FROM THE HILL: Shirley discusses grandparents as disciplemakers, Kerns addresses ministering to Mormons, and more

swbts admin August 5, 2021

“From the Hill” is a regular series highlighting the work of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s faculty. Check back here regularly to find articles, blogs, podcasts, interviews, and more.

“The Law, The Prophets, and The Writings: Studies on Evangelical Old Testament Hermeneutics in Honor of Duane A. Garret” (Book published by B&H Academic), co-authored by Joshua Philpot, assistant professor of biblical studies, TBC

“The Old Testament is no ordinary text; it is a revelation of God’s will, character, purpose, and plan, inspired by the Spirit of God. That same Spirit continues to work within God’s people today as they read the Bible, even when the meaning is difficult to discern. In The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings, eighteen evangelical scholars analyze the Old Testament through a historical, literary, and theological hermeneutic, providing new insights into the meaning of the Scriptures. This festschrift in honor of Duane A. Garrett seeks to help Christians faithfully read and understand the Old Testament Scriptures.”

“A horn-wearing ‘shaman.’ A cowboy evangelist. For some, the Capital attack was a kind of Christian revolt.” (article on The Washington Post), featuring quotes from Adam W. Greenway, president

“’Those who are unmoored to a local church body are subject to the danger of allowing politics or business or sports or any other matter to become an inordinate focus of their lives. This problem is compounded by the effort to ‘bless’ such actions with a religious patina,’ Adam W. Greenway, president of Southwestern Baptist, one of the seminaries of the Southern Baptist Convention, told The Washington Post of the trend of DIY Christianity. ‘Pastors help their members keep matters in perspective and avoid Lone Ranger Christianity in which they are unaccountable to fellow believers.'”

“Episode 193: Overcoming Pulpit Fails with Dr. Deron Biles” (podcast on Not Another Baptist Podcast) interview featuring Deron Biles, professor of pastoral ministry and preaching

“Kyle was tied up so Matt asked Michael Criner to return to interview Dr. Deron Biles, Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Preaching in the School of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary about overcoming pulpit fails. You know, when you get a lil’ tongue tied or just say something you shouldn’t. It happens to all of us but it doesn’t have to derail the sermon!”

“Staying the Course: Will Christian colleges stand faithful amid cultural pressures?” (article on Decision Magazine) by David S. Dockery, distinguished professor of theology, theologian in residence, interim provost

“The winds of change in our culture are blowing gusts across college campuses, both secular and Christian. And in this changing environment, the distinctions between faithful Christian institutions and the outside world have never been clearer. But will the majority of Christian institutions be able to stand where other formerly faithful Christian schools have stumbled? Special interest groups—notably those supportive of the Equality Act—are applying increasing pressure on colleges and seminaries to conform to new ways of thinking on issues that would compromise their Christian mission. Christian colleges and universities that are committed to the Biblical view of human sexuality—particularly related to same-sex unions and transgender ideologies—could lose accreditation and millions of dollars in government student aid.”

“Anglicans & Episcopalians: A Middle Way between Catholicism and Protestantism?” (article on The Pathway) by Robert Caldwell, professor of church history

“Sometimes if you want to understand something you have to dig deep to get at the roots. In order to understand the complexity of today’s American denominations, we must dig deep into the roots history in search of a sound starting point. Long before the American Revolution, the Great Awakening, and even the Pilgrims, the Church of England, otherwise known as the Anglican Church, emerged in the wake of the English Reformation. This denomination will serve as an entryway into our survey of the American religious landscape simply because the origins of many denominations we know of today—Presbyterianism, Congregationalism, Baptists, Methodism—partially began as movements that originally rejected key features of the Anglican Church. What is Anglicanism, and where did it come from?”

“Living God’s Word, Second Edition: Discovering Our Place in the Great Story of Scripture” (book published by Zondervan Academics), co-authored by J. Scott Duvall, senior professor of New Testament, and J. Daniel Hays, senior professor of Old Testament

“Living God’s Word is your pathway to read the Bible as it was meant to be read: as God’s Great Story. Many Christians resolve to study the Bible more fervently, but often struggle to grasp the progression of Scripture as a whole. They encounter various passages each week through unrelated readings, studies, and sermons and it all feels disconnected. But once they see the Bible as God’s Great Story, they begin to understand how it all fits together and they start see how their own lives fit into what God has done and is doing in the world.”

“A History of Evangelism in North America” (book published by Kregel Academic), featuring chapters written by Matt Queen, professor of evangelism and L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism, and Carl Bradford, assistant professor of evangelism

“A History of Evangelism in North America guides readers on a tour through circuit riders and tent meetings to campus evangelism and online ministries. Academic research combines with gospel faithfulness and love for the lost in this historical survey. Encountering these prominent evangelism movements will inspire innovation and courage in the call to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

“Dr. Travis Kerns- Ministering Among Mormons” (podcast on All Things All People Podcast), interviewing Travis Kerns, professor of apologetics and world religions

“Dr. Travis Kerns is Associate Professor of Apologetics and World Religions at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His research and writing interests focus on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, world religions, and the application of apologetics. He formerly served as a missionary and pastor in Salt Lake City, ministering among and to Latter-Day Saints. In evangelicalism where it is difficult to find world religion experts, he stands out. In this conversation, Jeremy and Dr. Kerns discuss LDS thinking and theology, tackle some of the most common questions about the Latter-Day Saints, and Dr. Kerns shares his wisdom on how to share the true Gospel with Mormons.”

“Grandparents as Disciplemakers” (podcast on D6), interviewing Chris Shirley, associate dean of the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries

“Grandparents’ investment in the lives of their grandchildren is one of the sweetest forms of discipleship. Chris Shirley tells us why grandparents are so important in family discipleship and why the current generation of grandparents is unique. People that fall in the grandparenting age group, yet do not have kids or grandkids of their own, can still play a major role in the lives of younger generations. Chris shares how their influence is needed and wanted among young adults.”

“Cooperation is key, says Greenway” (article on Kentucky Today), an interview featuring Adam W. Greenway, president

“The president of the second-oldest Southern Baptist seminary spent more than 90 minutes answering the questions of Kentucky Baptist pastors and church leaders at a town hall-style forum on Sunday night at Dripping Spring Baptist Church in Logan County.”

“Prodigal People: A What-To-Do Conference on Reaching Prodigal People” (conference session at Hope for the Heart), Jon Okinaga, assistant professor of biblical counseling, will be speaking during this session

“Join June Hunt, Debbie Stuart, Jarrad Stuart, & Dr. Jon Okinaga as they discuss how to reach ‘prodigal people’ and bring them back to Truth.”

“Called: Malcolm Yarnell” (interview on Called), featuring Malcolm Yarnell, research professor of systematic theology

“Ministry, for me means total dedication of my entire life, every second of every day, to the Lord’s will. It means a surrender of all of my desires to the will of God. All of my actions.” On this episode of Called, Malcolm Yarnell shares his testimony.

“Teaching and Preaching with an Apologetic Focus” (podcast on Peculiar People), interviewing Adam W. Greenway, president

“’If you think apologetics and defending the faith is merely an intellectual exercise, I encourage you to realize that apologetics is a tremendously consequential exercise.’ Dr. Kevin Smith and Dr. Adam Green discuss teaching and preaching with an apologetics focus.”