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by Bruce Ashford
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS)
each classroom experience, as well as the overall cur-
operates with the clear mission to “glorify the Lord Je-
riculum, would foster a desire to see the ethne worship
sus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and
together and think together about the things of God.
fulfill the Great Commission.” In keeping with this
Our faculty members are now discussing what it means
stated purpose, SEBTS has historically engaged in an
to teach for a diverse student body, taking into account
ongoing, institution-wide effort to foster a missional
some of the questions and concerns that arise within
disposition among its students so that they will minister
various non-white communities.
to people from every national, racial, ethnic and cultural background.
We are further investing financial and personnel resources into the continued development of co-curricular
The primary justification we have for making this a
programs which exist to foster intercultural and cross-
strategic goal is the biblical injunction to make disciples
cultural engagement. The Center for Great Commission
of all the “ethne” (Matthew 28:18-20) and the biblical
Studies represents one such program; the Center for
eschatological vision of all “tribes, tongues, peoples and
Faith and Culture represents another.
nations” one day worshiping the Lord together (Revela-
Our prayer is that SEBTS will be a microcosm of the
tion 5). Our conviction is that racial unity-in-diversity
kingdom diversity which we will experience one day on
is not just a social or political issue; more essentially it
the new heavens and earth, when Christ will be seen in
is a theological issue. God’s desire is to win for himself
his full splendor as King of the Nations. On that day, it
worshipers from among the ethne and further to draw
will be made clear that our Lord is not a tribal deity of
the ethne together in gospel unity.
some sort, but in fact the supreme Lord of the entire
As an institution, SEBTS strives to keep this biblical
universe, and the Savior of hot-hearted worshipers from
injunction and its attendant eschatological vision at the
among every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. May
center of our efforts to be a Great Commission Seminary.
SEBTS increasingly provide the world with a glimpse of
Thus, as a reflection of our mission, it is expected that
that future day.
@bruceashford
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sebts.edu