Chevis F. Horne was Visiting Professor of Preaching. The scripture reading was from Matthew 25:31-46. The subject of the message was "Surprised by Judgment," and it focused on the scripture that was read as well as the implications of salvation on the life of the believer, particularly in the area of providing for the needy.
James H. Blackmore was Emeritus Professor of A. Div. Studies and Visiting Professor of Biblical Studies. Before the message, a brief explanation was given of the use of a shofar (ram's horn) in scripture, and one was blown in the service. The scripture reading was from Luke 22:24-34. The subject of the message was humanity's inability to fully understand God, especially related to the inadequacy of words to explain God.
The inauguration of Lewis Addison Drummond as the fourth President of SEBTS, with Billy Graham speaking. The message is preceded by greetings from Roy L. Honeycutt, Jr., representing Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the other Southern Baptist seminaries, as well as other theological schools around the United States and Canada. Scripture readings come from Psalm 84 and Acts 20. Dr. Graham spoke on the subject of calls to hear, help, and heed, focusing on the relationship of evangelism and social service. Dr. Drummond speaks briefly at the end to outline his intentions as president and affirm his emphasis on helping students to fulfill all the implications of the Great Commission.
Fisher Humphries was Professor of Theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In this message, Humphries speaks on the subject of sanctification and spiritual formation, drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. He focuses especially on the role of the church in this process, and a significant portion of his time explores the current state of the Southern Baptist Convention and its relation to Liberal Protestantism, Fundamentalism, and Evangelicalism.
Fisher Humphries was Professor of Theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In this message, Humphries speaks on the effect of scripture on the Christian life, focusing especially on a Christian worldview. He also explores the experience of God through Christian conversion and prayer, among other methods, as well as a brief survey of scripture's wisdom from the book of Proverbs.
Dr. William H. Willimon was Minister to the University and Professor of the Practice of the Christian Ministry at Duke University in Durham, NC. The scripture reading is from Matthew 3:13-15. The theme of his message is "Christians are made, not born." The message focuses on the subject of baptism and its implications on the daily life of a Christian, especially as seen in Romans 6.
Dr. William H. Willimon was Minister to the University and Professor of the Practice of the Christian Ministry at Duke University in Durham, NC. This message focuses on the symbolism and implications of meals in Judeo-Christian tradition, especially the Last Supper from Luke 22, the resulting Christian tradition of the Lord's Supper, as well as the people seated at the table for meals with Jesus, both in earthly ministry and in heaven.
Dr. William H. Willimon was Minister to the University and Professor of the Practice of the Christian Ministry at Duke University in Durham, NC. In this message, Willimon speaks on the failure of purely moralistic preaching, advocating for preaching to be biblical rather than centered around application. He also explores the relationship between the Law and the gospel.
Dr. William H. Willimon was Minister to the University and Professor of the Practice of the Christian Ministry at Duke University in Durham, NC. The subject of this message was "The Church and the World: For, not Of." In this message, Willimon addresses the relationship of the church to politics in America, social work, and morality. In particular, Willimon offers his appraisal of the Moral Majority movement in the United States.
Dr. William H. Willimon was Minister to the University and Professor of the Practice of the Christian Ministry at Duke University in Durham, NC. In this message, Willimon speaks from Luke 4 with the subject of the temptation of Jesus. He especially focuses on the people searching for a sign, both at the time of Jesus and in the modern day.