Southwestern recognizes past faculty with portraits in Scarborough Hall

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary honored former faculty member David Allen and senior professor Craig Blaising for their years of investment in the institution by adding their portraits to the display of other faculty portraits located in Scarborough Hall in the B.H. Carroll Memorial Building, March 28.

“It’s a very special day, a wonderful opportunity we have to honor two treasured colleagues,” said President David S. Dockery, adding he met both individuals about 40 years ago. “The Bible tells us to give honor to whom honor is due, and these two gentlemen and their spouses are worthy of this recognition today.”

Southwestern faculty can be recognized with framed portraits upon their serving at the school for 20 or more years, or if they made a substantial administrative contribution to the institution. Both Blaising and Allen fall in the latter category, Dockery said, though they were also part of the faculty for 16 and 18 years respectively.

President David S. Dockery revealed the portraits of David Allen and Craig Blaising, recognizing them for their administrative contributions to the seminary.

David Allen, born in Georgia, holds a bachelor’s degree from Criswell College, Master of Divinity from Southwestern (’81), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities from the University of Texas at Arlington. He pastored at two Texas churches for a total of more than 20 years and served as a member of the board of trustees for Southwestern before becoming a faculty member in 2004.

Allen would serve as the dean of the School of Theology and dean of the School of Preaching for 16 years. He was also the director of the Southwestern Center for Expository Preaching and held the George W. Truett Chair of Ministry.

He has authored commentaries including Job, Hebrews, and 1-3 John and today serves at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary as distinguished professor of practical theology and the dean of the Adrian Rogers Center for Biblical Preaching.

“We are grateful to God for your many contributions,” Dockery said, adding Allen has impacted churches, the Southern Baptist Convention at large, as well as many Southwestern students who still speak of how his influence in the classroom shaped their ministries and their lives.

“I’m grateful that I’ve spent one half of my life here at Southwestern Seminary,” Allen said. “I cannot tell you what it means to be here today and to have this portrait unveiled and to be on the hall of fame of some of the great men who have taught me. … I’m grateful to God for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.”

David Allen addresses the faculty and staff who attended the revealing of his portrait.

Craig Blaising, born in San Antonio, holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, a Master of Theology and Doctor of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS), and a second doctorate from the University of Aberdeen. He served as a faculty member at DTS and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary before coming to Southwestern in 2002 as the executive vice president, provost, and professor of theology. He would also hold the office of dean of the School of Theology.

He continues to serve as senior professor of systematic theology at Southwestern and has also served as the president of the Evangelical Theological Society, elected by his peers.

“Dr. Blaising is an outstanding theologian, a careful thinker, a person who is textually guided, historically informed, [with the] ability to articulate theological themes in winsome, persuasive, and understandable ways,” Dockery said. “And I have admired his work. And not only is that true for me and for so many of you, but it’s true for across the evangelical world.”

Blaising said he considers the recognition a great honor, a privilege, and a blessing, adding he knows it was the Lord Who guided him to come to Southwestern at a time the institution could use his service.

Senior Professor Craig Blaising expresses gratitude for the honor of his portrait being added to Scarborough Hall.

“I look around here and I’m reminded of the amazing providence of God,” Blaising said. “Every one of us that comes here to Southwestern, it’s the Lord that leads us, and each one of us have a testimony to that. … So, I give thanks to the Lord for this.”

Both Allen and Blaising expressed their commitment to continue praying for Southwestern and its leadership, and that the Lord would continue to guide and bless the institution.

“Congratulations to you both,” Dockery said. “We are grateful to God for you, for your influence at Southwestern Seminary and far beyond for the Kingdom of God. We pray His ongoing blessings upon each one of you in days to come.”

Recognitions of former faculty from the School of Theology, Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries, and the School of Church Music and Worship with portraits are planned in the future, Dockery said.