William Randall Lolley was the 3rd president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a word of prayer and organ music (00:00-02:40). President Randall Lolley declares the opening of 32nd academic years, and he gives two announcements about evening classes (02:41-04:41). The speaker delivers the Scripture readings from Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18, and Luke 10:25-37 (04:42-07:53). C. Michael Hawn is inducted into the faculty of Southeastern, and Lolley introduces the adjunctive and visiting faculty (07:54-11:29). Bob Spiggs, member of the financial development office, presents an award to a Southeastern alumnus for his financial giving to the seminary (11:30-14:44). Lolley announces the completion of renovations to the first floor of Binkley chapel, and Dean Morris Ashcraft gives a word of prayer (14:45-19:40). Lolley recognizes the architect who worked on the renovations, and a song of worship is performed (19:41-24:12). Lolley delivers a sermon with the focus text being Luke 10:25-37, and he urges the students of Southeastern to live up to the soul of the seminary by loving their neighbors in the same way the Samaritan loved the man who was robbed and beaten to near death (24:13-44:30). Ashcraft ends the service with a word of prayer and a benediction (44:31-45:27).
Audio quality is poor. Reuben Herring was the coordinating editor of the Baptist Sunday School Board. The lecture begins with the introduction of Reuben Herring (00:00-02:35). Herring begins his lecture by outlining the basics of writing curriculum (02:36-15:14). He briefly talks about how one can find a career path in curriculum writing, and he opens for questions (15:15-17:46). The first question is about gaining expertise in writing (17:47-20:12). The second question is about writing and curriculum methodology (20:13-21:17). The third question is about practical experience and training in writing (21:18-23:21). In the second part of his lecture, Herring outlines the basics and process of non-curriculum writing (23:22-35:41). He opens for a second round of questions, and the first question is about fiction in non-curriculum periodicals (35:42-39:08). The second question is about writing guidelines for periodicals (39:09-40:57). The third question is about home life articles and the reading habits of the religious market (40:58-42:33). The fourth question is about the state of the writing market (42:34-44:24). In the third part of his lecture, Herring talks about publishing and the process of pitching writing to Broaden Publishers (44:25-54:55).
Horace W. Lariscy was the pastor of Knotts Grove Baptist Church. The service begins with a Scripture reading from Deuteronomy 32:1-4 and Ephesians 4:4-6 (00:00-01:31). The speaker reads from Hebrews 9:24-28, and a word of prayer is given (01:32-04:22). The choir sings a song of worship (04:23-07:33). Lariscy begins his sermon by recognizing all those who took part in the service who are members of his church (07:34-11:33). Lariscy’s sermon is about the family of God in Hebrews 9:24-28, and he says that Christ died and will return for the family of God (11:34-22:05). The service ends with a prayer and benediction (22:06-22:53).
Thomas Albert Bland was Professor of Christian Ethics and Sociology. The service opens with the song “My Jesus, I Love Thee” being played on the organ (00:00-04:29). The speaker reads from Psalm 51, and he gives a word of prayer (04:30-10:07). Bland speaks about the importance of repentance and the season of Lent, and he tells the story of the apostle Peter and how he learned how to hold firm to his faith (10:08-27:40). Bland ends the service with a word of prayer (27:41-28:00).
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).