Mohler implores Christian higher education institutions to continue apostles’ teaching during Southwestern chapel message

As their primary duty, Christian higher education institutions should “assist the church” in the continuation of the church through a steadfast commitment to the apostles’ teaching, preached R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, during the Feb. 9 chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College.

Interim President David S. Dockery welcomed guests from across the country and around the world attending the International Alliance for Christian Education conference, which was held on the Fort Worth campus Feb. 8-10. Dockery expressed gratitude for Mohler as the speaker and described him as a “friend,” “prolific writer,” and “a gift to Southern Baptists in the world of education.” Mohler’s chapel message also served as the second plenary session of the IACE conference.

“We are privileged to serve one family of churches together,” said Mohler as he encouraged students that they “have the opportunity to be at Southwestern Seminary during a crucial time in history.”

Mohler offered reflections and brought a strong “word of exhortation” and warning about a coming “collapse in higher education.” He summarized the growth of higher education over the last century, naming six items that have “changed the educational landscape,” including entry of women in higher education, the end of World War II and introduction of the GI Bill, Title IV funding from the federal government, professionalization of graduate programs, an influx of students seeking education for a second career, and an influx of international students.

Due to demographic factors and cultural opposition, Mohler predicted that Christian higher education will face decline, but “that doesn’t make us less important; it makes us more important. Life is going to get harder just about every day going forward,” he said, noting the “toxicity of the culture of higher education” and the “ideological viruses” that spread so rapidly.

Amidst the turmoil of today’s society and the quickly changing landscape of higher education, he urged the seminary community faculty, staff, students, and guests to “continue in the apostles’ teaching” citing the example of the early church found in Acts 4:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the breaking of bread and to fellowship and in prayers” as the primary responsibility and goal that all Christian leaders in higher education should proclaim.

Mohler urged leaders in Christian higher education to make sure that “the church of the Lord Jesus Christ continues” adding that “no one else in the world is going to continue the apostles’ teaching.”

Referencing growing cultural opposition, he added, “If we are not prepared to be outlaws then we might as well take the ‘Christian’ out of Christian higher education.”

Mohler exhorted the community to remain faithful despite the cultural challenges and remember that “gospel churches” and “Christian parents” are looking to institutions of Christian higher education “as allies.”

“The Lord has given us the most unbelievable opportunity, the most incredible trusteeship, and stewardship. The one thing we have to do is to continue the apostles’ teaching to raise up a generation of young Christians and to do whatever it takes … institutionally” as “these Christians will turn into graduates” who will “go out into the world, the church, and the mission field” and will “continue in the apostles’ teaching,” Mohler concluded.

Mohler, who celebrates 30 years of service as the president of Southern Seminary in March, is the centennial professor of Christian theology at the Kentucky-based institution. Prior to that, he was editor of The Christian Index. A widely published author, he was a faculty scholar at Florida Atlantic University and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Samford University, and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southern Seminary.

Mohler’s entire message can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary and TBC. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.live.