Malcolm O. Tolbert was Professor of New Testament. The service begins with a word of prayer and the “Doxology” (00:00-01:31). A speaker reads from Psalm 1 and another speaker reads from Matthew 5:13-16 (01:32-04:10). A word of prayer is given (04:11-06:50). President Randall Lolley welcomes everyone to the service, and he introduces Malcolm O. Tolbert as the commencement speaker (06:51-08:37). Tolbert’s sermon centres on the passage of Matthew 5:13-16, and he encourages the graduates to be the salt and light of the earth (08:38-25:59). Lolley recognizes the friends and families of the graduates (26:00-27:01). The Associate of Divinity degrees are conferred (27:02-28:58). The Master of Religious Education degrees are conferred (28:59-30:59). The Master of Divinity degrees are conferred (31:00-44:07). The Master of Theology degrees are conferred (44:08-45:48). The Doctor of Ministry degrees are conferred (45:49-48:59). The service ends with a word of prayer and a benediction (49:00-50:34).
Robert H. Culpepper was Professor of Theology. The service opens with the singing of the “Doxology” and a word of prayer (00:00-02:24). The speaker delivers a Scripture reading from Luke 24:44-49 (02:25-03:52). A soloist sings a song of worship (03:53-08:55). Culpepper’s gives a sermon on three great truths, and the first great truth is God dwelt with humanity in a unique way by becoming man and being obedient to death on a cross (08:56-19:20). The second great truth is that God committed the gospel message to vessels of clay for the ministry of reconciliation (19:21-26:25). The third great truth is that the God of the universe now dwells with his people through the Holy Spirit (26:26-33:48). Culpepper ends the service with a word of prayer (33:49-34:51).
Audio quality is very poor. The service begins with a song from the bell choir (00:00-03:01). The speaker delivers a Scripture reading from Philippians 2:3-11, and she gives a word of prayer (03:02-05:26). The chapel speaker delivers a sermonette from Mark 10:17-22 and Philippians 2:3-11, and he contrast two rich young rulers, one of whom is Christ (05:27-13:51). The new student council president is introduced, and the president recognizes all new members of the council (13:52-17:01). The new student council take their oath of office (17:02-19:00). A speaker gives a word of appreciation for the student council (19:01-22:20). The student council president gives a word of reflection (22:21-27:37). The service ends with a word of prayer (27:38-28:06).
Louis Rhodes was the paster of Broadway Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN. The service opens with a benediction and prayer (00:00-01:19). Louis Rhodes is introduced as the chapel speaker (01:20-04:39). The choir leads in a song of worship (04:40-07:55). Rhodes opens his sermon with the acknowledgment of Reformation Day, and he wants to discuss a key principle of the Reformation as his focus (07:56-11:36). He centers his message on the dichotomy of life in the pursuit of Christ, and, in the words of Blaise Pascal, he believes he is a man to be pitied (11:37-22:58). Rhodes closes his sermon with the story of Saint Teresa of Avila about the angel carrying a torch and a bucket of water (22:59-24:34).
Thomas H. Graves was Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Religion. The service opens with a word of prayer (00:00-00:48). Thomas H. Graves is introduced as the chapel speaker (00:49-02:52). The speaker reads from Matthew 20:20-28 (02:53-04:14). Graves speaks on the importance of ministers having the posture of powerless availability and avoiding the culture of power that plagues society (04:15-20:20). He ends his sermon with a prayer (20:21-21:17). The speaker invites the students to stay and be a part of the dialogue session with Graves (21:18-21:55). There is an extended time of questions from students and answers from Graves (21:56-47:16).
Kurt Anders Richardson was Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at SEBTS. The scripture reading came from Acts 1:6-11. The subject of the message was "Helplessness and Hope." In this message, Richardson speaks about the hope of Jesus, especially found in the Day of the Lord.