The Plan for SBC Seminaries

I recently brushed the dust off of an old Training Union book entitled, "Our Baptist Story" by Pope Duncan.  A great little book filled with historical accounts of the Baptist witness in the United States, especially the South.  While Boyce, Manly, and Broadus were drawing up the original plan of instruction for The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary they offered these three fundamental points.  (1)  that the seminary should admit men not only of college education, but those who had been kept from obtaining more than "a common English education"; (2)  that the seminary should offer such courses as would enable the best students to receive an education equivalent to that anywhere obtainable; (3)  that each professor should be required upon inauguration to sign an abstract of principles.

It is obvious from these three points that at the least these concerns were prominent for our forefathers:   (1)  that the seminary should be a theological training ground for church leaders with sole priority given to serving the churches; not to be an institution for the academically elite; (2)  that the theological training provided should be academically challenging; not lacking in quality; (3)  that those providing the education must be committed to the full integrity of the Scriptures and the biblical heritage set forth in the Abstract of Principles (written 1859); not dissuaded from sound doctrine.

Duncan mentions that these three principles were the guiding fundamental principles in the founding of each of our SBC seminaries.  I offer them again as a reminder, lest we forget.  

Facing Their Faces

The prophet Jeremiah lived in dark days.  His nation was largely in rebellion against God and His precepts.  The last thing they wanted to hear was someone declaring that they were wrong before God.  This is exactly what God called Jeremiah to declare.  Jeremiah knew the possible consequences he would face by speaking such an unpopular message, and he knew the fear of facing a rebellious crowd.  God comforted him with these words, “do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.” (Jer. 1:8)  

Jeremiah became known as the “weeping prophet”.  He wept over the sins of his countrymen.  He wept over the impending judgment of God upon his nation.  But even his tears of sincerity would not turn back the sinful hearts of his friends and neighbors.  He faced their faces with tears in his eyes and pleaded with the people to cease calling that which was good evil, and that which was evil good.  How did Judah respond?  They attempted multiple times to kill him.

Jeremiah preached the importance of true worship instead of false religion.  He called for true social justice according the dictates of God’s word.  He proclaimed the importance of loyalty to God rather than alliances with the world.  Jeremiah’s message still rings true today.

We are a nation that has largely rejected God.  Our countrymen are attempting to offer new and acceptable definitions to those things which God has declared to be sinful.  Our cities and church gatherings are filled with false religion instead of true worship of the Holy One.  We have sought social equality in a way that rejects divine justice.  Our nation has emphasized likeness with the world over loyalty to the one true God.

The great need of the hour in America is people who are willing to stand and speak God’s word prophetically and lovingly.  Blessed be the ones who stand with an open Bible and tears in their eyes as they declare the timeless truth of the immutable God.  May we not be afraid of their faces, for the Lord is with us.  We will be held responsible for our faithfulness to do so and the people will be responsible for how they respond.

Serving Faithfully In Lean Times

I have a special respect for those who continue to serve God in the lean times of life.  It is always easier for us to praise God while standing upon the lofty mountain tops of life but it is the valley where our faith is forged.  It is tempting to think that God changes His will for us every 2-3 years, just when things get rough.  Compared to so many of our faithful brothers and sisters in Christ serving around the world I have experienced great bounty even in my leanest times.  However, ten years of bi-vocational ministry while struggling to make a living, gave me a great appreciation for those who have been willing to say "no" to the things of this world and find their sufficiency in the riches of Christ.

One great example of this type of faithfulness is found in the early years of Southern Seminary.  Amidst the Civil War economic downfall of the southern states in 1865 was a striving faculty of a new seminary hoping to survive.  During one 12 month period the four faithful professors received no fiscal salary and yet they all made a commitment with one another that they would not quit.  Although they were repeatedly offered more prestigious positions (with actual salaries) at other schools and in secular employment, they stayed true to their call.  James Petigru Boyce was urged to accept the presidency of the South Carolina Railroad Company at a yearly salary of $10,000.  I am no expert on computing inflationary values, but I think this would be equivalent to about $400,000 today (or more when considering the deflated economy of the South at that time).  I would have been tempted to justify leaving my position at Southern by thinking about how much financial good I could do with the new salary.  Not Boyce.  He responded, "Thank these gentlemen for me, but tell them I must decline, as I have decided to devote my life, if need be, to building up the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary."

The names Boyce, Broadus, Manly, and Williams live as representations of faith in the lean times of life.  These four professors covenanted together that they would die or the seminary would die, but they would not quit.  And they didn't.  Today SBTS is producing many pastors and missionaries because there once were four men who were willing to serve God faithfully in the lean times of life.  May we do the same.

Faith Built On Feelings Is Not A Good Faith

The Christian faith is not built upon feelings but upon the truth of God as revealed in the Bible.  The Bible is our primary and ultimate source of authority, not our feelings.  What we feel is not to be the determinative factor in forming our decisions.

Recently President Obama spoke out in favor of redefining marriage to include homosexual partners based upon what he feels to be the right thing.  He offered poor scriptural reference by mentioning the golden rule (which I will not address here), while completely ignoring the whole of biblical revelation.  See also my "Open Letter To My Gay Friends" (on this blog) for other appropriate scriptural references on this issue.  There is a deeper issue that needs to be dealt with in this discussion.  It is the issue of  authority.

In an article by USA Today, Bishop Timothy J. Clark of the First Church of God in Columbus, Ohio responded to Obama's declaration with these words, "I believe the statement the president made and his decision was made in good faith.  I am sure because the president is a good man.  I know his decision was made after much thought and consideration and, I'm sure, even prayer."  There are two inherent problems with this statement.  One, that the decision is guided by "thought, consideration, and prayer" rather than the Bible.  Two, that this feeling-based faith is considered "good faith".  It leaves the impression that as long as one is sincere in one's thoughts/feelings and mixes in some prayer then all is well.  This is not a good faith.  The Bible records other such times in history when "each man did what was right in his own eyes."  It did not go so well.

God's leading in the lives of His people never contradicts what He has said in His word.  The Bible is clear regarding the definition of marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman.  Genesis 2 and 3 provide the foundational definition of what marriage is, a relationship ordained by God.  As God is the Creator of marriage, He rightly reserves the authority to provide definition to the relationship.  Others may attempt to redefine marriage, but they are only attempts of vanity, for the definition is forever settled.  Ephesians 5 lucidly describes the marital relationship between a man and his wife.  The Bible is filled with examples of the definition of marriage.  If someone believes that they have the right to attempt to redefine marriage based upon their "thoughts, consideration, and prayer" then they certainly have every right to their opinion.  But be honest, that is not a Christian decision.

Other professors of the Christian faith repeat this same error.  Many who should know better make important decisions based upon their feelings.  The endless quests of "finding God's will for my life" lead to decisions determined by feelings rather than biblical truth.  Where God has spoken in His word, listen and obey.  Remember that only the one who "hears" the word and "does" it is likened to a wise man building upon the rock.  God wants His people to marry believers, be a part of a church that seeks obedience to His word in all things, abhor that which is evil, teach sound doctrine, share the gospel, honor Him with their profession, teach their children the Scriptures, pray as a family, etc.  We don't have to pray about whether or not it is God's will to do these things although we should be praying for the strength and wisdom to do them.

I'm all for knowing and doing God's will.  I just wish we would all realize that His will is found in His word, not our emotions.  This will produce a good faith.

Voice of a Prophet: R.G. Lee

R.G. Lee - He served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention an unprecedented three terms. In his resignation address, Robert Lee stated his firm stand on the Word of God: "You can count on me until my tongue is silent in the grave and until my hand can no longer wield a pen to keep my unalterable stand for the Bible as the inspired, infallible, inerrant Word of God - giving rebuke to and standing in opposition to all enemies of the Bible, even as I have done for 50 years."