Thomas H. Graves was Assistant Professor of Philosophy of Religion. The service opens with a word of prayer, an announcement, and a public reading of Scripture from Luke 19:28-41 (00:00-02:50). Graves opens his sermon by giving the plot summary of the film “The Parable,” and he talks about how the film convicted him of his pride (02:51-05:24). He sermon centers on the story of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey, and he urges the audience to be like Jesus by taking a posture of humility and peace (05:25-19:56). Graves ends the service with a prayer (19:57-20:44).
• William Randall Lolley was the 3rd president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with organ music, and the speaker gives a word of prayer (00:00-02:06). Lolley declares the beginning of the 35th academic year, and he recognizes some of the emerita faculty present in chapel (02:07-04:54). Dean Morris Ashcraft presents the Award for Faculty Excellence to Delos Miles, professor of Evangelism (04:55-08:05). John R. Morsette, Chairman of the Seminary Development Counsel, presents a check to Miles for his teaching service, and Lolley speaks about how Miles has remained headstrong through the death of his two brothers (08:06-10:45). Ashcraft delivers the Scripture reading from Matthew 19:16-20:16 (10:46-13:43). A soloist sings a song of worship (13:44-17:31). Lolley delivers an expository convocation address on the story of the rich young ruler and the parable of the laborers in the vineyard, and he reminds the audience of Christ’s generosity and his covenantal promises (17:31-37:48). Lolley concludes with a word about the Peace Committee in the Southern Baptist Convention, and he offers his theological solution in four words: Jesus Christ is Lord (37:49-41:44). The service ends with a word of prayer (41:45-42:27).
Walter B. Shurden was Professor of Church History at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a word of prayer (00:00-00:50). Walter B. Shurden is introduced as the Carver-Barnes Lecturer (00:51-06:25). Shurden’s lecture is entitled “The Southern Baptist Synthesis: Is it Cracking,” and he begins by stating that Southern Baptists have built a synthesis that began in the eighteenth century that is starting to erode (06:26-11:12). He states that the Southern Baptist tradition began in Charleston, SC, and that tradition had five characteristics: pietistic puritanism, Calvinistic confessionalism, quasi connectionism, church liturgicalism, and a commitment to theological education, all defined by order (11:13-18:10). Shurden then moves to the Sandy Creek tradition of Southern Baptists which was defined by its ardor, and it had four characteristics: revivalism, charismatic ministry, rugged independence, and strict biblicism (18:11-25:04). He then speaks about the Georgia tradition of Southern Baptists which was defined by local color, and this tradition was characterised by denominationalism and sectionalism (25:05-31:10). He then speaks about the Tennessee tradition of Southern Baptists which was defined by questionable honor, and this tradition gave Southern Baptist a sense of identity based on a fallacious history (31:11-33:18). Shurden believes that denominationalism won out and brought these four traditions together, but denominationalism is under attack (33:19-40:17). He believes there have been four stress points that is bringing cracks to the Southern Baptist synthesis, and these stress points are cultural stress, denominational stress, and financial stress (40:18-45:14). Shurden concludes his lecture by stating that the Southern Baptist synthesis is not breaking, but it is being reshaped (45:15-48:05). The service ends with a word of prayer (48:06-49:01).
Dorothy Elliott Sample was president of the Women’s Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention. The service begins with organ music (00:00-08:41). The speaker gives a word of prayer (08:42-10:42). Dorothy Elliott Sample is introduced as the Missionary Day speaker (10:43-12:50). The choir sings the anthem (12:51-15:19). Samples speaks about the Southern Baptist’s commitment to missions, and she encourages the audience to live for Christ in the world, give to foreign missions, and consider going to the nations (15:20-44:54). The service ends with a benediction (44:55-45:32).
John I. Durham was Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament. The service begins with organ music (00:00-06:04). Durham delivers the Scripture reading from Genesis 22:1-16, and he preaches a sermonette on the sacrifice of Isaac (06:05-14:52). C. Michael Hawn leads in the singing of a song about Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac (14:53-28:56). Durham gives a final word on the sacrifice of Isaac and how it connects to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (28:57-29:52).
Audio quality is very poor. C. David Matthews was pastor of First Baptist Church in Greenville, SC. The service begins with a word of prayer (00:00-00:50). C. David Matthews is introduced as the chapel speaker (00:51-02:00). The choir sings a song of worship (02:01-06:27). Matthews reads from Matthew 10:16-20, and his sermon is about adequacy in ministry and in the Christian life, which is given by God (06:28-27:06). Matthews ends the service with a word of prayer (27:07-27:30).