Rosemary Reuther was a professor at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. She was also a leading ecofeminist scholar and Roman Catholic theologian. The service begins with the introduction of Rosemary Ruether (00:00-00:37). The title of Ruether’s lecture is “The Maleness of Christ: Can Christology Be Liberated from Patriarchy.” She begins with the question of how Christology has been used to exclude women, and she examines how the terms “image of God,” “Son of God,” came to be defined in a patriarchal culture where women are only saved and made in the image of God under the headship of men (00:38-15:33). Ruether moves to explore the alternative ways of interpreting and constructing Christology, first by revealing the feminine and gender neutral language in Hebrew Scriptures of describing the character of God, second by showing how the gospel elevates the status of the last in society embodied in the women disciples, and third by pointing to how the early church viewed an alternative life where the genders are equal (15:34-31:18). Ruether states that two interpretations of Paul emerged in the second century, one using the Pastoral Epistles to promote a patriarchal community and another using a Pauline extra-biblical text to promote an “eschatological community” of celibacy, and she argues that these two communities converged during the late Patristic era to form the clerical norms of the Eastern and Western traditions (31:19-35:48). Ruether views the Reformation as a revolt against this synthesis, and she concludes that two lines of Christology emerged that are now present in the modern day: a patriarchal Christianity and a mystical transcendent Christianity (35:49-40:35). She recognizes in the early modern era an emerging of a new movement seeking for original equality which has spawned various movements including liberalism, socialism, and feminism (40:36-45:41). Ruether concludes the lecture by stating the new Christology by surpassing Jesus’ historical maleness and cultural characteristics for him to be a representative to all mankind, and she desires to shift Christ’s focus to being a liberator of the poor (45:42-53:56). The service ends with a word of prayer (53:57-54:23).
Charles Thomas Dorman was Director of Student/Field Ministries. The service begins with a word of prayer and a benediction (00:00-02:12). The speaker reads from Judges 6 (02:13-08:21). A man speaks for a brief period, but due to audio quality, it is indiscernible (08:22-11:30). The choir leads in a song of worship (11:31-15:30). The first part of Dorman’s sermon is focused on what he calls a “call of kind” centered on the person God’s has made us to be (15:31-21:08). The second part of Dorman’s sermon is focused on what he calls a “call of destination” centered on the actions God wants you to do (21:09-27:45). The sermon ends with another speaker giving some closing thoughts on calling (27:46-31:13). The service ends with a benediction (31:14-31:43).
Chevis F. Horne was Visiting Professor of Preaching. The service begins with a call to worship, a Scripture reading from Jeremiah 1:4-6, and a word of prayer (00:00-03:50). The choir sings a song of worship (03:51-07:20). Horne delivers a sermon about the Word of God, and he gives three observations: God’s word is above us, God’s word is personal, and unfortunately the prophetic voice in the Southern Baptist Convention is very weak (07:21-21:54). Horne ends the service with a word of prayer (21:55-22:45).
Peggy Haymes was a senior M.Div. student and interim pastor of Beth Car Baptist Church in Halifax, VA. The service begins with a word of prayer (00:00-02:09). Peggy Haymes begins her sermon with a Scripture reading from Isaiah 40:18-31, and she gives a word of prayer (02:10-05:08). Haymes preaches on the theme of patience, and she speaks about how God’s people waited on the Lord and the promise of Christ’s presence (05:09-21:58). Haymes ends the service with a word of prayer and a benediction (21:59-22:59).
Luke B. Smith was Professor of Supervised Ministry at Southeastern. Chapel begins with Scripture reading from a Psalm and Luke 2:41-52, followed by prayer (0:00-3:02). The choir leads in singing (3:02-5:57). Dr. Smith discusses the importance of continuing to grow throughout life, using the life of Jesus as an example especially from Luke 2:41-52 (5:57-24:00). Dr. Smith closes chapel in prayer (24:00-25:04).
Clark McCrary was a student at SEBTS. McCrary speaks on the journey of living for Christ, and he warns of the danger of taking side roads (0:00-3:26). He closes his sermonette with the words of a song (3:27-5:45).
Thomas Downing was a pastor, including pastor of University Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. The service opens in prayer (0:00-3:10). Scripture is read aloud from Genesis 4:1-12 (3:10-6:10). A prayer is led (6:10-8:10). Dr. Lolley introduces the commencement sermon (8:10-10:28). A student presents a check to go toward the construction of a prayer garden from the graduating class (10:28-11:00). Dr. Lolley reflects on the graduates’ gift and announces that the presentation of awards will begin (11:00-13:22). Dr. Ashcraft presents academic awards and Dr. Lolley congratulates the recipients (13:22-20:05). Dr. Lolley introduces the commencement sermon speaker, Dr. Thomas Downing (20:05-22:08). Dr. Downing begins his address with prayer (22:08-22:44). His message focuses on grace and how one can still know that grace even when experiencing the challenges of life (22:44-44:10). He concludes by stating that the hope in the land of Nod, instead of Eden, is the gospel (42:00-44:10). Dr. Downing closes his message in prayer (44:10-44:45). The service is then closed in prayer (44:45-46:27).