Mohler takes on theistic evolution in latest Southern Seminary Magazine January 11, 2011

Near the close of the year, Gospel Coalition blogger Collin Hansen published his article, "My Top Ten Theology and Church Stories from 2010." At nine, he places the BioLogos controversy concerning the evangelical debate about evolutionary theory. Hansen notes that the controversy ensued last spring when a notable evangelical Old Testament scholar stated that Christianity bore the risk of "becoming a cult" if the church continued to reject the theory when faced with data significantly favoring evolution.

If nothing else, the debate has served the church by helping to highlight the theological implications for those wishing to embrace some form of theistic evolution. The Winter 2011 Southern Seminary Magazine seeks to help readers think through these implications in effort to assist believers in remaining faithful to Scripture.

In the issue, R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern, argues that those who wish to make some kind of an attempt at a mediating position between Christianity and evolution do so at the expense of relinquishing precious biblical truths, often denying historic Christian doctrines such as biblical inerrancy, an historic Adam, an historic Fall and a universal Flood. In the article, "The New Shape of the Debate," Mohler writes the following:

Given the stakes in this public controversy, the attractiveness of theistic evolution becomes clear. The creation of a middle ground between Christianity and evolution would resolve a great cultural and intellectual conflict. Yet, in the process of attempting to negotiate this new middle ground, it is the Bible and the entirety of Christian theology that gives way, not evolutionary theory. Theistic evolution is a biblical and theological disaster.

Later in the article, he observes some of the consequences of this "biblical and theological disaster":

If evolution is true, then the entire narrative of the Bible has to be revised and reinterpreted. The evolutionary account is not only incompatible with any historical affirmation of Genesis 1-2, but it is also incompatible with the claim that all humanity is descended from Adam and the claim that in Adam all humanity fell into sin and guilt. The Bible's account of the Fall, and its consequences, is utterly incompatible with evolutionary theory. The third chapter of Genesis is as problematic for evolutionary theory as the first two.

The Southern Resources page provides the PDF for the magazine. Mohler's "The New Shape of the Debate" begins on page 24. Readers can find subscription information about Southern Seminary Magazine on the contents page (page 3).

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Southern Seminary releases Winter 2011 Magazine January 5, 2011

The Winter 2011 Southern Seminary Magazine is now available. With content taking on the doctrine of creation, the publication carries the theme of ex nihilo (Latin, "out of nothing") to draw attention to one of the most fundamental and distinctive tenets of the Christian worldview - that God the sovereign Creator brought the universe into existence out of nothing. The SBTS Resources page provides the PDF.

In addition to the latest about news, events, reviews and thoughts from Southern Seminary included in its In-Short section, the magazine features articles articulating and explaining the Christian doctrine of creation, its historical importance and contemporary relevance. Feature articles from Southern faculty members include:

  • R. Albert Mohler Jr., "The New Shape of the Debate" (page 24)
  • R. Albert Mohler Jr., "The New Atheism and the Dogma of Darwinism" (page 28)
  • Russell D. Moore, "All Things Dark and Terrible: Our Fearful Fascination With Wild Things and Other Monsters of God" (page 33)
  • Mark T. Coppenger, "Evolution and Creation in Higher Education" (page 36)
  • Greg A. Wills, "Creation and American Christianity" (page 40)

Readers can find subscription information on the magazine's contents page (page 3).

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Jan. 3 Towers: John Frame talks about new book; York highlights common mistakes pastors make; and TPJ releases eschatology DVD series January 4, 2011

Why can't we all just get along? These words come to mind when considering the theme for the Jan. 3 "Towers." Titled "Divisive Doctrine," the issue provides readers with content concerning how to wisely navigate the potentially treacherous areas of Scripture's more controversial teachings. The SBTS Resources page provides the PDF.

Pieces in the latest "Towers" include:

  • My interview with author and professor John Frame in which he discusses his new book, The Doctrine of the Word of God (P&R, 2010), and other matters of the Bible, theology and apologetics (pages 8 and 9). In the issue, I also offer a brief review of Frame's book (page 10);
  • Aaron revisits SBTS President R. Albert Mohler Jr.'s theological triage (page 3);
  • Hershael W. York, Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching at SBTS, weighs in on mistakes pastors should avoid in communicating truth to their congregations (page 5);
  • Aaron looks at the DVD teaching series, "Four Views of the End Times," which features the lectures of Southern Seminary's Timothy Paul Jones, associate professor of leadership and church ministry and editor of The Journal of Family Ministry (page 4);
  • Russell D. Moore, professor of Christian theology and ethics at Southern, spoke to University of Louisville students about an evangelical Christian perspective on the environment, responding to the question, "Is God green?" (page 7) Moore also serves as the dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at Southern Seminary;
  • "Towers" contributor Courtney Reissig offers a "Southern Story" about Mary Kassian, distinguished professor of women's studies at SBTS (page 13); and
  • The back page has "Three Questions" with Mike Cosper, worship and arts pastor for Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Ky. (page 16)
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Frame discusses academic writing December 22, 2010

In our forthcoming, Jan. 3 issue of "Towers," Josh talks with author and professor John Frame about his newest book, The Doctrine of the Word of God. In their discussion, Josh asks Frame about his self-referential writing style (i.e., using the first person); here is part of Frame's reply:

... For a long time I've been opposed to the academic model of theology that says theology is just another academic discipline and that when people write theology they should have all the footnotes and bibliography and other impersonal elements. I think those are valuable tools and skills for theologians to have, but essentially, theology is the didache of the New Testament, which is supposed to be the presentation of sound doctrine, and it's supposed to be doctrine that builds people up in the faith.

I don't think that reading academic papers is usually a very good way of building people up in the faith. I'm not saying that's something bad, but I think that theology again is much more than that. I always try to take the role of somebody who is concerned about the hearts and souls of the people who are reading the paper and who himself has a personal relationship with Christ and with the doctrines that I am teaching. ...

Check out their full conversation in "Towers," the first week of January.

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Taylor blog mentions Whitney’s tips for Gospel conversation at Christmas December 16, 2010

In a Dec. 15, 2010, post at "Between Two Worlds," Gospel Coalition blogger Justin Taylor notes Southern Seminary's Donald S. Whitney. Taylor provides the link to Whitney's article that presents 10 questions to ask at Christmas gatherings in order to move toward deeper, Gospel-oriented conversation.

Whitney serves as associate professor of biblical spirituality at SBTS and as senior associate dean of the School of Theology. Whitney's Web site, The Center for Biblical Spirituality, provides the article.

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New FLAME album releases Dec. 28 December 6, 2010

Boyce graduate and Southern Seminary student FLAME will release a new album Dec. 28. FLAME is a Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist who seeks to bring biblically faithful, theologically rich content to those in the "hip-hop culture." This new album, Captured, explores two themes: Christians captured by sin and still under its grip, and Christians captured by God and under His rule, according to Clear Sight Music's Web site.

Captured will be the first album under FLAME's new record label, Clear Sight Music. Fans can pre-order Captured at Amazon.

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Plummer comments on HCSB Study Bible’s free online availability December 2, 2010

Robert L. Plummer, associate professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Seminary, published some comments on his blog about the free online availability of the Holman Christian Study Bible. Plummer says this is a good idea for the following four reasons:

  • Christian ministry (including academic publishing) is about honoring Christ and serving the church, not about making money (1 Tim 6:5).
  • Christians in developing countries can benefit from this fine resource, which would otherwise be too expensive for them.
  • Even secular authors have found that giving away books online can result in more print copies being sold. If readers have extended time online to peruse a high-quality resource, they often want it in print format also.
  • John Piper gives away his books for free online. Must be a good idea.

Readers can access Plummer's blog at www.robplummer.com

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Southern Story: James Parker III November 30, 2010


Growing up in a supportive Christian home in Abilene, Texas, James Parker III, professor of worldview and culture and associate dean of worldview and culture at Southern Seminary, enrolled in Baylor University. What he encountered at Baylor caught him by surprise. For the first time, other than minimal exposure in high school, Parker encountered people who not only did not agree with his conservative Christian faith, but challenged it as well.

Parker specifically remembers a friend who, though she was raised a Methodist, simply claimed she did not believe anything. In such a conservative area of the United States, Parker had not previously experienced people who plainly reject faith of any kind.

At this point in his life, Parker found that if he was going to discuss his faith at all, he would have to defend it. This reality began an interest in dialoging with people about the validity of Christianity. In addition, Parker also made a friend who introduced him to evangelical literature. These two occurrences would shape the rest of his personal and professional life.

The evangelical literature Parker first experienced has remained formative throughout his life. The writings of Carl F. H. Henry, Francis Schaeffer and C.S. Lewis, most notably influenced Parker, and each author continues to affect him today. In those college years of his life, Henry especially became a hero to Parker.

"He was my hero and still is my hero," Parker said of Henry's writings.

These authors showed Parker how he could interact well with non-Christians. This faithful interaction is something that, according to Parker, is unavoidable by any Christian.

"The thing is, everyone engages in apologetics as a Christian," Parker said. "It's not question of whether they're going to [engage], it's a question of whether they're going to do it competently."

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Gettys’ “Irish Christmas” comes to SBTS Dec. 9 November 26, 2010

In case you haven't noticed, Keith and Kristyn Getty's new hymns are sweeping the evangelical church. "In Christ Alone" has been sung in foxholes in Iraq as well as in thousands of churches across the United States and Britain. Writing Scripture-drenched, doctrinally rich lyrics set to memorable, Celtic-sounding melodies, these vibrant, godly musicians stand at the forefront of a new era in worship music for the church. Professor Carl Stam, director of Southern Seminary’s Institute for Christian Worship, has described the duo from Northern Ireland as “composers and performers of a new generation of congregational music that clearly articulates biblical truth and speaks to every generation.”

As uplifting as their music is to hear, nothing beats singing in a congregation with the Gettys live. Join the Gettys on Thursday, Dec. 9, in Alumni Memorial Chapel for "An Irish Christmas" tour concert. The Dec. 9 concert at Southern Seminary is the Getty's only tour date across the region. The concert will feature sparkling new arrangements of traditional carols interwoven with authentic Irish reels.

Southern Seminary has had a special connection with the internationally famous musician couple since 2005 when Stam invited them to campus to give a concert and lecture as part of the Institute for Christian Worship series; they have returned three times since. The Gettys have deepened their friendship with Southern and with local Baptist churches as they have sung at Clifton Baptist Church and Highview Baptist Church's Fegenbush and East campuses.

Advance tickets may be purchased at the Southern Seminary Event Productions Office (502-714-6500) and through www.sbts.edu/events. Tickets are $10 for general admission and $8 for those with a valid SBTS shield card. Tickets at the door will be $15 general admission and $10 with shield card. Children 12 and under are free. No childcare will be provided.

"An Irish Christmas" is a wonderful opportunity for sowing Gospel seed. Share the glad news of Emanuel with your friends, neighbors and family. This is also the perfect Christmas celebration for your church care group or Sunday school class. The concert starts at 7:30 pm. The doors open at 7:00 p.m., and seating is unreserved.

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Former SBTS professor passes away November 24, 2010

Rev. Dr. W. Morgan Patterson, a native of New Orleans, La., born Oct. 1, 1925, to E. Palmer Patterson and Jess Margaret Patterson, died at his home in Novato, Calif., on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Ernestine N. Patterson of Longwood, Fla., two sons, W. Morgan Patterson II and Jay N. Patterson, and four grandchildren, Nolan, Jessica, Grace and Abigail.

After high school, he served as a flight officer in the U.S. Army Air Corp. Upon discharge after WWII, he entered the Christian ministry. He completed his undergraduate work at Stetson University, Deland, Fla. He continued his education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and post-graduate study at Oxford University, England. From 1959 to 1976, Dr. Patterson taught church history at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.  Over the course of his professional career he also taught church history and related subjects at three additional theological seminaries in Louisiana, Missouri and most recently at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, Calif. He ended his career as the 22nd president of Georgetown College in Kentucky (1984 - 1991). After retirement, he continued teaching at the seminaries and at four colleges and universities: Louisiana Baptist College, Baptist College of Florida, Oklahoma Baptist University and Campbellsville University in Kentucky. As an assistant to the president, Dr. Patterson represented the College of the Ozarks for the western United States.

Representatives of schools where he served will join family and friends at the Memorial Service to be held at Tiburon Baptist Church, 445 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon, CA, on Nov. 28, 2010, at 2 p.m.

Dr. Patterson has donated his extensive library collection of church history and related material to the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, 201 Seminary Drive, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Donations may be made to GGBTS / W. Morgan Patterson Collection in lieu of flowers.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all those who were supportive during his recent illness.

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