This message was part of the Conference on Biblical Authority. The service begins with congregational reading of passages from Timothy, Psalms, and Hebrews (0:00-1:28). Prayer requests are shared and followed by a time of prayer (1:37-5:31). An introduction is given to the first conference on Biblical authority at Southeastern and to the speaker, Dr. Herschel H. Hobbs who previously served as the president of the Southern Baptist Convention (5:34-9:44). A song of worship is led (9:47-14:52). Dr. Hobbs introduces his lecture by sharing a story and reflecting on the nature of the Bible as the foundation to the Christian faith and unity (15:01-24:51). He reflects on controversy among Southern Baptists and the history of the Baptist Faith and Message, specifically its comments on conscience of the believer (24:52-30:46). He discusses statements on the Bible in the first article of the Baptist Faith and Message and Scripture’s inspiration, revelation, and illumination (30:47-36:30). Dr. Hobbs then states that the most important part of the Bible’s composition is the final result, which is the divinely inspired word of God (36:31-38:34). He reflects on what the Bible says about its own inspiration and how its unity highlights this reality (38:37-43:30). He remarks on God’s progressive revelation throughout Scripture and notes the authors’ roles as they were writing Scripture (43:31-49:56). He then emphasizes that the entire Bible is inerrant (49:57-54:24). Dr. Hobbs concludes by restating that the Bible is the word of God and closes in prayer (54:28-56:58).
John William Eddins, Jr. was Professor of Theology. The service begins with prayer (0:00-2:38). Students are welcomed back to campus followed by the presentation of the 1980 Culler Middler Theology Award (3:12-5:40). A welcome is given to visiting professors (5:41-8:10). Thomas H. Graves is inducted as professor and signs the Abstract of Principles (8:11-10:30). Dr. John William Eddins, Jr., who joined the faculty in 1957-1958, is introduced (10:31-13:17). Dr. Eddins begins by expressing gratitude for ability to take a recent sabbatical and that his topic will be Theological Presuppositions: A Proposal, based on his sabbatical studies (13:18-14:32). Dr. Eddins reflects on recent discussions in theology, the need to better develop what it means to be Christian in that day, and different norms seen in theology across history. He suggests that a new norm is developing which will influence the systematic theology of the day and discusses the critical role that presuppositions among the norm, criteria, and principles of selection in theology play in the groundwork of such a systematic theology (14:33-21:26) He discusses significant norms that are important for Christian systematic theology and their insight into the picture of a servant Lord, which he presents as the relevant foundation for a current theology (21:27-26:10). He then suggests two criteria and a critical principle that are important for Christian theology and how these also support the picture of servant lordship (26:11-28:50). Dr. Eddins addresses the reality of authority and the necessity of servanthood in the world, explores changes in authority and relationships in recent times, and demonstrates how Christian theology answers these realities (28:51-38:17). He then provides illustrations of servanthood and lordship throughout the Bible (38:18-43:31). Dr. Eddins concludes by stating that a theologian’s norm, criteria, and principle of selection carry important presuppositions so understanding these are critical to creating a systematic theology that addresses the needs of their day (43:32-44:04). The convocation is concluded with two readings from Scripture coming from Isaiah 53 and Philippians 3 (44:24-46:37).