Seminary Hill Press to release collection of Dockery addresses on theological education

Seminary Hill Press (SHP), the publishing arm of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, today announced the forthcoming release of Hearts, Heads, and Hands: A Vision for Theological Education at Southwestern Seminary, a collection of essays and addresses by David S. Dockery, tenth president of the institution.

Set for release on June 8 during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, the book “sets forth a vision for theological education that is distinctive for Southwestern Seminary, shaped by the best aspects of Southwestern’s wonderful heritage while prioritizing the high calling that is ours to equip the next generation of students for a lifetime of faithful ministry,” Dockery said in an interview.

“The book seeks to connect the vision of B. H. Carroll and L. R. Scarborough with the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary context, presenting a holistic understanding of theological education as the teaching arm of the church,” he said, referencing the first and second presidents of the institution.

“To do so, Southwestern must prepare hearts, heads, and hands, which means providing an education that is academically serious and academically sound, offered in a grace-filled and Christ-centered context; an education that is grounded in the inspired and authoritative Scriptures as well as the rich aspects of the Christian confessional tradition, encouraging faculty and students to learn from the great teachers of the past while engaging the issues of the day: and an education which is relevant, ministry focused, and globally engaged.”

Dockery dedicated the book “with a sense of genuine hopefulness to future Southwesterners who will teach, study, learn, and serves as members of the Southwestern community in the days to come.”

An introductory chapter adapted from an address given in August 2023 outlines the meaning of theological education at the seminary. In the introduction, he writes that, “Based on Holy Scripture, theology should form faith while also informing our actions, whether inside or outside of the classroom.”

The 10 chapters of the book are divided into three sections. The “Hearts” section focuses on what it means to be a Southwesterner; the seminary as a grace-filled community, highlighting one of its six core values; and an address marking the centennial of Southwestern joining the Southern Baptist Convention and the launch of the Cooperative Program.

For the “Heads” section, Dockery examines the development of the doctrine of Scripture; the Southwestern theological tradition; Baptist higher education; and what it means to be a confessionally-guided academic community, another of the seminary’s core values.

While the “Hearts” and “Heads” sections focus on Southwestern’s identity, heritage, theological commitments and core values, the “Hands” section looks at ways to build on those themes with applications that connect “our hearts to worship, our heads to Christian worldview thinking, and our hands to our calling to work and serve,” Dockery writes.

Dockery credits Ashley Allen, assistant to the president and managing editor of Seminary Hill Press, with the idea for the book, writing in the preface that her proposal came after reading Renewing Minds: Serving Church and Society through Christian Higher Education, a collection of addresses he gave during his presidency at Union University.

After reading that book, Allen said, “it occurred to me that the messages helped shape the school and Christian higher education based on the university’s history while looking to the future. Knowing that Dr. Dockery has provided addresses and writings during his tenure as president at Southwestern, the idea was that these could be compiled into one book to help Southwesterners, past, present, and future, understand theological education at Southwestern Seminary and how this ultimately affects the local church and the Southern Baptist Convention.

“I firmly believe this volume is one of the most significant works published by Seminary Hill Press as it helps define the future of Southwestern Seminary based on our twin commitments to the Word of God and the Gospel and our rich history,” she added.

Several Baptist leaders have endorsed the book, including Jeff Iorg (’90), president of the SBC Executive Committee, who wrote the book’s foreword.

Iorg, a distinguished alumnus of the seminary, wrote, “If you are new to the Southwestern community, reading this book will help you learn more about the movement you are joining. If you are a longtime Southwesterner, this book will kindle fond memories and move you spiritually as you reflect on how God has used this seminary to shape your life.”

Tony Wolfe (’16), executive director and treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, also endorsed the book, writing, “Hearts, Heads, and Hands: A Vision for Theological Education at Southwestern Seminary is the best treatment I’ve seen or heard regarding SWBTS’s distinctives and its unique and invaluable place in Southern Baptist life.”

Attendees of the Southwestern Seminary Alumni and Friends Luncheon to be held in Orlando during the SBC Annual Meeting will receive a free copy of the book. The luncheon, which is free, will take place June 10 at 12 p.m. Tickets can be claimed here.

The book also may be purchased for $16.99 on the Seminary Hill Press website.

“It is my prayer that the book will be used to help renew Southwesterners, including current and future students, staff, faculty, administrators, Board members, alumni, and friends, around a unifying and synergizing vision for the good of the entire Southwestern community for years to come,” Dockery said.