Volume 70, Number 7
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Campus Newspaper of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • Fort Worth, Texas A LOOK INSIDE »
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Monthly campus worship services keep focus on God in midst of busyness pg 3 »
Patterson launches spring sermon series: ‘7 Sayings of Christ from the Cross’
NOTED PRAYER WARRIOR T.W. HUNT DIES AT AGE 85
By Katie Coleman | SWBTS
By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson welcomed new and returning students to the new semester with the spring 2015 convocation chapel service, Jan. 22. Patterson also utilized the service to begin the first of a seven-part sermon series titled, “7 Sayings of Christ from the Cross.” Patterson opened his sermon with an invitation to students to walk with him over the course of the seven messages into the Holy of Holies. “The Bible says that when Christ died on the cross, the veil of the temple was split in two,” said Patterson. “And we have been invited by the Lord God to come boldly before the throne of grace. And so I’m going to invite you to go with me where no human being dares to go.” Patterson continued, saying that as students listen to the seven sayings of Christ from the cross and learn in the Holy of Holies, they must come in a certain way. He explained that they must leave behind everything they have. Including himself, he said, “When the president walks into the Holy of Holies, he’s not the president of this institution; he’s not the professor at an institution—he’s a nobody; a sinner saved by grace.” Preaching from John 19:28, Patterson focused on the statement, “I thirst,” explaining it signifies a physical thirst as well as the end of his journey and the fulfillment of prophecy. “Jesus knew that all that the prophets had spoken was now being fulfilled in his life, and especially
Widely recognized in Christian circles as an authority on prayer, Thomas W. (“T.W.”) Hunt, author of such books as The Mind of Christ and Disciple’s Prayer Life and former professor of music and missions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died December 11 at the age of 85. Hunt’s granddaughter, Katherine Fruge, a doctor of philosophy student at Southwestern, characterizes his passing as “successfully finishing his race,” noting that he died peacefully with family by his side “cheering him on to victory.” “T.W. Hunt met Jesus yesterday,” Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson said in a statement the following day. “It was a meeting of a faithful servant and his Lord, to be sure. But in a sense, it was just a reunion of old friends, because few men ever walked with God like Enoch and T.W. Hunt. As a faculty member, as a pastor, and as a friend, Dr. Hunt was the champion of prayer and devotional walk with the Master. His family, his friends, his church, and his seminary will miss him profoundly. Now, my friend, enjoy all that God has now richly provided for you.” Hunt pg 2 »
in his death,” said Patterson. “And so the cry, ‘I thirst,’ is a recognition according to the text that all things were now accomplished.” Patterson concluded by asking students if they thirsted for God. He said, “There, as close as his physical presence could be to his heavenly father, he prayed to the Lord because he had a thirst that exceeded any physical thirst—he thirsted for his heavenly father. And that’s the thirst that you and I need to have also. Do you realize that God created you, and he created you for himself? There is only
one thing [that you need], and that is the presence of the living God, who can meet the thirst.” In addition to Patterson’s sermon, six professors were installed into existing academic chairs, and three newly elected faculty were introduced to students: Candi Finch, assistant professor of theology and women’s studies in the school of theology; Kelly King, assistant professor of childhood education in the Terry School of Church and Family Ministries; and Sarah Spring, assistant professor of English in the College at Southwestern.
Winter Welcome brings students into Southwestern family By Alex Sibley | SWBTS A campus-wide scavenger hunt, the kick-off of the semester’s student-led monthly worship services, and a sing-along version of “Frozen” were among the activities offered by Southwestern Seminary’s Student Life during the first week of the spring semester, Jan. 20-23, collectively referred to as “Winter Welcome.” While these new, fresh activities differed from those offered in the past, Garrison Griffith, associate director of Student Life, says the purpose remained the same as past “Welcome Weeks”: to connect new students with current students and faculty. “Each event seeks to connect different groups on campus in different
ways,” Griffith says. “The ultimate goal for Winter Welcome is that all of our students would feel that they are a part of the Southwestern family and that
the relationships they make would benefit their time here but would also be connections that benefit them in their future ministry.” The week kicked off with New Student Orientation, Jan. 20, which allowed new students to get acquainted with Southwestern faculty, staff and fellow students, as well as hear from President Paige Patterson. That evening, a church fair allowed students to connect with local churches to see where God may be calling them to serve. On Jan. 21, a Twitter Scavenger Hunt gave students the opportunity to see different areas of the campus and Winter Welcome pg 2 »
DARK PERIOD IN ISRAELITE HISTORY POINTS TO MAN’S NEED FOR A KING By Alex Sibley | SWBTS Judges 19-21 covers such topics as infidelity, harlotry, sexual violence, genocide, kidnapping, and sexual slavery. As pointed out by Bart Barber, alumnus and trustee of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of First Baptist Church of Farmersville in Farmersville, Texas, these chapters present a dark period in the history of God’s chosen people. Speaking during Southwestern’s chapel service, Jan. 29, Barber exposited these concluding chapters of Judges, which tell the story of a Levite whose wickedness leads to his concubine being raped and murdered. In response, he rallies the people of Israel against the perpetrators, the Benjamites, which leads to the tribe of the Benjamites nearly being wiped out. Afterward, in order to preserve the tribe, Barber pg 3 »
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Winter Welcome » Continued from page 1 get better acquainted with the campus layout. Several teams of college students and families participated, seeking out different monuments, places and things on campus, such as the Spurgeon statue in the memorial building. Teams took pictures of each location, item, etc. and submitted them either in person or to the Student Life Twitter account. “The scavenger hunt was a neat way to connect new students with current students as well as with the campus as a whole,” Griffith says. “I think we will always see a scavenger hunt of sorts being a part of what we do in a year of campus activities.” The next event was the first of several student-led campus worship events, held in Truett Auditorium. Bachelor of Science student Hunter Thompson led worship and Dean of Students Kyle Walker delivered a message from 1 John. Afterward, students were afforded the opportunity to meet in small groups to not only further discuss the message
but also to encourage one another to maintain their personal relationships with God throughout the upcoming semester. The week ended with “Frozen Friday,” an evening that entailed dinner and the presentation of a sing-along version of “Frozen.” Griffith says Student Life’s motivation for this was the desire to provide an opportunity for students and families to come together and enjoy dinner and a movie. “‘Frozen’ is extremely popular with families and children, and so we wanted to give students with families an opportunity to share an event that was focused on them as a family,” Griffith explains. “We also knew that the popularity of this movie stretched beyond children, and students would enjoy it as well.” Griffith says that, overall, Winter Welcome was a success. Referring specifically to the church fair, Griffith
notes, “any chance we have to connect students with our local churches directly is a huge success for us.” He
adds that, in every activity, seeing new and current students come and share fellowship together is always encouraging.
“He truly walked with the Lord and demonstrated that walk each and every day,” Estep says. “He was my friend, mentor and encourager. There is no one on this earth for whom I or my church has more respect than T.W. Hunt. T.W. taught in our church many times, usually on the subject of prayer or the work of the Holy Spirit. Our people always were blessed by
his deep insight and his ability to communicate what God had taught him. “He will be missed more than words can say. I have no doubt that as he stepped through the gates of heaven, he humbly bowed before our Lord and heard the words, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant.’”
Hunt » Continued from page 1
Born in 1929, Hunt grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age, although it would be many years before he truly surrendered himself to God’s plan for his life. Until then, Hunt earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in musicology and piano, and then began teaching music classes at the University of North Texas and, later, at Oklahoma College for Women. The trajectory of Hunt’s life changed, however, when he received a special gift in 1959. The gift was a copy of the Martin Luther translation of the Bible, given to him by a student who knew that he spoke German, which Hunt learned while serving overseas in the Army and as a missionary. Hunt later said that the day he received this Bible was one of the most memorable in all his life. “It just seemed to be kind of … me,” Hunt recalled in a Baptist Press article many years later. “Luther had linguistic skill and spiritual insight. [I made] the decision to commit all my life to Christ in 1959, reading that German Bible.” Four years later, Hunt followed God’s call to teach in the School of Church Music at Southwestern Seminary. Within a few years, he had transformed the way music
was used for missions. Specifically, he developed the Music in Missions class, which is still in the school’s catalogue today. This new course, the textbook for which was written by Hunt, offered students techniques for using music to communicate the message of the Gospel by focusing on the indigenous music of the particular mission field. This concept would later prove to have played an integral role in revolutionizing musical evangelism. In 1987, LifeWay (then called “the Baptist Sunday School Board”), which had previously published Hunt’s Disciple’s Prayer Life and, soon after, The Doctrine of Prayer, asked Hunt to move to Nashville in order to serve as the company’s first prayer consultant. Although the decision was difficult due to Hunt’s fondness for teaching, after much prayer and Bible study, it became clear that he had finished what God wanted him to do at Southwestern and that it was time to move on. So, confident in God’s will, Hunt accepted the position. From that position, Hunt became recognized as an earnest prayer warrior and was often asked to speak at conferences and state convention meetings on the topic of prayer. By the time Hunt retired from LifeWay in 1994, more than 10,000 churches had prayer ministers, a staff position that was virtually unknown when Hunt accepted the prayer consultant job seven years earlier. After leaving his position at LifeWay, Hunt remained an active author and speaker over the next two decades. In 1994, LifeWay published what would be Hunt’s most popular work, The Mind of Christ, a Bible study focused on Philippians 2:5-11, which Hunt co-authored with Claude V. King. Throughout his ministry that spanned more than five decades, Hunt always ensured that people did not focus on him. Instead, as he once said to Baptist Press, “I’d rather they know about God.” Mark Estep, pastor of Spring Baptist Church in Spring, Texas—where Hunt was a long-time member—says Hunt was the most godly person he ever met.
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Barber » Continued from page 1 the Israelites kidnap women to be wives for the remaining Benjamites. Barber explained that the point of this story is given at both the beginning and the end. Verse 1 of chapter 19 states that in those days Israel had no king. Verse 25 of chapter 21 restates this fact but adds that, as a result, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” “It doesn’t say everyone did what was wrong in his own eyes,” Barber clarified. “It says everyone did what was right in his own eyes. [For example] why did they go and lie in wait to kidnap young girls and carry them away as slave wives to the Benjamites? Because they felt bad about their genocide and they were trying to do what was right in their own eyes.” “They were trying to fix the consequences of their sin,” Barber continued. “And if there’s anything that we should learn from this story of Scripture, it’s that even when we try to do right, we do wrong. That’s the pervasive influence of sin. We can’t fix our own problems.”
Although Barber noted that those in the chapel audience are, in many ways, nothing like the people in Judges, he clarified that they are nevertheless similar to the Israelites with regard to their propensity to make mistakes, which are usually followed by vain attempts to fix those mistakes. Barber specifically listed hard-heartedness, discrimination and self-centeredness as sins of which modern churches are guilty. “We stand in churches that are guilty of a whole lot of things,” Barber said, “and when God comes and lays conviction on our hearts, we try to decide what we’re going to do about it. If we’re not careful, sometimes when we get busy about fixing our mistakes, we make things worse than they were before.” According to Judges 19-21, what the church needs is a king. However, as the unfolding of Israelite history makes clear, this does not simply mean a human king. Rather, Barber said, the church needs King Jesus to come and lead them on the path of righteousness, just as the Israelites did.
“I don’t know what wrongs you’re trying to right in your life,” Barber concluded. “I don’t know what wrongs you’re trying to right in your church. But I promise you this: no matter how sincere you are, and no matter how hard you try, the answer is never going to be any more
complicated than this: bring all of your sins and all of your troubles and all of your mistakes to the foot of the cross of Jesus, say that you’re sorry, and ask the King to lead you out of the mess you’ve made.”
Monthly campus worship services keep focus on God in midst of busyness By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
For the spring semester, Southwestern Seminary’s Student Life is offering students the chance to gather together with fellow believers in order to simply focus on God and worship Him. This opportunity comes in the form of student-led monthly worship services. “You do a lot of things when you’re here at the college or the seminary,” said Dean of Students Kyle Walker during the semester’s first worship service, Jan. 22. “But nothing is more important than setting our attention on Christ. And this is a time we can voluntarily come together as a student body to encourage one another, get into the Word together, grow together, build community, hold each accountable, and push each other toward Christ.” Walker elaborated that he and other members of Student Life strive to see students not only succeed academically while here at Southwestern but also grow in their walks with Christ. Walker, therefore, expressed the hope that events such as these worship services will help
students stay focused on God in the midst of their busy schedules. The semester’s first campus worship was led by Bachelor of Science student Hunter Thompson. After a time of worship, Walker delivered a message from 1 John. Walker noted that every worship service this semester will focus on a particular portion of 1 John, with the first portion being the book’s opening verses. Following the message, students broke into small groups to further discuss the scriptures as well as encourage one another in their walks with God. Regarding the importance of this concluding small group time, Garrison Griffith, associate director of Student Life, explained, “We believe that knowledge is gained in rows; relationships are made in circles.” The small groups, therefore, are intended not only to help students grow closer to the Lord but also to grow closer to fellow believers. “My hope is that campus worship becomes the beating heart of our Student
Life department,” Griffith says of Student Life’s aspirations for the semester. “We hope that our campus worship becomes a place where students can gather in worship, be led in music by their peers, hear a message from Dean of Students Kyle Walker, and spend time encouraging one another in small groups. “As the worship grows, my hope is that this becomes the place on campus where students make connections that lead to impact in the Kingdom. Our prayer is that students would be mobilized to partner together in the Gospel work before us in Fort Worth now and that these relationships would last and lead to Kingdom impact for years to come.” Future campus worship dates are Feb. 12, March 19 and April 9. All students are invited to participate in these services, which will take place in Truett Auditorium. Anyone interested in leading worship can contact Griffith at ggriffith@swbts.edu.
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Get to know your professors: Dale Johnson By Katie Coleman | SWBTS Dale Johnson, instructor of biblical counseling at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, had always dreamed of playing professional baseball, but as God worked in his life over the course of several years and events, he eventually surrendered his life to serve in ministry. Growing up in a Christian family, Johnson learned from a young age what it meant to be a Christian and to give his life to the Lord. At the age of 11, he became a Christian at a revival at a local Baptist church. “I think that was the night the Lord just unveiled the weight of my sin,” says Johnson. “I confessed to him, repented and began to live for Him. The Lord has continued to teach me exactly what all happened in that moment.” Johnson says that in the years after his salvation, the prayers of his family and others in his life are what kept him from wavering from his faith. He explains, “The Lord has put several people at several key points at my life to encourage and help me grow in my understanding of the Lord and my pursuit of him.”
Johnson went on to play college baseball at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Fla., where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. This would eventually lead to a pursuit in studying biblical counseling. During college, Johnson went on a mission trip to the Philippines where he had the opportunity to preach and serve. It was during this trip that the Lord began to work in him and call him to ministry. Even as the Lord began to lay these foundations, Johnson still desired to play professional baseball. However, he didn’t want to pursue this if it was not what the Lord had planned for him. “I got to my senior year and there was talk that I was going to get drafted,” Johnson recalls. “So I pleaded with the Lord saying, ‘Lord, if you don’t want me to do this, please don’t give me the opportunity.’” Johnson says the Lord opened the door for him to play baseball in the farm system of the Anaheim Angels, but after a year of playing professionally, he began
to experience a strong hunger to know the Lord better and to teach others about Him. After retiring from professional baseball, he enrolled at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he pursued his Master of Divinity with a concentration in biblical counseling. He recalls, “I was interested in counseling with my psychology background, so I was intentional about wanting to pursue that.” Johnson graduated in May 2005 and began serving as associate pastor of family life at a church in Florida, where he also started a counseling program. After seven years of service in church ministry, the Lord called him to pursue a Ph.D. In the fall of 2012, he moved to Fort Worth to study at Southwestern Seminary. He began teaching the following spring in the areas of biblical counseling and family ministry. He graduated with his Ph.D. in biblical counseling in December 2014.
Johnson says he wants his students to trust in God’s word, explaining that it applies even in a modern context. He says, “God has given us the things that we need methodologically and doctrinally to follow what He says. What God has said is good for all times, cultures and purposes.”
New semester brings opportunities for women at Southwestern By Katie Coleman | SWBTS As a new semester starts at Southwestern, the women’s programs department is continuing in its work to train and equip women in ministry and life. Among many resources available to women at Southwestern, two important opportunities will be available for both students and women outside of Southwestern. The Biblical Theology of Womanhood II (New Testament) course will be made available to the public to audit online for free. The course will be available in three ways: Women can attend the class in-person, watch live video of the classes online, or watch weekly recordings of the class online whenever their schedules allow. Dorothy Patterson, professor of theology in women’s studies at Southwestern, and Candi Finch, assistant professor of theology in women’s studies, will lead the course, which is designed to walk through the New Testament and discuss the major issues women face today including culture, marriage and ministry. The fall 2014 semester was the first time women had the chance to audit the class online for free when more than 300 women were part of the Old Testament section. “I encourage every woman, no matter what type of ministry they are going into, to take this class, because it truly is walking through God’s word and seeing what God has to say to women and for women,” says Terri Stovall, dean of women’s programs. “You can translate that into any context.” Another opportunity for women will be the Strengthening Family and Building Faith Conference, Feb. 19-21, part of the Art of Homemaking Conference series. This year is unique because another annual conference—the Women’s Leadership Consultation, which rotates among
the different seminaries—will take place at Southwestern simultaneously. Stovall explains that instead of doing two separate conferences, they have melded the two together. Speakers will include Devi Titus, president of Global Pastors’ Wives Network; Susan G. Baker, co-chairman of the National Alliance to End Homelessness; and Vicki Courtney, author and creator of VirtuousReality.com, an online magazine for teen girls. Southwestern faculty including Patterson and Finch will also speak. Breakout sessions will cover topics including the home, marriage, parenting, and biblical counseling. “There’s really something for everybody,” says Stovall. “Whether you are married, single, focused more on the home or focused more on the church, we just want to encourage women to be part of this event.” As Southwestern’s women’s programs department provides new opportunities for women, it is doing so to fulfill its goal of equipping women for kingdom ministry, from development of skills to be used in the home to ministry giftedness and mentoring. “I want to continue to see women embrace the fact that they have a place to fulfill in Kingdom work,” says Stovall. “My favorite thing we do here is mentoring women. It’s not unusual to see women praying together as we try to encourage one another. I want to continue to see that ethos grow as women support one another and encourage one another to embrace the call that God has on their lives.” For information on the Strengthening Family and Building Faith Conference, including registration and the schedule of events, visit swbts.edu/artofhomemaking.
psalm 46:10
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Patterson’s visit to Philippines formalizes seminary partnership By Alex Sibley | SWBTS Southwestern President Paige Patterson’s visit to Baguio City in the Philippines, Jan. 3-12, symbolically sealed the partnership between Southwestern Seminary and the Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. The partnership, which has been in the works for the last year, is being coordinated through Southwestern’s Global Theological Innovation and will allow Southwestern to aid in the theological education of God-called men and women in the Philippines. Regarding Southwestern’s commitment to global partnerships like this, Patterson says, “Such a commitment is strategically important because trained pastors who understand doctrinal and methodological issues from the Baptist perspective are essential if Baptists are to continue to have a significant witness [throughout the world]. By reconnecting with seminaries all over the world, Southwestern has the opportunity not only to be blessed by these brothers and sisters from many nations but also to lend whatever expertise we may have to the task of training the next generation of pastors in those places. We are very grateful that God has opened this opportunity [in the Philippines].” The main purpose of Patterson’s visit was to speak in the Philippine seminary’s 46th annual Lide-Walker Bible Conference, which comprises a series of lectures about particular theological topics. In his invitation to Patterson, Armand Canoy, president of the Philippine seminary, said it would be an “exciting moment for many pastors, church leaders and workers in this part of the globe to see and hear God’s Word through [Patterson] as [he] provides them an opportunity to be refreshed and be ready for another year of ministry.”
As the conference’s featured speaker, Patterson delivered three lectures on the book of Revelation. In addition, the conference entailed three breakout sessions: one pertaining to archaeology, led by Patterson; one pertaining to women’s ministry, led by First Lady Dorothy Patterson; and one pertaining to worship, led by Dean of the School of Church Music Leo Day. Day also led worship during the conference’s four worship services. Reflecting on his part in the trip, Day says, “The most significant part of the trip was to learn how we, Southwestern, could partner academically with the Philippine seminary. Through our partnership, we will be able to serve them by sending students and faculty to help fulfill our shared mission in spreading the Gospel through preaching and musical worship.” “I can’t wait to go back to see the students who hunger and thirst for God
through musical worship,” Day concludes. “It’s in their eyes. I feel it in their hearts. I hear it when they speak.” Deron Biles, dean of extension education at Southwestern, was also among the Southwesterners who visited the Philippines, speaking at the seminary’s Summit for Extension Education. Regarding Patterson’s visit to the seminary, Biles says, “The fact that Dr. Patterson came to the Philippine seminary was significant for them, as it marked a formalization of our partnership, and having the president there signified our commitment to the project.” While there, Patterson and Canoy formally signed a five-year partnership agreement between the two seminaries. Through this partnership, Southwestern will send faculty to the Philippine seminary in order to supplement some of the classes that the seminary does not have faculty to teach. Southwestern first connected to the Philippine seminary through one of
its trustees, Danny Johnson. Johnson, who now serves as director of missions for the Pulaski Baptist Association, is a former missionary to the Philippines and has a long-standing relationship with the seminary there. He brought the idea of a partnership to Patterson, who in turn asked GTI to explore the relationship. When discussions between Southwestern and the Philippine seminary made it clear that a partnership would benefit theological education in the Philippines, the two parties decided to formalize a relationship. In addition to exchanging faculty, the seminary partnership will also allow Southwestern to work with the Philippine seminary in evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, church planting, missions, and involving students in ministry through Filipino churches and missions endeavors across Asia.
Southwestern receives $1 million toward construction of Mathena Hall By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, a non-profit corporation that supports the work of Christian organizations and educational institutions, has awarded Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary a $1 million challenge grant toward the construction of a new 73,000square foot building for the College at
Southwestern and the Roy Fish School of Evangelism and Missions. The building is tentatively named “Mathena Hall,” in honor of Harold Mathena, who contributed a lead gift of $12 million to the construction project last fall. With the addition of the Mabee Foundation gift, along with other gifts already in
hand for the project, Southwestern Seminary now has nearly two-thirds of the funds needed for construction. The Mabee Foundation was formed in 1948 by John and Lottie Mabee with the objective of assisting religious, charitable and educational organizations. When the Mabees died in the early 1960s, they left a substantial portion of their personal estates to the foundation. As a tribute to their generosity, the foundation continues to carry out the Mabees’ vision, and evidence of its benevolence can be found throughout the Southwestern United States. “The dream of connecting our students across the world with the ability to attend classes on a virtual basis in Mathena Hall is another step closer to reality,” says Mike Hughes, vice president for Institutional Advancement, in reference to the Mabee Foundation’s gift to Southwestern. “Mathena Hall will end up being the
most technologically advanced building on the campus of Southwestern. As the world gets smaller, we clearly want to seize the opportunity to bring more students into the classrooms of Southwestern, whether the students are residential or online.” Hughes says, however, that in order for Southwestern to receive the funding from this challenge grant, the institution must raise the balance of the funding by January 2016. He encourages friends of Southwestern to begin praying about “joining this strategic and life-changing funding effort to raise a total of $24 million, which will end up sending missionaries, pastors, and other church workers across the globe to share the Gospel.” To learn more about Mathena Hall and to join others in supporting construction, visit swbts.edu/mathenahall.
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Administration professor Robert Mathis dies at age 67 By Alex Sibley | SWBTS Robert Mathis, professor of administration at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died Jan. 25 after roughly a decade-long battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). He was 67. The day after Mathis’ death, Southwestern President Paige Patterson said in a statement to the campus, “It is with a combination of regret and joy that I must inform you that Dr. Robert Mathis has gone to dwell in the presence of our Lord. I say ‘joy’ because Dr. Mathis was irrepressibly joyful. Some of you remember him sitting at the side of Truett Auditorium in his wheelchair during chapel. Dr. Mathis lived with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a disease that is slowly debilitating to the muscular system, for more than a decade. In all that time, he never gave in to the disease, nor did he complain. We give thanks for his life and for his time with us. He prayed for and supported Southwestern right up until his death.” Waylan Owens, dean of the Jack D. Terry School of Church and Family Ministries, says, “Bob Mathis was one of the most energetic and encouraging men I have known. As my professor, his
encouragement came to me at a pivotal time in life. As his colleague, I was always encouraged to be a better man and professor by his life.” Mathis earned both his master’s in religious education and his Doctor of Philosophy from Southwestern (in 1978 and 1984, respectively). He later earned his Doctor of Education in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1995. Throughout the 1970s and ‘80s, Mathis served as minister of education at various churches in Texas and Louisiana. In 1986, Mathis joined the faculty of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. There, he occupied the John T. Sizemore Chair of Christian Education and served as director of research doctoral programs. In 1998, Mathis brought his nearly 30 years of experience in education and ministry to Southwestern, where he served as professor of administration for the next 12 years. Roughly a decade ago, Mathis was diagnosed with ALS, a disease that affects nearly 30,000 Americans, with approximately 5,600 people diagnosed with it
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every year. In the ensuing years, in honor of Mathis, Southwestern faculty and students participated in ALS walks in Dallas in order to raise money for the ALS foundation. In 2009, Southwestern organized a walk on the seminary campus in order to allow more people to participate. Also in 2009, Southwestern held a ribbon cutting in honor of Mathis to mark the newest wheelchair accessibility ramp to Price Hall, where Mathis worked. Due to his ALS, Mathis used a wheelchair for his primary mobility, thus necessitating the new ramp on the west side of Price Hall, the closest entrance to the parking lot. At the brief ceremony, Mathis became the first person to ride up and down the ramp. He jokingly asked for it to be named the “Mathis Tollway,” with all the proceeds going toward his retirement fund. Mathis is survived by his wife of 46 years, Odene, who also served at Southwestern for many years; his daughter, Karissa Luckett, and her husband, Peter Luckett; his granddaughter, Hallie Luckett; his mother, Faye Mathis; and his brother, Dean Mathis, and sister-in-law, Betty Sue.
The funeral service was held in Truett Auditorium on Thursday, Jan. 29, and Mathis was interred at the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery the following day. In lieu of flowers, the Mathis family requests that contributions be made to the Robert Mathis Scholarship for Christian Education at swbts.edu/give.
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HOURS OF OPER ATION A. WEBB ROBERTS LIBRARY
SOUTHWESTERN OUTFITTERS
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.
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.
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.
February 10
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.
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.
Craig Ethredge Pastor First Baptist Church Colleyville, Texas February 11
Anthony Moore Pastor The Village Church Fort Worth, Texas February 12
Dongsun Cho Assistant Professor Systematic and Historical Theology Southwestern Seminary February 17
Josh Smith
ANNOUNCEMENTS FEB 6
FEB 6
FEB 13
FEB 23
FEB 25
MARCH 2-3
One Magnificent Obsession 6 p.m. | WMC. Evenings of praise and prayer for the nations. Feb. 6: China; Feb. 13: Bangladesh; Feb. 20: Middle East; Feb. 27: Syria.
Student Center Game Night 6:30-9 p.m. | NSC. Enjoy a night of group games, board games, and other activities with fellow students in the Student Center. Snacks and desserts will be provided as well as $1 Lattes in the Café.
MAY 21JUNE 7
JULY 1-21
JULY 6-23
Student Volunteer Lunch 11 a.m. | TBA. Learn about opportunities to volunteer at the World Missions Center.
SPRING
Metochai Valentine’s Banquet 6:30 p.m. | SBR. Guest Speakers Evan and Melanie Lenow. For more information, contact the Women’s Programs office at ext. 3600.
Widows’ Might Luncheon 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | RC 150.
Expository Preaching Workshop For more information, visit swbts.edu/ epw.
MARCH 6-15
MARCH 6-16
MARCH 6-15
MARCH 8-11
MAY 12-23
Biblical Tour of Israel Spend your Spring Break on a tour of Israel. Up to 3 credit hours available. For information, email ason@swbts. edu.
SPRING
Haiti Mission Trip Spend your Spring Break on mission in Haiti. For information, contact msanders@swbts.edu.
Turkey Mission Trip Spend your Spring Break on mission in Turkey. For more information, contact wmc@swbts.edu.
Revive This Nation For more information, visit swbts.edu/rtn.
Radical Reformation Tour Learn about the early 16th century Anabaptists by seeing where they worshipped, suffered and died. Study their lives and their influence from Southwestern professors. Cost is $3,500. Deadline to sign up: March 4. Contact Daniel Weaver at ext. 5800 or email swbts.edu/radicalreformationtour.
SPRING
Madagascar Mission Trip
Thailand Mission Trip Up to six credit hours available. For more information, contact wmc@ swbts.edu or ext. 7500.
PH RA RAC RC RL SBR
SPRING
Oxford Study Tour Up to six credit hours available. For information, contact David Norman at oxford@swbts.edu or call ext. 4488.
Interested in missions? Visit the World Missions Center. Office hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, 1-4 p.m. Neal and Jana Seaborn, associate personnel consultants, Region 4 IMB, serve three times a week at the WMC and help students for the IMB process. Contact Neal at nseaborn@imb.org or call 817-888-6549. Contact Jana at jseaborn@imb.org or call 817-9998219. The WMC also has Missionaries-in-Residence: Matt and LuSinda Spann, Madagascar, Tues.-Fri., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Cell: 817-313-2284; and Brock and Polly Vandever, Sub-Saharan Africa, Mon.-Thurs. from 1-5 p.m. and Fri. from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
SPRING
Mother’s Day Out 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tuesdays & Thursdays | NCC. Now enrolling children 2 months – 5 years for spring semester. One- and two-day programs also available, as well as drop-ins on a firstcome, first-serve basis. New extended hours: 1-4 p.m. Information on prices and days at swbts.edu/childrenscenter. Contact: Cheryl Bell at ext. 2970 or cbell@swbts.edu.
February 19
Mark Lanier Lanier Law Firm Houston, Texas
FOLLOW ON TWITTER @swbts @swbtslife
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. 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. Rates and deadlines for ads available at swbts.edu/Scroll. Contact Scroll@swbts.edu or ext. 4848 for more information.
Quality education in a Christian setting. Lessons begin Aug. 25. Private lessons for ages 5-adult in piano, voice, strings, organ, flute and guitar. Reduced rate introductory lessons for beginning piano and string students through age 12. Registration is open to voice, piano, organ and violin students. Ten percent discount for
Scarborough Hall Truett Auditorium Truett Conference Room Williamsburg Banquet Room in NSC MC World Missions Center W
Senior Pastor Trinity Baptist Church Lake Charles, La.
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Southwestern Music Academy
S TA TCR WBR
Steven James
Students, their parents, grandparents and siblings can use the student discount for 20 percent off of guest rooms at the Riley Center. For guest room reservations, contact ext. 8800.
NCC. Family Time Mondays, 5:005:45 p.m.; Saturdays, 10:00-10:45 a.m. Birth-7 Years with parent. Sing, dance, play and make music with the whole family while building listening skills, self-control, turn-taking, cooperation and more! Cuddle and Bounce Mondays, 6:00-6:45 p.m. Birth-1 Year with parent. Play, dance, sing and bond with baby while helping baby develop and grow! Classes begin Aug. 25. For more information, visit swbts.edu/ musicacademy, email musicacademy@ swbts.edu or call ext. 3241.
Price Hall Reynolds Auditorium Recreation/Aerobics Center Riley Center Roberts Library Seelig Banquet Room in NSC
February 18
Riley Center Student Discount
Kindermusik
*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
siblings and seminary spouses. Other programs: Laugh & Learn (2-4 yrs.), Move & Groove (4-6 yrs.), and Family Time (0-7). For more information, visit swbts.edu/musicacademy, email musicacademy@swbts.edu or call ext. 3241.
Up to six credit hours available. Only nine spots available. For more information, contact wmc@swbts.edu or ext. 7500.
Lead Pastor MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church Irving, Texas
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.
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2001 W. Seminary Drive Fort Worth, TX, 76122 1-800-SWBTS-01 (toll free) (817) 923-1921 | swbts.edu
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THE SCROLL
Thursday, February 5, 2015
FROM THE BLOGS »
WHAT IS A WOMAN WHO WANTS TO SERVE CHRIST TO DO? By Dorothy Patterson | BiblicalWoman.com
BIBLICAL WOMAN STATEMENT, #8: Ministry – We believe that every Christian woman is called to fulfill the Great Commission and has the opportunity for significant service in the Kingdom of God; that all service to Christ according to biblical guidelines is significant to the Lord; that women are exhorted to instruct and mentor other women (Titus 2:3-5). Woman-to-woman teaching may be described as “spiritual mothering,” by which spiritually mature women share, through teaching and lifestyle, the importance of holiness in daily life as well as of voluntarily submitting themselves to God’s order for the welfare of the family. This divinely planned woman-to-woman mentoring program is one of the most effective tools for winning women to Christ and discipling them in whatever the cultural setting. Women indeed are challenged to share the Gospel and nurture in the faith, performing a myriad of kingdom tasks— all within biblical boundaries and in harmony with the creation order. There are a myriad of ways in which women are encouraged to do their work for Christ: • Older or “spiritually mature” women are exhorted to instruct the younger or “new-to-the-faith” women, and they are given specific instructions on what to teach (Titus 2:3-5). • Mothers share equal responsibility with fathers in teaching their children in the home (Deut. 6:7-9).
• Women are to share the Gospel (1 Pet. 3:15). • Women may pray and prophesy in the church (1 Cor. 11:5). • Women are uniquely prepared to be guardians of the home and nurturers of the children (Prov. 31:10-31). The New Testament describes women who serve in various ways in the kingdom: • Priscilla joined her husband Aquila in instructing Apollos (Acts 18:26). • Women, like Mark’s mother, Mary, and Lydia of Thyatira, opened their homes for meetings of believers, and they practiced hospitality (Acts 12:12; 16:14-15). • By His own divine fiat, God reserves the right to make decisions, even through the unexpected or extraordinary—such as calling Deborah to be a judge of Israel (Judg. 4–5). • Paul mentions women, like the highly capable Phoebe, with favor (Rom. 16:12); and he employs women in the service of the Gospel (Phil. 4:3). • Women offered themselves in special ministries to Jesus (John 12:1-11). • Women are mentioned as prophetesses: Miriam, who led the women of Israel (Exod. 15:20); Huldah, whose only prophecy in Scripture was to a man who consulted her at home (2 Kgs. 22:14-20); Anna (Luke 2:36-40); and the daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9), though the text does not place their prophesying in the assemblies.
Single women are included in this challenge to teach and model Christian character. They can exercise their divinely given nature by acting as “spiritual mothers” to others, which includes keeping their homes as a refuge for those whom God may send to them and teaching biblical principles about the home and family to women who are single as well as those who are married. Mary and Martha (who, from a simple reading of the text, were apparently single) opened their humble home to the Lord Himself for rest and fellowship (John 12:1-11). There Jesus found a quiet place to sleep, nourishing meals, and comforting friends with whom to relax. Lydia, a prominent businesswoman (no husband or children are mentioned), surely must have given money and witnessed verbally about kingdom causes. Yet, though she was respected and honored in the community for her education, position, and business expertise, she was primarily commended in the book of Acts for her hospitality (Acts 16:14-15,40).
WHAT IS A WOMAN WHO WANTS TO SERVE CHRIST TO DO? Commit yourself to line up under the authority of Scripture. Jesus neither criticized nor questioned Old Testament authority. He believed all of Scripture (Matt. 5:17-18). Beware of judging biblical teaching in such a way that infallibility falls on your shoulders. Let Scripture interpret Scripture, knowing that all
Scripture works together to present God’s truth to you (Ps. 119:130-36). Examine the two organizations offering different viewpoints on the roles of women in the church. These are the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (representing complementarians) and Christians for Biblical Equality (representing egalitarians). Both of these organizations can recommend watershed books to help you understand their respective positions. Refuse to accept any scholar’s interpretation of difficult passages of Scripture without looking carefully at his documentation and especially at exegetical work based on the text of Scripture (1 John 4:1). Consult classic commentaries that have stood the test of time. Look for Christian journals, periodicals and the writings coming from your own denomination with a fair representation—open forums with equally qualified proponents who discuss these issues based upon biblical principles. My fervent prayer is that women will work under the clear authority of the written Word of God (based on a natural reading of Scripture and careful exegesis of the text), neither seeking recognition nor demanding higher office, but making every effort to serve the Lord and trust Him to open opportunities appropriate to their gifts, embracing usefulness despite limitations and beyond expectations.