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Start Over Subject Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention

1. SEBTS Chapel - Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey October 30, 1962

Description:
Sydnor Lorenzo Stealey was the first President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Stealey opens the service by reading John 14:27 and introducing the SEBTS Quartet from 0:00-0:48. The Quartet performs 2 hymns: Amazing Grace and There is a Fountain Filled with Blood. They perform from 0:55-8:42. President Stealey speaks from 8:49-24:22. Dr. Stealey prays and gives a few announcements. Stealey informs and explains to the students of the recent events of the dismissal of Dr. Ralph H. Elliott of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary over the controversy of his book, "The Message of Genesis."
Subject:
Liberalism (Religion)--Southern Baptist Convention and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Stealey, Sydnor Lorenzo and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1962-10-30
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Chapel_Sydnor_Lorenzo_Stealey_1962-10-30

2. SEBTS Event - William Randall Lolley March 1, 1988

Description:
Note - this event was likely held at 7pm. Dr. William Randall Lolley was the 3rd president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. This is a special, evening Question and Answer session between President Lolley, students, and local townspeople. The service begins with people adjusting the audio-visual equipment and others being seated (0:00:00-0:00:54). Lolley is introduced (0:00:55-0:01:32). Lolley speaks about chapel renovations (1:32-5:24) then speaks about Southeastern’s connection with the public. Lolley mentions Southeastern’s connection with the SBC (6:15), the seminary’s trustees (13:10), the seminary’s faculty, staff, and students (16:10), and the town of Wake Forest (22:00). The Q&A begins at 25:00. Lolley does not always repeat the questions, and he occasionally reiterates them in the form of a statement. Lolley is asked, “How do you feel about Dr. Drummond? When will he start?” (25:26). Lolley is asked about rumors of professors leaving SEBTS en masse for form a new seminary [SeminEx II] (34:39). Lolley is asked about hope for restoration (37:45). Lolley is asked what the townspeople can do to support faculty and staff who remain at SEBTS (49:20). Lolley is asked about the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting (57:43). Lolley closes the service in a moment of prayer (1:06:10-1:07:01).
Subject:
Liberalism (Religion)--Southern Baptist Convention, Evangelicalism--Southern Baptist Convention, Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention, and Theological seminary presidents
Creator:
Lolley, W. Randall (William Randall), 1931- and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1988-03-01
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Event_William_Randall_Lolley_1988-03-01

3. SEBTS Carver-Barnes Lecture - Richard Gene Puckett November 2, 1988

Description:
Richard Gene Puckett was the editor of the Biblical Recorder. Puckett is announced as Chapel speaker (0:00-0:12). A hymn is played (0:13-4:51). A word of prayer is followed by a hymn (cut) (4:52-6:05). Puckett is introduced (6:06-8:02). Puckett thanks Southeastern’s students and faculty (8:03-9:03). His lecture, “State Baptist Papers: Reflectors of the Crises,” focuses on how printed papers are better records of current events (9:04-10:00). He summarizes his lecture from the day before: he explains that the lecture dealt with the history of U.S. Baptist missions with a specific focus on the Judsons and Luther Rice and the creation of the Triennial Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention, and state conventions (10:01-10:20). Puckett expresses that documents exist that inform us of what truly happened during the birth of Baptist missions and that Baptist papers mirror these events (10:21-11:39). He chooses ten crises to prove this point, with the first crisis being the mission vs. anti-mission movements of the nineteenth century (11:40-11:59). These movements resulted due to the conflict between general atonement (Arminian theology) and particular atonement (Calvinistic theology) (12:00-12:55). Puckett reveals that Baptist papers reflected this conflict in Maryland (12:56-15:49). The second crisis involved the founding of the Southern Baptist Convention by the Virginia Mission Society which became a large highlight in Baptist papers (15:50-16:24). The third crisis is the Campbellite and Landmark movements, with the former movement involving Alexander Campbell and his view on baptism (16:25-17:15). Biblical Recorder editor Thomas Meredith recorded the errors of this movement (17:16-18:58). Puckett then explains that the Landmark movement viewed its church as the only valid church in accordance with New Testament truth and made an appearances in the Tennessee Baptist Paper and the Kentucky Western Baptist Review (18:59-20:48). The fourth crisis, with which the Kentucky Western Recorder highly involved, was the Witsitt controversy over whether Baptists could be traced back to Jesus’ time (20:49-23:45). Fundamentalism vs. Modernism was the fifth crisis that became popular in Baptist publications, specifically the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger (23:46-27:33). Puckett’s sixth crisis is the Baptist westward movement: some believed that these Baptists were not true Baptists with Reuben Ally, editor of the Virginia Religious Herald, being a strong voice of the conflict (27:34-29:11). Crisis seven is the Southern Baptist Seminary conflict that occurred due to a disagreement between the president and faculty and appeared in multiple papers such as the Kentucky Western Recorder and the Christian Index (29:12-33:16). The Elliot controversy at Mid-Western Seminary also found its way in Baptist papers, with E.S. James, editor of the Texas Baptist Standard leading the way (33:17-36:02). Puckett’s ninth crisis is the struggle of power, especially within the Southern Baptist Convention concerning the presidential position, and he conveys that this crisis caused many papers to suffer as they attempted to record the facts (36:03-38:23). The final crisis is one that occurred at Southeastern and was accurately and completely recorded by the Biblical Recorder (38:24-40:14). Puckett speaks on the problems of editing and recording, focusing on how writers never have complete freedom of words and on how they must strive to record truthfully, yet fairly (40:15-50:54). He then closes with saying that the Baptist mission of the world depends on education and information (52:59-53:59). Puckett is thanked and the congregation is informed that he will be in the Ledford Center for further discussions (52:59-53:59). A word of prayer ends the event (54:00-54:23).
Subject:
Christian education, Baptist associations, and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Puckett, Richard Gene and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1988-11-02
Resource Type:
Text and Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Carver-Barnes_Lecture_Richard_Gene_Puckett_1988-11-02

4. SEBTS Chapel - Robert Ernst Poerschke January 24, 1985

Description:
Robert Ernst Poerschke was the Professor of Christian Education. The service begins with organ music and with Scripture reading (0:00-8:42). Robert Ernst Poerschke is introduced as the chapel speaker (8:43-9:55). The choir sings a song of worship (9:56-12:36). Poerschke introduces his sermon with a summary of Scripture from Matthew 25:14-30 and a moment of prayer (12:37-16:53). Poerschke speaks about aging and about taking risks, relating it to the Christian lifestyle (16:54-20:28). Poerschke discusses the terms “liberal” and “conservative” regarding the understanding of the infinite number of truths to be discovered about God (20:29-37:57). Poerschke concludes his sermon by commissioning the audience to take risks and explore new truths that may be added to the Christian heritage (37:58-39:29).
Subject:
Theology, Truth--Religious aspects--Christianity, Liberalism (Religion), Bible. Matthew, and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Poerschke, Robert Ernst and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1985-01-24
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Chapel_Robert_Ernst_Poerschke_1985-01-24

5. SEBTS Chapel - A. Div. Class April 1, 1987

Description:
This chapel service is facilitated by the Associate of Divinity class at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a moment of prayer (0:00-1:05). There is a song of worship (1:06-4:18). There is a Scripture reading from I Corinthians 13 (4:19-6:13). The speaker asks the congregation to imagine what a letter from Paul to the Southern Baptist Churches would look like (6:14-7:35). He speaks about Jesus showing servanthood, love despite disagreements, and evangelism (7:36-15:22). He shares that Baptists need to be good examples to draw people to Christianity (15:23-20:27). He closes the service in a moment of prayer (20:28-21:05).
Subject:
Witness bearing (Christianity) and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1987-04-01
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Chapel_A_Div_Class_1987-04-01

6. SEBTS Chapel - Bob Spinks September 24, 1985

Description:
Bob Spinks was an administrator at Southeastern Seminary and the founding Director of Development for the Wake Forest University Divinity School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The service begins with a Scripture reading from Romans 12:9-18 (0:00-1:23). Prayer is asked for seminary friends and their needs, and the congregation is lead in prayer (1:24-4:18). Spinks reads Scripture from Isaiah 9 and Romans 14 (4:19-6:01). Spinks shares about the past season of his life (6:02-15:42). Spinks about the prioritizing spiritual peace above political or cultural peace (15:43-23:50). Spinks ends the service with a moment of prayer (23:51-24:20).
Subject:
Memorials, Peace, Bible. Romans, Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention, and Bible. Isaiah
Creator:
Spinks, Bob and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1985-09-24
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Chapel_Bob_Spinks_1985-09-24

7. SEBTS Founder's Day Address - James E. Tull March 10, 1981

Description:
James E. Tull was Professor Emeritus of Theology. The service begins with organ music (0:00:00-0:07:28). President Randall Lolley gives a Scripture reading from the Psalms, and the president of the Board of Trustees gives a word of prayer (0:07:29-0:09:39). Lolley welcomes the Board of Trustees, and he recognizes three new trustees (0:09:40-0:11:20). Lolley gives a brief history of the founding of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, he reads the founding statement, and recognizes one of the founding trustees (0:11:21-0:14:31). James E. Tull is introduced as the Founder’s Day speaker (0:14:32-0:15:43). The choir sings a song of worship (0:15:44-0:21:55). Tull begins his sermon by giving it a title: Southeastern Seminary Whence, What, and Whither (0:15:44-0:24:13). He first gives a brief history of the founding of the seminary and the vision of its founders (0:24:14-0:33:16). Tull moves to interpreting what Southeastern is and what it will be, and he argues that it is an academic school, a theological school, a denominational school (0:33:17-0:52:59). He gives a brief word on the inherency controversy (0:53:00-1:01:17). Tull concludes with a word from John Broadus, one the founder of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1:01:18-1:04:08). Lolley ends the service with a word of prayer, and organ music is played (1:04:09-1:07:40).
Subject:
Theological seminary trustees, Religious education, Vision, and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Tull, James E. and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1981-03-10
Resource Type:
Text and Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Founders_Day_Address_James_E_Tull_1981-03-10

8. SEBTS Event - Student Council Forum January 15, 1988

Description:
The service begins with testing the microphones (0:00:00-0:01:55). There is a welcome and explanation of the forum meeting to choose a new president for the seminary (0:01:56-0:03:51). Andy Hawkins leads a moment of prayer (0:03:52-0:05:20). There is an announcement from Lolley regarding school closings (0:05:21-0:06:04). New students and council representatives are recognized (0:06:05-0:07:23). The process of selecting a new president is shared (0:07:24-0:12:23). Beverly shares her personal thoughts about the profile provided and the importance of exercising one’s voice (0:12:24-0:20:52). There is a moment of prayer (0:20:53-0:21:38). The profile for the new president is discussed and elements of the profile are voted on to be included or changed (0:21:39-1:42:50). There is a time for communion, including Scripture reading, prayer, and taking of the sacraments (1:42:51-1:44:14).
Subject:
Forums (Discussion and debate) and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1988-01-15
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Event_Student_Council_Forum_1988-01-15

9. SEBTS Chapel - Chevis F. Horne October 15, 1987

Description:
Chevis F. Horne was the Visiting Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with Scripture readings from Matthew, I Corinthians, and Ephesians (0:00-2:07). There is a moment of prayer (2:08-3:47). Horne speaks on the tragedy of immaturity, the present crisis in the SBC, inerrancy, and the need to speak truth in love (3:50-19:53). Horne closes the service in a blessing (19:54-20:42).
Subject:
Preaching, Emotional maturity--Religious aspects--Christianity, Bible--Inspiration, and Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention
Creator:
Horne, Chevis F. and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1987-10-15
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Chapel_Chevis_F_Horne_1987-10-15

10. SEBTS Carver-Barnes Lecture - Walter B. Shurden November 5, 1980

Description:
Walter B. Shurden was Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a Scripture reading and a word of prayer (00:00-01:12). Walter B. Shurden is introduced as the Carver-Barnes Lecturer (01:13-02:01). Shurden’s lecture is entitled “The Estrangement Debate,” and he gives an overview and historical context of four Southern Baptists controversies: the fundamentalist controversy, the Elliot controversy, the Broadman controversy, and the Inherency controversy (02:02-18:39). He turns to the issues surrounding the four controversies, and he believes that the debate surrounds the interpretation of the Bible, not the importance of the Bible (18:40-27:23). Shurden then speaks on the issue of methods used in the four controversies, and he believes those who are leading the inherency debate are going for the minds of people and the machinery of the convention (27:24-40:03). Shurden concludes his lecture by commenting on the consequences of the four controversies, and he believes that polarizations will affect the convention because of the inherency debate (40:04-44:30). The service ends with a benediction (44:31-45:04).
Subject:
Bible--Criticism, interpretation, etc.--History--20th century, Church controversies--Southern Baptist Convention, and Modernist-fundamentalist controversy
Creator:
Shurden, Walter B. and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Owner:
archives@sebts.edu
Location:
Wake Forest (N.C.)
Language:
English
Date Uploaded:
02/12/2026
Date Modified:
02/13/2026
Date Created:
1980-11-05
Resource Type:
Audio
Identifier:
SEBTS_Carver-Barnes_Lecture_Walter_B_Shurden_1980-11-05