• John William Eddins, Jr. was Professor of Theology. The service opens with a word of prayer (00:00-01:07). Eddins leads the audience in a responsive reading and a time of prayer requests (01:08-05:30). He reads from Galatians 2:11-21 (05:31-08:00). Eddins begins his sermon by comparing Paul’s religious transformation to the restoration of the gospel message in the Protestant Reformation (08:01-10:10). He argues that Paul found problems with legalism and antinomianism, and he saw the gospel of righteousness through Christ as the great third option (10:11-13:04). Eddins first question is have we been crucified with Christ, and he says we exchange our obligations with freedom (13:05-16:12). The second question is does Christ live in us, and Eddins says if we love the way Christ loves us, he lives in us (16:13-19:45). The third question is do we live by faith in the Son of God, and Eddins says the answer is if we live by faith, we do not depend upon ourselves for salvation (19:46-21:15). Eddins concludes by stating only the only way to salvation is the way of dependence on Christ’s righteousness (21:16-24:36). Eddins ends the service with a benediction (24:37-25:04).
Robert Lee Richardson, Jr. was Associate Professor of Supervised Ministry. The service begins with President Lolley giving a word of prayer for the release of the Iranian hostages and the transition of presidential administrations (00:00-02:27). Lolley welcomes everyone to convocation and declares the beginning of the 30th academic year (02:28-03:37). Dr. Eddins presents the Middler Theology Award to student Robert A. Radcliff (03:38-04:57). Lolley gives a story about Southeastern alumnus Gene Williams helping him during a hurricane, and he speaks about the Heritage Woods Project (04:58-09:17). Gene Williams gives a brief word of why he appreciates Southeastern, and he presents a key and check for the Heritage Woods Project (09:18-14:03). Lolley accepts the key and check, and he presents the adjunct faculty for the Spring term (14:04-16:00). Robert Lee Richardson, Jr. is presented as the convocation speaker (16:01-17:21). Richardson begins his sermon by giving his theme of preparation for ministry (17:22-21:55). Richardson’s first point is the image of the minister as the scholarly pastor (21:56-29:32). His second point is the image of the professional minister (29:33-39:54). Richardson’s final point the image of the minister as a wounded healer (39:55-47:40). Richardson concludes his sermon by giving his ideas of how Southeastern can prepare students for ministry (47:41-55:49). Lolley ends the service by reading 2 Timothy 3:17, and he gives a word of prayer (55:50-56:32).
John Rutter was an English composer of choral music. John Rutter is introduced as chapel speaker (00:00-00:32). The choir leads in a song of worship (00:33-04:06). Rutter opens his sermon by talking about his desire to hear the hymn that the apostles sang after the Last Supper in Mark’s gospel (04:07-06:42). He discusses his interest in music, specifically his interest in church music and other language of the church (06:43-08:35). Through the stories he tells about his own experience as a composer, Rutter reflects on the idea that music unites time and the tradition of the church together (08:36-15:02). He gives another reflection on his love for American music and how much it influences his own work (15:03-16:46). Rutter ends his sermon by discussing the unique privilege and responsibility the American church must be creative in worship by drawing from the old European tradition and the new American tradition of music (16:47-20:26).
Malcolm O. Tolbert was Professor of New Testament. The service begins with the speaker reading from John 1, and he gives a word of prayer (00:00-03:16). The choir sings a song of worship (03:17-06:12). Tolbert begins his sermon by speaking on the importance of Jesus’ incarnation and his lowly status in society (06:13-15:13). Tolbert argues from Scripture that we should emulate the life of Christ, and he shares the story of a man in Japan who sought to live like Christ even in his difficult circumstances (15:14-25:12).
James Brad Chance, III was Visiting Instructor of New Testament. Chance begins his sermon by reading Philippians 3:8-11, and he leads the audience in a word of prayer (00:00-03:58). In the first part of Chance’s sermon, he asks the question of where we can find union with Christ in Baptist life, and he argues that it is not found in our ecclesiastical powers (03:59-13:39). In the second part of Chance’s sermon, he argues that union with Christ is found in conforming to the image of Christ through suffering (13:40-23:37).