TheSBJT Forum Editor’s Note: Readers should be aware of the forum’s format. Daniel L. Akin, David S. Dockery, Mark Dever, Thom S. Rainer, Hershael York, Timothy George, and David Miller have been asked specific questions to which they have provided written responses. These writers are not responding to one another. Their answers are presented in an order that hopefully makes the forum read as much like a unified presentation as possible.

SBJT: Given your close relationship to build a world class faculty, and since my departure Southern, what are some of your hopes and in 2004, and under the capable leadership of Dr. dreams for the seminary? Russell Moore, it has only gotten better. Daniel L. Akin: I had the honor and joy of As I reflect upon Southern Seminary’s past, serving at Southern Seminary for almost eight present, and future, let me share several things for years. Those were wonderful days in every way, which I am thankful. Then I will note my hopes and Charlotte and I look back on for its future. Daniel L. Akin is the President of Southeastern Baptist Theological that time with fondest memo- First, I am eternally grateful for the recovery Seminary in Wake Forest, North ries. We built a deep and lasting of confessional identity and integrity that now Carolina. friendship with Albert and Mary marks the seminary. Southern takes with great Prior to this, he served as Senior Mohler. I believe history will show seriousness its affirmation of the Abstract of Prin- Vice President for Academic that of all the great men who have ciples and the Baptist Faith and Message. What Administration and Dean of the led Southern Seminary, none is believed and taught is not an open or debated School of Theology at The Southern will surpass the administration question. Southern Baptists can be very confident Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Akin is a popular preacher and of Dr. Mohler in terms of vision, that what the seminary proudly confesses it faith- teacher and has authored numerous quality of faculty, and impact. fully teaches. articles and books, including 1, 2, I am well aware that some will Second, I am thankful for the impact South- and 3 John in the New American challenge my words, but I am ern’s faculty is making in the classroom and in Commentary (B&H, 2001). happy to let history make the call its writing. From the undergraduate program of on the accuracy of my prediction. In addition we Boyce College to the Ph.D. level, I have observed came to know and love some of the most gifted the excellence of a faculty that refuses to honor and remarkable men and women anywhere in the God with anything less than its best. This is not world. I had the privilege of helping Dr. Mohler theoretical for me. My son Jonathan began as

100 SBJT 13.1 (2009): 100-13. a student at Boyce, made his way through the sion and action to make clear what is of utmost M.Div., and is now moving toward completion of importance in its mission. I want it to be noth- his Ph.D. As a father vitally interested in a son he ing less and nothing other than the Great Com- deeply loves, I have been pleased with what Jona- mission. I want a Southern Seminary that draws than has received in terms of instruction as well from the tradition of Carey, Fuller, Rice, Judson, as mentoring by a faculty that loves students and and Spurgeon. Administration, and especially the takes a personal interest in them. faculty (all of them!), need to be regularly on the Third, I am appreciative of the rigorous biblical mission field engaging the lostness of the world. It and theological education that finds its outlet in an will give them a deeper theological and spiritual expository model of preaching. Our churches are perspective. It will make them better teachers. filled with biblically illiterate people. I fear many are Second, I pray for a faculty and student body filled with those who are unregenerate. Those who that loves God with their heart as well as with their come through Norton Hall have impressed upon mind. What I hope for here is “spiritual balance” them the truths that the gospel must be central, that is wary of the danger exposed in 1 Cor 8:1. theology really matters, and biblical exposition is God is never honored by ignorance. He is not hon- essential to the health and vitality of our churches. ored by a cold, hard heart either. Most seminaries Fourth, I rejoice in the fact that Southern need to heed this warning. believes with Abraham Kuyper that God stamps Third, I pray for a faculty and student body all of creation with the word “mine!” Therefore, that joyfully embraces their calling to be personal all that this world entails should—it must—be evangelists for Jesus. Anyone called to leadership redeemed for the glory of God and the good of in Christ’s church is called to “do the work of an man. This pursuit will only reach its goal when evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5). How we do it may take Jesus returns to this earth to consummate His different routes, but that we do it is not an option. kingdom, but that truth will not hinder our efforts Finally, I pray that Southern Seminary, and for to move things in that direction until that glorious that matter every seminary, will turn out students consummation takes place. who love the church. Dr. Mohler and I talked What are my hopes for the mother seminary of about this on many occasions when I was at South- Southern Baptists with an eye toward the future? ern. We noticed that many students were passion- First and foremost, I want it to be a Great Com- ate for Christ and His Word, but that they were mission seminary in confession, action, and rep- jaded and even jaundiced when it came to our utation. I want the heartbeat of this wonderful Lord’s church. Now, I will be the first to admit institution to be the heartbeat of Jesus when he I have seen and been a part of some very weak, delivered his parting words at the end of Mat- sick, and dysfunctional churches. Nevertheless, thew’s gospel (28:18-20). Collin Hansen called I do not love Christ as I ought if I do not love His Southern Seminary “ground zero” for Reformed church as I should. To say it another way, I can- theology. While I have a great appreciation for the not love the bridegroom and trash His bride. He “Reformed Tradition,” that is not what I want as doesn’t like it when we do, and we better be care- the moniker attached to this seminary. Because it ful. No, His bride sometimes is not very pretty, is Southern’s natural impulse to excel in biblical but he loves her, he died for her, and he is clean- and theological studies, the passion for a Great ing her up. I believe he wants us to join him in Commission culture will always need to be inten- the process. tional and intense. Because of its reputation, fair I congratulate The Southern Baptist Theologi- or unfair, as a hot bed for Calvinism, Southern cal Seminary on its 150th anniversary. It has hon- Seminary will need to go the extra mile in confes- ored God and blessed the church for much of its

101 history. It has had a good past. My prayer is that taught from 1859-1895, also serving as the Semi- the future will be even better. nary’s second president during his final years. As a member of the founding faculty, Broadus SBJT: Can you give us a brief survey of the taught preaching and New Testament. Nearly history of the study of the New Testament at thirty years after the founding of the seminary, Southern Seminary? Broadus published his magisterial commentary David S. Dockery: When one thinks of theologi- on The Gospel of Matthew (1886) in the American cal education at Southern Semi- Commentary, a volume on which Broadus labored David S. Dockery is the President nary, observers are often drawn for over twenty years. This famous volume and his of Union University in Jackson, to the marvelous innovations fine work onA Harmony of the Gospels (1893) have Tennessee. through the years. Southern has stood the test of time and provided the trajectory Prior to this, he served as been at the forefront of theologi- for future generations. Vice President for Academic cal education in the study of the While John Sampey (1863-1946) and W. O. Administration, Dean of the School English Bible, the development Carver (1868-1954) also briefly taught Greek and of Theology, and Professor of New Testament at The Southern Baptist of Ph.D. programs, the study of New Testament, it was the son-in-law of John Theological Seminary. Dr. Dockery world religions, as well as psychol- Broadus, A. T. Robertson (1863-1934), who raised is the author or editor of over ogy of religion, religious educa- the bar to a new level. For forty-six years, from twenty books, including Interpreting the New Testament (B&H, 2001), tion, church music, and missions 1888-1934, “Dr. Bob,” as he was affectionately Renewing Minds: Serving Church and church growth. Yet there has known, penned forty-five books and numerous and Society through Christian Higher been a constant focus for 150 years articles, including his magnificent Grammar of Education (rev. ed.; B&H, 2008), on the study of the New Testa- the Greek New Testament in the Light of Histori- and Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal: A Biblical, Historical, and ment with particular emphasis on cal Research (1914). While the “Big Grammar” Theological Proposal (B&H, 2008). the study of the Greek language. sealed Robertson’s legacy as the premier Baptist John A. Broadus and A. T. Robert- New Testament scholar of all time, it was the son set the trajectory during the six-volume Word Pictures of the New Testament first half of this 150 year period, and their stamp (1934) and the revision of Broadus’s Harmony of remains even today. In this brief overview we will the Gospels (1922) that help us to see Robertson’s first look at the Broadus-Robertson period (1859- deep commitment to the church, particularly his 1934). We will divide the second half into a period love for pastors, as well as his faithfulness to the of about fifty years (1930s-1980s), which will be Broadus legacy. followed by a look at the current period since the Robertson was honored to carry forth the 1980s. A personal postscript will conclude the Broadus tradition. Broadus and Robertson faith- survey of the work of the New Testament depart- fully taught the Bible in the spirit and conviction ment and its central role in the life and work of of the Baptist heritage, while advancing Baptist The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. scholarship into the twentieth century, and plac- ing it on solid footing. The legacy of their work is 1859 – 1934 found not only in their writings, but in the lives New Testament Study at Southern Semi- of those whom they taught, best exemplified in nary finds its beginnings with John A. Broadus pulpit giants like H. H. Hobbs and W. A. Criswell, (1827-95). In 1856 Broadus was appointed by and echoing throughout Southern Baptist life. We the Southern Baptist Convention to serve on a recognize in the writings of Broadus and Robert- feasibility study committee to prepare a plan for son the pervasive tone of solemn reverence for the seminary. This work was the introduction for Scripture and an abiding and deep spirituality. Broadus of what was to be his life’s work. Broadus

102 1930s – 1980s historical-critical methodologies. Other Southern W. Hersey Davis (1887-1950) became the faculty also contributed to the series: T. C. Smith leader of the New Testament department follow- (Acts), Dale Moody (Romans), Raymond Brown ing the death of Robertson in 1934. Davis, who (1 Corinthians), George R. Beasley-Murray joined the faculty in 1920, was known as a model (2 Corinthians), E. Glen Hinson (1, 2 Timothy classroom teacher. While not as prolific as Robert- and Titus), and Harold Songer (James). The son, Davis’s Beginner’s Grammar of the Greek New brilliant influence of Hull and Stagg continued Testament (1923) became a standard introductory well into the 1980s. Hull’s influence extended textbook. Primarily known for his work as a gram- far beyond the department with his significant marian and lexicographer, Davis’s legacy was car- administrative roles. Stagg’s New Testament The- ried forth through his students who admired his ology (1962) and his commentary on Acts (1955) gifted classroom teaching. The legacy of Broadus, shaped the way many Southern Baptists read the Robertson, and Davis remains for all to see to New Testament in the second half of the twentieth this day on the Southern Seminary campus. The century. Stagg’s interpretations, however, of key two faculty office wings in Norton Hall bear the New Testament themes, especially his treatment names of Robertson and Davis, and the beautiful of the atonement, have been severely criticized Broadus Chapel holds a special place for visitors by many as demonstrated in an interpretative and students alike. article on the life and influence of Stagg by Robert Edward A. McDowell (1898-1975) joined Sloan (“Frank Stagg,” in Theologians of the Baptist the New Testament faculty in 1935. McDowell Tradition [ed. T. George and D. Dockery; B&H, brought a theological emphasis to the depart- 2001], 257-78). ment, which was best seen in his Son of Man Ray Summers (1910-1992), who also wrote and Suffering Servant (1944). He also penned an an introductory Greek textbook (1950) and con- important volume on Revelation (1951). Though tributed the work on the Petrine Epistles in the an awareness of the issues regarding historical Broadman Commentary, brought a perspective criticism was evident with Broadus, Robert- to the department during his brief time at the son, and Davis, it was McDowell, following his seminary that was more representative of the Rob- post-World War II sabbatical at Union Theo- ertson tradition. Peter Rhea Jones (1937- ) con- logical Seminary (NY), who opened the door tributed creative works on the parables. to historical-critical studies at Southern. After George Beasley-Murray (1916-2000), who McDowell left Southern to help launch South- taught at the seminary from 1973-80, brought a eastern Seminary in North Carolina, the work rich theological approach to the study of the New of the New Testament department was carried Testament reflecting the influence of British evan- forward by Henry Turlington, (1918-2000), W. W. gelicalism. His work was marked by evangelical Adams, (1892-1978), William E. Hull, (1930- ), conviction as well as an openness to conversation and Frank Stagg (1911-2001), among others. with broader ecumenical emphases. His works on Turlington, Hull, Stagg, and McDowell all made Baptism in the New Testament (1962), The Book of important contributions to the Broadman Bible Revelation (1974), and Jesus and the Kingdom of God Commentary, for which Stagg served as the New (1986) continue to influence both scholars and Testament editor. Turlington wrote the commen- pastors. Though technically considered professors tary on Mark, Hull wrote the commentary on in the department of theology, the impact Dale John, Stagg penned the works on Matthew and Moody (1915-1992) and Wayne Ward (1921- ) Philippians, and McDowell interpreted 1, 2, 3 had on New Testament studies at Southern can- John. All evidenced an openness to or embrace of not be overlooked.

103 1980s – the Present New American Commentary. Thomas Schreiner The New Testament department during the is a prolific scholar with major commentaries on final decades of the twentieth century was stel- Romans (1998), the Petrine Epistles (2003), and lar in its scholarship. R. Alan Culpepper (1945- ) an impressive work on New Testament Theology broke new ground with his creative literary (2008). Mark Seifrid is recognized for his exegeti- studies. His Anatomy of the Fourth Gospel (1983) cal and theological insights into the writings of received wide-ranging attention from the schol- the Apostle Paul. William Cook brings pastoral arly community. The work of James Blevins (1936- insight to the teaching of the New Testament, 2004) on the Book of Revelation (Revelation as while Daniel Hatfield and Robert Plummer add Drama, 1984) reflected the same kind of creativ- a vibrant missionary perspective. Brian Vickers, ity as Culpepper’s. Extensive work on the back- Jonathan Pennington, and James Hamilton are ground of the New Testament was provided by fine New Testament scholars who reflect the theo- Harold S. Songer (1928-2005) and David E. Gar- logical emphases of Schreiner and Seifrid. Daniel land. Garland, a marvelous classroom teacher and Akin, who now serves as President of Southeast- the current interim president at Baylor Univer- ern Seminary, contributed the warm exposition of sity, has written important commentaries on the the Johannine Epistles (2001) in the New Ameri- Gospels and the Epistles of Paul, including a can Commentary when he served as Dean and brilliant exposition of 2 Corinthians in the New Vice President at Southern. American Commentary (1999). New Testament studies at Southern Seminary took a significant Personal Postscript turn toward a more historical orthodox direc- I was invited to serve as a visiting professor tion in the department colloquium in the spring in the New Testament department in 1987 and of 1989. With a focus on 2 Corinthians for the was elected to a full time faculty position in 1988 semester, Garland, commenting on 2 Cor 5:21, where I taught in both the New Testament and publicly countered the teaching of his doctoral Theology departments from 1988-1996. It has mentor Frank Stagg on the atonement by affirm- been my privilege to author interpretive works ing the Pauline emphasis on substitutionary on both Broadus and Robertson. My first faculty atonement, comments which were well received office was housed in the Robertson wing of Nor- and endorsed by the majority of both faculty and ton Hall, which was most meaningful for me as students in attendance. I am sure it has been for dozens of others. I have Gerald Borchert and John Polhill provided personally listened to H. H. Hobbs and W. A. additional evangelical voices to the department. Criswell tell stories about their classes with Rob- Borchert contributed two volumes on John (1996, ertson and Davis. 2002) in the New American Commentary and I have been honored to know Drs. Hull, Polhill wrote the widely-praised commentary on Stagg, Beasley-Murray, Moody, Ward, Culpep- Acts (1992) in that series. A gifted writer and won- per, Blevins, Songer, Garland, Borchert, Polhill, derful classroom teacher, Polhill also contributed Newman, Stein, and the current faculty. I have a major work on Paul and His Letters (1999). Carey been blessed to serve as the New Testament edi- Newman brought his rhetorical emphases to the tor for the New American Commentary series, interpretation of Paul during the 1990s. which has included significant volumes by Stein, More recent and current members of the Borchert, Polhill, Garland, Schreiner, and Akin. department have also made their mark. Robert I was present in that New Testament colloquium H. Stein is an extremely capable Gospels scholar in 1989 when David Garland’s public comments and author of the volume on Luke (1993) in the on 2 Corinthians 5 turned the tide of New Testa-

104 ment studies at Southern in a more explicit evan- points of its history. I currently have the privilege gelical direction, thus reversing the trends that of serving as the chairman of the Board of Trust- had developed since the days of E. A. McDowell. ees. I’ve been a trustee for about ten years. I was Indeed, the best of the Broadus-Robertson a student at Southern in the mid-1980s. My uncle tradition has now been recovered. The thorough- was a student 1972-1975. And my great-grand- going scholarship, serious exposition, careful father was a student at SBTS for three classes exegesis, and devotional spirit that characterized in 1911. the best of both Broadus and Robertson remains a The school has grown from its initial twenty-six worthy model to be imitated and carried forward students in 1859 to now over 4,000. Its character in the twenty-first century. We give thanks to God was and is again Baptist, evangelical, Reformed, for the far-reaching kingdom impact of Southern and Protestant. It was always a counter-point to Seminary’s New Testament department over the the populist Landmarkist movement, particularly past 150 years. popular among Baptists in Kentucky and sur- rounding areas. President Whitsitt was removed SBJT: In what areas should we be thankful for from office because of controversy with Land- God’s kindness towards Southern over these markists. And President Sampey always made a last 150 years? particular point of stressing the Mark Dever: Some years ago, I happened to be doctrine of “the universal spiri- Mark Dever serves as Senior staying in the old guesthouse of the seminary tual church” (the doctrine the Pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. during the same time the late D. James Kennedy Landmarkists denied). Sampey was there. He remarked to me how lovely the stressed the fact that the universal He is the President of 9Marks grounds were, and how storied the history of the church was “that Church which Ministries and has taught at a number of seminaries, including place. And he said, “This is your Princeton. We Christ established on the rock Beeson Divinity School, Trinity [Presbyterians] lost ours; but you were able to (Matt 16:18); the only church Evangelical Divinity School, and retake yours!” that has received and enjoyed the The Southern Baptist Theological I can only imagine the pleasure that James promise of unbroken succession; Seminary. Dr. Dever is the author of several books, including Petigru Boyce, the Seminary’s founder—and an the only church that is identical Nine Marks of a Healthy Church alumnus of the old Princeton—would take at that with the kingdom of God, and out- (Crossway, 2004), The Message of observation. Both the comparison itself, and then side of which salvation is impos- the New Testament: Promises Kept the reflection on God’s good providence through sible” (John R. Sampey, Memoirs (Crossway, 2005), and The Gospel and Personal Evangelism (Crossway, this institution, would have pleased him. [Broadman, 1947], 100). 2007) It was my privilege to grow up in what some Early in the seminary’s life, it have called a typical Southern Baptist, county was faced with a choice of the priority of personal seat, tall steeple First Baptist Church, and to do so relationships or orthodoxy, and, with tears, Boyce back when Southern Baptist church practices were and Broadus fired the erring Crawford Toy and, fairly uniform. The “culture,” as we grandly say, so, chose to prioritize orthodoxy. Again, a century was intact. Our pastor was a graduate of South- after Boyce’s death, this priority was clearly recov- ern in the 1930s and held his association with ered and is again operating consistently with the the school close to his heart. The faculty of the founders’ wishes and intentions. seminary in the 1960s and 1970s were regularly Many who have gone into making this school preaching in our church (though it has to be said what it has become under God go unnoticed by that our pastor’s preaching was more expositional historians. So, for example, consider founding and more orthodox than theirs). My own family faculty member John Broadus’s reflections on has been associated with the seminary at various what his wife had borne in order to allow Broadus

105 to serve the seminary as he did. Broadus wrote, together. . . . . When the Seminary did reopen on Nov. 1st, it was with only seven students. I feel proud of having such a wife, who has not In homiletics Doctor Broadus had only one only mind and knowledge and character, such student, and he was blind. But it was like Doctor as I am sure will make her in the end a successful Broadus to give this one blind student the best he teacher, but who will urge her husband to cling had. The careful preparation of full lectures for to the ministry, though it must keep her in pov- the blind brother led to the writing of “Prepara- erty, and even sometimes require, as now, that tion and Delivery of Sermons” (Robertson, Life she should toil beyond her strength to eke out and Letters of John Albert Broadus, 214). the inadequate support. Precious wife, my heart bleeds when I think of her fatigues and distress, Commitment. Diligence. Faithfulness. And a of all her sacrifice and self-denial, met without willingness to start something new for the benefit any affectation of heroism, met with all the of the churches. These marked the seminary from shrinking of a sensitive and delicate woman, not its founding. Even as Boyce raised the finances for made to stand alone in the world, and yet with the institution, Broadus gave himself to raising its all the firmness and fortitude of a noble heart. profile. He was one of the most popular preach- People sometimes speak of my making sacrifices ers in the country in the second half of the nine- in order to preach, but I am apt to think in my teenth century. The seminary faculty was engaged heart, it is not I, it is my wife that bears the cross in evangelical life beyond the Southern Baptist (John A. Broadus in a letter to his wife, printed Convention. So Broadus preached in “churches of in A. T. Robertson, Life and Letters of John Albert all evangelical denominations” (Robertson, Life Broadus [American Baptist Publication Society, and Letters of John Albert Broadus, 316). In 1884, 1901], 136). in celebration of the birthday of London’s C. H. Spurgeon, the seminary faculty sent him a letter Through the unlikely path of liberalism, ortho- in which they said “Especially we delight to think doxy was attacked as “creedalism” in the second how nobly you have defended and diffused the half of the twentieth century, even in the chapel doctrines of grace” (Basil Manly Jr. actually died sermons by the seminary’s own faculty. But Basil eight years later on the same day as Spurgeon). Manly Jr.’s Abstract of Principles (which he him- There was an evident catholicity in the Chris- self referred to as a “creed”) has outlasted not only tianity of the seminary during its first generation. its critics, but also those who would affirm it for But there was also evident thankfulness for the employment’s sake, though they themselves had particular blessings of our own denomination. numerous mental reservations. So Dr. Broadus reported that “it was sometimes God has continued to honor the tenacity said by other denominations that Baptists had of the school’s founders. The famous story is among them a great mass of ignorant people. This told of the first meeting of the seminary after the was true. And he felt like replying to those who Civil War. A. T. Robertson recounted it of his made the statement, ‘Why haven’t you a similar father-in-law Broadus, meeting with Boyce, mass?’” (Robertson, Life and Letters of John Albert Manly, and Williams. Broadus, 379). Controversy has repeatedly engulfed the The end of the Seminary seemed at hand. When school. I appreciate the struggles earlier Board they all came together, Broadus said, “Suppose chairmen have had to weather. So W. E. Hatcher we quietly agree that the Seminary may die, of Virginia chaired the Board through the Land- but we’ll die first.” So the four professors held markist controversies surrounding the presidency

106 of William Whitsitt. Our current President is remain at Southern through June 1988. In that not the first to know controversy (though he may time I earned both the Master of Divinity and have been the first to have survived it so well!). the Doctor of Philosophy. In addition, I learned Southern Seminary stands today squarely on much about the conservative resurgence in those the truth of the gospel, of the Scriptures, as sum- few years. marized in its original Abstract of Principles. The Because of my ignorance about the political quality of education as represented in the faculty, maelstrom in the Southern Baptist Convention, the curriculum, and the library facilities is good. I entered Southern with absolutely no political The fellowship among the students is warm. Net- agenda. Indeed, because of the influence of some works of friendship and cooperation in ministry students and professors, I was more sympathetic are being fashioned which will see this generation to those in the moderate camp in my early days through as earlier connections did earlier genera- at Southern. tions. The churches of Louisville are undergoing My move to become a proponent of the con- a regeneration themselves which reflects the spiri- servative resurgence was really the result of two tual regeneration of the seminary. And the con- major factors: attending classes at Southern and tinuing trust and generosity of Southern Baptist the influence of conservative students. I have no churches makes this education affordable. need to name professors or rehash specifics that Looking back over the 150 years of God’s are over three decades old. Simply stated, I was kindnesses to this institution gives us reasons for stunned by what was being taught in some of the great thanksgiving, and for even greater hope as classes. Countless times I heard doubts expressed we look forward. by professors regarding the accuracy and truth- fulness of Scripture. And on some occasions, SBJT: As a student at Southern Seminary dur- I heard moral positions advocated that would have ing the conservative resurgence, what are some shocked most Baptist laity. of your remembrances of this significant time I thus became convinced in Southern’s history? and convicted that a conserva- Thom S. Rainer is President of ThomS . Rainer: I began my journey to Southern tive resurgence was necessary. I LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Seminary with a great deal of zeal and probably was troubled by what I was hear- even more naiveté. My pastor was an alumnus of ing in many of my classes; and Before coming to LifeWay, Rainer Southern. His recommendation carried so much I was troubled that many of the served as the inaugural Dean of the weight that I chose Southern without visiting SBC churches were unaware Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Church Growth at Louisville; and I never considered another semi- of these issues. I began to read The Southern Baptist Theological nary. My background was banking, and I had been voraciously about the paths of Seminary. He has served as a Southern Baptist for only three years when I was mainline denominations; and pastor of churches in Alabama, called to ministry. Florida, Kentucky, and Indiana. I was convinced that our denom- Dr. Rainer is the author of many In November 1982, my wife and our two young ination was already headed books, including Surprising Insights sons (we would add a third child three years later) down that path. The trend had from the Unchurched (Zondervan, rented a U-Haul and moved our remaining pos- to be reversed. The plan of the 2001), The Unchurched Next Door (Zondervan, 2003), Breakout sessions to Seminary Village. Though the con- conservative leaders was simple: Churches (Zondervan, 2005), and servative resurgence was in its third year, I had elect a conservative president (with Sam S. Rainer) Essential little awareness of the battle, and I certainly did who would ultimately influence Church? Reclaiming a Generation not know that The Southern Baptist Theological through his appointments the of Dropouts (B&H, 2008). Seminary was ground zero in the battle. trustees who would serve in the I began classes in January 1983. And I would various SBC entities, particularly the seminaries.

107 Those trustees in turn would ultimately name I must confess that I did not bring honor to God conservative presidents to the entities, and then in much of what I said in the years I was a student these men would change the course of the institu- at Southern. tions. Do I believe the conservative resurgence was One of the great benefits of my years at Southern needed? Unequivocally and without hesitation, my was developing friendships with fellow conser- answer is “yes.” At least as evidenced by many of vative students. Many of them became life-long my classroom experiences at Southern Seminary, friends. We eventually organized our own student the path on which we were headed theologically group, the Student Evangelical Forum (SEF). The was a path away from the complete veracity of administration of Southern was not supportive Scripture. I honestly do not know what alternative of our new group, but they eventually granted us we had other than the conservative resurgence. recognition as an official student group of the semi- I am a Southern Baptist by conviction. I was nary. We were a small number of students relative to raised in a liberal, mainline church. My journey the overall student population, but we were a close- to become a Southern Baptist began when I first knit group. Because we often sat at a large round married. My wife and I were looking for a new table in the student lounge, we soon accepted the church home. It was in a Southern Baptist church unofficial moniker as “the round table.” that I saw the vital need to be in a Bible-believ- Historical records of the conservative influ- ing, mission-minded, evangelistic church. I thus ence at Southern Seminary would be incomplete became a Southern Baptist by doctrinal, mis- without an account of the key role of Dr. Lewis sional, and evangelistic conviction. Drummond. Dr. Drummond was the Billy Gra- I am also a proponent of the conservative resur- ham Professor of Evangelism. He also served gence by conviction. It was at Southern Semi- as the faculty sponsor of the SEF. He was our nary where I discovered that many sectors of our mentor, our counselor, and our encourager. From denomination were moving away from doctrinal Lewis Drummond we learned that conservative fidelity and evangelistic passion. Change was des- theology was not mutually exclusive with aca- perately needed, and the conservative resurgence demic excellence. We also learned that one could provided the vehicle for that change. be strong in his theological convictions and still Indeed, I serve as the President of LifeWay maintain an irenic spirit. Christian Resources because I have been able to It is that issue where I have the greatest regret. stand on the shoulders of the giants who paid the I was willing to speak the truth, but more times price for the change. It is my prayer that I will be a that I am comfortable admitting, I often did not faithful steward of the responsibility given to me, speak the truth in love. Those years at Southern that I will continue to stand for truth, and that Seminary were contentious times. I will live that truth in all that I say and do for the Hershael York is Associate Dean Emotions were high. Theological glory of God. of Ministry and Proclamation, and Victor and Louise debates sometimes degenerated Lester Professor of Christian into personal vendettas. Words SBJT: Over twenty years ago you chose not to Preaching at The Southern Baptist were exchanged that did not dem- attend Southern Seminary as a student due to Theological Seminary. onstrate the love of Christ. Guilty personal conviction, but now you are a member Dr. York has authored two books on parties were on both sides of the of the faculty. Reflect on what brought about speaking and preaching, has served debate. But my concern is not so this change in your thinking. as the President of the Kentucky much with what others said and Hershael York: As an aspiring seminarian in Baptist Convention, and is currently the Pastor of the Buck Run Baptist did; I must take responsibility for 1987, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Church in Frankfort, Kentucky. my own actions and words. Sadly, never even made my list for serious consideration.

108 After completing a Master of Arts in Classical survive the wounds of radical change. Greek at the University of Kentucky and serving But radical change was precisely what the semi- seven years as an associate pastor in Lexington, I nary needed, and one need not take the word of felt led to earn a Master of Divinity and a Doctor conservatives for that. In 1997 Susan M. Shaw of Philosophy degree at a seminary. Though my and Tisa Lewis, both Ph.D. graduates of Southern, young family and I were comfortable, living in conducted a survey of twenty-six out of thirty- church housing, enjoying a steady income, and four women who had graduated from Southern surrounded by family and friends, I never thought with a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in the ten years prior to about matriculating at Southern—even though it Mohler’s election [Susan M. Shaw and Tisa Lewis, was within driving distance. “‘Once There Was a Camelot’: Women Doctoral I distinctly remember the conversation in Graduates of The Southern Baptist Theological which my pastor suggested I attend Southern. Seminary, 1982-1992, Talk about the Seminary, He offered me the same salary, housing, and what- the Southern Baptist Convention, and Their Lives ever time I needed during the week to attend since SBTS,” Review and Expositor 95, no. 3 (Sum- classes. Though I was grateful for his generosity, my mer 1998): 397-423]. According to the interviews answer was short and to the point. I refused because the authors conducted, they found that of the I wanted to go to a seminary where all the profes- twenty-six SBTS graduates they interviewed sors believed the Bible, including the miracles. Imagine the shock to my system when, a mere thirteen are involved in higher education. ten years later, I joined the faculty in the school Four work in the local church, five participate I had so quickly dismissed. The events of the inter- in other forms of religious work, and four are vening years had so radically altered the course of no longer in ministry. All of the women in the the seminary that I was happy to teach at a school study are white. Four identify as lesbian. Thir- that only a decade earlier I considered completely teen are married. Eleven are ordained. Eighteen inconsistent with my own convictions. also received a masters degree from Southern The heroic decision of the trustees to elect the Seminary. Twenty-one of the 26 were Southern thirty-three-year-old R. Albert Mohler Jr. as the Baptist when they began doctoral work. Of ninth president of Southern Seminary forever those 21, only three are still Southern Baptist. altered the course of the school, the Southern Bap- Six are members of Cooperative Baptist Fellow- tist Convention, and my life. By the time he was ship churches, 10 have joined churches in other elected president I had finished my seminary work denominations (Presbyterian, United Church at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in of Christ, American Baptist, Episcopalian, Memphis, Tennessee, and was back in Kentucky, United Methodist, Metropolitan Community serving as pastor of the same church I had pre- Church), and two no longer participate in reli- viously served before I left to attend seminary. gious communities. I watched Dr. Mohler’s early years with more than passing interest. I heard the stories of students One cannot help but be saddened to think that who stood in chapel and turned their backs to Southern Baptists were supporting a seminary him when he preached. Some trustees shared with that was graduating female Ph.D. students with me how the faculty opposed him and repeatedly the surreptitious message that being a lesbian expressed their disdain. The Western Recorder, would not impede service in a Southern Baptist the Kentucky Baptist newspaper, gleefully and context. Some of Shaw and Lewis’s interviewees relentlessly reported the turmoil that pervaded the also accused the faculty in those years of sexual campus. I could not help but wonder if he would harassment:

109 Four women reported having been physically Southern Seminary has had on Southern Baptist sexually harassed or assaulted by male professors life is incalculable. Perhaps most noticeably, the or male graduate students (grabbed or kissed). Kentucky Baptist Convention has changed as a Several others reported having been asked out on result. Hundreds of young Southern Seminary a date by married graduate students. Judy sug- graduates now fill the pulpits of Kentucky Baptist gested that a “bar culture” existed among male churches, confidently preaching from a Bible they doctoral students in the graduate lounge in the believe is not only inerrant, but sufficient. Two seminary’s library. other adjunct faculty members and I have served as president in the last four years. Next year KBC Strangely enough, the article laments the pass- messengers will hear the convention sermon from ing of the old Southern Seminary and expresses Dr. R. Albert Mohler, another milestone in KBC- anger at Mohler for leading the seminary back SBTS relations. to its “fundamentalist” moorings. One wonders Dr. Mohler’s leadership and the biblical fidelity how avowed feminist theologians would ever of the faculty has changed much about Southern look wistfully at a past that included alleged bla- Seminary since 1993. It now ranks as the largest tant sexual harassment. seminary. More importantly, when my own son By 1997, Dr. Mohler’s realignment of the sem- was weighing his options for seminary, he wanted inary was well on its way. Student enrollment to enroll in a conservative school that would best reached its nadir, the lowest in many years due to prepare him for a life of ministry and service to the closing of the Carver School and other factors. the church. Perhaps the most telling change in Moderate to liberal students quit coming, and Southern Seminary is that he was as resolute in his conservative students were still mindful of the desire to attend Southern as I was in my decision school’s recent past. I joined the to go elsewhere. Timothy George is the founding faculty by presidential appoint- Dean of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University and a Senior ment because, as I was candidly SBJT: How did you come to teach at Southern Editor of Christianity Today. informed, the faculty would not Seminary and what are your impressions of the have elected me. My appointment decade you spent on the faculty there? He is a highly sought-after preacher to the faculty, however, was not and conference speaker and Timothy George: I was a member of Southern’s has served as pastor for churches without controversy. The Western faculty from 1978 to 1988, a period of transition in in Tennessee, Alabama, and Recorder penned an article that the life of the seminary and a formative time in my Massachusetts. A prolific author, was clearly critical of the choice, own work as a scholar and teacher. When I came Dr. George regularly contributes to scholarly journals and has written linking me with the Whitsitt Con- to Southern in the late seventies, I was one of more than 20 books, including troversy of 1896 in the process. the few faculty members who had done no study Theology of the Reformers (B&H, One Baptist association in Ohio at any Baptist institution. In the conservative 1999) and Is the Father of Jesus passed a resolution against my hir- Baptist circles in which I had grown up around the God of Muhammad? (Zondervan, 2002). ing and protested to Dr. Mohler. Chattanooga, Southern was regarded as far too I received one call from a liberal “liberal.” The pastors I knew and trusted recom- Baptist pastor in my city who felt obligated to mended New Orleans Seminary and Southwest- share his opinion that Southern had really “gone ern Seminary as more biblical and evangelistic off the deep end” by hiring me, while another schools. However, mirablile dictu, I was led to Har- conservative called to beg me not to treat liberal vard Divinity School where I had the privilege of students as badly as he had been treated by mod- working with the great church historian, George erate professors while enrolled at Southern. Huntston Williams. Now, more than a decade later, the impact that Williams had lectured at Southern and once

110 compared it to the great monastic community at I found that students knew little, if anything, Cluny with thousands of students busily engaged about those pioneers of the past, and I wanted in study, worship, and church work. I found South- to encourage a program of réssourcement—not ern a bustling community if not quite monastic. a return to “the good old days” but an appropria- Duke McCall was the president when I joined tion of the warranted wisdom and spiritual insight the faculty and Roy Honeycutt was the dean. My they can offer to the church today. friend Bill Leonard was already a member of the It was at Southern that I learned to teach and faculty and encouraged me to join him there. learned to love teaching. I recall walking down a When I came to Southern, I was a member hallway in Norton one day headed to my church of both the church history and theology depart- history class and thinking to myself, “Wow, this is ments. Historical theology had not been pursued a wonderful calling—and such fun!” To this day, in a serious way since the departure of James Leo I can think of nothing in ministry more exhilarat- Garrett some years before. The effort to revive this ing, apart from preaching the gospel, than help- discipline led to some tension, and one colleague ing to prepare God-called men and women for suggested that I stick to the Reformation (in a the service of the church of Jesus Christ. I have narrow sense) and leave the history of doctrine always believed that teaching should be no less alone. With one or two exceptions, though, I was confessional than preaching. A professor who well received by other members of the faculty and doesn’t profess something is worse than useless. developed deep friendships that persist to this day. If we never get beyond “on the one hand this, and During my faculty interview I wanted to lay the other hand that” in our teaching, we should all of my cards on the table, so to speak, and con- leave the lectern alone and just let the students fessed that I was an inerrantist, a Calvinist, and a use the web. premillenialist. This brought some amusement to During my ten years at Southern, I was privi- the group, and one person remarked that South- leged to teach a cadre of superb students, highly ern had hired no one with those views for at least motivated and eager to learn. Mark Dever, Mark 100 years! Later, there was more of a stir when DeVine, Al Mohler, Thom Rainer, Bruce Beck, I suggested that the seminary would do well to Tim McCoy, Elizabeth Newman, Barry Harvey, reconsider its “evangelical and Reformed roots.” Paul House, and Brent Walker are among the The leading anti-Calvinist on the faculty in those students I taught. I rejoice in all that God con- days was Dale Moody with whom I always had tinues to do through their life and witness. I also a cordial relationship, and with whom I often tried to have an open-door policy to students, and agreed on many other points of biblical interpre- I encouraged informal contacts outside of class. tation. On one occasion, Moody invited me to On one occasion, however, I remember thinking debate him on Calvinism in his theology class. It I was carrying this a bit far when one of my stu- was a memorable event, as I presented him with dents followed me directly from a classroom into a bouquet of tulips and he gave me the holy kiss! the faculty men’s room calling out, “Dr. George, I was honored when I was asked to present in Dr. George, I have a question.” 1988 the annual Founder’s Day address. I chose The specter of Landmarkism has shadowed the to speak on James P. Boyce, a collection of whose history of Southern Seminary for most of its 150 sermons I edited. Cave Hill Cemetery became a years leading to the resignation of one president special place for meditation and prayer, and I often (W. H. Whitsitt) and the attenuated ecclesiology gave lectures to my students around the graves of of another (E. Y. Mullins). In some ways, the lure Boyce, Broadus, Robertson, Mullins, and other of an introverted Baptocentrism still haunts the leaders of the seminary who lie buried there. SBC today. But my experience at Southern Semi-

111 nary taught me that one could be deeply commit- McCall inquiring how the Seminary could retain ted to the Baptist heritage and also committed to Dr. Moody on the faculty when he was teaching Christian unity throughout the Body of Christ. inconsistent with and contrary to the Abstract of At its best, Southern Seminary has a history of Principles. Dr. McCall wrote an innocuous letter being both evangelical and ecumenical. This suggesting that we must substantiate our charges was the emphasis of George Beasley-Murray, with many infallible proofs. So, we documented Carl F. H. Henry, and James Earl Massey, three the charges and referred him to Dr. Moody’s chap- great teachers of the church who became my ter on “Salvation and Apostasy”; however, Dr. friends and mentors—all of whom I first met at McCall ignored us thereafter. When Dr. Honeyc- Southern Seminary. May God continue to bless utt became President, we sent him and the Arkan- and use this great institution for the furtherance sas trustees, Wilson Deese and Emil Williams, of his Kingdom, to the praise of his glory. As Basil copies of all previous correspondence; however, Manly, Jr. wrote in the seminary hymn: “Morning we received no response from any of them. I was and evening sow the seed, God’s grace the effort deeply disappointed by their lack of action. shall succeed.” By God’s good providence, I was serving on the Executive Board of the Arkansas Baptist State SBJT: You served on the Board of Trustees dur- Convention. Following the example of the owner ing a crucial time in Southern Seminary’s his- of the vineyard in Matthew 21, I thought, perhaps, tory. Reflect on your relationship to Southern they will honor them! I presented Dr. Moody’s and why you believe the Abstract of Principles chapter on “Salvation and Apostasy” to the Execu- is so important to the seminary’s future. tive Board along with copies of all previous cor- David Miller: My first expo- respondence. The Executive Board instructed David Miller is President of Line sure to Southern Seminary was the Executive Director to write to Dr. Honeycutt upon Line Ministries and serves as a in 1981 when Professor Dale and Dr. Moody requesting a response to our con- country preacher at-large. Moody spoke at the Arkansas cerns. We also informed them of our intentions He has also served as the Director State Evangelism Conference. to print their responses in the Arkansas Baptist of Missions for the Little Red I thought it strange when Dr. News-Magazine. Dr. Honeycutt defended Dr. River Baptist Association, Heber Moody said, “I believe in propi- Moody’s right to teach at Southern Seminary in Springs, Arkansas, from 1969-1995, and on the Board of Trustees of tiation as long as you allow me to his response. In typical fashion, Dr. Moody retali- The Southern Baptist Theological define the term. However, I do ated by saying, “If you want Arkansas to know Seminary from 1988-1995. not believe the old notion that what I believe, then print my chapter on Salvation God was mad ‘til Jesus made and Apostasy.” So we did just that! Him glad.” Shortly after this meeting, Dr. Moody Again, by providence, I was President of the came to my hometown of Heber Springs, Arkan- Arkansas State Pastor’s Conference at that time. sas, to speak at the First Baptist Church. The pas- In an attempt to be fair to Dr. Moody, I invited tor came to my office the next day disturbed that him to speak at the Pastor’s Conference in order to Dr. Moody preached that it is possible for a child defend his position on apostasy. I assured him that of God to willfully turn away from Christ and lose while I did not agree with his position, he would his salvation. The pastor was uncomfortable chal- be treated with grace and respect as a Christian lenging his “old professor” so he gave me a copy brother. With great enthusiasm, Dr. Moody told of Moody’s book The Word of Truth and asked me 1,100 Arkansas Baptists that it was possible for to read the chapter on “Salvation and Apostasy.” Christians willfully to turn away from Christ Later, the Executive Board of the Little Red and lose their salvation. The next day, Arkansas River Association wrote a letter to President Duke Baptists voted with a 95 percent majority to call

112 for his resignation. The tragedy is that Dr. Moody that David Miller voted against it. How could was allowed to teach this theology of apostasy at I preach one thing back home and do the exact Southern for forty years. opposite at the Seminary? My second exposure to Southern Seminary It soon became obvious to me that if real was in 1987. My wife and I, along with many oth- change were to occur at Southern, not only would ers, led a grass roots effort to pass the “Unborn policy manuals have to be re-written, but an Child Amendment” which prevents the use of appeal to the Seminary’s charter and the enforce- state tax dollars to fund abortions. The pro-abor- ment of the Abstract of Principles would have to tion crowd brought in Dr. Paul Simmons, ethics occur. We could not allow faculty and administra- professor at The Southern Baptist Theological tors to continue to interpret the Abstract differ- Seminary, to speak against the amendment. On ently from what the founding fathers intended. state-wide television, Simmons said, “We don’t For example, we kept hearing professors tell us know when personhood begins. We are not abort- that the article on inspiration did not necessar- ing a person. We are aborting a glob of proto- ily mean “plenary verbal inspiration.” Again, by plasm.” I was stunned! My church was helping to providence, I acquired sixty-five copies of Basil pay his salary. How could this be? Manly’s book on inspiration and sent a copy to In 1988, I was elected to the Trustee Board every trustee. I suggested that primary sources at Southern. I was an itinerant country preacher. were more reliable than secondary sources. Since I hadn’t graduated from college nor had I attended Basil Manly wrote the Abstract, he was in a better a seminary. There was no reason for me to be position to explain what the Abstract meant than a trustee other than divine providence. At my “academics” who, sadly, too often re-write history orientation, I was asked to give a three-minute for their own agenda. testimony. In my deliberations for the testi- The Abstract also served us well when it was mony, I remembered that opportunity neglected time to select a new president. We were compelled may never come my way again, or as with the to find a man who embraced all twenty articles. Israelites, it might be forty years from now! So I The new president must understand and affirm the began by saying, “I had a very lowly beginning reformed theology that the Abstract confesses. in life. I was not only a depraved fellow, I was a For example, while the Abstract does not require deformed fetus. Consequently, I get nervous one to believe in “limited atonement,” it does around Baptist ethics professors who are pro- require one to believe in penal substitution, total choice on abortion. If you think I have an agenda depravity, unconditional election, and the preser- as I come to serve on this Board, then I commend vation/perseverance of the saints. you for your ­discernment!” Recently, some people have suggested that At my first official meeting of the Trustee Southern Seminary abandon the Abstract of Prin- Board, we were asked to give tenure to a female ciples and use only the Baptist Faith and Message. faculty member. As I perused her vitae sheet, In my opinion, this is not a correct way to go. It I noticed that she was an ordained deacon at a would not only rob Southern Seminary of her rich local Baptist church in Louisville. I inquired fur- heritage as the flagship Seminary of the Southern ther and spoke against giving tenure to a woman Baptist Convention, but as history has shown, deacon. I suggested this was an aberrant view it has served Southern very well over the years. among those Southern Baptists who view the ­deacon role as equivalent to pastor/elder. How- ever, the vote to grant tenure was 58 to 1. I was not in the majority! I requested that the record show

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