Not all Christian schools are the same. There are various ways Christian schools understand how the Christian part of their identity intersects with the educational part. That is, there are various models of Christian higher education. Over the last few years, I’ve had the chance to be part of two Christian schools. The two schools…
This year, I’ve had the privilege of taking over the Center for Worldview and Culture at Southwest Baptist University. The aim of the center is the same as that of the University. Our aim isn’t merely vocational training but the formation of the entire person. At SBU, we want to shape our students’ hearts and…
It wasn’t too long ago that a prominent pastor named Andy Stanley said Christians might need to “unhitch” from the Old Testament. That comment drew considerable criticism (see Albert Mohler here). Over the last few weeks at Southwest Baptist University, we’ve preached several sermons from the OT (Exodus 17, Genesis 6, 1 Sam 16, and…
On Monday, I had the chance to spend an hour with our President’s Leadership Fellows here at Southwest Baptist University. These students (about 20 of them) are awarded a presidential scholarship as freshmen and have the chance to spend time with our President, Dr. Rick Melson, and other leaders at SBU. They take one class…
Towards the end of the 20th century, John MacArthur wrote a couple of books that engaged with what is historically known as the “Lordship salvation controversy.” Reflecting on his writings more than a decade later, MacArthur offered a succinct description of what his opponents were teaching. [The non-lordship camp] insisted there is no place in…
I had the privilege of studying under Jason DeRouchie for four years while at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis. In addition, for a couple of years, I was blessed to serve as Jason’s teaching assistant, working through his various writings, editing some of his work, and helping with early iterations of his website. To…
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5) The Corinthian church lived in a city known for its wealth, sexual immorality, religious pluralism, and philosophical diversity—not unlike our cities (and campuses) today. And as Corinthian Christians encounter various ideas…
While at the SBC annual meeting in Dallas last week, I received a free copy of What is a Reformed Baptist: An Overview of Doctrinal Distinctives by Tom Hicks. I was eager to read the book because (a) I consider myself reformed and (b) I am a convinced Baptist (in that order). Understanding what Dr.…
At the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas this past week, I was able to moderate a panel discussion on the SBC and Christian Higher Education. Joining me on the panel were Dr. Rick Melson (President, Southwest Baptist University), Dr. Jonathan Akin (VP at Carson-Newman University), Dr. Jason Duesing (Provost, Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon…
Jonathon Woodyard writes, In The New Shape of World Christianity, Mark Noll, professor of history at Notre Dame, paints a fascinating picture of global Christianity. Noll’s project aims to describe how the American experience helps make sense of the various expressions of global Christianity found around the world, while also presenting the reader with a…
Theology Along the Way 