Southern Seminary and Two Former Professors

This is pretty neat.  I must be one of only a handful of people, possibly the only one, who can say they have studied under the two professors who are mentioned in this article by Paul Harvey concerning the history of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Harvey discusses the recently published book by Greg Wills entitled “Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1859-2009.”  I have yet to read the book, but Will’s certainly understands the “resurgence” and return to what he would call orthodoxy as a positive era in the life the seminary.  I studied with Greg Will’s during my time in Louisville at SBTS.  I have quoted him on this website before.  He is definitely a man of conviction.  My wife took a class with him during her time in the Seminary Wives Institute and after the class he basically told her that she had not received a genuine baptism at the time because of her affiliation with the Seventh Day Adventist Church.  I disagree with him, but he is consistent and makes powerful arguments that are helpful.

Also in the article by Paul Harvey is a link and reference to an article posted by Mike Ruffin at On The Jericho Road.  Dr. Ruffin makes a case for why the changes at SBTS are lamentable for him.  He makes some interesting points, the most powerful, I thought, being the need to remember and respect the service that was rendered by professors of old.

What I am thankful for is that I was able to learn from and trust both these men.  They see things very differently, but both have a deep love for the Lord and a desire to see people come to faith.  Most of my professors at Southern, but especially Dr. Wills and Dr. Schreiner, warned the students about knee-jerk reactions to varying positions and views.  There are things we can learn from them.  So, I am thankful to have learned and have been under the care of Mike Ruffin, a proud moderate.  I am thankful to have learned and have been under the care of Greg Wills, a proud conservative.  I have learned from both and, Lord willing, have allowed myself to be shaped into a Christian who is intelligently thinking through issues without strict association to any one party or group.  That is what I have learned from them.