,” he “God has chosen to bring His King- ing, and all ministry, challenged him. said. “A chance to lead people toward dom into the world through the church,” “I learned at Southern how to base the Gospel [excites me]. Specifically he said. “The fact that I get to serve everything I do on Scripture,” he said. in my role leading families to bring up in a place that is central to God’s plan “To draw from the well of the Bible their children to love Christ. Getting to in the world is something that I love in thinking about culture, counseling, do that every day is what I am looking about my work. everything. forward to the most.” “One thing I love about serving at “I also learned how to counsel people. Casey McCall, a Dec. 2008 SBTS Ashland Avenue specifically is that I get I didn’t know anything about biblical grad, wants strong relationships to char- to serve alongside men whom I respect counseling before I went to Southern and acterize his service in the local church. and can learn from in discipleship, coun- there I learned how to deal with people’s “I love to build relationships with seling and other ministry areas.” deepest problems using the Bible, theol- people,” he said. “Building relation- ogy and the Gospel.”

Bolton receives Edge award By Jeff Robinson

Tom Bolton, retiring dean of the School of Church Music and Worship at Southern Seminary, received the Findley B. and Louvenia Edge Faculty Award, given each year to the school’s outstanding faculty members. Bolton had served on the Music School faculty at Southern since 1996.

8 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 News IN SHORT

Smiths enhance student life at Southern, Boyce By Garrett E. Wishall

Anyone who has known Lawrence and Garnetta Smith has experienced Law- rence’s steady godliness and Garnetta’s warmth and hospitality. Allison Parker, Lawrence’s admin- istrative assistant and a fellow church member at Highview Baptist Church, said she appreciates the Smiths’ devotion to developing students. “Lawrence and Garnetta have such a love for these students, and a dedication to invest in their lives,” she said. “It is evident that they have a passion to be godly role models and provide a safe, yet fun, environment for them.” The Smiths began serving as dean of students and associate director of student life for women, respectively, at Southern Seminary and Boyce College in the fall of 2008. Smith also serves as vice president for community relations after seven years as vice president for communications. Southern President R. Albert Mohler Jr. said Smith was the right man for the role. “We really needed someone in this role of great maturity, a Christian man of great devotion and maturity and he has a lot of experience in doing the kinds of things we need a dean of students to do,” he said. Lawrence and Garnetta played a central role helping Boyce students find housing and hosting some themselves during ice storms in February that cancelled classes for a week. Parker said Students leading Baptist21, hosting panel during SBC the couple regularly opens their home during holidays to students, attends most By Jeff Robinson student functions and makes it a point to be available to students for any help they Four Southern Seminary students con- Seminary trustee Mark Dever, along might need. tribute to a blog known as “Baptist 21,” with Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research and which comments on contemporary issues Sojourn pastor Daniel Montgomery. in Southern Baptist life, a blog that will Contributors to Baptist 21 will also host a forum discussion featuring several participate, including Southern students attention alumni key SBC leaders during the upcoming Jonathan Akin, Jedidiah Coppenger, annual meeting. Nick Moore and Ronnie Parrott. Akin People and Places is online The panel will be held from 11 a.m. to and Coppenger are Ph.D. students at 1 p.m., June 23 at Sojourn Community Southern, Moore and Parrott are pursu- for easy access. Church in Louisville. The panel will f ing master of divinity degrees. eature Southern Seminary President To register or for more information, Visit www.sbts.edu/alumni to read R. Albert Mohler Jr., Southeastern visit http://www.baptisttwentyone.com/ updates on your fellow alumni. Seminary President Danny Akin, Capitol Hill Baptist Church pastor/Southern

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 9 Reviews IN SHORT

recently published

William Cutrer R. Albert Mohler Jr. J.D. Payne “The Church Leader’s “The Disappearance of God: “Discovering Church Handbook: A Guide to Dangerous Beliefs in the Planting: An Introduction Counseling Families and New Spiritual Openness” to the Whats, Whys, and Individuals in Crisis” (Multnomah) Hows of Global Church (Kregel) Planting” (Paternoster)

Michael A.G. Haykin Russell D. Moore Bruce A. Ware “In God We Trust? What “Adopted for Life: The “Big Truths for Young is God Saying in the Midst Priority of Adoption for Hearts: Teaching and of this Financial Crisis?” Christian Families & Learning the Greatness of (Audobon) Churches” (Crossway) God” (Crossway)

Barry Joslin Tom Nettles Southern Baptist Gregory A. Wills Theological Seminary “Hebrews, Christ, and the “Stray Recollections, 1859–2009 “Southern Baptist Law: the Theology of the Short Articles, and Public Theological Seminary: Mosaic Law in Hebrews Orations of James P. Boyce” 1859-2009” (Oxford) 7:1-10:18” (Paternoster) (Founders)

GREGORYA.WILLS

Jaye Martin and Tom Nettles Edited by Professors Terri Stovall “James Petigru Boyce: Bill Henard and “Women Leading Women: Southern Baptist Adam Greenway The Biblical Model for the Statesman” (P&R) Church” (B&H) “Evangelicals Engaging Emergent” (B&H)

in the works

Gregg Allison “Pop Spirituality and the Truth” J.D. Payne Books Being Edited by Professors (Rose Publishing 2009) “The Assembly of The Way: The “Evangelism (Deepest Questions Timothy Paul Jones Doctrine of the Church” (Crossway Answered): A Biblical Response to the Travis Kerns, contributor 2010) Questions You’ve Always Wondered “Perspectives on Your Child’s “Baker Dictionary of Cults and World About” (Paternoster 2010) Education” (B&H Academic 2009) Duane Garrett Religions” (Baker 2010) Rob Plummer

“A Modern Grammar for Biblical R. Albert Mohler Jr. “40 Questions About Understanding Contributions to Books (Kregel 2009) Hebrew: Grammar, Workbook, and the Bible” by Professors Key” (B&H 2009) “Words From the Fire: Hearing Tom Schreiner the Voice of God in the 10 Jim Hamilton “Exodus: A Commentary” Commandments” (Moody 2009) “Run to Win the Prize: Perseverance (Kregel 2010) “The Lord’s Supper in Paul: An in the New Testament” (Crossway “Proclaiming a Cross-centered Identity Shaping Proclamation of 2010) Jim Hamilton Theology (Together for the Gospel)” the Gospel,” in “The Lord’s Supper” (Crossway 2009) (B&H 2010) “The Center of Biblical Theology: Stuart Scott and Martha Peace The Glory of God in Salvation Through Russell D. Moore “The Faithful Parent” J.D. Payne Judgment” (Crossway 2010) (Focus 2009) “Wrestling with Demons: The Path to “In Through the Back Door: Reaching Michael A.G. Haykin Temptation and the Way of Escape” the Majority World Through North M. David Sills (Crossway 2010) America,” in “Missions from the “Soldiers of Christ: Selections from the “Reaching and Teaching: The Task of Majority World” Writings of Basil Manly, Sr. and Basil “Kingdom First: How the Reign of International Missions” (William Carey Library 2009) Manly, Jr.” (Founders 2009) Christ Transforms Our Churches, (Moody 2010) Our Families, and Our Culture” “Eleven Implications of the Mission of Timothy Paul Jones (Crossway 2010) God on the North American Church,” “Perspectives on Family Ministry” in “Discovering the Mission of God in (B&H Academic 2009) the Bible” (B&H 2010)

10 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Reviews/Thoughts IN SHORT

in the works

Jonathan T. Pennington Linguist as Pedagogue: Trends in Bruce Ware Hershael York Teaching and Linguistic Analysis of “Refractions of Daniel in the Gospel “Believers’ Baptism View,” in “Preaching and Modern the Greek New Testament” (Sheffield (InterVarsity of Matthew,” in “Early Christian Phoenix Press 2009) “Baptism: Three Views” Communication Theory” in “The Text- Literature and Intertextuality, Vol 1: 2009) Driven Sermon” (B&H 2010) (T&T Clark 2009) Thematic Studies” Robert Vogel “Setting Aside 'Deponency': “Biblical Genres and the Text Driven Rediscovering the Greek Middle Voice Sermon” in “The Text-Driven in New Testament Studies,” in “The Sermon” (B&H 2010)

“Five Who Changed the World” – Heroism in Service of the Gospel By R. Albert Mohler Jr.

"Real heroes are in short supply in our This short book is filled with insight The world really day," says Daniel L. Akin. In a world fas- and inspiration. Dr. Akin, who serves as was changed by the cinated with celebrities and disenchanted President of Southeastern Baptist Theo- service and witness of with greatness, true heroism is hard to logical Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., these Christian mis- define, much less to find. But Dr. Akin is offers biographical portraits of William sionaries, and readers certain that true heroes do appear in this Carey, Adoniram (and Ann) Judson, Bill will risk a changed generation as missionaries, pastors, and Wallace, Lottie Moon, and Jim Elliot. perspective and a church planters. In “Five Who Changed Of these, Dr. Akin wwrites: "All of them challenged heart by the World,” he looks back to the lives of suffered and experienced trials and the reading this book. five Christian missionaries as guides to testing of their faith. Some were even It's a risk you ought to true greatness and heroism today. martyred. Yet they persevered." take -- and to pass along.

Redeeming the Time: Maximizing the Minister’s Time for More Effective Ministry By Jason Allen

Paul’s encouragement to “redeem the hospital lounge, unforeseen delays can brief word of prayer in the vestibule, or time” is not only a biblical exhortation, become impromptu study sessions, and an impromptu word of counsel in your but also a word to the wise for those profitable ones at that. office all can provide timely, on the spot who would prosper in ministry. Ongoing Utilize Technology: While the 21st ministry, and often render lengthier ministerial responsibilities, unforeseen century is marked by a hurried pace of meetings during the week unnecessary. urgencies, and the ever-changing con- life and ministry, it has also brought So, as a rule, arrive early to service and tours of life all bring complication and with it technologies of expedience. Cell stay late. In so doing you will more effec- challenge to the life of the pastor. The phones, email and text-messaging all tively minister to your people and make pastor’s time constraints are unique, yet should be strategically deployed for your week a little less cluttered. so is the gravity of his call – therefore he ministry. Keep a church directory in your While there is no quick fix to an must make time to preach and shepherd car and use drive time to minister to your over-committed life, time better spent is faithfully. Although time management church members via your cell phone. more needed than more time to spend. books can offer general words of instruc- A well-timed email or text message can Practice these principles and you will tion for a more orderly life, below are be a refreshing word to a weary soul. find yourself better redeeming the time three tips specifically for ministers who Lastly, familiarizing yourself with Face- and more effectively shepherding the would like to maximize their time for book and Twitter will enable you to hear flock of God. more effective ministry. from a multitude with only the glance Anytime can be study time: of an eye, and minister to many with Ideally, sermons are crafted during pro- the stroke of a few keys. Though these Jason Allen serves tracted periods of uninterrupted time in “ministerial touches” may seem small, as vice president the study. However, to be a pastor is to often times the old adage is true – it is for institutional know that such opportunities often are the thought that counts. advancement at hard to come by. Thus, the pastor most Arrive to services early and stay late: Southern Seminary prepared to preach on Sunday is the The most important hour in your week and is senior pastor pastor who is always prepared to study may very well be the ten minutes before at Carlisle Avenue throughout the week. Make it a habit to and after each church service. Minutes Baptist Church in carry sermon preparation materials with spent strategically ministering can save Louisville, Ky. you wherever you go. Whether waiting you hours during the week. Deliver- on your car to be serviced or sitting in a ing a sympathetic hug in the hallway, a

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 11 Thoughts IN SHORT

Living in a Twittering world By Chuck Lawless

If you haven’t begun to use “Twit- ter,” you’re already behind in the social networking world. “Twitter” is an Internet-based program that allows you to “communicate and stay connected through the exchange of short status messages.” That is, you can tell someone where you are and what you’re doing at any moment during the day. Dial the Twitter system into your mobile phone, and you can follow – and be followed by – all kinds of people all day long. I, too, am guilty of playing the Twitter game, but sometimes I’m surprised by what seemingly insignificant informa- tion others share. “Got up early this possible! The enemy so ensnares us in his arrogantly inattentive to the warning morning.” “On my way to the store to web of deceit that we somehow believe signals – only a fool thinks he is immune buy bread.” “Reading a book.” “Work- that God Himself does not know what to the possibility of falling. ing out.” “Raking the leaves.” “To the we do in private. How do we remain faithful when a office – many meetings today.” “Tired Having studied spiritual warfare and very real, supernatural enemy seeks this morning.” “Can’t sleep.” On and on the enemy’s strategies for many years, to lure us into the darkness? Here is the text messages go. To be honest, I’m I have watched far too many men and one step in the process: make sure that just waiting for someone to let me know women mess up in their spiritual walk. somebody who loves us ALWAYS knows when he is having a bowel movement What I have never seen, though, are where we are and what we’re doing. – and that kind of sharing becomes the believers who just “wake up” on the If we are never in a place, never in a norm. Nothing, it seems, is private in a other side of sin, as if they unexpect- situation, and never with a person that twittering world. edly and unconsciously find themselves demands our hiding, the likelihood of our But, maybe that’s not all bad. there. Instead, what I have seen is the falling decreases significantly. Sure, some privacy is important. The believer who makes one wrong choice Sound complicated? Perhaps, but physical joys of marriage are meant to be that leads to another wrong choice … I don’t think so. Call your spouse or enjoyed privately. Not every confession that leads to even more wrong choices … email her when you get to work. Get in of sin should be spoken so publicly that and eventually to a fall. Almost always, touch with her when you go to lunch additional problems are created. Some secrecy marks the downward process and when you return to work. Let her prayer needs are so deeply felt that shar- somewhere: know when you head home. If you are ing them with more than a few people • pretending that I am faithful in my running an errand and get detoured, let is emotionally draining. Ministry often practice of spiritual disciplines her know. Frankly, you might even find requires us to hold information respon- • viewing Internet pornography when that talking more with your spouse is sibly, being careful not to make publicly nobody else is around good for your marriage. known what is shared privately. • finding it easier and easier to lie to my Or, if you are not married, find some- On the other hand, too much privacy spouse about anything one of the same gender to carry out sometimes results in tragedy. You know • hiding text and email messages so that this accountability role for you. The cost the story – a follower of Jesus falls no one reads my communication with of falling is simply too heavy for any of into sin, hides it and soon finds himself that particular person us to give ourselves permission to live entangled in a sinful mess. This course • meeting alone to have lunch with that secret lives. of sin should not surprise us, as it began person who is attractive to me While Twitter is a useful tool for with Adam and Eve and has continued • finding excuses to avoid planned ministry impact, it should be used with since then. Having wrongly chosen to eat accountability meetings authenticity and integrity. If using Twit- from the forbidden fruit, the first human Moral failure almost always involves ter makes it more difficult to hide, it’s beings hid themselves (Gen 3:8). Indeed, our covering up secrets, even while likely a smart move to start sending text they were so deceived that they thought convincing ourselves that our actions are messages about everything we do. they could hide “from the presence of acceptable. The result is ultimately spiri- the Lord God” – as if that were even tual disaster. And – lest we find ourselves

12 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Thoughts IN SHORT

Q&A with Gregory Wills

By Jeff Robinson

Editor’s note: Greg Wills authored “The History of Southern Seminary,” newly published by Oxford University Press. Wills serves as professor of church history and director of the Center for the Study of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Question: You argue that there have Q: Conserva- been “two religions” in the history of tives of course Southern Seminary. Could you discuss regained a majority the transition between the two? on the board Greg Wills: In the history of the around 1990 and hired Dr. Mohler Q: You spent untold hours, days, seminary you see two major transitions: as president in 1993. From there, the weeks and months researching and we had a seminary that was established founders’ commitment to orthodoxy writing the book and looked at over a by James P. Boyce and Broadus and was reestablished very quickly. Is this million documents for the project; What Manly for the purpose of conserving and changeover unprecedented in terms of surprised you the most about the history preserving traditional evangelical ortho- the short amount of time it took? of SBTS? doxy going back to the Reformation and GW: Church members in the SBC in GW: One thing that surprised me of course going back to Augustine and the 1970s recognized that the faculty greatly was how rapidly the faculty all the way back to the apostles. That here had become largely liberal in their advanced in liberal directions beginning endured for a generation. commitments and decided that they around 1940. Part of the reason was the Beginning around 1900 or a little weren’t going to suffer this any longer. G.I. Bill allowed soldiers to come and before and gaining momentum over the With the momentum of the convention, study – men who were called to the min- next decade or so, the seminary began they set upon this kind of transformation istry, who completed their tour of duty a transition to a different understand- and the seminary is controlled by the in the early part of World War II and ing of truth. It’s not so much that they denomination…This made possible a very upon release took advantage of the G.I. became against truth; they understood rapid transition. You had a very rapid Bill. So, the student population exploded truth in a different way – different transition at Southeastern – the rapidity beginning around 1942 and kept explod- epistemology, different understanding there was fostered by the fact that the ing for years. We had to hire a lot of of how to interpret the Bible, different faculty members resigned to deliberately professors. Most of the young professors understanding of how the Bible was sink the school…Another school that had that we hired were committed to liberal inspired. Beginning around 1942, the a rapid transformation was Concordia assumptions and methods. faculty becomes predominantly liberal seminary, a Missouri Synod Lutheran Another thing that surprised me in the classic sense of the term with a seminary in St. Louis, a few years earlier. was how deeply sin complicated and very different understanding of truth and The Missouri Synod had undertaken the ensnared the faculty. I mean things like how the Bible relates to truth…They still same sort of revolution that we had as pride, jealousy, fear, distrust – how they believed that the Bible was fundamental Southern Baptists. could produce rivalries, distrust and this to the churches and to personal faith, The way in which Southern’s transi- is true largely of the post-World War II but it was a very different kind of Bible, tion differs from both of those is that faculty. This same faculty that became a very different kind of inspiration, and, it was less traumatic. By the grace of liberal rapidly in large measure did not in many cases, different interpretations God, the wisdom of the trustees and the get along. There were a lot of disappoint- of the Bible based upon those different leadership of Albert Mohler and David ing episodes and events and trends in assumptions of epistemology. Dockery, we were able to have a radical that regard. It surprised me, but maybe transformation with the least possible it shouldn’t have. trauma. We did lose students, but we maintained enough students, faculty and resources that we were able to make this transition with the least amount of trauma possible.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 13 TRUTH, LEGACY, VISION

By R. Albert Mohler Jr., President

istory requires an explanation. TRUTH upon God’s truth. Even in 1859, the HAs chronological creatures our Most educational institutions declaim dangers of a theological education consciousness demands an explanation any specific truths upon which they without confessional accountability for why things are as they are and how are established, claiming instead an were already apparent. Even by then, they came to be. How did The Southern unfettered quest for truth and denying, schools in the young nation founded for Baptist Theological Seminary come to be for the most part, the existence of the training of Christian ministers had what it is today? any fixed truths upon which all truth abandoned the faith. As we celebrate the sesquicentennial stands. Southern Seminary is not one The founders of Southern Seminary of this cherished institution, three words of those institutions. were determined that this school would frame this explanation – truth, legacy, From the very beginning, Southern not be added to that list. They were and vision Seminary has been a school established men of deep conviction supported by

14 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 churches of deep conviction. They to this institution in 1859. We are com- of Furman University to propose a believed that the Bible is the inerrant missioned to train, educate, and prepare central seminary for the Southern and infallible Word of God, and that the God-called ministers of the Gospel for Baptist Convention. He saw what others Seminary must be held accountable to more faithful service. had not yet seen – a way forward in the the churches by means of a confession Just imagine what trust is involved in establishment of a great theological of faith. this. The churches trust us to teach truth institution. By no accident, he would For Southern Seminary, truth is always and to inculcate in the students they serve as the school’s founder and first the first issue. We are a confessional send us a reverent respect for the Bible president. institution and the Abstract of Principles and skills in “rightly dividing the Word Consider the vision of the early faculty and the Baptist Faith & Message bind us of truth.” [2 Tim. 2:15] Students trust us as they surveyed the landscape after to the bedrock beliefs upon which this to teach them well and to prepare them the devastation of the Civil War and school was established and by which we thoroughly for the tasks of ministry. Reconstruction. They saw what others live and teach. Churches expect to know what they did not see – a brave future for their Those confessions of faith have been are getting when they call a graduate of school and denomination. our touchstone, our corrective, and our Southern Seminary. Donors invest in this That vision brought the school from contract since 1859. Without a clear mission, expectant that Southern Semi- Greenville, South Carolina to Louisville, accountability to the faith once and for nary will live up to our commitments. Kentucky – and from one century into all delivered to the saints, a school for The Southern Baptist Convention, the the next. ministry becomes a danger, not a gift to denomination of churches we so proudly Building on that vision, President the churches it serves. serve, entrusts a sacred mission to us, E. Y. Mullins and his generation would Without apology, Southern Seminary supports us generously, and elects our envision a global mission for Southern stands for truth. board of trustees. Seminary and a beautiful new campus At every turn, we are reminded of this to sustain that mission. LEGACY stewardship, and we are determined by Each successive generation has For some, legacy represents history. For God’s grace to be faithful in this genera- brought new vision to Southern Semi- others it means an inheritance or a trust. tion so that we can entrust the same to nary. Our task is to stand without com- For Southern Seminary, it means all this those who will follow us. promise upon the vision that brought this and more. With no second thoughts, Southern school into existence, and to build on As we mark the 150th anniversary of Seminary cherishes this legacy. that vision as we are called to unprec- Southern Seminary’s founding, legacy edented opportunities. represents all that has brought us to this VISION Without hesitation, Southern Semi- milestone, and all that is entrusted to us Great institutions do not merely hap- nary embraces that vision. from the past. We are the inheritors of a pen. It takes vision beyond imagination Southern Seminary cannot be reduced priceless legacy. to conceive and build schools such as to three words, but three words frame The Apostle Paul once described min- Southern Seminary. the observance and celebration of our isters of the Gospel as “stewards of the Imagine the audacity of young James sesquicentennial year. mysteries of God.” [1 Cor. 4:1-2] We are Petigru Boyce, who, when not yet Truth, legacy, vision. Just imagine also the stewards of a mission entrusted 30 years old, stood before the faculty where these will take us.

Is God disappearing from American culture and the church?

The omnipotent, omniscient, Mohler examines a number of chal- omnipresent God of Scripture lenges facing both the broader culture and the church in chapters on: ­certainly cannot be vanquished by mankind, but in his new book • The disappearance of sin and the “The Disappearance of God: assault on the doctrine of hell Dangerous Beliefs in the New • The Emerging Church • Liberalism and atheism Spiritual Openness” (Multnomah), • The rise of a post-Christian age in the Southern Seminary President R. United States Albert Mohler Jr. shows how God • The demise of church discipline • The closing of the postmodern mind is practically disappearing from the • The urgency of expository preaching lives of people in a postmodern as the answer to cultural and theo- culture. logical challenges

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 15 16 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Truth n. (trooth) 1. Conformity to fact or actuality.

“The Scriptural qualifications for the Ministry do, indeed, involve the idea of knowledge, but that knowledge is not of the sciences, nor of philosophy, nor of the languages, but of God and of His plan of salvation.” —James Petigru Boyce

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 17 Truth – and the – Nations

by Chuck Lawless

n the past year, I have traveled in from 527,000 in 1990 to 1.3 million in number of American adults believing I11 countries. In these countries I have 2008. In fact, consider these statistics that good persons will go to heaven met people who follow other gods, wor- about the nations in North America: whether or not they know Jesus Christ ship life-size idols, offer fruit to shrines, • More than 70 nationalities are as Savior. Sociologist Rodney Stark carry good luck charms in their cars, represented in Louisville, Ky., where concludes, “Unlike earlier generations fear the gods of their villages, sacrifice to Southern Seminary is located. of Americans, most of whom held strong demons, carve idols from wood, revere • As of July 2007, the largest ethnic views that the ‘Pearly Gates’ were very animals and perform elaborate rituals to minority in the United States is narrow … few now expect heaven to be cleanse their souls before an unknown Hispanics. restricted to Christians.” Missions and god. Some of these same people have • From 1970 to 2006, the foreign-born evangelism thus become largely unneces- little access to the truth in Jesus Christ – population in the United States rose sary if we believe and teach that a plural- either in spoken or written form. from 4.7 to almost 13 percent. ity of routes leads to God. Though the numbers vary according • 364 different people groups are repre- This issue becomes especially real to source, estimates show that 1.5 billion sented in the United States. when followers of other faiths are now people around the world are Muslim, God’s church faces the tri-fold truth our neighbors rather than unnamed faces 900 million are Hindu and 376 mil- that the nations do not know God, somewhere on “CNN” or a USA Today lion are Buddhist. Another 394 million the nations have now come to North page. Spiritual lostness is easier to accept follow Chinese traditional religions, and America and Jesus is still the only way when the lost person is not my co-worker 300 million follow primal/indigenous to God (John 14:6). These realities have or my friend; once I know and respect religions (including traditional African numerous implications for the local that person, however, it is easier to religions). More than one billion people church. First, we must make certain assume that God might grant grace apart are identified as secular, non-religious, that our members know and believe that from a relationship with Jesus. Frankly, agnostic or atheist. there is only one Truth – Jesus. Exclu- we can no longer assume that all of our Even in the United States, the self- sivity of salvation in Christ is largely church members believe that a personal identified Muslim population has grown rejected in this nation, with a growing relationship with Jesus is necessary for

18 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 salvation. Teaching basic biblical truths of the world. Despite access to the comfort zone for the sake of the Gospel is thus an urgent necessity. world via technology, few of our church is not optional. Indeed, the truths of the Second, we must help believers value members are aware that 1.7 billion lostness of humanity and the amazing the truth of hope found in the Gospel. people have little or no access to the grace of God demand nothing less. In a country dominated by another world Gospel. More than 6,600 people groups religion, I visited the burial shrine of a are unreached, meaning that they do not “holy man” of that faith. When I asked have an indigenous Christian population Chuck Lawless the shrine caretakers if that “holy man” with enough resources to evangelize the serves as dean of were in heaven, the caretakers could entire group. More than 300 of the 500+ the Billy Graham respond only, “We don’t know, but we people groups in China do not have any School of Missions hope so.” That world faith (a faith whose portions of the Bible translated into their and Evangelism and assurance of heaven is based only on primary language. Yet, Southern Baptist VP for Academic good works outweighing the bad) offered church attendees gave slightly less than Programming at no real hope, even for a “holy man.” $220 per person to missions during the Southern Seminary. This story can be repeated throughout 2007-08 church year. Only through Lawless is also the the world, where men and women are intentional education about the truth William Walker desperately seeking hope through means of the Gospel and the world’s true needs Brookes Professor of that can give no such hope. In turn, will that figure likely increase. Evangelism and Church Growth (1997) our responsibility is to help Christian Fourth, we must connect our church at Southern. Lawless is the author of believers appreciate and value the very members to the nations. Not only must “Membership Matters,” “Spiritual War- real, confident hope we have in Jesus we now see North America as a mission fare,” “Discipled Warriors” and “Mak- (Titus 2:13). The truth of this hope is field, but we North Americans must also ing Disciples through Mentoring.” life-changing. use our God-given resources to go to Third, we must teach our church our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the members about the truth of the needs ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Leaving our

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 19 Family ministry is necessary and significant because what we have Truth & been doing is ineffective.

his home. The contemporary church Family has made it too easy for husbands and fathers to follow Adam’s example and to neglect their responsibilities at home. Dad is working too much, pursuing By Randy Stinson his own personal pleasures instead of sacrificially providing spiritual leadership for his family. Contrast this too-familiar pattern to God’s ideal, expressed through ver the last two years I have become the pen of the prophet Malachi: “He will turn the hearts of fathers to their chil- Oaware that there is a genuine family min- dren and the hearts of children to their fathers” (Mal. 4:6). Any church that fails istry movement happening in the evangeli- to reach men and to turn their hearts cal community – a movement that involves toward their families will be perpetually weak. A church that wants to pursue churches of all sizes and denominations. At God’s best must reorient itself to reach husbands and fathers and to hold them nearly every youth or children’s conference accountable for the there are seminars dedicated to the subject most important job they will ever have. Family ministry is necessary and of family ministry with multiple speakers pre- Today’s significant because the church is senting their perspectives on how it ought churches offer more youth camps, a family. to be done. But why? What is causing this conferences, Christian music, sophisticated technol- groundswell of interest in family ministry? ogy, books and trained leaders than ever And why is this movement so significant? before. Yet, for whatever reason, a signif- icant number of children fail to make the transition from youth ministry to mature Christian adulthood. The sort of ministry Family ministry is If Satan’s that will address this strategy has been Family ministry is problem can’t be necessary and signifi- to undermine the necessary and found by adding one cant because families home generally, more church program his more specific significant because that you found on are under siege. strategy has been the shelf of your to marginalize hus- husbands and Christian bookstore. Families have been under siege since bands and fathers. What is needed is a the Fall. When God declared in Gen- In the Garden of fathers have theological and struc- esis 3 that the serpent would bruise the Eden, the serpent been marginalized. tural reorientation heel of woman and her offspring would came to tempt that gives birth to crush the serpent’s head, He invoked a the woman (Gen. church cultures that declaration of war. From that point to 3:1), undermining God’s design for her draw families together instead of pulling this one, it has been the Enemy’s hellish husband to guide and to protect her. them apart. strategy to undermine families. There is a Yet, in the aftermath of the Fall, God bullseye on the back of every home, and came looking for Adam (3:9). Why? the church must reorient itself to protect Because Adam was responsible for that and to develop families. family unit. He was responsible to guard

20 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 I desire to see a Family ministry is necessary and new climate sweep through significant because what we have our churches – been doing is ineffective. a climate where families are drawn together, where dads are equipped to lead, where parents embrace the primary responsibility of discipling their chil- dren, where children’s hearts are turned toward their mothers and fathers, where the hearts of mothers and fathers are turned toward their children, where the people of God make a place for single moms and shattered families and teenag- ers who come without parents. All of this is significant because, according to scripture, the church is a family. Every believer in Jesus Christ has “received a spirit of adoption” (Rom 8:15). God is the heavenly Father (Matt 6:9) who disciplines us like children (Heb 12:5- 11). The church is the family of God, and family relationships represent a divinely-ordained paradigm for God’s church – which is why it is so important for our relationships in the family and in the church to reflect God’s ideal. When congregations fail to conform to God’s Family ministry is necessary and Word in every area, it becomes easy to significant because the church is let husbands and a family. fathers off the hook, to embrace ministry models that do not hold parents account- able for the discipleship of their children or to allow the church’s many programs to fragment families instead of unifying them. It may be painful to realign your church’s proclamation and practices, it may be hard work and it may require repentance – but it is never wrong. The School of Church Ministries cares deeply about families. We are prepared to train you and give you the tools to go into the church and lead families in your congregation to disciple their children and impact generation after generation with the Gospel to the glory of Christ and His church.

Randy Stinson serves as dean of the School of Church Ministries at Southern Seminary. He also serves as executive director for The Council on Biblical Manhood SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 and Womanhood. SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 21 Grad Seeing Church “This is all about God and His sover- eignty and His desire for people to know Plant Growing Strong Him. I do not think we are a product in any way, shape or form of our personal efforts. This is truly God’s design.” Near City of Aaron Harvie, a 1998 graduate of The Since its founding, Riverside has been Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, searching for a physical home and has Brotherly moved back to his native Pennsylvania had several opportunities fall through, in 1999 to lay the foundation,through Harvie said. Recently, a Presbyterian the Nehemiah Project, that would church gave Riverside its building, con- Love become Riverside. With financial and structed in 1898, with the arrangement logistical support from several Louisville that Riverside would pay off the final partners including Southern Seminary $120,000 on its note. By Jeff Robinson and Highview Baptist Church, the new The building was recently appraised church flourished from the beginning in at $3.77 million, but comes with one Warrington, Pa., a Philadelphia suburb, problem: it is located 45 minutes away in Riverside Community Church near with Harvie as its pastor. Westchester, Pa. Riverside cannot meet Philadelphia is a congregation fraught “In a lot of ways we have defied every there, but has already planted a daughter with delightful paradoxes. statistic that is out there,” Harvie said. congregation that is using the building. The church owns a beautiful church “Prior to our arrival, they had tried to The plant is closing in on 200 members. building with classic architecture, but start what they called ‘Anglo’ churches Harvie said this has allowed Riverside remains homeless, meeting at Regal Cin- around Philadelphia for 16 years and had to begin fulfilling one of its major goals: emas movie theatre complex, its location met failure in every attempt. multiplying itself. since birth nearly nine years ago. “We went in with not a very good track “Wouldn’t that be the kicker?” Harvie And Riverside is a church plant that is record of church planting in the North- said. “God plants all these churches thriving with nearly 400 weekly attend- east and yet we launched with 179 people through the congregation with their own ees while situated in the Northeast, a in October of 2000. We have not been buildings and the mother church doesn’t region in the United States where many under 100 people when the majority of have a building. That is fine with us. We church plants wilt and die in the highly church plants remain under 100 for their are fortunate because, not only are we secularized soil. first four years. Only God could do this. surviving, we are multiplying. We planted that daughter church in 2007 and want to see churches multiplying and thriving all over the Northeast. “We have phenomenal assets for a small church, but for whatever reason, God has left us homeless. But without a doubt, we are learning a lot about God and His faithfulness. We understand that, while it would be a great asset to have, we really don’t have to have a facility. We have learned over and over again that Jesus really is enough. That’s a hard lesson to learn because it is easier to put our faith in other things and other people. We are still learning that lesson.” Harvie and his wife, Allison, have been married for 12 years. Their family has increased steadily during the years they have served at Riverside and they now have three children: John, 9, Grace, 7, and Luke 5. While God has been pleased to bless Riverside as something of a “best-case scenario” as a church plant, Harvie pointed out that planting a church is rigorous, challenging work. “Church planting is hard because it’s not glamorous,” he said. “It’s not pres- tigious and you are on the outside of all movers and shakers and you really have to die to yourself and that is hard. But, boy does God honor that.”

22 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 23 24 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Legacy n. (lěg'ə-sē) 2. A business with which one is entrusted by another; a commission;

“In the view of eternity, we will be judged most closely, not on the basis of how many courses were taught, how many students were trained, how many syllabi were printed, or how many books were published, but on whether or not we kept the faith.” —R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 25 An Excerpt from Gregory A. Wills' Latest Book “The History of Southern Seminary”: Chapter 9

On September 16, 1957, an ordina- theology, and the historical criticism of tion council set in motion a series of the Bible, and criticized Billy Graham, events that culminated in the dismissal W. A. Criswell, or the mission boards, of thirteen professors, nearly half the McCall observed, you “don’t represent faculty of the school of theology. Hargus grassroots Baptists.” McCall recognized Taylor, a doctoral student in church that since grassroots Baptists paid the history, sought ordination at Broadway piper, they had the right to call the tune. Baptist Church. The pastor, Ed Perry, Nearly half the faculty dissented from invited the members of the Louisville McCall’s vision for the seminary. They Baptist Pastors Conference to examine viewed McCall’s advocacy of diplomatic Taylor’s qualifications. Taylor professed discourse as a flattery to gratify the Duke McCall, the seventh president of a progressive view of the inspiration of conservative reactionaries. Professors The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. the Bible, and defended the practices Theron Price and Guy Ranson, leaders of open communion and receiving alien of the dissenting faculty, held deeply immersions as valid baptisms. the conviction that the seminary had felt themselves bound together by a Taylor’s views of the Lord’s Supper to have freedom to lead the denomina- common fate. They had to do something and of alien immersions caused grave tion toward progressive theology and to avert Price’s martyrdom. They decided concern to the more conservative pas- practice. McCall opposed their vision, to compel the committee to turn their tors, but his view of inspiration evoked so they resisted McCall’s leadership and meeting into an inquisition against the greatest concern. One of the pastors sought to control the direction of McCall. They would appeal to the trust- reported that Taylor “did not believe in the seminary. ees for help against McCall. the Bible as the inspired Word of God McCall seemed to be laying plans to On April 18 seven professors, Theron without many qualifications.” Taylor fire Price and Ranson. On March 27, Price, Guy Ranson, T. C. Smith, Hugh refused to say simply that the Bible was 1958, McCall told the faculty that resis- Wamble, William Morton, Morris the Word of God. Taylor acknowledged tance of the president’s authority had Ashcraft, and John Lewis, met in Smith’s that the Bible was authoritative for kept the seminary in crisis. It must cease. home to discuss their course of action. matters of faith, but held that it was the “If you feel constrained of conscience to They considered resigning en masse, Word of God only in a qualified sense. It be a rebel warring against the organiza- but decided instead to draw up a list of was a witness to the central revelation of tion and constituted authority (adminis- grievances against McCall and present it God in Jesus Christ, who was himself the tration, trustees, and denomination) of to the trustees, “hoping that the trustees true Word of God. The Bible then was the seminary, you are requested to find would exercise their legal responsibili- not in a strict sense revelation, but a wit- a more compatible place than this, that ties for the seminary’s well-being,” that ness of the true revelation of God in the you may be happy and that we may get is, that they would restrain or dismiss person of Jesus. When two faculty mem- on about our task without repeated cri- McCall. They called their petition bers on the council, Guy Ranson and ses. I hope that we can each and all find “A Supplementary Report to the Trust- T. C. Smith agreed with Taylor’s views, fulfillment of our Christian calling here, ees of Southern Baptist Seminary.” the concern deepened. As a result, local but the welfare of the whole is more Thirteen professors signed it and pre- pastors pressured McCall to address important than any of its parts.” Price sented it to trustees. liberalism among the faculty. and Ranson would either stop fomenting The “Supplementary Report” was McCall responded by asking the rebellion or they would find a bill of indictment. The fundamental faculty to be more circumspect in their employment elsewhere. charge was that McCall abused his exec- speech. McCall tried to explain that the A trustee committee decided to inves- utive authority by ignoring the faculty’s faculty needed to express some respect tigate the matter and installed recording rightful role in governing the seminary. for the beliefs and practices held by equipment in the Faculty Center confer- McCall insisted that it was ultimately his common Southern Baptists. When they ence room. The impending inquisition responsibility to decide such matters as publicly advanced ecumenism, liberal electrified the dissenting faculty. They promotion and hiring recommendations,

26 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Southern Baptist Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Seminary 1859–2009 1859–2009 Tracing the history of the seminary from the begin- ning to the present, Wills shows how its founda- tional commitment to preserving orthodoxy was implanted in denominational memory in ways that strengthened the denomination’s conservatism and limited the seminary’s ability to stray from it.

GREGORYA.WILLS Available now!

and he resolved that he would not be Southern Baptists interpreted the nation in the past, the current trustees bound by faculty recommendations. The dismissals as an overdue purge of liberal “have closed the door on light and trustees proved unsympathetic to the theology at the seminary. McCall and learning for many years to come.” Most thirteen’s point of view. The professors the faculty on both sides insisted that it Southern Baptists however interpreted tried to make it clear that they could not was not a conflict over theology, which the conflict as a rebellion against legiti- remain unless there was radical change was largely true, inasmuch as profes- mate authority by a group of liberal and in the administration. But the majority sors on both sides were committed to disloyal professors. Herschel Hobbs’s of the trustees agreed with McCall that the same historical-critical approach to assessment prevailed widely: “This was the real source of controversy as the understanding the Bible and accepted Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s thirteen’s unwillingness to accept the many of the premises and conclusions finest hour as she stood in the breach president’s authority. of the broader liberal scholarship. The and said to modernism and its kind that At the June 12 meeting of the board, major theological difference had to do it shall go no further in Southern Baptist McCall recommended that trustees not with theology per se, but with how institutions and life.” McCall’s purge had dismiss the thirteen. The motion recited to relate a progressive theology to the saved the school and the denomination various charges against the thirteen but churches of a conservative denomina- from liberalism. The orthodox soon dis- the chief complaint was their failure tion. Southern Baptists nevertheless covered however that it was not a case of to relate cooperatively and construc- viewed the dismissals as a purge of once saved, always saved. tively with the administration. But the liberalism. Several of the thirteen had recommendation proposed not to fire the reputations as the most liberal men on thirteen but to accept their resignations, the faculty. And the men who had the Gregory Wills based on their prior threat to resign. strongest reputation as sound conserva- serves as professor It was an artful ambiguity designed to tives, Wayne Ward and Clyde Francisco, of church history, secure the reinstatement of all but Price were not among the thirteen. associate dean of and Ranson. But trustees wanted no Denominational liberals interpreted theology and tradi- ambiguity—there would be no resigna- the firings as a profound setback to tion and director of tions. They amended the recommen- enlightenment and progress among the Center for the dation to remove the language about Southern Baptists. Harold Tribble, presi- Study of the South- resignation and voted to dismiss thirteen dent of Wake Forest College, concluded ern Baptist Conven- by a vote of thirty-two to nine. that whereas the seminary had exerted tion at Southern “progressive leadership” in the denomi- Seminary.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 27 THEN & NOW ast time the Southern Baptist Con- Boyce Centennial Library. Completed Sesquicentennial Pavilion, four deans Lvention held its annual meeting in in the fall, the seminary moved into the administer the seminary’s three schools Louisville was 1959. And both Southern new facility Nov. 10. and undergraduate college and academ- Seminary and Louisville were far differ- Other notable events of the year ics advance more strongly than ever. ent than they are today. included the election of Southern’s Student fees, administrative struc- As part of the celebration of its first dean of the School of Theology ture and the population of the semi- centennial anniversary, Southern held its in Penrose St. Amant and a process of nary’s home city have also changed spring commencement May 19 during institutional recovery after the board of dramatically. the SBC’s opening session in Free- trustees fired 13 faculty members the The common denominator between dom Hall. The ceremony included the previous year for their insubordination to 1959 and 2009, however, is that the convention sermon delivered by R. Paul President Duke K. McCall. Remarkably, SBC annual meeting is back in Louisville Caudill, pastor of First Baptist Church in the seminary did not lose its accredita- and Southern Seminary has another Memphis, Tenn. tion over the firings, as many predicted. significant anniversary to celebrate. During the convention, Southern also Contrast that picture with 2009 when laid the cornerstone for the James P. the latest addition to the campus is the

Facts 1959 2009

Louisville’s population: approximately 390,000 approximately 710,000

Average price of a gallon of gas: 30.5 cents $2.50 ($2.18 today if adjusted for inflation)

Southern seminary enrollment: 1,426 4,232

SBTS president: Duke K. McCall R. Albert Mohler Jr.

President of the Southern Ramsey Pollard, pastor of Broadway Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Baptist Convention: Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., Church Woodstock in the Atlanta area.

President of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower Barack Obama

Cost per semester: For a bachelor of divinity student (the $205 per hour equivalent of a master of divinity student for Southern Baptist students today), cost per semester was a $35 matriculation fee plus an average of $50-$75 for books.

The Southern Baptist Approximately 9.2 million Approximately 16 million Convention membership.

28 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 ess than a mile from The South- Lern Baptist Theological Seminary sits Cave Hill holds Cave Hill Cemetery, a landmark that is more than 160 years old, one that is an ode to both the magnificence and frailty Southern’s Legends of human life. Towering trees, gently sloping hills, flowers and ivy mark the garden ceme- tery, a place that holds most of Southern Seminary’s founders and past presidents. The first of Southern’s three plots contains the bones of seminary founders Basil Manly Jr., John Broadus and James By Garrett E. Wishall P. Boyce, with a 20-foot tall obelisk commemorating Boyce’s grave. Boyce was the seminary’s founding president (1859-1888) and Broadus followed Boyce as president (1889-1895). Near the founders lay Southern’s fifth president, John Sampey (1928-1942), and renowned New Testament professor A.T. Robertson. W.O. Carver, Clyde T. Francisco and Marguerite McCall, wife of Southern’s seventh president, Duke K. McCall (1951-1982) are also buried in plot one. Plot two features a large stone slab honoring the seminary’s fourth presi- dent, E.Y. Mullins (1899-1928). The slab reminds visitors of Mullins’ distinguished posts – president of Southern, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, president of Baptist World Alliance and pastor of several Southern Baptist churches – and carries a quote from the Baptist statesman: “My sword I give to him who shall succeed me, my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me to be a witness for me that I have fought his battles who will now be my rewarder.” Ellis Fuller, Southern’s sixth president (1942-1950), and Old Testament profes- sors Eric Rust and Donald Williams are also buried in the second plot. Plot three contains Roy L. Honeycutt, Southern’s eighth president (1982- 1993), who died in December 2004. Theology professor Dale Moody and church history professor Marvin Ander- son are also buried in plot three. To get to the cemetery from Southern, turn right on Lexington Road, left on Grinstead Ave. and it will be on the right after a quarter mile. Cave Hill Cemetery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 29 SBTS Was Ahead of American Culture in Civil Rights By David Roach

he United States Supreme Court vacant faculty offices and sitting outside But perhaps the most notable civil Tordered public schools to desegre- classroom doors to listen in on lectures. rights event at Southern occurred in gate in 1954. But long before that, The Kentucky’s attorney general told the 1961 when Martin Luther King Jr. spoke Southern Baptist Theological Seminary seminary such a practice did not violate in chapel. opened its doors to blacks and became a the Day Law. But sometime between “The church must make it clear that pioneer in civil rights. Offutt’s first and second graduations, the if we are to be true witnesses of Jesus In spite of the Day Law – a Kentucky seminary began allowing black students Christ, we can no longer give our alle- ordinance that prohibited educational to sit in classrooms with white students giance to a system of segregation,” King institutions from receiving both white in violation of the Day Law. said to approximately 1,400 people in and black students as pupils – in 1942 According to some professors, inte- chapel. Later in the day the civil rights Southern began instructing black stu- grated classrooms were solely a matter leader participated in a question-and- dents on campus in its Negro Extension of utility – they got tired of teaching the answer session for a combined session of department. same material to blacks in offices and the seminary’s ethics classes. By 1944 Garland Offutt earned the then again to whites in classrooms. But In response to King’s visit, Southern number of credits required for a master theology professor Wayne Ward felt the Baptists generally, and even the semi- of theology degree and with faculty law breaking was a matter of principle. nary’s trustees, expressed alarm. McCall approval became the first black graduate Ward recalled one incident when a had all of his speaking engagements of any Southern Baptist Seminary. Offutt police officer arrived at his class to issue in Mississippi cancelled in the wake continued his studies at Southern and a warning about violating the Day Law. of King’s appearance, and one man in earned his doctor of theology degree When the officer hesitated to enter, Dothan, Ala., said he planned to devote in 1948. Ward told him God would punish him if $40,000 to getting McCall fired. The first black students completed he arrested anyone. But seminary faculty continued to their coursework through instruction in The Day Law remained in effect until press for racial justice. Over the next 1954, but trustees voted to admit black 20 years Southern made special efforts students to the seminary in 1951 rather to recruit black students and began a than continuing to relegate them to the black church studies program in the Negro Extension department. 1970s. African-American enrollment Said Duke McCall, Southern’s presi- increased so dramatically that word dent at the time, “My memory is that we spread among black Baptists that South- decided to ignore the law. We thought ern was the “largest black seminary in we had moral ground – and probably the the country,” with black enrollment legal ground as well – to ignore it. We exceeding the numbers at many histori- didn’t think the authorities were going to cally black seminaries. challenge the seminary over the admis- In 1986 Southern hired the first ten- sion of black students. We thought if ured black faculty member at any SBC anybody did, and got into federal court, seminary in T. Vaughn Walker. Several it probably would get thrown out.” African Americans have served on the By the late 1950s, the seminary quietly faculty since then, but Walker remains hired a black Nigerian, Emanuel A. the only black professor to sign the Dahunsi, to teach New Testament. Abstract of Principles.

30 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 31 Russell D. Moore David Platt Justin Taylor Andrew Peterson

32 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Family celebrates that has developed intimate ties with pulled by a mule team – and was con- Southern Seminary. Coppenger earned a verted at age 10 in Etowah, Tenn. While 100 year legacy master of theology from the school dur- transportation was primarily by horse ing the Great Depression. and wagon, Raymond Coppenger recalls By Jeff Robinson Raymond Coppenger’s son, Mark, that his grandfather owned one of the today serves as distinguished professor first automobiles in his community. There is patience in hoping and pray- of apologetics at Southern and his As a high school senior in Atlanta, ing that your Ph.D. dissertation will be grandson, Jedidiah, is a Ph.D. student Coppenger surrendered to the call to published and then there is the story of at the school. ministry at age 18. He received his Raymond Coppenger, who turned 100 “Southern Seminary has always been undergraduate degree from this year. a special place for my family,” Raymond Mercer University. After graduating from the University Coppenger said in an interview four Coppenger has assembled a lengthy of Edinburgh in 1951 with a Ph.D., Cop- years ago. and impressive ministry resume, pastor- penger’s dissertation will be published Raymond Coppenger’s life and minis- ing churches in Tennessee and teaching this year, 59 years after completion. try are themselves a story that spanned philosophy at Cumberland University, Joshua Press is publishing his work, most of the 20th century. Born outside Ouachita Baptist College and “A Messenger of Grace: A Study of the the tiny Appalachian community of Boyce College. Life and Thought of Abraham Booth Coker Creek, Tenn., Coppenger spent Above (left to right): Raymond, Mark, (1734-1806).” most of his formative years in Atlanta. Jedidiah and Josiah Coppenger. Coppenger is a 1936 graduate of The He grew up attending church – riding Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. four miles from home to Sunday school He is also the patriarch of a family and worship services in a hay wagon

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 33 34 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Vision n. (vĭzh'ən) 2. Unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent fore- sight: a leader of vision.

“And may the men be always ready, as the years come and go, to carry on, with widening reach and heightened power, the work we sought to do, and did begin!” —John A. Broadus

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 35 a manifesto for training ministers By Denny Burk

s I stood before him looking into Ahis casket, the gratitude in my heart welled-up as the words came out of my mouth, “Thank you.” The year was 2007, and I was taking one last look at the face of a man who had rescued me when I was in college. He was my Greek profes- sor, Rev. James W. Lipscomb. My faith had been shaken to its roots during my sophomore year of college in 1992. I had been told that the four Gospels were fictional accounts and that Paul did not write some of the canonical letters that bear his name. For the first time I was exposed to higher critical theories of Scripture, and I began to feel that someone had yanked the rug out from under my faith in Christ. When I looked at the Bible, there was a big question mark because of the seeds of doubt sown in me. I desperately wanted it to be true, but I did not know how to verify the truth of the Gospel that I had learned from childhood. The Bible’s depiction of Jesus was the only one I knew. To lose the Bible was to lose Jesus. I came to the conclusion that either Christianity was a farce (the Bible is in fact fiction) or that I was a farce (I wasn’t a Christian because of my inability to believe). I was left feeling fearful and utterly hopeless, and I didn’t know what to do. The Lord graciously brought me out of my spiritual despondency through the influence of some key ministers and

36 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 a manifesto for training ministers By Denny Burk

through His Word. I discovered C. S. cowed by theological liberalism, and his the mind that God has given us. Are Lewis and Francis Schaeffer during this confidence in the Bible was infectious to we going to be passive receptacles of period and came to the conclusion that me. The Lord used him to rebuild in me the thought-forms of this passing age, Christianity and the scriptures were what the scoffers had done their best to or will we discipline ourselves for the not nearly as fanciful as I had been led tear down. glory of God to learn about Him and the to believe. I learned to love the Bible— Why do I share this story? Because world that He has made? An education really love the Bible. I began reading God used this spiritual and emotional is not just about knowledge though it it through every year, something I had crisis in my life to shape a whole new certainly includes that. It is knowledge. never done before. perspective on Him and on my educa- It is also the formation of our character One of the fruits of my period of skep- tion. In addition to being driven back under God and the shaping of our minds ticism was an earnest desire to read the to the Bible, I became blood-earnest according to a biblical worldview. In this New Testament in its original language: about understanding history, philosophy, sense, education is discipleship. Greek. Enter Rev. Lipscomb. He was theology and all the other big worldview Though my Greek professor has a retired Presbyterian minister who had disciplines that have impacted Christian- passed away, his legacy has not. My own been teaching my college dean how to ity over the centuries. For me, it wasn’t vision for theological education has been read Greek in his spare time. When an academic exercise, it was a matter inexorably shaped by what I learned I explained to my dean that I wanted to of spiritual life or death to understand from Rev. Lipscomb. God’s written pursue Christian ministry after college, the Bible and where it came from, to revelation of Himself must be the basis he introduced me to Rev. Lipscomb. understand the history of theology, and and measure of all human knowledge. What followed was four semesters of to think God’s thoughts after others who Moreover, seminaries should aim to train New Testament Greek studies under had gone before. men who will be equipped to proclaim the private tutelage of this 82-year-old My love of the Greek Bible began this revelation faithfully and to apply it learned man of faith. He never charged in earnest during this period because to every domain of this fallen world. To me or the university one thin dime for I knew that I had to read this book train such leaders is the great task that his services. for myself. I could no longer allow the we have in fact undertaken at Boyce Rev. Lipscomb fascinated me in secularists to tell me what the Bible was, ­College and Southern Seminary, and every way. He was a contemporary of what it was saying and where it came I am grateful to be a part of this work. Schaeffer and had attended seminary from. I had to know God’s revelation for with him. He served as a chaplain in the myself or I felt as if I would drown in the Navy during World War II. He believed morass of conflicting opinions about it. Denny Burk that a person with a liberal arts educa- What I came to believe then, serves as dean and tion could do anything. But most of all, I believe more strongly than ever now. associate professor Rev. Lipscomb loved the Bible and was a An education is not coextensive with a of New Testament master of the Greek New Testament. He piece of paper. Many people with the at Boyce College, held to the inerrancy of the Bible and to piece of paper don’t have an education. the undergraduate its sufficiency for ministry. He was not An education relates to how we view institution of South- ern Seminary.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 37 Southern Seminary and the Future of American Culture

By Russell D. Moore

temptation for Southern This necessitates a theologically and well-intentioned but misguided return A Baptists in the next generation will morally vigilant president and dean and trips to Vanity Fair. Abstraction also be to speak to issues because of how board of trustees, to be sure, but it also leads to the left, which is why biblical well-received they are in culture around necessitates the right kind of collegiality scholars and biblical theologians are them while muting those deemed by the and interdisciplinary cohesion among the necessary to point systematic theolo- culture to be “backward” or “yesterday.” Southern Seminary faculty. gians and philosophers away from mere Southern Seminary must train pastors Hyper-specialization on any faculty categories and toward the narrative of to think through the issues that are not will inevitably lead left. When biblical the Scripture itself. being asked or considered by the culture, studies narrow down to mere morphol- Being doctrinally sound, though, is or even by churches. ogy, archaeology or literature, theolo- not enough. If Southern Seminary is The recovering of confessional gians are needed in the conversation to to remain viable in a time of shifting accountability is the first and necessary call biblical scholars to teach what the cultural contexts, the seminary must step to Southern Seminary’s future. text means. The disciplines of theology also be self-consciously rooted in the The most important aspect of President and ethics are perhaps the most vulner- local church. The path to local church R. Albert Mohler Jr.’s re-emphasis on able to historical myopia and thus to one rootedness is not simply adding pastoral the Abstract of Principles upon his of faddishness. We need historians who experience to the list of qualifications election was not, first of all, fidelity to are familiar enough with the patristic, for faculty members. By itself, this could the document but accountability to the medieval, Reformation and contempo- actually have the opposite effect. One churches through fidelity to the doctrines rary eras to raise questions and insights could conceive of a faculty of burned- outlined in the confessional statement. when they see these disciplines making out ex-pastors seeking refuge from

38 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Southern Seminary and the Future of American Culture

deacons and building programs and, well, Sunday morning. Hershael York, one of Russell D. Moore is people, by serving behind a classroom the Convention’s most respected preach- dean of the School of lectern. Southern Seminary founder ing professors, pastors a church in the Theology and senior John Broadus was correct when he Kentucky state capital, and as a former vice president for wrote, “No man is fit to be a theological state convention president serves as a academic administra- professor who would not really prefer to kind of unofficial “bishop,” encouraging tion at The Southern be a pastor.” and equipping fellow pastors all around Baptist Theological But this is precisely why I am optimis- the state and beyond. And the list of such Seminary. He also tic about Southern Seminary’s future. faculty members could go on and on. This serves as a preaching Thomas R. Schreiner, arguably the most is a good sign. pastor at Highview significant Southern Baptist biblical Who knows what the future looks like Baptist Church, where he ministers weekly scholar since A. T. Robertson, preaches for the United States of America. But in at the congregation’s Fegenbush location. every Sunday in a congregation down order to reshape American culture, we Moore is the author ofThe Kingdom of the street from his seminary office. Bill must turn to reshaping Southern Baptist Christ and Adopted for Life. To read an Cook, one of the most popular classroom churches, including reshaping the way expanded version of this article, please visit lecturers on the seminary’s faculty, pas- they feed from and respond to American www.russellmoore.com. tors a thriving congregation. Theologian culture. Without such a vision for the Chad Brand, one of the most prolific future, we will become increasingly simi- writers in Southern Baptist life, pastors a lar to the culture around us and therefore flock in nearby Elizabethtown, Ky., every increasingly irrelevant.

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 39 Southern launches new school to provide diverse theological training for a full range of ministry

By Jeff Robinson

rustees at The Southern Baptist TTheological Seminary approved the creation of a new school that will combine Southern’s School of Church Music and Worship with its School of Leadership and Church Ministry to better meet the changing needs of local congregations. The new School of Church Ministries aims to better equip associate level church staff members because those who fill positions such as music minister or youth pastor are increasingly playing additional roles in local congregations, seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. said. “The creation of the new School of Church Ministries allows us to combine in one school the best way of serving the churches of our denomination by train- ing and educating those persons who will serve in a variety of ministry fields other than that of pastor,” Mohler said. “For the first time we will have a unified curriculum and we will be able to combine the resources of faculty and the entire institution in order to make certain that we are training real people for real ministry in real churches. The reality is that the vast majority of those who will lead music in our churches have other responsibilities as well.” the School of Theology and senior vice majority of cases, doing everything from A task force composed of faculty president for academic administration. discipleship to evangelism leadership to members and deans from Southern’s four Thus, the new school will train its Christian education to family ministry," schools, trustees and School of Church students in a variety of disciplines from Moore said. Music and Worship alumni, conducted music and worship to family ministry "This new school will provide a pio- research in local church bodies and and leadership. neering curriculum training ministers to discovered that associate-level ministers "We spent much time talking with serve in multiple roles at once. It will also are increasingly wearing several ministe- pastors and ministers of music, to find create a new faculty synergy, combining rial hats, said Russell D. Moore, dean of that music ministers are, in the vast their strengths to train multi-competent

40 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 ministers who are leaders in family “We want to bring faculty and educational ministry, worship ministry, men's min- istry, women's ministry, youth ministry, resources together in one school to be able to children's ministry, Christian education and discipleship." train those who will serve in these fields in a After completing its research, the task force recommended the combining of situation that is more like the local church.” the two schools, Moore said. Instead of four schools, Southern will Worship and the School of Leadership Ron Turner, who serves as Carolyn now have three: the School of Theology, and Church Ministry. Both have served King Ragan Professor of Church Music, the Billy Graham School of Missions well, both have distinguished histories agrees that the change will enhance and Evangelism and the new School of and both bring a great deal to this new Southern’s ability to serve churches of Church Ministries. The new school will school. The reality is that we are experi- the Southern Baptist Convention. launch in the fall. encing vast changes in the landscape of “For the 70% of SBC churches that Faculty members from both the School higher education and these reflect similar want ‘cross-trained’ staff ministers, we of Church Music and Worship and changes in the lives of our churches. will now have a greater variety of com- the School of Leadership and Church “We are absolutely determined that bination programs of majors and minors Ministry will serve within the School of Southern Seminary be on the front lines for training multi-capable ministers,” Church Ministries and Randy Stinson of innovation and making certain that Turner said. will serve as dean. Greg Brewton will we are best serving the needs of our “For the first time, we will now serve as area coordinator over music churches. Our determination is to do no even have church music minor programs, and worship. less. This new School of Church Minis- which is a distinct gain. And for those “We want to bring faculty and educa- tries puts Southern Seminary in the best students called into a more specialized tional resources together in one school position to serve the needs of all of our music ministry, and for the churches to be able to train those who will serve churches with a theological education who need them, we retain the Master in these fields in a situation that is more marked by deep conviction, unques- of Church Music degree program like the local church,” Mohler said. tioned excellence and an unwavering and our doctoral music programs. All “We are very proud of the history of focus on the local church.” in all, it appears ultimately to be a win- both the School of Church Music and win situation.”

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 41 Southern Sends Spring Graduates Out in the Power of Weakness

By Jeff Robinson

whose destiny is secure in Christ as whose course is charted by King Jesus. They are the called, the sent and the chosen. They are a race of whom the world is not worthy, who are themselves the unwor- thy made worthy in Christ and in Christ alone. “They go out in power. Not the power of pro- fession or the power of wealth. They may not look to the world like an intimidating militia, but they are the army of God – ‘soldiers of Christ, in truth arrayed.’ They are the powerless made pow- erful in Christ; the weak through whom the Lord will show his strength. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church they shall serve, and the forces of evil will flee their proclamation of the Gos- pel and the Word of God.” aithful ministers proclaim Timothy. They have invested years of Ministers perform their work while “Fthe Gospel as incompetents – study so that they can present them- adorned in glory, but not in glory as ‘frail children of dust’ – so that the selves to God as workers who need the world typically defines it, Mohler power of God can shine brightly as He not be ashamed, who rightly handle said, but in the glory of the crucified, works through them,” R. Albert Mohler the word of truth. [2 Timothy 2:15] risen, ascended and reigning Christ. Jr., told graduates during the 203rd They are scholars of the Word of God, The glory of Christ is now invisible, but commencement May 15 at The South- trained theologians and teachers, gifted will be revealed at the end of the ages, ern Baptist Theological Seminary. servants of the church. But the sole Mohler said. Preaching from 2 Corinthians 4:7-11 competency is that of God himself.” “They are vessels of clay who bear the and the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9- Mohler said the Lord’s Prayer estab- glory of the incorruptible Christ, who 13, Mohler, Southern’s ninth president, lishes the priority of ministers: to see show his wounds and bear his scars and reminded the class of 244 graduates God’s will be done “on earth as it is in will both live and die to the glory of God that they are not up to the task of Gos- heaven.” And, by admitting their need alone,” he said. “Death holds no sting pel ministry, but God will work through to be given “our daily bread,” all of and Satan holds no scepter to them. their efforts to save sinners and to bring God’s people, including ministers, are “They will go out to preach and to glory to Himself. confirming their own dependence upon teach and to tell a lost world about Jesus “Jesus Christ calls his ministers from their Creator for all things, he said. and his love,” he said. “They will push the ranks of the incompetent, so that The words which conclude the Bible’s back against the darkness as the chil- He will show his singular competence most famous prayer – “For thine is the dren of light. They will plant and water through them,” Mohler said. “He uses kingdom, the power and the glory” – and sometimes reap, and their labor will earthen vessels to demonstrate his own well summarize the battle cry of minis- never be in vain.” life in us. He confounds the wisdom try and discipleship, Mohler said. To read the full text of Mohler’s of the wise by using the unworthy to “We send these graduates out as address, visit www.albertmohler. demonstrate his worth. citizens, ministers and viceregents of com (and click on the Sermons and “These graduates have followed a Kingdom that cannot be shaken,” Speeches’ tab). For the full audio address, the admonition of the Apostle Paul to Mohler said. “They go out as those visit www.sbts.edu/resources

42 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Q&A with R. Albert Mohler Jr.

By Jeff Robinson

Question: Louisville is hosting the to James Petigru SBC annual meeting for the first time Boyce’s address since the seminary’s 100th anniversary from 1856, “Three in 1959. What would you like to say Changes in Theo- in welcoming Southern Baptists to logical Education.” Louisville and to the campus of their The reality is, you flagship seminary? go back to that R. Albert Mohler Jr.: We are really particular date, excited to have Southern Baptists com- now over 150 years ing to Louisville. It’s really something, ago, and what you isn’t it? Just think back to 1959: the discover is how committed to the Bible as the Word of seminary turns 100 and the Southern relevant all three of those changes are God who are able to go to any institution Baptist Convention comes to Louisville today even as they were then. I look at anywhere and teach on the first rank the very same facility in a town that has that and I’ll tell you, “yes, we’re abso- of faculty. So, looking back at Boyce’s experienced so much change over the lutely committed to all three of those address from 1856, we have more than last half century. Here we are in the year principles.” We’re absolutely committed 150 years of proving that he had it right 2009 and Southern Baptists are coming to the overarching vision of faithfulness in that vision and we intend to continue back to Louisville as the seminary cel- and excellence in theological education it as we look to the future. ebrates its 150th anniversary. You know, that Boyce represented. Let me just take this is one of those historic days that you to Southern Seminary today. Where Q: How do we ensure that the semi- we’re all going to remember and we’re do you find those changes represented? nary remains faithful to Boyce’s vision able to say to Southern Baptists, “When First, the confessionalism. Boyce is abso- 50, 100 to another 150 years if the you come to Louisville for this Southern lutely convinced that without a clear, Lord tarries? Baptist Convention, you’re going to regulative confession of faith, an institu- RAM: Faithfulness is only so good celebrate history, you’re going to enjoy tion would stray. Well, I think if South- as the determination of the people now and learn from history…you’re going to ern Baptists would learn anything from living to make it so. And the reality is help make history.” the recent history of Southern Seminary, that Boyce was doing everything he We hope that Southern Baptists com- it is our absolute determination to live could in the 1850’s to secure this institu- ing to Louisville will come to a place with integrity, cherishing the truths that tion. And that’s exactly what we’re they will know now as a home because are articulated within that confession doing right now. Every faculty member this is the home of their mother semi- of faith. Boyce also called for theologi- we hire, every program we instigate, nary. We’re going to welcome Southern cal education to be available to all and every significant thing we do here is Baptists to Louisville, we’re going to now we have a college, a fully accredited measured against whether or not it is hope they have a phenomenal time while four-year college, named for him. Boyce going to contribute to making, maintain- they are here and we hope it won’t be 50 College represents the opportunity for ing, keeping and preserving Southern years before they come back. persons who do not yet have an under- Seminary and all that it must be in order graduate degree to come for theological to be a faithful servant to our churches Q: As we celebrate the 150th anniver- education to Southern Seminary. We’re and to the Southern Baptist Convention. sary, we stand on the shoulders of found- actually doing even more than he could A reality check is always in order and ing president, James Petigru Boyce, and have imagined back in 1856 and I can that’s why from time to time we go back his founding vision, which he termed, only think that he would be very proud. to the basics and ask, “If we were doing “Three changes in theological educa- In terms of the third change, a theo- this, if we were starting from scratch, tion.” Are we standing firm in executing logical education of the highest caliber if we were going back to Boyce’s vision Boyce’s vision today? for the students who have the greatest and determining what kind of school we RAM: When I was elected president opportunity, Southern Seminary’s doc- would build, we want to make sure that in 1993, the first place I went to look toral program is now stronger than it has the school we are building here is that just to make certain the vision for this ever been, and we are producing scholars school. And that’s a good question school’s future was secure and right was who are committed to the Gospel and to ask.”

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 43 Southern Seminary Foundation Sesquicentennial Chair of Christian Theology

The Southern Seminary Foundation fund the bulk of a professor’s salary. The Sesquicentennial Chair of Christian name of each endowed chair honors an Theology will honor both the Southern individual, group or church. Currently the Seminary Foundation and the seminary’s Sesquicentennial Chair is partially funded 150th anniversary. An endowed chair through gifts and pledges. The seminary requires $1 million, which is placed in the expects to name a professor to the chair general endowment and produces approx- by the end of 2010. For more informa- imately a five percent annual income to tion, please contact 502-897-4143.

44 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 Howard and Harriet Pope set out to serve Southern Seminary with their financial support, but Southern Seminary ended up serving them.

Donor’s faith rekindled by Southern Seminary

By David Roach

retired physician and Brigadier ­personal study and association with Despite being retired, the Popes AGeneral in the Army Reserves from the professors and friends on the Foun- remain active, working part-time at Sellersburg, Ind., Howard Pope was dation Board.” Floyd Memorial Hospital in southern looking for a Christian cause to sup- Howard has visited seminary classes Indiana—Howard as a physician and port three years ago. He and his wife, to increase his knowledge of the Bible Harriet as a physical therapist. They Harriet, discovered Southern through a while Harriett assists Mary Mohler are also active church members and dinner and an encounter with President with the Seminary Wives Institute and have taken medical mission trips to R. Albert Mohler Jr. at their church, helps seminary staff members prepare Peru and Guatemala. Highview Baptist Church in Louisville. breakfast for Foundation Board meet- Yet they emphasize that giving to Howard joined the Southern Seminary ings. They both attend chapel regularly Southern is among the most fulfilling Foundation, and they began giving. and exercise at Southern’s Health and ministries they have. But what happened next surprised Recreation Center. “I can’t think of anything that we them both. “I am so uplifted by meeting the could give to where our money could be “It has really impacted our lives,” people here,” Harriett said. “Everything more exponentially multiplied for God’s Howard said of the seminary. “It has else is negative in the world, but I come work than to give here to this seminary,” really significantly increased our personal here and my sprit is uplifted. You feel like Harriet said. “It will go around the world spirituality. It rekindled an interest I had there is light going out into a world of many times over in future generations.” as a youngster in the Gospel through darkness.”

SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 45 Did you know?

Southern Seminary donors prominent in Louisville history

If you look around Louisville, you’ll see the name Norton everywhere – hospitals, the arts community and industry. But did you know that the Norton family is also connected with Southern Seminary? Norton Hall honors the same family, which gave generously to the seminary in addition to its support of the city of Louisville.

Olmstead firm designed Southern Seminary campus

The firm of pioneering landscape architect Fredrick Law Olmstead designed the current campus of The South- ern Baptist Theological Seminary. The campus, which opened in 1926, stands in the tradition of Olmstead’s famous landscape designs, includ- ing New York’s Central Park, the Louisville park and parkway system, Chicago’s Marquette Park and the Biltmore Estate in Ashville, N.C.

46 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009 47 The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Nonprofit Org 2825 Lexington Road US Postage PAID Louisville, Kentucky 40280 L&D

Campus Open House Wednesday, June 24, 2009 2–5 pm

Southern Seminary Luncheon · 12:30–2 p.m. Purchase tickets by calling (502) 714-6500. Sesquicentennial Service and building dedication · 3 p.m. Campus-wide open house · 2–5 p.m. Transportation provided from convention.

www.sbts.edu/openhouse

Celebrate 150 years of Southern Seminary with campus tours, a welcome video and much more!

48 SOUTHERN SEMINARY | SUMMER 2009