John Edward Steely was Professor of Historical Theology. The service begins with organ music (00:00-07:33). The speaker gives a word of prayer (07:34-08:38). John Edward Steely is introduced as the Faculty Lecturer (08:39-16:14). Steely delivers a lecture on the topic of American civil religion, the recent attempts to enshrine protections and endorsements of the Christian religion, and how the Baptist distinctives create tension for the establishment of civil religion (16:15-48:16). The service ends with a word of prayer (48:17-48:54).