Volume 70, Number 6
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Campus Newspaper of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • Fort Worth, Texas A LOOK INSIDE »
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Panel discusses church and homosexuality pg 5 »
Platt summons Christians to frontlines of cultural battlefield By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
Newly elected President of the International Mission Board (IMB) David Platt spoke in chapel at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Nov. 5. Preaching from Genesis 1-3, Platt identified four biblical foundations with cultural implications for the church today. “Based upon biblical foundations clearly laid on the opening pages of history, I challenge you to engage in the battle on the front lines in our culture, from abortion to poverty; from slavery
to sexual immorality,” Platt said. “To refuse to pick and choose which battles you’re going to stand up and speak out on and which ones you’re going to stay silent on. “In our proclamation, let’s be complete. In our belief, let’s be consistent. In our leadership, let’s be clear. The word of Christ compels contrite, compassionate, courageous action on a multiplicity of cultural issues and to engage with the Gospel on battlefronts across our culture.”
Beginning with the biblical foundation that God creates people as a demonstration of his glory, Platt explained that such a foundation’s cultural implication is that Christians must fight against abortion. Citing statistics indicating that there are 130,000 abortions around the world every day, Platt said, “I do not believe it is an overstatement to call abortion a modern holocaust.” “And just as German Christians did not need to hide from the reality of what was happening in concentration camps,” Platt said, “we in this room must not hide from the reality of what is happening in abortion clinics all around our country and around the world. Why can’t we hide? Because abortion is a clear affront to God’s glory as our creator and an assault of his work in creation.” The second biblical foundation is that God designs people for the display of his Gospel, the implication being that Christians must f lee sexual immorality and defend sexual complementarity within marriage for the sake of the Gospel. “This is one of those areas in our day where the word of God comes up totally against the patterns of our culture,” Platt said, “and we’re forced to make Platt pg 2 »
Blaising honored with festschrift By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
METAXAS ‘EXCITED’ ABOUT COLLEGE’S VISION By Alex Sibley | SWBTS Eric Metaxas, cultural apologist and author of The New York Times No. 1 bestseller Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, spoke at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s College Legacy Banquet, Nov. 17. Metaxas said he was encouraged to hear the vision for the College at Southwestern, which he concisely stated as “evangelistic zeal coupled with academic excellence.” “I want you to know that is a rare thing,” Metaxas told those attending the banquet. “It’s sad that it’s a rare thing; it’s very sad. But let’s focus on the positive: it’s not a rare thing here. It is happening Metaxas pg 2 »
PATTERSON, MOHLER DISCUSS SOTERIOLOGY, FUTURE OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
During the 66th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) in San Diego, Calif., Nov. 19, Craig Blaising, executive vice president and provost of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was honored by fellow ETS members with the surprise announcement of a festschrift written in his honor. The festschrift, titled Eschatology: Biblical, Historical and Practical Approaches; A Volume in Honor of Craig Alan Blaising, will be published by Kregel Academic and released next fall. More than two dozen scholars contributed to the work, including Southwestern President Paige Patterson, Dean of the School of Theology David Allen and Associate Vice President for Academic Administration Greg Smith. Jeffrey Bingham, associate dean of biblical and theological studies at Wheaton College, and Glenn Kreider, professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, served as co-editors. The announcement, which followed an ETS session moderated by Blaising, was made in honor of Blaising’s 65th birthday. Prior to the announcement,
multiple colleagues spoke of Blaising as both a model Christian and scholar. “Dr. Blaising, in his ministry at Southwestern Seminary, is a man who has been both brilliant in his handling of the curriculum and a real joy to work with,” said Paige Patterson. “He has proven to be gentle and firm in every way. His marriage has been a splendid example for that of all of our students as well as his home. And his local church involvement has been such that all are aware of it. Dr. Blaising, very honestly, I couldn’t have done a thing without you.” Jeffrey Bingham, before announcing the Festschrift, explained Blaising’s contributions to the discipline of patristic studies as an evangelical patristic scholar. “With his studies in Aberdeen on the theological method of Athanasius of Alexandria, Craig Blaising became the blazer of the trail for evangelical patristic studies,” Bingham said. “In a very true way, the present state of patristic studies within American Evangelicalism owes its seed and its growth to this man. There are students of Craig’s of two generations now serving in some of
the finest evangelical, and beyond evangelical, institutions in North America.” President of Southern Seminary R. Albert Mohler Jr., who also contributed to the festschrift, said of Blaising, “He has helped to shape an entire generation in terms of understanding not only the urgency of Christian theology—in particular the eschatological message of Scripture—but also to see it in a whole new way and to understand it in a way that is even more faithful, even more consistent in terms of biblical theology, and even more effective in its preaching. Behind him you find a score of others who have been influenced by his writings and by his teaching. I have been all over the world, and I can tell you that in virtually every place I have been, there is the effect of his teaching.” Following the announcement, Blaising said he was very honored by the presentation. “A festschrift is one of the great honors a professor can have,” he said. “It’s an honor for former students and colleagues to do that, and so I am deeply appreciative of their work.”
Seminary presidents Paige Patterson and R. Albert Mohler Jr. participated in a Grindstone discussion at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Nov. 12, in which they spoke on such topics as the future of theological education, the shift of Christianity away from western culture, and the state of the local church. The evening began, however, with Patterson and Mohler, in reference to their debate on divine election at the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006, sharing their perspectives on their soteriological differences. “The funny part about the debate we had was that it displeased everybody,” said Patterson, president of Southwestern Seminary. “We had a debate over Calvinism; everybody wanted to come to the bloodletting, and they were miserably disappointed. We obviously disagreed on some things, [but] they forgot that the whole purpose of [the debate] was to show how two people who differ on an issue can actually live together in harmony and act like Christians.” Grindstone pg 3 »
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a decision: are we going to believe the Bible or not? Are we going to trust God, who says we all have personal worth, are made in his image, and yet have different roles in a way that does not devalue worth but actually exalts worth? “God’s design for marriage is far more breath-taking, far more satisfying than anything we can create on our own. So let’s give ourselves to his design.” The third biblical foundation is that God judges people by his righteous law. The implication, then, is that Christians must work for justice in the world as they speak about the Judge of the world. Platt said Christians need to open their eyes to the desperate poverty and gross injustice in the world. To illustrate the severity of such poverty, Platt explained that, in a particular set of villages in the Himalayas, half the children of the villages do not make it to their eighth birthday. Ref lecting on a recent trip to these villages, Platt recalled meeting a woman who had 14 children, only two of whom made it to adulthood. “The greatest commandments are to love God and to love your neighbor as
yourself,” Platt said. “What if these were our kids dying? It would change the way we live, wouldn’t it? It would change the way we live if we loved our neighbors as we do ourselves. “We could live our entire Christian lives in the confines of churches in the United States that are turning a blind eye to starving brothers and sisters around the world. This must not be. The Gospel compels us. The generous justice of God constrains us to do something; in the words of Micah 6:8, to do justice.” The final biblical foundation is that God pursues people with his redeeming love. The implication is that Christians must give their lives and lead their churches to pursue the 6,000 people groups still unreached by God’s redeeming love. “When our time is done,” Platt said, “may it be said of you and me that we loved our Lord and we led his church for the demonstration of his glory and the display of his Gospel amongst the most pressing issues of our day, including those people who’ve never even heard the Gospel.”
here. And I am so excited when I see those things together.” Metaxas particularly complimented the college’s humanities program, which requires students to read an array of historic literature comprising both Christian and non-Christian sources. He noted historical precedents of Christians being well-read with regard to secular literature and well-versed in culture. The Apostle Paul, for example, when speaking to the Areopagus in Acts 17, quoted a pagan poet in his argument concerning the oneness of God. Another example is a person about whom Metaxas is well-versed—Dietrich Bonhoeffer. “Bonhoeffer, one of the most zealous, courageous Christians, was someone who loved art and literature,” Metaxas said. “He understood that not only is there not a divide between that stuff and the things of God, but that without these things we cannot fully appreciate the things of God.”
Metaxas said understanding the significance of the “great books” of western civilization enriches Christians’ ability to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “Christians who understand the power of literature,” he said, “have an ability to speak into the culture with a depth that we can never have if we don’t know that. So the idea that [the College at Southwestern] has its students reading these books is spectacular. You won’t see the fruit of this in a week or two weeks, but in 10 years and 20 years … it’s a whole different ball game when you’re educating young people along those lines.” Following the banquet, Metaxas participated in a Q&A discussion about his recently released book, Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life, which placed No. 14 on The New York Times’ best-sellers list in its first week of release.
During his visit to Southwestern, Eric Metaxas participated in a Q&A discussion in MacGorman Chapel about his new book, Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life, with Vice President of Student Services and Communications Steven Smith.
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Grindstone » Continued from page 1
stated that, in spite of the wider availability Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., of online education, it will never fully replace residential theological education. noted that he and Patterson, contrary to popular belief, largely share the same Mohler said students typically learn the importance of being on campus once they soteriology. “We have soteriological differences,” actually get there. “It’s the camaraderie,” Mohler Mohler explained, “but not about what explained. “It’s the residential life. It’s the Gospel is, and not about what sinners being face-to-face with a professor. It’s need, and not about God’s gracious will to save, and not about the fact that all being in chapel. It’s being in the cafeteria or one of the student areas and having who call upon the name of the Lord will conversation. It’s never going to happen be saved.” The two concluded, then, that they are anywhere else. Good things can happen actually more alike in terms of leadership online, but that’s a fraction of the good style and decision-making than any other things that happen face-to-face.” Patterson and Mohler were then asked seminary presidents. for their thoughts on The two next the state of the local discussed the shift church and whether of Christianity away We have soteriological they had any advice from western culture. differences, but not about for young pastors. Mohler said the center what the Gospel is, and “The program of gravity is indeed for the local moving away from not about what sinners church is outlined America and Europe need, and not about God’s clearly in the toward Africa, South gracious will to save, and Great Commission America and China. of our Lord,” Mohler noted, hownot about the fact that all Patterson said. “But ever, that such a who call upon the name of unfortunately the shift is not without the Lord will be saved. Great Commission complications, as is not always very many of these so–AL MOHLER well understood. called Christians are The first assignment not following the of every local church is to make disciples. full Gospel. For this reason, both Mohler and Patterson agreed that intentional Second, you baptize your converts, helping them understand the meaning of theological education is crucial. “We have an obligation,” Patterson what they’re doing in baptism. And then third, you teach them the Bible. said, “even though the center of gravity Patterson said if a church effectively is shifting on it, to see to it that we take good theology out there and that we do does these three things, it can make “all the kinds of mistakes in the world and it the best we can to help these people be able to recognize what is good, wholesome will still have the smile of God, and God will bless it for doing so.” and godly, and what is on the edge, to say While acknowledging that the church is the least, if not completely over the edge.” Concerning the future of theological experiencing internal difficulties, Mohler education, both Patterson and Mohler said it is no more corrupt or confused than
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it has been at most points in the history of Christianity. The takeaway for pastors, then, is to continue preaching the Gospel and holding church members accountable to it. Following this, Mohler said, pastors can remember Revelation 22:20—“Even so, Lord, come quickly.”
“The church of which we want to be a part is a church of which we’re only seeing the first part now,” Mohler said. “The marriage supper of the Lamb is where the church for which we’re praying shows up. Until then, preach to see people look more like that.”
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‘If the world hates you’ - Mohler preaches in chapel service By Katie Coleman | SWBTS
R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., preached in chapel, Nov. 13, delivering his message from John 15:18-27. “We read the text in a different way than we have before,” Mohler said.
“When I was a boy, reading the text, ‘if the world hates you,’ I was reminded of the fact that there were places in the world where there were people who hated Christians. Awful things have been done to Christians. Christians
have been martyred for their faith. “But as I am now looking at the world in 2014 and with honest eyes looking ahead, I recognize that this text is not just for some Christians in some places, and it should have never been read that way. This is Jesus talking to his disciples about the permanent condition of confessing conventional Christianity.” Mohler warned that the collision between the shape of American culture with Christianity and the Gospel is not just something that will happen in the future, but is already here. He addressed the students saying that, unless there is an overwhelming turning in the culture, this is a reality that Christians, especially those in ministry, will have to face for the rest of their lives. “The rest of your lives [and] the rest of your ministries are going to be spent in a context in which John 15 is going to be very clearly on your mind. Not because you’re going to remember merely your morning devotionals, but because you’re going to be reminded of
them by the world that faces you 24/7.” Mohler then stated that as Christians are now considered to be immoral by the secular world, many will believe they have nothing to learn from Christians. He added that Christians will have to find out if they can be faithful to preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “This is where we come to John 15 and say we are not up to this. And I want to look at you and tell you—you guys look great, buy you’re not up to this. You’re in the right, wonderful, Godgiven place to study, but this seminary is not going to make you up to this. My seminary cannot make its students up to this. Your Sunday School teacher can’t, your preacher can’t, no one can.” Mohler concluded with a reminder of the Great Commission. “Jesus did not say the world is going to hate you, so hide. The world is going to hate you, so maybe this was a bad idea, that great commission thing. … He said go.”
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9Marks panel discusses church health By Alex Sibley | SWBTS During a “9Marks at 9” panel discussion at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual meeting at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Nov. 10, moderator Juan Sanchez, pastor of High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, led three Texas pastors to draw from their experiences and reflect on what makes a healthy church. Topics included such “marks” as preaching, church membership, evangelism and the Gospel. Beginning with the first mark of a healthy church—preaching—Sanchez asked Josh Smith, pastor of MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church in Irving, to define expositional preaching. Smith replied, “The bottom line is you want to make the point of the text the point of your sermon.” “So expositional preaching is not necessarily going word by word and explaining word by word—that’s a bad view of expositional preaching,” Smith said. “The point is finding the point of that text— particularly that paragraph—in the context of the overall book of the Bible, and preach that point, making sure that when the people go away, they’ve heard the point of that text.” Reflecting on how his emphasis on expositional preaching has shaped his
church since it began as a church plant 12 years ago, Matt Carter, pastor of Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, said, “It’s interesting to see how the younger generation, particularly college students, wanted that direct teaching from Scripture, and they were attracted to it. Expositional, Christ-exalting preaching has shaped our church into what it is in so many ways.” “One of the profound effects of expository preaching is that the power of the word of God draws people from all ethnicities, all ages; it overcomes class divisions and culture,” said Nathan Lino, pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church. “You see the long-term effects of expository preaching as the years go by. … We’ve seen many adult men get saved just because we’ve systematically taught the word. They just come and they listen, and you can see the word break down their defenses.” On the topic of church membership, Smith recalled that his first major initiative at MBBC was a commitment to contact every member of his roughly 1,200member church, a process that took two years to complete. “Everybody loves the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15, which [teaches] we
need to go after the lost; nobody likes the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18, which [teaches] we need to go after the lost church member,” Smith said. “So I say to guys when they go to pastor a church, do evangelism to see people saved, but the first thing you need to do is find all your church members. Focus on that for the first couple of years. You can lead a lot of people to Christ from your church rolls.” Lino said that, after several years of not having meaningful membership at his church, he eventually started emphasizing it, which has radically changed the church. The membership process at NEHBC is now lengthy and rigorous, but Lino says this does not discourage people from joining the church; in fact, it encourages them, leading them to value membership as a personal asset. Concerning missions and evangelism, Lino stressed that it begins with the pastor. “Church bodies over time are passionate about what the pastor is passionate about, and they’re not passionate about what the pastor is not passionate about,” he said. “So the pastor has to exude missions and evangelism, but … [church members] can tell if it’s contrived.” Carter said he emphasizes to his church that their missional strategy is not
to necessarily invite people to come hear him preach. “My role as a pastor is to preach to you, the believer, to equip you for the work of the ministry,” Carter explained, “and then for you to leave this place and go be the evangelist in the spheres of influence [in which] God has you.” The discussion ended by revisiting the topic of preaching, this time from the perspective of Gospel presentations in sermons, with all three pastors agreeing that every sermon should include a Gospel presentation. “Every Sunday, you have to call people to salvation,” Lino said. “The Gospel has to be shared. It naturally works its way into every sermon when the text is properly understood.” Smith stressed, however, that sermons need to include not only the aspects of the Gospel, but also the knowledge of how to respond to that Gospel. “It’s easy to assume that everyone knows the Gospel,” he said, “and so we will put the Gospel in and yet fall short of ‘God, man, Christ, response.’ We have to call people to respond to the Gospel and show them how to do that.”
Patterson gives updates, answers questions at alumni breakfast By Katie Coleman | SWBTS materialism, which is your chief enemy in situations like that. This generation of students is going to follow Christ. They are willing to go anywhere. It’s a small world to them.” Although the students are willing to travel the world, he said the seminary does work to help students be prepared. “We have seven professors just in missions, which is unheard of anywhere,” Patterson said. “[They] are charged with the
At the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual meeting, Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson joined alumni, faculty and trustees, Nov. 11, for an alumni and friends breakfast at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The breakfast provided an opportunity for attendees to enjoy a meal and conversation with fellow alumni as well as engage with Patterson in one of his Lion’s Den Q&A sessions. “This has been the greatest year that I have personally experienced at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,” Patterson said in his opening remarks. “[The faculty] is functioning marvelously well. [They] understand that the classroom is the smaller part of the assignment; it is as important as walking with these students. They have students in their homes, they walk with them and they are involved with them.
“In fact, one of the greatest things I can tell you that is happening at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary right now is that there is no day when I don’t hear reports through the school of evangelism of people coming to know Christ as Savior. And that’s what seminary ought to do.” Patterson then provided updates and reports about the seminary, including 2014 financial gifts, the new building for the College at Southwestern and the Roy Fish School of Evangelism and Missions, the growing trend of online classes and a new flexible doctorate program. This was followed by a Q&A session covering a variety of topics from theology to weekly chapel services. In response to a question of how the seminary prepares students to potentially risk their lives when serving as missionaries, Patterson said, “They are coming to us without any overwhelming ties to
responsibility of preparing especially those students in missions and evangelism who are going into those places to be ready for that,” Patterson said. Patterson was also asked if he believed the rapture will happen after “the fullness of the Gentiles.” In response, he said, “Yes. That is exactly what I believe. I recognize that this is not a matter of a statement of faith, but the thing about premillennialists is that they can preach the whole Bible.”
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Pattersons, Day minister in Central Asia By Alex Sibley | SWBTS and organized a Baptist convention. As these founding missionaries have begun to pass the torch of leadership to indigenous Christian leaders, however, many challenges have arisen. Kim says that in order to keep the unity among Central Asian churches and maintain the spirit of the church-planting churches model, theological unity and evangelical spirit are essential. As a result, Kim says, Baptists in Central Asia are calling for the help of Southwestern Seminary. As the first step in Southwestern’s response to this calling, Southwestern
Since Central Asia is strategically located between China and the Middle East, Jeremiah Kim, assistant professor of systematic theology at Southwestern Seminary, says the area will determine the success of Christian world missions in the next few decades. Kim observes, “Geographically, ethnically, and in religious background, Central Asia and its people can be a platform to reach the Middle East and the western part of China in the future. Baptists in Central Asia are at the crossroads.” For this reason, Korean missionaries founded multiple churches in the area
President Paige Patterson; his wife, Dorothy Patterson; and Leo Day, dean of the School of Church Music, recently ministered in Central Asia. At a pastors’ conference, Paige Patterson lectured on such doctrines as the Bible, Christology and eschatology, while Dorothy Patterson delivered lectures specifically designed for women. Day, meanwhile, led worship, singing, for example, “The Lord’s Prayer” in the people’s native languages. “As I reflect on my time in [Central Asia], so many images come to mind,” Day says. “There is one that constantly causes
me to be grateful, and that is the ability to gain the affections of other cultures for Christ by speaking their language. “To sing of the love of Christ [in the people’s native languages], I found that it not only respected the culture of the people, but it also bridged the language gap, making us one people with the single mission to spread the Gospel throughout all Pacific Asia. Partnering in the journey to share the Gospel … that is a true honor!”
PANEL DISCUSSES CHURCH AND HOMOSEXUALITY By Alex Sibley | SWBTS think we [the church] have in many ways mistaught generations about the realities and the biblical theology of sex and sexuality. We haven’t trained our young people to understand what Scripture actually says about gender, sexuality and all these other issues, so as they grow up and see everything happening in the media, television and general conversations at school or on the job, they begin to be influenced because they don’t have a good foundation to start with.” Nathan Lino, pastor of Northeast Houston Baptist Church, said that in order for
The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention held a special panel discussion during its annual meeting at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Nov. 11, on the topic of the church and homosexuality. The panel, which included Evan Lenow, assistant professor of ethics at Southwestern Seminary, discussed the church’s response to civil disobedience, same-sex marriage legal issues and how to minister to those with same-sex attraction. Concerning the rapidity with which American culture’s opinion has changed regarding homosexuality, Lenow said, “I
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church leaders to equip their congregations to address such cultural trends, they must present a fuller understanding of the Gospel as it relates to human sexuality. “Our churches have to learn that it’s not just homosexuality that we need to be addressing,” Lino said. “Homosexuality is a piece of a bigger pie. We speak against homosexuality just like we’re supposed to be speaking against heterosexual premarital sex. We’re also supposed to be speaking against heterosexual extramarital sex. We’re supposed to be speaking about gender roles. All of these are the same matter. All of these are the picture of Christ and the church.” Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, said Christians have to recognize that by preaching the Gospel they are fighting the devil. Moore said the devil works in two ways: (1) through deception, telling people they do not need to repent; and (2) through accusation, telling people they are too far gone for the Gospel. Moore stressed that the church must “hit at both ends.” Regarding the former, Moore explained that, by allowing sins such as homosexuality to go unchecked, the church is practicing universalism. “What a lot of people want to do is, by not addressing this issue, to just have this one little hole of universalism, where we’re not calling to repentance this one thing, and that is a deadly mistake,” Moore said. Concerning the latter, Moore said that, when preaching the Gospel to those struggling with same-sex attractions, Christians must explain what the Gospel looks
like for those people specifically. That is, Christians must explain what it looks like for them to surrender their lives to the lordship of Christ, as well as what it looks like to live as a faithful follower of Jesus. “The great fear is that they’re going to die alone,” Moore explained. “But no Christian dies alone. We’re part of a household of God, and so we ought to give people a picture of what it means to live in the household of God.” On the issue of religious liberty and possible hindrances thereto, Lino, who pastors in Houston, where earlier this fall the mayor subpoenaed local pastors’ sermons, said pastors must resolve in their hearts that they are men of God. “When we surrendered to the call, we died to ourselves,” Lino said. “The day is coming when we’re going to pay a price. Yes, it’s getting here much sooner than we expected, but we have to endure it and be men of courage. “When it comes to government, we stand as people of courage. When it comes to culture, we preach the right Gospel. We learn how to stand for truth while loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. And we have to trust in the power of the Gospel and the authority of the Scriptures to have their full effect on people’s lives over time.” Other panelists in the discussion included Barry Creamer, president of Criswell College, and Jim Guenther, general counsel for the SBTC. The discussion was moderated by Gary Ledbetter, director of communications and ministry relationships for the SBTC.
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Patterson presents encouraging SBTC seminaries report By Alex Sibley | SWBTS At the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention’s annual meeting, Nov. 10, Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson delivered the seminaries report. He began by explaining the “difficult trouble” that American seminary education faces today, noting that a different seminary closes every other month. “And not only that, but almost every seminary in America is in financial difficulty, wondering how to resolve the problems of the present era,” he continued. “Enrollments are universally down, and it even extends to divinity schools associated with universities; they’re struggling also, in spite of all the tax money that the universities have.” Following this melancholy introduction, Patterson concluded his opening remarks with the reassurance that the Southern Baptist Convention’s six seminaries are the exception to these facts. “While everybody else’s seminary is declining, your six seminaries grew this year,” Patterson said. “All six of them.” Patterson added that because of the help of the Cooperative Program, the SBC’s six seminaries are graduating the
witness of our students and our facmajority of their students with no edu- kind in that whole area of south Louiulty,” Patterson said of Southwestern’s siana; Midwestern Seminary, the SBC’s cational debt in spite of rising seminary consistent evangelistic efforts. “Every smallest seminary, is still the 10th largeducation costs. evening before I go to bed, I get to read “That means they can still go to est seminary in America and is thriving the accounts of those who have come under new leadership; and Golden Gate that little country church that pays Seminary is moving to a new location, to know the Lord that day just here in $18,000 a year and be the pastor of it out there, and they can make it,” Pat- where Patterson says it has a brilliant Fort Worth.” Patterson then explained that, in future and nothing but growth ahead. terson said. “Not only that, but they can response to Tom Elliff’s challenge to Turning his attention next to Southbe appointed, upon graduation, to the become an institution focused on an International Mission Board or some western, Patterson focused on three key unreached people group, Southother mission agency to take the western has adopted the AntanGospel to the ends of the earth, There is not a single day that droy people, sending mission because they don’t have to go goes by that there are not one teams to Madagascar for the past work off a debt that they picked two years. Additionally, Patterup educationally.” to ten people who come to know son noted that one of the first Patterson proceeded to comChrist through the witness of our Antandroy believers is currently ment on each of the SBC’s semenrolled at Southwestern for the inaries. He said Southeastern students and our faculty. fall 2014 semester. Baptist Theological Seminary – PA I G E PAT T E R S O N Patterson concluded on a more anchors the east coast of the sober note, relating that a SouthUnited States and is growing and touching lives in a powerful way; aspects of the seminary: its emphasis on western alumna serving as a missionary in Central Asia died of an illness on the evangelism, its mission efforts among Southern Seminary, which he noted is field. While asking attendees of the conthe SBC’s oldest seminary, has become the Antandroy people in Madagascar, vention to keep this missionary’s family one of the greatest seminaries in the and the dedication of its alumni serving in their prayers, Patterson said, “That’s as missionaries around the world. world; New Orleans Baptist Theologithe kind of kids that are coming out of “There is not a single day that goes cal Seminary, in spite of suffering from by that there are not one to ten people this school. They’re willing to give it all Hurricane Katrina fewer than 10 years for Christ.” who come to know Christ through the ago, is the most stable institution of any
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Mon., Tues., Thurs., 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Wed., Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
Mon.– Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed on weekends.
SOUTHWESTERN GRILL Breakfast (Mon.–Fri.): 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Lunch (Mon.–Fri.): 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Closed on weekends.
BOWLD MUSIC LIBRARY Mon., 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Tues., Thurs., 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wed., 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat., 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
THE CAFÉ Breakfast (Mon.–Fri.): 7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Lunch/Dinner (Mon.–Fri.): 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
RAC
CAMPUS CLINIC
Mon.– Fri., 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sat., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. RAC pool closes one hour early. Call for lifeguard hours. Closed on Sundays.
CHURCH - MINIS TER REL ATIONS
CHAPEL SCHEDULE
God has called you to local church ministry, and Southwestern’s Office of ChurchMinister Relations exists to connect you with the churches where God may lead you.
January 22
On the Church-Minister Relations website, you can post your resume or apply for ministry positions at Southern Baptist churches through the SBC Church Connection. Through the Non-SBC Job Board, you can also look for non-church employment that will provide for you and your family while attending seminary.
Call ext. 8880 to schedule appointment. Weekdays: First appointment at 8:30 a.m. Last appointment at 4:30 p.m. Closed during lunch. Closed on weekends.
ONLINE EXTRA» Scan this QR Code with your smartphone or visit swbts.edu/cmr.
*All campus services are closed during chapel, Tues., Wed. and Thurs.
Paige Patterson President Southwestern Seminary January 27
Malcolm Yarnell Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology Southwestern Seminary January 28
Charles Stewart Pastor Cana Baptist Chruch Burleson, Texas January 29
Bart Barber
ANNOUNCEMENTS DEC 4
DEC 4
CLASS TIME | EXAM DATE | EXAM TIME
Pancake Exam Cram 6-11 p.m. | NSC. Southwestern’s yearly event for students during finals week. Free pancakes in The Grill as well as a ping pong tournament.
Keyboards & Carols at Christmas 7:30 p.m. | MC. An evening of Christmas music presented by the School of Church Music. To reserve your complimentary tickets, visit swbts.edu/ keyboards.
DEC 12
DEC 31
Fall Graduation Certification of Church Membership
MAR 6-15
MAR 6-16
MAY 21JUNE 7
JULY 1-21
JULY 6-23
May 2015 Graduates
NIGHT CLASSES
TUE/WED/THURS/FRIDAY CLASSES
Monday evening | December 8 | regular time
1:00PM | December 10 | Exam time: 3-4:50PM
Tuesday evening | December 9 | regular time Thursday evening | December 4 | regular time
TUESDAY ONLY CLASSES 11:30AM | December 9 | Exam time: 1:-2:50PM
MONDAY ONLY CLASSES
TUE/THURSDAY CLASSES
3:30PM | December 5 | Exam time: 10-11:50AM
7:00AM | December 9 | Exam time: 8-9:50AM
3:55PM | December 5 | Exam Time: 10-11:50AM
8:30AM| December 10 | Exam time: 8-9:50AM
4:00PM | December 5 | Exam Time: 10-11:50AM
Dean, College at Southwestern Southwestern Seminary
Pastor South Side Baptist Church Abilene, Texas
11:30AM | December 9 | Exam time: 1-2:50PM
11:30AM | December 9 | Exam time: 12-1PM
2015 Biblical Tour of Israel
WED/FRIDAY CLASSES
3:30PM | December 4 | Exam time: 3-4:50PM
B
FOLLOW ON TWITTER @swbts @swbtslife
4:30PM | December 9 | Exam time: 10-11:50AM
Advertising Information The Scroll offers paid advertising opportunities for individuals, businesses, and ministries who want to reach Southwestern’s nearly 3,500 students, faculty, staff, and families.
7:00AM | December 5 | Exam time: 8-9:50AM 8:30AM | December 10 | Exam time: 1-2:50PM 11:30AM | December 5 | Exam time: 1-2:50PM
Up to six credit hours available. Only nine spots available. For more information, contact wmc@swbts.edu or ext. 7500.
Michael Wilkinson
Kevin Ueckert
2:30PM | December 9 | Exam time: 3-4:50PM
Madagascar Mission Trip
February 4
February 5
THURSDAY ONLY CLASSES
Spend your Spring Break on mission in Haiti. For information, contact msanders@swbts.edu.
President Southwestern Seminary
11:30AM | December 5 | Exam time: 1-2:50pm
1:00PM | December 10 | Exam time: 3-4:50PM
Haiti Mission Trip
Paige Patterson
WEDNESDAY ONLY CLASSES
Submit your application for graduation to the Registrar’s Office via WebAdvisor. If received by November 14, you will receive results of a degree evaluation by January 23. Final Application Deadline: January 31. For more information, e-mail registrar@swbts.edu or call ext. 2000. Spend your Spring Break on a tour of Israel. Up to 3 credit hours available. For information, contact Dr. Aaron Son at ext. 4535 or ason@swbts.edu.
Pastor First Baptist Church Farmersville, Texas February 3
December 8 | regular time
10:00 a.m. | MC.
Certification Forms are due Dec. 31 to the Registrar’s Office. Submission verifies SBC status for all semesters in 2015. Check student e-mail for more info. SPRING 2015
SPRING 2014 FINALS SCHEDULE
1:00PM | December 10 | Exam time: 10-11:50AM
All advertising requires a contract prior to publication. Frequency discounts apply for ads in multiple issues. The Scroll reserves the right to refuse ads as well as void ad agreements.
2:30PM | December 5 | Exam time: 3-4:50PM 3:30PM | December 5 | Exam time: 10-11:50AM
Rates and deadlines for ads available at swbts.edu/Scroll. Contact Scroll@swbts.edu or ext. 4848 for more information.
Thailand Mission Trip Up to six credit hours available. For more information, contact wmc@ swbts.edu or ext. 7500.
Oxford Study Tour Up to six credit hours available. For information, contact David Norman at oxford@swbts.edu or call ext. 4488.
*For all phone extensions, call the main line at 817-923-1921. SCM School of Church Music NCC Naylor Children’s Center Key: BH Barnard Hall CH Cowden Hall CMR Church Minister Relations F Fleming Hall FW Fort Worth Hall HHH Horner Homemaking House MC MacGorman Chapel NSC Naylor Student Center
PH RA RAC RC RL SBR
Price Hall Reynolds Auditorium Recreation/Aerobics Center Riley Center Roberts Library Seelig Banquet Room in NSC
S TA TCR WBR
Scarborough Hall Truett Auditorium Truett Conference Room Williamsburg Banquet Room in NSC MC World Missions Center W
PA I D C L A S S I F I E D S Paid classifieds can be placed at 25 cents per word. Contact ext. 4848 or Scroll@swbts.edu for more information.
The Scroll is a publication of the Communications Group at Southwestern Seminary.
2001 W. Seminary Drive Fort Worth, TX, 76122 1-800-SWBTS-01 (toll free) (817) 923-1921 | swbts.edu
PAGE 8
THE SCROLL
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
CAMPUS NEWS »
BLOCK PARTIES CONNECT NEIGHBORS IN FELLOWSHIP By Alex Sibley | SWBTS On Nov. 8, Southwestern Seminary’s Student Life hosted block parties for students and families in four of Southwestern’s housing units—Student Village, Carroll Park, Garrett Manor and E. D. Head. These events, comprising fellowship, food and fun activities for kids, followed the Perimeter Housing Block Party held in September and a Guys and Girls Dorm Bonfire held the previous weekend. “A housing unit is a natural place for community, so we want to foster that as much as possible,” said Student Life Coordinator Garrison Griffith concerning the purpose of these events. Griffith explained that Student Life’s goal for these block parties, as opposed to the organization’s goal for campus-wide events, is to intentionally provide students the opportunity to connect as a housing unit and as neighbors. “The end goal,” he continued, “is that this group is then mobilized to reach out to other students in the units and even their surrounding community.” “Overall we believe that if a student can find a place to connect with the campus, they will more greatly enjoy their time here and in turn be a more successful student,” Griffith concluded. “What better place for a student to feel connected and loved than at home!”
CHILI COOK-OFF HEATS UP WINTRY WEEKEND By Katie Coleman | SWBTS
When temperatures become as frigid as they were the evening of Nov. 14, people look for a way to keep warm, and many students found the fourth annual Southwestern Chili Cook-off the perfect place to do just that. The cook-off was relocated from the tennis courts to the RAC, where chili, hot dogs and hot chocolate were served. Those braving the cold to watch the intramural football championships, a new addition to the annual event, had fire pits to keep them warm.
Student Life Coordinator Garrison Griffith was pleased with the night’s turnout and says it provided a time for students to engage with one another and experience a different part of student life. “Students were able to spend quality time with one another,” Griffith says. “By adding the intramural championships, we were also able to feature another exciting piece of our student life here at Southwestern.” Joe Villegas, a Bachelor of Arts student, took home first place for best chili and won an iPad. Other winners of the night included: Associate Professor of Missions Mike Morris, second place and winner of a Kindle Fire; Master of Divinity student Christine Graessel Bourin, third place and winner of a Google Chromecast; and certificate student Lauren Walker was awarded for her table décor. “This event is a fun way to have our students exhibit creativity and in many cases exhibit a taste of home for them. Each chili is different and features different flavors and influences that often come from someone’s background,” Griffith says. “That is not something you are able to see just from being with someone in the classroom. “We also are able to see the students’ creativity in their table décor. Giving students this opportunity makes it an event we go back to each and every year.”
With the success of this annual event, students can expect to see it return next year. In fact, Griffith said that Student Life hopes to add a new cook-off in the spring of 2015.