James Wood was the Director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies at Baylor University. The service begins with a word of prayer (00:00-01:13). James Wood is introduced as the Carver-Barnes Lecturer (01:14-03:52). Wood begins his lecture by stating his theme of the nexus of Christian faith and political society, and he states that God’s revelation through Jesus is a revelation of change for the world (03:53-11:56). Wood moves to the role of the church, and he believes that the church should be separated from other institutions and be the force for justice in the world (11:57-17:11). Wood gives an historical analysis of the church and political society, and he believes the age of Christendom was a departure of the biblical relationship the church should have with the state and society (17:12-28:12). Wood gives three responses of the church to the world seen in history, with the first being radical separation from the world, the second being accommodation to the world, and the third being in the world on mission for Christ (28:13-35:44). Wood concludes his lecture by giving a warning for the church not to be held captive by the political sphere, and it should be free to fight for justice in the world (35:45-51:58). The service ends with a benediction (51:59-52:34).
