HIP-HOP ISSUE

STEREO SIDE ONE

1. A CHRISTIAN HIP-HOP FORUM 2. SBTS EMBRACES THE MESHKHETIAN TURKS 3. GENTRY, WELLUM TALK ABOUT NEW BOOK

VOLUME 10 10 JUNE-JULY 2012

Towers start-stop A NEWS PUBLICATION OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY DON’T WASTE YOUR SUMMER Registration still open

Make progress toward your degree without giving up your entire summer. Southern Seminary offers week-long intensive courses from May to August. Here are a few of the many course offerings:

Contemporary Theology Building an Typical Problems in Resurrection of Jesus Dr. Gregory A. Thornbury Evangelistic Church Biblical Counseling Sean J. McDowell June 25 - June 29 Dr. Charles E. Lawless Jr. Dr. Stuart W. Scott July 30 - August 3 July 2 - July 6 July 9 - July 13

Visit www.sbts.edu/summer2012 to view the entire class list. Apply today and receive credit before the fall semester begins.

For more information go to:www.sbts.edu/apply or call 1-800-626-5525 ext. 4200 to speak with an admissions counselor JUNE/JULY 2012 Changed hearts, Our mission is 12 changed music to use our time, Christian hip-hop artists Lecrae, Trip Lee, FLAME The Office of Communications of The Southern resources and and Shai Linne participate in a forum. Baptist Theological Seminary publishes 10 issues talents to tell the Southern story in of "Towers" per year. an accurate, timely Staff Advertising Info and creative "Towers," the award-winning manner to the Executive Editor: HIP-HOP glory of God. Steve Watters campus publication of The ISSUE Mgr. of News and Info: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, provides an excel- Josh Hayes STEREO SIDE ONE lent advertising opportunity Managing Editor: for businesses and ministries. 1. A CHRISTIAN HIP-HOP FORUM Aaron Cline Hanbury 2. SBTS EMBRACES THE MESHKHETIAN TURKS Rates for ads are available 3. GENTRY, WELLUM TALK ABOUT NEW BOOK Creative Director: upon request, by emailing VOLUME 10 Eric Rivier 10 JUNE-JULY 2012 [email protected] or calling Art Director: (502) 897-4310. All mate- Andrea Stember rial for the ads is subject to From the editor: Design/Layout: approval. The advertiser It’s hard to miss the Daniel Carroll SBTS joins IMB assumes full responsibility for impact Christian hip- 07 initiative, embraces hop has on the current Photographer: the accuracy of the content. generation of (especially the Meshkhetian Turks Jason Coobs Southern Seminary commits to reaching an younger, Reformed) Feedback evangelicals. What began as unengaged, unreached people group. Contact Info Send comments and ques- a marginalized movement Towers in the South, now finds Phone: (502) 897-4310 start-stop tions to [email protected] A NEWS PUBLICATION OF itself distributed by major A more glorious vision THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY music sellers – Christian Fax: (502) 897-4880 10 Professors Peter Gentry and Stephen J. June-July, 2012, Vol. 10, No. 10. and secular – and among E-mail: [email protected] Wellum talk about their new book, Kingdom the most talked about and Copyright ©2012 The Southern energetic music scenes. This Web: news.sbts.edu through Covenant. issue of “Towers” offers a Baptist ­Theological Seminary. The Southern Baptist brief timeline of Christian Postage paid at Louisville, Ky. From the radio waves hip-hop, and a conversation Theological Seminary 18 to Twitter with rappers Lecrae, Trip Postmaster Lee, Shai Linne and FLAME. 2825 Lexington Rd. The June-July History Highlight column And, in the spirit of the Louisville, KY 40280 Send address changes to traces Southern Seminary's involvement in popu- theme, the cover represents Towers, 2825 Lexington Road, a Technics turntable, a lar media. widely used instrument Louisville, KY 40280 among producers, DJs and Bruce Ware rap MCs. 21 For Bruce Ware, the ministry of teaching is like a fish in the water: natural.

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 3 | Report Newslog Smith urges God-centered, trinitarian preaching during Mullins Lectures | By Alex Duke |

Robert Smith addressed the trinitarian nature of preaching during the E.Y. Mullins Lectures on Christian Preaching at Southern Seminary, April 24-26. Smith, professor of Christian preaching at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Ala., delivered his three-part address, “Preaching as Intra-Trinitarian Presence,” to a jam-packed Heritage Hall. Smith exhorted fellow pastors and students to preach about God the Father faith- fully, balancing both theological clarity and fear-filled adoration. He framed a robust biblical foundation for the Trinity throughout the totality of Scripture – from creation to redemption. He affirmed the Father’s trinitarian headship as tantamount to a correct understanding of authentically biblical theology. SWI shares the hope of Christ with “In creation, he elects the Son. At the cross, he rejects the Son. And on the third day, he resurrects the Son.” Henryville women Smith’s second address, “Theology of the HIMbook,” focused on the homiletical christocentricity. | By Emily Griffin | He encouraged his listeners to recover the art of preaching from the whole Bible – espe- cially the Old Testament – and warned against a functionally selective canon. A pastor’s On March 2, just as the school day came to a close, a F4 tornado descended on the obligation, according Smith, is to “dust for christological fingerprints” in any and every text. quiet township of Henryville, Ind. The twister generated 170-mph winds, turning most Smith’s final lecture, “The Neglected God,” dealt with the pastoral pitfall of neglecting of Henryville’s business and homes to rubble. the Holy Spirit in preaching. Here, he directed his statements at seminary students, urging News crews and disaster relief teams descended on Henryville in the hours and days them to resist the temptation of self-sufficient, Spirit-suffocated ministry. following the storm. Southern Seminary, located just 25 miles south of Henryville, sent “Don’t ever feel equal to the task,” he warned. “I feel inadequate [when I preach], and multiple student-led teams to help with the recovery efforts. Toby Jenkins, pastor of I hope you feel that way too.” First Baptist Church of Henryville and a student at Boyce College, opened his church to To close – with a rhythmic cadence and solemn eyes – Smith offered a humble call to become the official hub for volunteer efforts. preach with rooted intra-trinitarian presence. In the weeks following the storm, Southern Seminary’s Seminary Wives Institute (SWI) “The best we can do is squeal,” he said. “We need the roar of the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” closed in on its 15th year of operation. The SWI hospitality class was also beginning Video and audio of Smith's lectures are available at www.sbts.edu/resources preparations for SWI’s annual end-of-year party. SWI founder and director Mary Mohler and the SWI hospitality class – under Mohler’s direction – started to brainstorm ways in which the party might benefit and uplift women outside of SWI. Henryville’s proximity to Louisville, and the several SWI students living in and serving churches in and around Henryville, made reaching out to that community an easy decision. What developed was a brunch for the women of Henryville, hosted by the women of SWI on Saturday, April 28. Sonia Jenkins, wife to Henryville pastor Toby Jenkins and SWI student, arranged for the brunch to be held at First Baptist Church and gathered friends to spread tickets throughout the community. The hospitality class divided into committees, each tasked with an element of the event. The committees transformed the church gymnasium with dozens of donated floral centerpieces, compiled gift bags for each of the 140 women in attendance, assembled homemade dishes and collected food donations and cared for the attendees' children for the duration of the event. At the event, two Henryville residents shared their personal experiences from “that day,” focused on how God was and remains stronger than the storm and how they are choosing to view “that day” as a blessing rather than one of the worst days of their life. Kathy Chapman Sharp, author, speaker and former International Mission Board mission- ary, spoke to attendees about taking time to reflect on events of that day in order to see the bigger story and realize the connection between life events and faith. Sharp also presented the gospel message.

4 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Report |

Boyce College SBTS hosts pureHOPE conference teacher education featuring Ware, Montgomery program prepares | By SBTS Communications | servant-leaders Southern Seminary hosted a pureHOPE conference, Pursuing Purity in a Sexual- | By Andrew Walker | ized Culture, May 4-5, 2012. PureHOPE is a non-profit organization committed to “providing Christian solutions in a sexualized culture.” Many people think of Boyce College, the The conference featured SBTS Professor of Christian Theology Bruce Ware and undergraduate school of Southern Seminary, Sojourn Community Church Lead Pastor Daniel Montgomery. as merely a Bible college. But within Boyce is a In Ware’s plenary session, he suggested that the impetus for human burgeoning elementary education certification holiness and purity is the holiness of God himself – God’s holiness leads to program that aims to use teaching as a means human holiness. for missionaries to enter foreign countries. “We must see God’s holiness to see rightly our sin,” said Ware, who speaks Alvin Hickey, associate professor of educa- around the world about the doctrine of God. “We must see our sin to appreci- tion and department chair of Boyce teacher ate rightly God’s forgiveness. We must see the beauty of God’s forgiveness to education, said that, “The best open door to live out an abiding love for him. And we must have that love for God if we’re the mission field in many foreign countries going to live in obedience and faithfulness and purity.” is for teachers to work in the schools of the For his plenary address, Montgomery, a graduate of Southern Seminary, country and at the same time be able to share traced human sexuality back to the Book of Genesis, arguing that God estab- the gospel.” lishes human sexuality as a life-giving and life-cultivating gift. But man’s Fall Hickey noted that Boyce is the most “dis- into sin distorts God’s design. The Fall explains the current culture of sexual tinctively Christian teacher education program confusion. The answer to the problem, according to Montgomery, is the gospel SBTS launches in the state” with its emphasis on worldview of Jesus Christ. and the priority of "servant-leadership" in In addition, Pursing Purity in a Sexualized Culture offered breakout sessions ministry the daily practice of the teaching profession. from Hershael York, Don Whitney, Heath Lambert and Steve and Candice Wat- apprenticeship “Whenever views in conflict with the Chris- ters. Sessions dealt with topics from the role of prayer to addiction and recov- tian worldview are presented, the students ery, from pornography and sex trafficking to purity and spiritual disciplines. program are challenged to evaluate those concepts in Audio and photo slides from the conference are available at pureHOPEblog.net light of the Christian worldview as presented | By SBTS Communications | in the Bible,” he said. “Devotions and prayer start nearly all classes, which reminds the Southern Seminary now offers master of divin- students of our dependence on God in all ity students the opportunity to receive course affairs of our life, especially as we practice credit through ministry internships with the the gift of teaching as given by God to us.” new ministry apprenticeship program (MAP). With required teaching courses as the core MAP weds together the two contexts of for- curriculum, students in the education program mal theological training and ministry experience also complete a rigorous program in Bible in a dynamic that allows for M.Div. students to and theology. complete their degree as they pursue super- Boyce’s teacher education program requires vised service in qualified ministry internships. graduates to complete 200 hours of field expe- Partnering churches and organizations that rience, a move that state requirements are have qualifying credentials can direct students beginning to mimic. Hickey noted that Boyce’s in earning credit by taking up to 18 M.Div. education is ahead of the curve in what it elective credit hours and enrolling in three expects from its students. integrative seminars through, respectively, the Hickey stated that 80 percent of students in School and Theology, the Billy Graham School the program plan to use their degree as a means of Missions and Evangelism and the School of to engage in missions work cross-culturally. Church Ministries. More information about Boyce Col- Anyone interested in learning more about lege’s teacher education program is avail- the ministry apprenticeship program may email able at www.boycecollege.com/academics/ [email protected] teacher-education-program

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 5 | Report

Ministry wives share wisdom, experiences with T4G attendees

| By Emily Griffin |

In conjunction with the Together for the ministry wives as well as female Southern Southern Seminary; and Jani Ortlund, wife Gospel conference, April 10-12, Southern Seminary students. of Ray Ortlund, pastor of Immanuel Church Seminary hosted the first T4G event specifi- Panel participants were: Kristie Any- in Nashville, Tenn. cally for women. On April 10, four seasoned abwile, wife of Thabiti Anyabwile, senior The panel addressed topics such as ministry wives came together on Southern’s pastor at First Baptist Church in Grand Cay- expectations, priorities, transitions and fam- campus to dialogue about issues related man, Cayman Islands; Lauren Chandler, wife ily – all in the context of balancing church to their experience in ministry and what of Matt Chandler, lead teaching pastor at responsibilities and family needs. it means to be a “ministry wife.” The audi- The Village Church in Dallas; Mary Mohler, Full audio of the event is available for ence was comprised of future and current wife of R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of download at www.sbts.edu/resource

Moore speaks to President Obama Southern Seminary’s Russell D. Moore had a personal exchange with United States President Barack Obama at the White House Easter prayer breakfast, April 4, 2012. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration, attended the breakfast along with, according to the Religion News Service, about 150 clergy and other guests. During the breakfast, Obama gave a brief talk about how Jesus’ suffering puts into perspective his own struggles.

Church at Brook Hills announces Payne as pastor of church multiplication | By Josh Hayes |

The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Hills and other local churches to passion- will oversee Brook Hills’ church planting Ala., voted to receive J.D. Payne as its ately make disciples and intentionally mul- efforts in North America. His responsi- pastor of church multiplication, May 6, tiply churches.” bilities will include developing an equip- 2012. This comes after the church’s elders Since 2002, Payne has served with the ping center that will seek to mobilize the recommended Payne to the congregation North American Mission Board (NAMB) church’s 4,200 members for evangelism during April. and Southern Seminary as associate and discipleship. "I'm grateful to God for his grace in lead- professor of church planting and evangelism More information related to Payne’s ing J.D. to Brook Hills,” said David Platt, senior and director of the Center for North Ameri- new role as pastor of church multiplica- pastor of the Church at Brook Hills. “I look can Missions and Church Planting, as well tion at the Church at Brook Hills, including forward to seeing how the Lord uses him in as being a national missionary with NAMB. video, is available at the church’s Web site, the days ahead to lead the Church at Brook As pastor of church multiplication, Payne www.brookhills.org

6 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Report |

Southern Seminary joins IMB initiative, embraces the FLAME, Trip Meshkhetian Turks as an unreached people group Lee releases | By Aaron Cline Hanbury | debut at top of music charts The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has identified the Mesh- School of Missions and Evangelism. “We will begin by learning as khetian Turks as a people group to target with the gospel of Jesus much as we can about them and disseminating information in our | By Josh Hayes | Christ. At the 2011 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Conven- community so we can pray for them. Our goal is to raise up long- tion (SBC) in Phoenix, Ariz., Tom Elliff, president of the International term workers from among ourselves who will take the gospel to this FLAME and Trip Lee registered high on the Mission Board (IMB), and Bryant Wright, president of the SBC, jointly people group, including all the intermediary steps [e.g., short-term music charts in recent months. With his called on Southern Baptist churches and institutions to “embrace” an exploration]. And everything we do will be in conjunction with IMB new album, The 6th, FLAME, Clear Sight unengaged, unreached people group for the purpose of spreading field leadership.” Music artist and Southern Seminary stu- the gospel to the nations. Louisville, Ky., the location of Southern Seminary, houses a com- dent, debuted at number one on the Bill- The IMB estimates that roughly 3,800 unengaged, unreached munity of 60 to 80 Meshkhetian families (somewhere between 500 board gospel albums chart and reached people groups exist around the world. The IMB, an entity of the and 800 individuals). Efforts to reach the Meshkhetian Turks will number one immediately upon release Southern Baptist Convention, defines “unreached” as a people group begin by reaching out to the Louisville community. on iTunes’ hip-hop chart. Trip Lee, a Boyce with less than two percent evangelical population. “Unengaged” College student, debuted at number two qualifies a people group with no identifiable Christian presence on iTunes overall music charts with his and for whom no mission strategy exists. fourth album, The Good Life. The Meshkhetian Turks, despite their name, are not from Turkey. FLAME’s The 6th also reached num- Instead, the Meshkhetian Turks are a people of about 300,000 Black ber two on Billboard’s Christian albums Sea GEORGIA who live in the Russian Federation. World War II scattered the chart, number eight on the rap albums Meshketian Turks and they have since remained an elusive group chart and number 67 on the Billboard to engage, with a number of attempts seldom progressing beyond 200 chart. the information-gathering stage. TURKEY In addition to reaching number one “We will focus the full spectrum of strategic elements on the ARMENIA on the iTunes hip-hop chart, FLAME’s Meshkhetian Turks,” said Zane Pratt, dean of the Billy Graham album reached number eight on iTunes’ top albums chart, putting him in the top ten albums with artists like Adele and Bruce Springsteen. In a Clear Sight Music Mohler tells spring 2012 graduates to faithfully teach and gladly release about The 6th’s performance on iTunes, FLAME, a Boyce College gradu- reach the nations ate, stated that “being on iTunes is evi- dence of God’s grace.” | By SBTS Communications | Trip Lee discussed the concept of The Good Life album in a video recording More than 270 Southern Seminary “Take everything good you received here, and leave anything that available at www.rapzilla.com, saying students received degrees – ranging does not glorify God and strengthen Christ’s church. Remember that slash on album cover symbolizes from certificates to doctorates – dur- all who made this possible for you, knowing that all these things that, in his words, “my good life begins ing commencement exercises on the were provided so that the church may be faithfully taught and the at the end of me.” seminary’s lawn, May 18, 2012. nations gladly reached.” FLAME’s The 6th is available on iTunes. “We set [graduates] loose to do Also at graduation, Mohler presented the Findley B. and Louve- More information about FLAME and what God has called and gifted and nia Edge Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence to Peter J. Gentry. his record label, Clear Sight Music, is empowered them to do – to teach and Joining the seminary in 1998, Gentry is professor of Old Testament available at www.clearsightmusic.com; preach the Word of God, to shepherd interpretation. He is also the author, along with SBTS’ Stephen Trip Lee’s The Good Life is available on the flock of God, to guard the good deposit and to follow the pattern Wellum, of the forthcoming book, Kingdom through Covenant, iTunes, AmazonMP3 and Google Play. of sound words, to herald the good tidings of the gospel, to teach available this summer. More information about Trip Lee is the church, to counsel believers, to reach the unreached and to Mohler’s entire address is available in audio and video at the SBTS available at Reach Records Web site, comfort the afflicted,” R. Albert Mohler Jr. told the 209th graduating Resources page, www.sbts.edu/resources. A complete transcript of www.reachrecords.com class. “They are set forth to defend the truth, to contend for the the address, “To Utter What Has Been Hidden Since the Foundation faith once for all delivered to the saints, to mourn with those who of the World,” is available at www.albertmohler.com mourn and to minister in Christ’s name and stead. [NOTE: Page 19 of "Towers" highlights photos from the ceremony.]

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 7 | Reviews Literature

he forthcoming release, nuity, namely the escalation that God’s respective covenants with the new covenant with all of its TKingdom through Covenant, takes place through Scripture’s creation, Noah, Israel and David, theological entailments (see Heb is Peter Gentry and Stephen Wel- presentation of the covenants. as well as the new covenant. And 1:1-3; 7:1-10:19; cf. Eph 1:9-10),” lum’s via media proposal for the In Kingdom through Covenant, in part three, Wellum summarizes writes Wellum. narrative plot structure of the Gentry and Wellum not only the “kingdom through covenant” “It is a question of the literary Bible. The covenants form the demonstrate thorough exegetical proposal and teases out system- plot structure of the metanar- backbone and framework of the grounding for their proposal, but atic implications of the proposal, rative as a whole, even though, biblical storyline and serve as the also present the theological entail- particularly in areas such as theol- strictly speaking, not every part means by which God progressively ments and implications of their ogy proper, Christology, ecclesiol- is narrative. Even genres that are brings about his kingdom. proposal, thus demonstrating the ogy and eschatology. not narrative have at base a larger “The claim here is that the cov- intimate and necessary relation- “Given the fact that God has story that provides the framework enants are the key to the larger ship between biblical theology and progressively revealed his eternal for understanding them.” Kingdom through Covenant: story of Scripture, the biblical systematic theology. The authors plan to us over time and through For anyone who wants to under- A Biblical-Theological metanarrative,” Gentry writes. organize the book’s 848 pages into the covenants, in order to discern stand the Bible – beginning to end, Understanding of the Covenants Gentry and Wellum, both pro- three parts. God’s plan correctly we must part to whole – Kingdom through (Crossway 2012, $45), Peter J. fessors at Southern Seminary, do In part one, Wellum lays out understand each biblical covenant Covenant is a must-read. With this Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum not entirely agree with covenant the framework of the discussion, in its own redemptive-historical book, Gentry and Wellum present theology or dispensationalism. introducing to the reader her- context by locating that covenant a prototype for how to do theol- Review by Like covenant theology, their meneutical and methodological in relationship to what precedes ogy from textual exegesis to doc- Josh Hayes proposed “progressive covenanta- issues, as well as the differences it and what comes after it. When trinal excursus. lism” pays attention to the conti- between dispensational and we do this, not only do we unpack nuity of God’s singular plan as it is covenantal systems. Part two, God’s unfolding plan, but we dis- unfolded through covenants. But chapters 4-15, presents Gen- cover how that one plan comes also like dispensationalism, their try’s detailed exegesis of pivotal to fulfillment and culmination in proposal gives heed to disconti- texts – those that pertain most to Christ and the inauguration of

n his An Experiment in Criticism, “Some years back Bloom wrote requests for must-read lists, curiosity, excite and engage. Some- IEnglish writer and scholar C.S. a book called How to Read and Jacobs writes that he doesn’t want times the books are heavy and full Lewis indicts his Cambridge col- Why, but it really should have people dutifully to dredge through of facts. Other times, perhaps, a league F.R. Leavis for imposing a been called What to Read and a list of arbitrary “classics.” He sug- whimsical story concerned about stiff, snobbish rubric on those who What to Think about It,” Jacobs gests a better way. nothing at all might be in order. dare enter the task of reading: only writes. “The advice of the book “There’s a positive counter- While many in the conversa- certain, scholar-approved works as a whole is simply ‘Do as I say part to this negative reason: my tion will want – perhaps rightly classify as worthy reading. For and do as I do.’” commitment to one dominant, – to preserve the canon of what Lewis, readers need not feel bound Jacobs, a professor at Wheaton overarching, nearly definitive prin- it means to be well read, Jacobs' by such holier-than-thou shackles. College, claims that lists of must- ciple for reading: Read at Whim” thesis refreshingly calls readers In his new book, The Pleasures read books – like those commonly (emphasis original). back to the joys that began their The Pleasures of Reading of Reading in an Age of Distrac- known as the Great Books – can “Read what gives you delight reading life in the first place. in an Age of Distraction tion, Alan Jacobs picks up on turn reading into a burden in which – at least most of the time – and The Pleasures of Reading in an (Oxford 2011, $19.95), Lewis’ frustrations. He suggests learning triumphs over pleasure. do so without shame,” he writes. Age of Distraction, encourages Alan Jacobs that reading should be for plea- “However attractive this promise “And even if you are that rare sort readers to read not from some sure, not an act of conformity to of expertise … can be for some, for of person who is delighted chiefly legalistic sense of duty, but for Review by the intellectual elite. Jacobs uses others it only makes reading feel by what some people call Great the joys – the pleasures – that Aaron Cline Hanbury Adler and Van Doren’s How to like drudgery,” he writes. “So I want Books, don’t make them your books offer. So, the author might Read a Book as a paradigm for to offer a very different model.” steady intellectual diet, any more suggest, readers should swim this kind of guilt-based reading. The model Jacobs goes on to than you would eat at the most deeply in the great Western tra- As Lewis did to Leavis, Jacobs present is simple: people should elegant of restaurants every day.” dition if they like; or, if the whim singles out Yale University’s Harold read, and they should read what Jacobs describes the ideal read- so catches, the Twilight Saga. Bloom as the present-day guardian they want. Explaining why he ing life like that of a child: reading of the ivory tower. doesn’t comply with students’ on a whim those books that pique

8 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Reviews |

The Explicit Gospel Clouds of Witnesses: Christian Christ-Centered Biblical (Crossway 2012, $17.99), Matt Voices from Africa and Asia Theology: Hermeneutical Chandler with Jared Wilson (IVP Books 2011, $25), Mark A. Foundations and Principles Noll and Carolyn Nystrom (IVP Academic 2012, $20), Graeme Goldsworthy Review by Review by Review by Aaron Cline Hanbury Aaron Cline Hanbury Josh Hayes

mongst the slew of gospel-themed books floating he situatedness of the Christian experience is raeme Goldsworthy introduced many of today’s pas- Aaround Christian book stores today, Matt Chandler Tunavoidable. Sometimes, though, American Chris- Gtors and seminary students to the discipline that differs suggests that terms like “gospel-focus” and “gospel- tians who venture on a mission trip or engage a family from and gives foundation to systematic theology: biblical centered” are in danger of become little more than well from another culture capture a picture of the broad theology. His newest work, Christ-Centered Biblical Theol- intended buzzwords. shape of God’s work in the world. ogy, is another exercise in not only doing biblical theology, In his new book, The Explicit Gospel, Chandler, lead This picture is exactly what Mark Noll and Carolyn but in thinking about how to do it. pastor of the Village Church in Dallas, sets himself to Nystrom are about in their book, Clouds of Witnesses: Biblical theology, according to Goldsworthy, is “the defining the gospel in careful, clear and biblical fashion. Christian Voices from Africa and Asia. study of how every text in the Bible relates to Jesus and “I have been encouraged and emboldened by the “The purpose of this book is to introduce readers in his gospel.” Moreover, biblical theology is the study that number of cries for gospel-centered ministry occurring the Western world to noteworthy Christian believers shows how every text in the Bible relates to every other in evangelicalism. From books to blogs, conferences to from the recent history of the non-Western world,” write text of the Bible. In order to do this, one must discover DVDs, there is a call back to what is of ‘first importance’,” Noll and Nystrom. the Bible’s underlying structures and matrix of revelation Chandler writes. “I want to spend my time with you try- In Clouds of Witnesses, a companion volume to Noll’s that give the canon its unity. ing to make sure that when we use the gospel, we are earlier The New Shape of World Christianity, the authors Goldsworthy seeks to commend the three-level talking about the same thing. I want to make sure we offer 17 biographical accounts of “significant” Christian approach of his former teacher Donald Robinson in Christ- are all on the same page here – which is to say, God’s leaders from the 1880s to 1980s. Each 10 to 15-page sketch Centered Biblical Theology: history from creation, particu- page – and talking about what he is talking about when highlights an individual from Africa, India, Korea or China. larly from Abraham to Solomon; the eschatology of the the gospel is mentioned in the Scriptures.” “In many places and regions of church history, it has writing prophets; and the fulfillment of all things in Christ. According to Chandler, the Bible talks about the gospel been all too easy for members of one Christian tradition In the course of its 251 pages, Christ-Centered Bibli- in two ways: on the ground and in the air. The gospel to rush prematurely toward assessment, evaluation, cal Theology proposes the aforementioned schema for on the ground encapsulates the work of Jesus at a side- appropriation or judgment when confronted for the first understanding how to relate every text of the Bible to every walk level, dealing with the salvation of individuals. The time by another Christian tradition,” write the authors. other text, doing so while taking into consideration the gospel in the air describes God’s redemptive work from “This drive for assessment is natural and can be useful. approaches of other well known biblical theologians. He a helicopter view, the creation, fall, reconciliation and Others may and should engage in such criticism of the also examines the presuppositions and definitions behind consummation of human history. world’s newer expressions of Christianity. But our effort an evangelical approach to biblical theology, the structure “If the gospel on the ground is the gospel at the micro has been guided by the conviction that it is important of Old Testament history and prophetic eschatology, the level, the gospel in the air is the story at the macro level,” first simply to know before trying to judge.” New Testament’s interpretation of the Old and the nature explains Chandler. Noll and Nystrom intend to demonstrate the diver- of typology. After teasing out these two aspects in parts one and sity of orthodox Christian expression around the globe Goldsworthy concludes that no biblical theologian has two of The Explicit Gospel, Chandler provides a third part and thus foster an appreciation for it among Western the final say on the matter of method, but in seeking to where he looks at the “implications and applications” Christians. The core of the Christian faith, despite the demonstrate the unity of the Bible and every text’s rela- of the gospel. breadth of Christian experience in Africa, India, Korea tion to the gospel of Jesus Christ, any method must be “The Scripture’s complementary perspective of the and China, remains intact. able to deal with every text and every genre. gospel on the ground and the gospel in the air helps us “The Scriptures remain a powerful, life-transforming “A biblical theological method that cannot deal with all comprehend the breadth, length, height, and depth of force,” they write of the commonalities of Christians texts of the Bible is to some extent defective,” he writes. God’s love. Neither perspective dilutes the other but around the world. “The fellowship of believers takes many “The interconnectedness of all texts and, above all, their rather shapes our vision of God’s saving purposes to the forms, but is an essential element of Christian vitality. relatedness to Christ and his people must be served by epic scope of biblical revelation. We are after a gospel The Holy Spirit is everywhere active in drawing people whatever method we adopt and with whatever schema that is resolutely centered on the atoning work of Christ to the Father through the Son and in guiding them into we represent the totality of revelation in the Bible.” and scaled to the glory of God.” service for the kingdom.” Those who have found help in Goldsworthy’s other The Explicit Gospel provides readers with a clear defi- Clouds of Witnesses provides a Western audience volumes will find much the same in this volume: thought- nition of the gospel, and the implications for those who with several engaging, if academic, accounts of Christian ful, organized analysis of the Bible’s unifying patterns believe it in a taut, readable and often humorous volume. leaders around the world. and themes.

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 9 | Reviews

A more glorious vision Gentry, Wellum talk about the story that answers questions

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below, SBTS news manager study of those covenants with attention to and a worldview that even the theologian are to be biblical, they must be true to the Josh Hayes talks with Southern professors the cultural setting, the linguistic data and may not be totally conscious of. And so, Bible’s own terms. So then, looking at the Peter Gentry and Stephen J. Wellum about the literary structures and we connect them how do we guard against marrying bibli- covenants as the way of unfolding the Bible’s their new book, Kingdom through Covenant: to the Bible’s metanarrative. cal data and what is, in essence, a non- own terms, we draw proper conclusions A Biblical-Theological Understanding of the There are a great many texts in the Bible biblical worldview. This is why exegesis about how the plan of God fits together Covenants (available June 30). A brief review that discuss the relationship between two is the foundation of biblical theology and and culminates in Christ. of the book appears on page 8. or more covenants. We pay attention to biblical theology is the foundation of sys- these texts, and not only provide exegesis tematic theology. JH: Why is this book relevant for the JH: What is the premise of your book? of the texts themselves, but we put them SW: We try to show that the covenants are church today? PG: We argue that the six major covenants together into a super-structure that comes how God intends for the Bible to be put SW: There is a faith once for all delivered in the Bible form the backbone or the heart from the Bible itself. together. So we want to make a contribution to the saints, but there are points of dif- of the plot structure of the Bible. And, in This is the problem with a lot of theology. in moving from biblical texts to theologi- ference – nature of the church, covenant terms of methodology, we provide a fresh Often, it’s a marriage between biblical data cal formulation. If our biblical formulations signs, eschatology – that become denomi-

10 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Reviews |

national divides. The only way you can get I was brought up in a dispensational, pre- these things, students asked, “Where can with Noah as a reaffirming of Genesis 1-3. at those points of difference and then argue millennial, pietistic home. I began university we read something about the covenants?” So really, Presbyterians start their storyline for an alternative position is to do a renewed in 1972, and that’s when I began to study the And I’d say, “Well, read Dumbrell,” or “Read with Abraham. And the Abrahamic covenant examination of these theologies in light of Bible and critically think about it. And then O. Palmer Robertson.” Peter and I don’t kind of flattens out the development in the the Bible’s own structure. I went to seminary and learned the biblical agree with them fully, and out of that we Sinai, the Davidic and the new covenants. The dominant systems in theology today languages and I gained the tools for studying said, “We’ve got to do some sort of mediat- I think we need to say that there’s much – dispensationalism and its varieties; cov- the Bible for myself. Toward the end of that ing position here to show that both major agreement with these brothers and sis- enant theology and its varieties – in terms period – and through the reading of Calvin’s positions out there are not quite right.” ters. But I would say to someone wrestling of the big picture are fine as far as they go. Institutes and through the influence of Dr. with these issues that Presbyterians don’t Yet at some of the details, we think these S. Lewis Johnson – I became dissuaded of JH: What systematic theology texts have you do justice to the unfolding nature of the systems go astray because they don’t suf- the dispensational position. found helpful in putting the Bible together Bible’s covenants and the reality and the ficiently consider how the covenants unfold I started to lecture about the covenants as and formulating doctrine? glory of the new covenant. What we are and then culminate in Christ. So, this book a way of giving students the plot structure PG: The most helpful book, to me, is John contending for is the better, greater real- is a mediating position that tries to say, “We of the Old Testament, so that they would be Calvin’s Institutes. His is the most helpful ity of the new covenant itself. The Bible see strengths and weaknesses on both sides able to drop into any chapter of any book in and encouraging system. And its warm, presents a more glorious vision. and try to learn from the best of both propo- the Bible and know where they are in the pastoral tone gives a great vision of God. nents.” And then we offer a better way to go. Bible’s story. For me, I searched for answers and the

“ If our biblical formulations are to be biblical, they must be true to the Bible’s own terms. So then, looking at the covenants as the way of unfolding the Bible’s own terms, we draw proper conclusions about how the plan of God fits together and culminates in Christ.” – Wellum

PG: I think it is fair to say that all denomina- Eventually, students started bugging theology books that were coming out at JH: Are either of you working on tional differences derive from your under- me to put my lectures into writing. And, I that time weren’t giving them to me. I was future projects? standing of how the new covenant relates decided to take individual lectures and put interested in epistemology and I found a lot SW: I’m trying to finish a book about Chris- to the old covenant. And in order to answer them out there as articles in The South- of help in Carl Henry’s set God, Revelation tology. And then I’ll focus my attention on a that question, you have to put the metanar- ern Baptist Journal of Theology, of which and Authority. But books about Christology systematic theology. I want to unfoldKing - rative of the Bible together. So actually, this Steve [Wellum] is the editor. That’s when we and the person of Christ, the work of Christ dom through Covenant and present it in book ought to be of interest to all Christians started to talk about these issues together. and other topics in which I was interested, terms of the traditional doctrines, answering because it hits the one issue that divides SW: For me, these issues have always been weren’t meeting the needs. the question, “What would be the implica- us all. So I think it actually has to be much of interest. I came out of a Reformed Baptist tions of that to systematic theology, world- more relevant than many books out there, background. And it was really at Trinity Evan- JH: How would you distinguish your view of view formation, the application of the Bible not because we’ve written this book, but gelical Divinity School when D.A. Carson and convenant from a Presbyterian view? and a theological hermeneutic?” because of the topic we address. Doug Moo provided a mediating position PG: The Bible seems not to speak about the between dispensationalism and covenant covenant the way the Presbyterians speak JH: Could you speak to how the concept of theology that helped me as a student. of the covenant. If we want to be true to the book emerged? I was initially interested in theology, the Bible, we can only speak about the cov- PG: This isn’t a book where we just sat down worldview and apologetics, but I realized enants in the plural. The Presbyterian view and said, “Okay, here’s the plan and we’re that the foundation of theology is rooted in of the covenant, the so-called “covenant of going to write it in a period of a year and Scripture. So I had to think through those works,”seem only to be a pale shadow of a half.” It, for me, came out of 30 years of issues first in order to get to theology and what the Bible teaches in Genesis 1-3. They studying the Bible. worldview. And then, as I began to teach don’t have a proper place for the covenant

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 11 | Commentary

Thinking in Public Mohler talks with author Ross Douthat

The second season of “Thinking in Pub- [By "heretic" and "heresy," I mean] religious ideas, movements, books, people – lic” is coming to a close. In one of his last DOUTHAT: podcast episodes of the season, R. Albert you name it – that on the one hand are either directly influenced by Christian Mohler Jr. talked with author and The New ideas or a fascination with Christianity in general or Jesus of Nazareth in particular; on the York Times columnist Ross Douthat. He and Mohler talked about Douthat’s new book, other hand, it doesn’t make sense to say that these movements founded a completely new reli- Bad Religion: How We Became a Nation gious movement or new faith. These ideas diverge sharply enough from what I consider – I’m of Heretics. trying to pitch a pretty big tent that encompasses Protestant, Eastern Orthodox and Catholics Mohler: You set forth an understanding alike – a common core of the great traditions of Christianity. of dramatic changes in American public Christianity from the mid-20th century to I’m trying not to write as a Catholic, so I’m not relying on sort of magisterial pronounce- the present. And from that point, you tease out the subtitle of your book, “How We ments to determine who is and who is not a heretic. Obviously the lines I draw necessarily are Became a Nation of Heretics.” When you a bit fuzzy. But I do think that a lot of the people and trends about which I address fit pretty use the word “heretic” or you use the word “heresy,” what do you mean? well into the category of heresy.

Thinking in Public is the QR Code: This and additional podcasts are available on Stitcher Smart Radio, iTunes and at AlbertMohler.com. Mohler interview-based podcast and Douthat’s full conversation is available at this QR-Code. hosted by Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr.

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news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 13 | Commentary

Christian Hip-hop a christian hip-hop timeline

Hip-hop, Christian and otherwise, is one of the most distinct genres of music. Its straight forward, didactic lyrics, mixed with memorable rhythms form a genre that can uniquely communicate its message clearly to a captive audience. From the early days of “holy hip-hop” in Tennessee and Los Angeles to its first major artist Stephen Wiley, and now to upward talent and robust theology combining in artists like Lecrae, Christian hip- hop has come a long way. What follows is a brief timeline of the genre.

1989 dc Talk, with its mix of pop and rap elements, laid the 1992 groundwork that Heaven’s Hip-Hop earned broader Magazine published acceptance of holy its first issue. hip-hop.

1982 1985 1993 1994 M.C. Sweet releases Jesus Stephen Wiley Rap Fest holds its dc Talk member Christ (The Gospel Beat) releases Bible Break, first all-day, outdoor Toby McKeehan [Lection/Polygram], one distributed by Benson event in South Bronx, (TobyMac) co- of the first commercially Music Group. Wiley is N.Y. The annual founded Gotee produced Christian hip- considered the father evangelistic event Records, the first hop singles. of Christian rap. still features music record label market- and testimonies from ing for Christian Christian rappers. hip-hop and R&B.

14 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Commentary |

Christian Hip-hop a christian hip-hop timeline

Bible Break (1985), Stephen Wiley dc Talk (1989), dc Talk The Art of Translation (2002), Grits Rehab (2010), Lecrae

1995 The rise of the Internet immensely helped the spread of Christian hip- 1998 2009 Grapetree Records, The Higherground hop, including informa- tion and message board a Texas-based label Record Pool and One sites like Godzhouse. grossed an estimated Accord DJ Alliance held com, Hiphopzone.com, $2 million, largely the first Gospel DJ Con- om95.com and eventually thanks to Lil Raskull ference at the Crowne Sphereofhiphop.com and Nuwine (Wine-O) Plaza, Queens, N.Y.

2003 2008 2011 Philip Rood Boyce College stu- A significant step founded Rapzilla, dent, FLAME, receives toward mainlin- a Christian hip-hop a Grammy Award ing the Christian magazine in nomination for Our rap genre, Lecrae Brussels, Belgium World: Redeemed appeared on one of the 2011 BET Hip-hop Awards: The Cypher.

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 15 | Commentary

Changed hearts, changed music A Christian hip-hop forum

EDITOR’S NOTE: Below, hip-hop artists Lec- think we're good. But most Christians have eternal. He is the source of all creation. ACH: What are the benefits of developing rae, FLAME, Trip Lee and Shai Linne answer no clue how to engage culture in politics, sci- Is there such a thing as evil music? Well, hip-hop as a medium for the gospel? questions from "Towers" editor Aaron Cline ence, economics, TV, music or art. We tend the artists’ heart may be evil and because FLAME: I think a few things. Number one, Hanbury about Christian hip-hop and their to leave people to their own devices there. of that you are hearing their heart. Mat- hip-hop seems to be the most influential ministries through it. We are missing out on the gospel's thew 12:34 says that out of the abundance genre of music when it comes to youth power of redemption and glorification in of the heart the mouth speaks. The heart culture. For some reason, younger people ACH: For a genre historically associated with all things. is therefore the problem, not the music. gravitate toward the rowdiness of hip-hop, negative themes, how do you validly redeem The whole idea of a secular/sacred divide Changed hearts produce changed music. the black-and-white, in-your-face elements the art form for gospel purposes? was born because ancient Greeks (spe- Jesus prayed we would remain in the of it. It taps into the rebelliousness, self- Lecrae: We tend to wear bifocals – partially cifically Plato) thought matter (or things) world but protected. He also tells us the expression of youth culture. And rap has seeing some things as spiritual and other was preexistent and eternal. They thought gates of hell will not prevail against us. Gates the cool factor – it’s something you can do things as secular or non-spiritual. matter contained the ability to resist the were established to protect cities, so for the to fit in, be cool or stand out. We limit spirituality to salvation and sanc- gods or just God – making it evil. But as gates not to prevail means we are trying to In Christian rap, we get the respect tification. As long as we are well versed in Christians, we defeat that claim with the storm them. We are here to engage culture, from the cool factor, the relevant factor, personal piety and individual salvation, we doctrine that only God is preexistent and not run from it. but at the same time, in terms of content,

16 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Commentary |

we have space in songs to communicate. overflow of my love for music. Today my Typically rap songs herald a campaign or love for music is still there, but I'm primarily advocate a message. The message isn’t driven by my love for Jesus. necessarily positive or uplifting, but it’s “I’ve got something to say.” With the gospel ACH: How does Christian hip-hop serve the being black-and-white and in-your-face, local church? the hip-hop genre gives us an opportunity Shai Linne: Provided it is faithful to Scrip- to communicate a strong message. And if ture, Christian hip-hop can serve the church the artistry is good, we gain instant respect in a number of ways. First, it serves a teach- from the listener. ing function. One of the things that sepa- To memorize lyrics is cool, so the repeti- rates hip-hop from other musical genres is tion of rap music allows us to fit a lot of its capacity to communicate many words in Scripture and teach a lot of doctrine. The a small amount of musical space. Many have aspect of repetition serves hip-hop in terms observed that some Christian hip-hop songs of evangelism and discipleship. are like mini-sermons. I have personally employed this approach in my music over ACH: How do you understand your hip-hop the years, addressing topics such as original career as a ministry? sin, the attributes of God and limited atone- Trip Lee: I fell in love with hip-hop before I ment. In doing so, I’m attempting to apply fell in love with Jesus. Music was an obses- Colossians 3:16: ”Let the word of Christ sion for me at a young age, and there was dwell in you richly, teaching and admon- nothing I loved more than getting a new CD. ishing one another in all wisdom, singing Hip-hop held a special place in my heart, psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with and I began writing rhymes around age thankfulness in your hearts to God.” 11 or 12. My rhymes were mostly about Second, it serves a catechizing function. how great I thought I was. Ironically, my One of the things that makes music so pow- music wasn't good yet, but I was writing a erful is that it organizes language in a memo- lot. It was just an overflow of my love for rable way. This can be very beneficial in the art form. helping believers to systematize their faith. When I was 14 years old, Jesus saved me This was my aim in writing a song called and my entire life took on new meaning. My “Atonement Q&A.” Here are a few lines: friendships, my interaction with my parents and even my music had to be reshaped Who is God? God is the universe’s Cre- around the Lord. I wanted my music to glo- ator / And Sustainer plus the only Savior, rify God instead of me. Ten years later that there is no one greater / He is triune, desire remains. holy, omnipotent, omniscient, absolute Romans 12 tells us to offer our bodies / Loving, sovereign and righteous are a as a living sacrifice. Every part of our lives few of his attributes /How do we know must be offered to God as a sacrifice of wor- this? Well, we know this from the Bible ship. My music is no exception. So my aim / Where God has revealed himself- any- is to write "spiritual songs" influenced and thing else is just an idol / What’s the empowered by the Spirit of God. I want to Bible about? Man’s complete ruin in do evangelistic songs that urge sinners to sin / And what God has done in Christ repent. I want to write didactic songs that to bring us to him again explain particular doctrinal truths. I want to write experiential songs that reflect on life's My goal in writing songs like this is that, woes. I want to write provocative songs that as Christians listen to it, the truth of God challenge faulty worldviews. I want to write would stick in their minds for their edifica- love songs that show the beauty of God's tion and encouragement as Christ and his design for marriage. Whatever kind of songs glorious gospel are proclaimed though it. they are, they must be worship. Sola Deo Gloria! When I began, my rhymes were just an

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 17 | Southern Story From the radio waves to Twitter: a history of popular media in the life of SBTS h istory highlight

Fuller estimated that these FM broadcasts Southern Seminary uses media to educate could reach between 750,000 to 1 million- and edify while leading the way in theologi- people in the local area, but the seminary cal education. planned to make this ministry reach “to the ends of the earth” by means of distributing Stay connected with summer develop- the recordings to alumni and churches to air ments at the James P. Boyce Centen- on their own local broadcasting stations.6 nial Library by following us on Facebook The 1950s saw the rise of television as or Twitter @JPBCL. Also, we welcome a fixture in American homes, and with you to visit the Archives and Special Col- hit shows like “I Love Lucy” dominating lections on the library’s second floor. national ratings, the seminary recognized the medium’s ministry potential. So in ENDNOTES 1952, the seminary produced a 30-minute 1Linwood T. Horne, Sr., R. Inman Johnson Better informational commercial, “The Carpenter’s Known as Prof: His Life and Times (Karen Home Bench,” that aired weekly in the afternoon. Marasco, 1999), 116-17. Edward A. McDowell, Louisville’s WAVE-TV presented the show as “The Seminary Session in Retrospect,” Southern Duke K. McCall on WAVE-TV broadcast a public-service feature, and it praised the Seminary News 7.2 (May 1939), 7. production quality. 2“Seminary Extension Studio Opened,” Southern Duke K. McCall, the seminary’s seventh Seminary News 5.1 (January 1936), 5. | By Adam Winters | to feature a “Sunday School of the Air” seg- president, hailed the television ministry as 3Horne, R. Inman Johnson Better Known as Prof: ment, promoting a systematic study of the “an excellent medium for us to use in get- His Life and Times, 117. “Seminary Extension oday, one cannot fully connect with Bible in which listeners could participate ting across the messages which God has Studio Opened,” 5. Tthe events and culture of the South- by ordering lesson plans from the seminary commanded us to preach.”7 During the 4“Studio is Dedicated,” The Tie (December 1949), 10. ern Seminary community without liking the in advance.2 During the seminary’s early late 1980s and 1990s, the seminary also 5“Seminary Radio Program,” The Tie (February seminary’s page on Facebook or following its years in broadcasting, it housed radio studio produced “The Bible and Life” television 1949), 10. Twitter handle. The community uses social control rooms in the lower floors of both program in conjunction with the Baptist 6Ellis A. Fuller, “The Radio Ministry of Alma Mater,” media to make announcements, to praise Whitsitt Hall and Mullins Hall.3 Sunday School Board,8 and SBTS has aired The Tie (November 1950), 9. friends, to entreat prayers, to recommend Under the administration of its sixth chapel services on local stations since then. 7“Seminary on Television,” The Tie (March, 1952), 8. articles or sermons and to provide updates president, Ellis A. Fuller, the seminary’s For nine years, R. Albert Mohler, the semi- “The Carpenter’s Bench” can be viewed at http:// about life in general. Previous generations radio ministry continued to expand with nary’s ninth and current president, hosted a digital.library.sbts.edu/handle/10392/2977. of seminarians used the popular media of the addition of a FM broadcasting station in popular live radio program where he com- 8“Seminary Launches TV Program,” The Tie (May/ their day for similar purposes. the newly expanded wing of Norton Hall. At mented on daily news, interviewed notable June 1988), 9 Nearly a century ago, Southern Semi- the dedication of the new studio, Fuller said, guests and aimed to promote “intelligent 9Audrey Barrick, “Albert Mohler Says Fare- nary’s administration already used popular “This is the hour for which the Seminary Christian conversation.” Originally titled well to Live Radio,” July 2, 2010. Available media as a tool for greater effectiveness in has waited since it was founded, nearly 90 “Truth on the Line” and only broadcast in at http://www.christianpost.com/news/ its ministry. In 1922, professor John R. Sam- years ago. … Hitherto only students on the the Louisville area, the Salem Communica- albert-mohler-says-farewell-to-live-radio-45762/ pey began a series of radio broadcasts on campus could sit at the feet of our teachers, tions-distributed “Albert Mohler Program” “Great Men of the Bible” for Louisville’s new but now these professors can come into the became syndicated nationally from 2004 WHAS radio station.1 The upstart WHAS, homes and the churches by radio to teach until its final broadcast, July 1, 2010. which made history in 1925 with the first and preach.”4 On the decision to end the program, live broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, rec- By 1949, the seminary was on the air six Mohler stated that “the thing I will miss ognized the mutual benefit of cooperation days a week and added a second daily pro- more than anything else is the conversation with Southern Seminary to fill its program- gram on Louisville’s WKLO station. This new with America over the means of the radio ming schedule. “Meditations” program featured a weekly broadcast. There’s an incredible intimacy to R. Inman Johnson, who taught speech speaker (usually a seminary professor) who radio … because radio builds a community.”9 and hymnology for decades, invested many provided a series of 15-minute devotional Mohler’s public commentary ministry years in providing weekly religious music talks.5 In November of 1950, the seminary now continues through his daily and monthly for station programming and for directing began to broadcast all chapel services, musi- podcasts, “The Briefing” and “Thinking in the seminary’s Radio Chorus. In 1936, the cal programs and some professor classroom Public,” respectively. Julius Mahon, program director of the weekly “Seminary Worship Hour” also began lectures via their own radio station, WSDX. Today, as it has throughout its history, seminary’s radio station WSDX in 1952

18 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Southern Story |

Seen at Southern SBTS SPRING 2012 GRADUATION

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news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 19 | Southern Story SBTS hosts second-ever Alumni Academy course, Christology with Bruce Ware

| By Josh Hayes | Ware drew attention to John 1:1-5 in the Spirit (Matt 12:28; Acts 2:22; 10:38). As a result of his successful mission, Ware order to show that the Word is both iden- Building off of Philippians 2:5-8, Ware explained, the Son defeated the penalty and he Southern Baptist Theological Semi- tified with God and distinguished from God. taught that Jesus did not give up any of his power of sin, as well as conquering Satan’s Tnary held its second Alumni Academy The Word’s participation in creation neces- deity in assuming a human nature. Rather, power over humanity (1 Cor 15:54-57; Col course, Christology with Bruce A. Ware, sitates the conclusion that he too is God he gave up the privileges of his deity and 2:13-15). Also, the Son earned the right to May 15-17, 2012. because apart from him “nothing came into experienced a truly human life. This, he sit at the Father’s right hand from which he Ware, professor of Christian theology at being that has come into being” (John 1:3). noted, is subtraction by addition. The Son’s rules and reigns over the nations, maintain- Southern Seminary, taught the course in four “What is implicit in Genesis 1 is made explicit deity is not taken away in the incarnation, ing his rights as savior of the elect and judge sessions, each giving framework, foundation in John 1,” Ware said. And though a point but the incarnation does veil it. of the non-elect (Heb 1:3; Eph 1:18-23; cf. Ps and development of the Bible’s presentation contested by some evangelical theologians, In the fourth session, Ware talked about 2:7-9; Matt 28:18-20; John 6:37-39). And at of the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. he stressed the clarity of the biblical teach- the Son as the exalted Lord. Having com- the consummation of all things, the Son as In the first session, Ware focused on the ing of the Son’s submission to the Father pleted the task that the Father set before the exalted Lord will return to reign with his doctrine of Trinity in order to provide back- before and during the incarnation. him, the Son reigns as the glorified king, bride, the church (Dan 7:15-18; Rev 22:1-5). ground for how one should understand the According to Ware, more than 40 times though still under his Father’s authority More information about Alumni Academy person of the Son. He exhorted attendees in John’s Gospel, Jesus says that he came and in the continued power of the Spirit. is available at events.sbts.edu to learn to read their Bibles with “trinitar- to do the will of his Father (e.g., John 6:38; ian lenses,” seeing that in many passages 8:42; 10:36). The Father initiated the plan of Scripture, pronouns like “he” and “him” for his eternal Son to come into the world, UPCOMING ALUMNI ACADEMY COURSES refer not to God generically but to a particu- as texts such as John 3:16-17; Galatians 4:4; lar person of the Godhead. Thus, putting on Hebrews 1:1-2; and 1 John 4:9-10 indicate. Current Issues of Marriage and Ministry Biblically Guided Worship August 22-24, 2012 October 1-3, 2012 trinitarian lenses opens up the Bible to help The Father’s plan from eternity has been to Theological Debate June 11-15, 2012 Dr. Randy Stinson, Dr. Joe Crider, people to see what is already there. bring to pass his purposes through the Son Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. with guests Dennis Rainey with guests Bob Kauflin, Further, in order to have orthodox trini- (Eph 1:9-11; 3:8-12). and C.J. Mahaney Chuck Lewis and Greg Brewton tarianism, Ware explained, one must have “The eternal Son, God the Son, is both the two pillars of identity: distinction and fully God and fully equal to the Father, while equality. Without distinction among the he is fully Son and eternally in a relationship persons of the Godhead, one has unitarian of agent of the Father, carrying out the work monotheism (one god, one person). With- and implementing the will of the Father in out equality of identity, one has tritheism full submission and obedience to all that the (three gods, three persons). To have authen- Father has planned,” Ware said. tic monotheism, the Father, Son and Holy In the third session, Ware discussed the Spirit must share the same identical nature, incarnate Son. As in eternity past, the Son not merely the same kind of nature. The – as the one who became forever incarnate Bible presents a complex rather than simple in taking upon himself a human nature in monotheism. In surveying the biblical and addition to his divine nature – submits to historical data concerning the doctrine of the Father’s will (see John 8:28-29; 1 Cor the Trinity, Ware stated that relationships 11:3). In the Bible, Ware pointed out, one and roles distinguish each member of the never encounters an instance in which the Godhead from one another. Son exercises authority over the Father. The In the second session, Ware dealt with Son obeys out of love for the Father (John the Son as the eternal Word, the second 14:31) and in view of his future reign and person of the Trinity. As the eternal Word, exaltation (Ps 2:7-9; 1 Cor 15:25-28). the Son activates, implements and carries Ware addressed Jesus’ relationship to out the design and will of the Father, indicat- the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Spirit-anointed ing the inherent hierarchy that exists among Messiah of whom the Old Testament the Trinity. Though all three are equally prophesies, and as the incarnate Son, he God, the Father has authority over the Son, lives an authentically human life by rely- and the Father and Son have authority over ing on the Spirit. And beyond living as a the Spirit, both in eternity past and in the human being in submission to the Spirit, economy of redemption. Jesus performed miracles by the power of

20 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Southern Story |

Bruce Ware prof like a fish in a lake

| By Josh Hayes | could move on to that which better suited his interests, namely seminary. ruce A. Ware is a man of several life Ware met his three defining loves in life Bcallings. Christian. Husband. Father. during the time he spent earning his master Theologian. Fish? of divinity and master of theology degrees at Yes, Southern Seminary Professor of Western Seminary in Portland, Ore.: teach- Christian Theology Bruce Ware is a self- ing, theology and his to-be wife, Jodi, whom described fish – or at least like a fish. No, he says has been a wonderful support to him this does not refer to a possession of any throughout the years. Taken by the beauty out-of-the-ordinary aquatic abilities (though of theology at this point in life, Ware was he did grow up wearing water skis). Rather, happy to pursue a Th.M. at Western, and Ware is one for whom classroom teaching during this period, he realized his calling felt natural – “like a fish dropped in a lake,” for teaching. A love for preaching, however, he said – once he received the opportunity. took longer to develop. “I love theology,” Ware said. “I love put- “Oddly, seminary professor was not even ting things together, the synthesis of theol- on my radar screen when I was thinking ogy, of taking the parts and constructing the about ministry the Lord might want me to whole – seeing how it fits together and the do. It was primarily pastoring or missions big picture that is so glorious. That has been, work. Teaching, and particularly teaching for the whole of my adult life, captivating. seminary, didn’t register until in my Th.M. So, what better thing to do than teach, which program I had opportunities to teach, fill- I love to do, and theology, which I love to ing in for professors and teaching some study and present.” lay courses that they offered through the Before diving into what became his voca- seminary,” he said. tion, Ware tested the proverbial waters “Preaching, for me at that time, was seeking to determine God’s call on his life. stressful, difficult, awkward and unnatu- The son of committed churchmen, Ware’s ral, whereas teaching I felt like I was a fish early years at Trinity Baptist Church in Spo- dropped in a lake. I just began swimming. kane, Wash., exposed him to various minis- Teaching felt joyous and natural. Preaching try opportunities. did not.” When he was 15, Ware’s parents, Bill Earning a master of arts from the Uni- and Ruth, sent him on a mission trip half- versity of Washington confirmed his main way around the world. Madagascar as his love of theology, and so he went on to destination, Ware journeyed through Asia Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif., where in order to arrive there, and he returned he earned a doctorate in philosophical theol- home by traveling through Europe. The trip ogy. At Fuller, the Wares’ lives intersected allowed him to see about 20 countries as once again with the lives of Diane and well as missions work going on in those Tom Schreiner – also a current professor areas. Included in the trip was a visit to what at Southern Seminary – whom they knew want me to move and to come here. In the God’s transcendent excellence and imma- was then war-torn Vietnam. This, he said, at Western. end, he made it crystal clear to come to nent goodness. was an eye-opening experience in terms of Having recently completed his 14th year SBTS,” he said. What Ware wants more than anything in instilling in him an appreciation for missions at Southern, Ware has spent half of his pro- Ware traces back the trajectory of his life, though, is faithfulness to the God about work similar to that of his parents. fessional seminary teaching career here. career – built most definitively around his whom he loves to teach others. Between Ware’s sophomore and junior Prior to coming to SBTS, he taught part-time understanding of the doctrine of God – to “I want to remain faithful to God, to years of college, he felt a strong call to for one year at Biola University during his reading A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Christ, to the gospel and to the Bible, and some form of ministry, and as a result, he final year of Ph.D. studies, and went on to Holy at the end of his freshman year of col- not compromise in a culture where compro- enrolled in a program at Capernwray Bible teach for three years at Bethel Seminary, lege. A life-transforming book, Ware said mises are becoming increasingly common. I School in Carnforth, England, that allowed four years at Western Seminary and seven it taught him about the most important also don’t want to be curmudgeonly. I want him to study the Bible in a more intensive years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School question in life: “Who is God?” Ware noted by God’s grace to be winsome but faithful setting. His calling affirmed, he returned in Deerfield, Ill. that among his published works he is most – in short, to be like Jesus, who was full of to the States in order to finish his college “I loved where I was but could not be proud of God’s Greater Glory (Crossway), in grace and truth. God help me. That’s what degree as quickly as possible so that he released from this sense that the Lord might which he speaks of the amazing nature of I want to be.”

news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 21 | Community June-July 2012 JUNE 2012 1 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY At Southern Seminary and Boyce College, school is certainly not out for summer. 1 2 In fact, starting June 4 and continuing through July 13, the campus will buzz with students taking advantage of a full list of core and elective courses in J-term format – and for students who still want to participate, it’s not too late. And, 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 as usual, courses for the Fall 2012 semester are already filling up. Before that, SBTS Summer Term Begins though, Boyce will host its annual D3 youth camp, June 25-28. 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Announcements Seminary string instru- crocheting lessons will also be ment camps offered. Mrs. Gentry leads the Ministers to the military The 10th annual Seminary String class assisted by Mrs. Kathy Are you interested in minister- Camp will be held June 11-15 Vogel. For questions, you can call ing to soldiers, but are not sure from 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., daily. Mrs. Gentry locally at 423-8255 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 how to begin? Are you interested Students ages 4-18 are invited to or Mrs. Vogel at 742-1497. in the Military Chaplaincy, but enroll. All class levels from begin- do not know where to start? ning through advanced are avail- Are you currently a Military able on violin, viola, cello, bass, Chapel orchestra Chaplain or Chaplain Candidate guitar, and – new this year – harp. instrumentalists 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 and looking for fellowship? Do Enrichment classes include voice, Do you play an instrument? The D3 Youth you have prior Military Ministry music & movement, fiddle, and chapel orchestra is looking for Conference experience that you would love more. Early registration through instrumentalists to assist with to share? Here at Southern, the May 7. For registration and bro- the worship music for Tuesday Ministers to the Military student chure see www.sbts.edu/string- chapel services. Rehearsal is at 9 JULY 2012 organization focuses on meet- camp or call (502) 897-4795. a.m., Tuesdays. You can receive SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY ing the needs of soldiers and one elective hour of course credit equipping those who would like Aplus Edits by registering for 50985 Chapel to minister to them. We con- Aplus Edits is a full service — Orchestra. There is no course fee 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 tinue to have fellowship meals grammar, format, clarity, style charge for ensembles. Contact and a lecture every semester, — proofreading business. It exists Joe Crider for further informa- and we are a link to the NAMB to take the stress out of conform- tion at [email protected] for endorsement as a Military ing papers to style manuals and Chaplain and U.S. Army recruit- to improve the overall quality Piano accompanists needed 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 ers. If you are interested, then of one's writing. Aplus consists Part time piano accompanists are you can contact 1LT Kevin Eisel at of a team of qualified editors needed for Boyce and Southern [email protected] or equipped to edit book reviews, voice lessons. Pianists need to by voice or text at 931-220-9926. dissertations, and everything in have good music reading skills between. Check us out at www. and availability during week- 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Scholarship search engine aplusedits.com or e-mail Chris day mornings and afternoons. A scholarship search engine at [email protected] Accompanists can choose how is now available for all stu- many lessons they would like to dents on e-Campus by clicking Free sewing class accompany and are paid by the the help desk tab and select- The free sewing class led by hour. If interested, contact Greg 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 ing the financial aid link. The Mrs. Barbara Gentry meets from Brewton at [email protected] scholarship search is designed 6-7:30 p.m., Mondays in Fuller to find scholarships according Room 16. Sewing machines to student’s particular demo- are provided at no cost. No graphics. More information experience is required, but 29 30 31 can be found at www.sbts.edu/ women with experience may current-students/financial-aid/ also participate. Knitting and

22 towers June-July 2012 news.sbts.edu Community |

JUNE 2012 Health and Rec The Health & Recreation Center SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY (HRC) hours of operation: M-F – 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.; S – 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. 1 2 Pool hours: M, T, Th, F – 6 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.; W – 6 a.m – 6 p.m.; S – 9 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. (The swimming pool always 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 closes 30 minutes before the rest of the HRC. Check the Web site for daily guard breaks.)

Fitness classes 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Classes run through May 18. Fitness Boot camp, M, W, F, 8 - 8:45 a.m., women’s class Mommy and Me power walk- SBC Annual ing/strength training, M, W, F, 17 18 19 Meeting 20 21 22 23 10 - 11 a.m., women’s class new orleans, la. Resolution 20: The Gauntlet, T, Th, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., men’s class Total Toning, M 4:45 - 5:45 p.m., women’s class 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Practical Pilates, T, Th, 4:45 - 5:45 p.m., women’s class Aqua Alive, T, Th, 5 - 5:45 p.m., co-ed class Zumba, T, Th, 8 - 9 p.m., JULY 2012 women’s class SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY Afternoon childcare 4 - 6 p.m., T and Th 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The HRC will offering childcare Independence Day for $3 per child. Children ages six offices closed weeks to 12 years old are welcome.

*Call the HRC at 897-4720 with 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 questions about scheduling and SBTS Summer events; Term Ends *Visit the Weekly Calendar on the HRC page of the SBTS Web site (www.sbts.edu/hrc) to see 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 what is happening at the HRC; and *Become a fan of the HRC on Facebook and follow us on 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Twitter (SBTSHealth_Rec).

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news.sbts.edu June-July 2012 towers 23 Nonprofit Organization Us Postage The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Paid L&D 2825 Lexington Road · Louisville, KY 40280

3 What advice would you give to And what advice can you What’s something no one Questions seminary students preparing offer for married pastors and knows about you? WITH for ministry? seminary students?

Kevin DeYoung One thing I think about seminary students You have to learn to exegete your wife. Some I am a terrible, picky eater. I eat like a five senior pastor at University Reformed need to understand that not everyone can pastors have wives who might be less orga- year old. Seriously. Grilled cheese. Macaroni. Church (RCA) in East Lansing, Mich. be the best student. Not everyone can be nized and who function well with a little bit Pizza. Gummy bears. at the top of the curve. Work hard. Study of chaos. And others may really excel at run- hard. But it’s better to be a “B” student and ning a tight ship at home. They love to have have a good family and be in the Word and people over and are disciplined at that. But in prayer, than to be an “A” student sliding it’s a little harder for them for their husbands in your walk with the Lord. to be away at meetings and other duties. Also, just be comfortable with yourself. Sometimes I talk to pastors who say, “How Look up to the people you respect, heroes does your wife do that?” And I say, “Well I in the faith, but you have to establish your don’t know, how does your wife do this?” We own style, your own personality – especially need to get away from those comparisons. A with preaching. pastor needs to set his wife free to be who I wrote a blog post of 50 things semi- she is and do what she does well. I can’t narians should know. So people can look ask my wife to be anything that Christ isn’t that up too [thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/ asking her to be. kevindeyoung].