John William Eddins, Jr. was Professor of Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The service begins with a Scripture reading and a moment of prayer (0:00-1:30). Eddins speaks about his topic of the worthiness of the gospel as proclamation from the life and writings of Paul and reads a passage of Scripture (1:31-4:59). Eddins speaks of the power of the proclamation of the gospel (5:00-11:35). He speaks about the substance of the gospel being for all Christians (11:36-16:05). The service closes with a benediction (16:06-16:43).
Dr. Samuel Eugene Balentine was Associate Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament at SEBTS. A hymn begins the service (0:00-5:11). The congregation sings a hymn (5:12-8:27). The Scripture reading comes from Genesis 22:1-14 and 1 Corinthians 10:13 (8:28-11:37). A word of prayer is given (11:38-12:55). Dr. Samuel Balentine begins with a recount of the story of God testing Abraham on Mt. Moriah (12:26-19:07). Mt. Moriah became the place where God tested and provided (19:08-20:12). Dr. Balentine asks whether we are prepared to encounter the same God who tests and provides (20:13-21:27). Abraham realized that the God, who tests all, also provides for all (21:28-25:11). Jesus demonstrated faith on the Cross at Golgotha (25:12-26:04). Dr. Balentine speaks about how we are “summoned to Mt. Moriah” like Abraham; we are expected to sacrifice everything and have faith in God (26:05:27:34). He concludes with Paul’s words regarding God: He is faithful and helps us to endure our tests (27:35-28:10). A word of prayer is given (28:11-28:35). A hymn ends the service (28:36-31:11).
Dr. Edwin Luther Copeland was Visiting Professor of Missions at SEBTS. Dr. Copeland is announced as Chapel speaker (0:00-0:09). Hymns are played (0:10-9:54). A word of prayer is followed by a hymn (cut) (9:55-11:33). President Lewis Drummond greets the congregation, welcomes new students, and presents Carson Grissom to bestow the Middler Theological Award (11:34-17:17). Grissom confers the award (17:18-18:25). President Drummond congratulates the student and presents Dr. George Braswell (18:26-19:12). Dr. Braswell introduces Dr. Copeland (19:13-23:15). Dr. Braswell reads Colossians 1:15-23 for Dr. Copeland’s sermon (23:16-24:41). Dr. Copeland is honored to speak for Spring Convocation (24:42-26:26). His sermon focuses on the centrality of the unitive mission of Christ to theological education (26:27-27:58). He defines the Seminary as the intellectual center of the church and theological education as intellectual thinking and researching of the life and work of the church (27:59-30:02). Dr. Copeland discusses that “the unitive mission of Christ is matched by the unitive intellectual mission of theological education (30:03-31:23). He then speaks on three areas where the unitive mission of Christ intersects with the unitive mission of theological education: Western secular culture, religious pluralism (awareness of other religions), and the inner division of Christianity (31:24-47:23). Dr. Copeland speaks of the action needed in the intellectual centers of the church so that the unitive mission of Christ can be executed (47:24-47:58). He concludes with a final word on these three challenges and with encouragement to do our best to fulfill the unitive mission of Christ (47:59-49:21). President Drummond gives a word of prayer (49:22-50:13). A hymn ends the service (50:14-53:56).
Leonard Farrar, an M. Div. student at SEBTS, was pastor of Wake Baptist Grove Church in Garner, NC. Farrar is announced as Chapel speaker with a message titled “A Cause for Celebration, Martin Luther King Day” (0:00-0:19). A word of prayer is given (0:19-2:50). A woman gives a testimony of personal trials (2:51-5:42). Martin Luther King, Jr. quotes on racism, worship, and religion are provided in King’s honor (5:43-8:57). James W. Johnson’s poem “Let My People Go” is recited (8:58-12:16). Farrar is introduced (12:17-13:54). Farrar honors Jesus as his Lord and Savior as well as expresses gratitude towards the Seminary’s faculty and staff (13:55-15:00). He speaks of Martin Luther King being not only a Civil Rights leader, but also a prophet of a utopian vision (15:01-17:26). Farrar discusses the need of social justice and brotherhood within the world and the Christian community (17:27-19:39). He provides examples of social justice in the biblical books of Amos, Isaiah, and Micah (19:40-21:28). Voices must be used to promote social justice (21:29-24:03). The prophets Nathan, Elijah, Malachi, and John voiced God’s words (24:04-25:06). Farrar concludes with mentioning that with God, we can create a land of hope if we use love as a motivation and guide (25:07-29:05). Farrar’s message is praised (cut) (29:06-29:07). A word of prayer is given (29:08-29:27). A hymn ends the service (29:28-31:50).
Dr. John Keating Wiles was Assistant Professor of Old Testament at SEBTS. Dr. Wiles is announced as Chapel speaker (poor quality) (0:00-0:31). A hymn is played (cut) (0:32-2:44). Psalm 51:10-13 is read (2:45-3:15). The choir sings a hymn (3:16-6:47). Another Scripture reading comes from Isaiah 32:9-20 (6:48-8:46). Prayer requests are made (8:47-9:54). A word of prayer is given (9:55-11:50). Dr. Wiles speaks of how Isaiah addresses the women of Israel and tells them to mourn for the upcoming changes of their world (11:51-16:00). He emphases the difference between kings and prophets: kings do not call people to mourn when encountering changes, instead they instruct the people to forget the past, ignore the present, and look on the positive side (16:01-16:35). Kings use the managerial approach in life which focuses on statistics and budgets (16:36-18:24). Dr. Wiles discusses how prophets provide words of realism when they call people to live and die in a world that changes (18:25-21:14). Whereas kings and managers depend on continuity and do not expect real change, prophets realize that every historical world has an end and that God is in control (21:15-23:50). Dr. Wiles explains that kings and managers believe that their worlds will last forever (23:51-25:16). When God’s spirit pours out to end the mourning, fruitfulness will abide in the new world (25:17-26:44). Self-absorbed kings and managers do not know this kind of new world because they live in a fantasy world, not a historical world of change (26:45-27:57). Dr. Wiles concludes with a word on how we must not follow the managerial approach to life; we must allow the pouring out of God’s spirit to give us hope for a new world during our mourning (27:58-29:35). A word of prayer is given (29:36-29:54). Two hymns end the service (29:36-32:59).
