Mid-America Messenger-Winter 2017

MID-AMERICA

WINTER 2017

P R E S I D E N T ’ S Page

WHAT HAPPENED TO PERSONAL EVANGELISM?

BY D R . MIC HA EL SPR A D LIN The Scripture states in Proverbs 11:30 that “he that winneth souls is wise.” Yet in some churches today, the subject of personal evangelism is seldom mentioned. What has happened to our churches that has led us away from sharing the Good News?

Several reasons have been offered to explain our lack of passion for evangelism. One theory is that since Bible prophecy is not preached often then we are not reminded of the imminent return of Christ. This reminder motivates us to live a holy lifestyle but also to share the Gospel with those around us. The lost do not have much time and the hour is desperately late.

Another reason for the lack of evangelistic passion is the spirit of our age. Loose morals, apathetic Christianity, and political correctness hinder some from declaring “Thus says the Lord” with conviction.

Regardless of our excuses, we have a reason to share the Gospel: the love of God. He first loved us and gives us the opportunity to share that love with those around us. If you want some encouragement, then come by MidAmerica any Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. and hear our students share their witnessing testimonies. If you can’t stop in, then go to mabts.edu/chapel anytime or mabts.edu/live on Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m. and watch our Tuesday chapel online. We are hearing stories of people accepting Jesus as Savior every week. It’s amazing, and we praise the Lord for what He is doing.

Leading by Example Dr. Spradlin, Mid-America President, and the rest of the faculty regularly share their own witnessing experiences at report times during Tuesday Chapel.

contents VOLUME 45, NUMBER 2 | WINTER 2017 Published by the Mid-America family of educational institutions

PRESIDENT Michael Spradlin, PHD

BIBLICAL PROCLAMATION

EDITOR Randy Redd

America Messenger (freshly designed, we might

CONTENT COORDINATOR Deanna Coscia DESIGN Eternity Communications

The theme of this winter issue of the Midadd) is “Proclaiming Biblical Truth in a NonBiblical World.” Never has there been a more urgent need for the kind of Gospel-centered men and women that Mid-America is training.

AWARD-WINNING MINISTRY How can we ensure that churches and ministries have God-honoring, effective ministries, running well, so that...“There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day”?

PREACHING OUT-OF-DATE? Mid-America Alumnus of the Year, professor, and pastor, Dr. Hershael York, offers a winsome, timely, and reassuring message of encouragement on how to preach in a world of cultural hostility.

SCRIPTURE & SCHOLARSHIP The new College at Mid-America is committed to making reconnections between education and a biblical worldview, between the church and the classroom, and between the Christian and the community.

CONNECT P.O. Box 2350 Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453

WITH MID-AMERICA

6 10 20

WEB

EMAIL

SOCIAL

mabts.edu collegeatmidamerica.com

info@mabts.edu

Facebook.com/ midamericabaptist Twitter.com/mabts

WITNESS ONE:SEVEN & GO! PROGRAM REPORT FALL 2017

TENNESSEE NEW YORK TOTAL

PRACTICAL MISSIONS

678 56 734

PERSONS WITNESSED TO

957 46 1,003

PROFESSIONS OF FAITH

57

8 65

SERMONS PREACHED

211 20 231

Witness One:Seven and GO! Program reported August 1, 2017–October 24, 2017

PROFESSIONS OF FAITH SINCE 1972 = 164,679 SHARING FAITH SHARING STORIES Our new chapel format has been a great success.

This year, we went back to our format from years ago and dedicated an entire service each week to student witnessing testimonies. Every Tuesday our students, staff, and faculty volunteer to share their stories of evangelism from the previous week. We are hearing of souls saved on a weekly basis and the spirit of revival is growing on our campus. If you are not a part of Mid-America, you should join us today. You will be blessed beyond measure to be involved with seeing people come to Jesus every week. As our students graduate and go out, we want that spirit to spread to churches all over America and all over the world. Pray for souls.

Support with your finances. Enroll as a student.

We are waiting for you!

At the seminary, our Practical Missions program is called Witness One:Seven, a name reflecting that students witness to one person every seven days and a reference to the theme verse, John 1:7, “He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through Him.” At the college, Practical Missions is called the Go! Program, and offers opportunities for students to give of themselves by serving the community and building God’s Kingdom.

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

5

Dr. T. Van McClain, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, teaches at Mid-America’s Northeast Branch.

DON’T BURY YOUR TALENTS. INVEST IN THE NORTHEAST

to one, one talent. Immediately, the

ability and doubled their master’s

first two stewards took their master’s

resources; and finally, both were praised

money into the marketplace to conduct

upon their master’s return.

business, and during the master’s long

In Matthew 25:25, the unwise

absence, doubled their master’s money.

steward told his master, “I was afraid,”

The steward with the one talent took his

and accomplished nothing with his

BY D R . MIK E HAGGA R D

talent to a secret place and buried it for

master’s resources. He was afraid to

During Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem just

safekeeping until the master returned.

enter the marketplace, afraid to assume

a few days prior to His crucifixion, He

Upon the master’s return, the

the risks of conducting business with

was with the disciples at the temple. The

stewards who doubled their master’s

his master’s resources, lazy concerning

disciples pointed out the magnificent

money were praised and rewarded with

the disciplines of learning and growing,

temple buildings to Jesus, and He

more responsibilities in the master’s

and thus, he made no contribution to his

responded, “Not one stone here will be

kingdom. The steward with the one

master’s kingdom.

left upon another, which will not be torn

talent faced his master’s wrath and was

As I travel the roads and highways

condemned for his laziness and lack of

of the Northeast, I pass through towns,

good stewardship.

villages, and small hamlets where there

down” (Matthew 24:2).

A short time later, the disciples questioned Him concerning the timing

The implications of this parable

is no Gospel-preaching church. Not

of this event and His second coming.

are clear. God is sovereign over all the

one. People will be born here, live a long

Jesus then launched into the wonderful

resources of His kingdom and during

healthy life, and die here—and never

text we refer to as the Olivet Discourse,

His physical absence, we, as believers,

hear the Gospel. Why don’t more laborers

describing the condition of the world

are entrusted with the stewardship of all

come? The harvest is truly plenteous.

prior to His second advent. As He

His property, both the tangible physical

Perhaps, in each of us, there is

concluded, He changed the course of the

property and the intangible, meaning

a tendency to be like the one-talent

discussion and gave three parables to

the specific gifting/equipping that comes

steward. We are afraid to enter the

His disciples indicating the importance

to each believer through the indwelling

marketplace, afraid to assume the risks

of readiness for His coming.

Holy Spirit.

of ministry, afraid to be challenged, to

The last parable was the parable of

In the parable of the talents, two of

learn and to grow. The Master has given

the talents. In this parable, the master

the three stewards acted wisely: both

us all we need to affect Kingdom growth

went on a long journey and entrusted

were immediately obedient and entered

and expand His Kingdom, if we don’t

all his possessions to three stewards.

the marketplace to conduct business

bury it. Remember, the Master is coming,

Specifically, each one was given a large

with their master’s resources; both were

and He will return like a thief in the

sum of money, a talent, to manage

willing to assume risk in managing

night.

during the master’s absence. One was

their master’s resources; both stewards

given five talents, one two talents, and

learned and grew in their managerial

Dr. Mike Haggard is the Director of Mid-America’s Northeast Branch (mabtsne.edu).

Biblical Truth

RETAINING THE STANDARD OF SOUND WORDS: AN AWARDWINNING MINISTRY

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

exodus, in the face of this politically

ministries? Paul gives three charges that

correct, “whatever” world? Too often,

will ensure an effective ministry that

the reply is to take a census of what is

receives God’s seal of approval.

popular to divine what the culture says.

Instead, I would suggest we look for an answer in the unchanging, infallible Word of God. In an atmosphere of desertion, of turning away, of compromise that mimics our own today, Paul takes up

BY D R . T I M S E A L

his pen, under the inspiration of the

The United States Census Bureau

Holy Spirit, and describes the type of

Records give some disturbing statistics

ministry that God honors, that God’s

about the faltering state of the church:

favor rests upon, that God blesses.

Every year, more than 4,000 churches close their doors

Consider what Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:1–8:

compared to just over 1,000 new

I solemnly charge you in the presence

church starts.

of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to

Every year, 2.7 million church

judge the living and the dead, and by

members fall into inactivity. This

His appearing and His kingdom: preach

translates into the realization that

the word; be ready in season and out of

people are leaving the church.

season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with

From 1990 to 2000, the combined

great patience and instruction. For

membership of all Protestant

the time will come when they will not

denominations in the United States

endure sound doctrine; but wanting

declined by almost five million

to have their ears tickled, they will

members (9.5 percent), while the

accumulate for themselves teachers in

U.S. population increased by 24

accordance to their own desires, and

million (11 percent).

will turn away their ears from the truth

At the turn of the 20th century

and will turn aside to myths. But you,

(1900), there was a ratio of 27

be sober in all things, endure hardship,

churches per 10,000 people, as

do the work of an evangelist, fulfill

compared to the close of this

your ministry. For I am already being

century (2000) in which we have

poured out as a drink offering, and the

11 churches per 10,000 people in

time of my departure has come. I have

America.

fought the good fight, I have finished

The United States now ranks third

the course, I have kept the faith; in the

following China and India in the

future there is laid up for me the crown

number of people who are not

of righteousness, which the Lord, the

professing Christians; in other

righteous Judge, will award to me on

words, America is becoming an

that day; and not only to me, but also to

ever increasing “unreached people

all who have loved His appearing.

group.”

The logical question today is, what is the church to do in the face of this mass

7

How can we ensure that churches and ministries will have God-honoring, effective ministries—”award-winning”

AN AWARD1.

WINNING MINISTRY IS A MINISTRY THAT PREACHES THE WORD OF THE LORD. (2 TIMOTHY 4:1–4)

Hard to miss here is that Paul, in verses 1–4, means for Timothy and the church today to focus on the command nailed to the doorpost of verse 2, namely, the command to preach the Word! To make certain that Timothy’s ministry and every ministry subsequent to his would be a ministry that God honors, Paul charges that one of the vital keys is to preach the Word! R.C.H. Lenski describes the meaning of the Greek word kerusso which is an imperative to “preach the Word”: This word . . . regards the preacher as a . . . “herald,” whose function is . . . to make a loud, public proclamation, one that has been given him by a superior. He must announce it in its completeness (Acts 20:27) and not alter it in any way, not add anything of his own or anything that is borrowed from another source, not subtract a particle. “Herald!” and not offer religious opinions, not philosophize, not argue.

Hence, the main principle to glean in verses 1–4 is that pastors must herald the unadulterated Word of God! In his book, The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception, John MacArthur, Jr. writes: Most of the world is caught up in disillusionment and confusion. People are unsure about virtually everything and do not know where to turn for truth. However, the absolute worst strategy for ministering the gospel in

8

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

a climate like this is for Christians to

unto death. Jesus teaches this concept in

Talleyrand wrote the following words

imitate the uncertainty or echo the

Matthew 10:37–39:

on a piece of paper and laid it on a

cynicism of the age. Instead, we need

“He who loves father or mother more

nightstand near his bed: “Behold,

to affirm against the spirit of the age

than Me is not worthy of Me; and he

eighty-three years passed away!

that God has spoken with the utmost

who loves son or daughter more than

What cares! What agitation! What

clarity, authority, and finality through

Me is not worthy of Me. And he who

anxieties! What ill-will! What sad

His Son (Hebrews 1:1–2). And we have

does not take his cross and follow after

complications! And all without other

the infallible record of that message in

Me is not worthy of Me. He who has

results, except great fatigue of mind

Scripture (2 Peter 1:19–21).

found his life will lose it, and he who has

and body, and a profound sentiment

lost his life for My sake will find it.”

of discouragement with regard to the

Considering the great roll call of

future, and of disquiet with regard to

Because of the disillusionment and confusion of the present time, it is vital to preach the Word of God to impact the

saints who gave their lives for Christ,

world for Christ.

should the expectation be any less for us

AN AWARD-WINNING 2.

MINISTRY IS A MINISTRY THAT POURS

today (Hebrews 11:35–38)? As J. Sidlow

as he neared the end of his earthly life.

Baxter once wrote, “No man who is full

They are a triumphant epitaph. Some

of himself can ever truly preach the

thirty years after his encounter with

Christ who emptied Himself.”

Christ on the Damascus Road, in every

3.

regard that matters he was without

Timothy that he, like himself, must be

AN AWARD-WINNING MINISTRY IS A MINISTRY THAT PRACTICES THE WORD OF THE LORD (2 TIMOTHY 4:7–8)

willing to die for the Truth? Notice the

John MacArthur, Jr. writes regarding

forceful motivation for every believer to

expressions Paul uses in verse 6, “I am

verses 7-8:

live a life of faithful service to Christ.

ITSELF OUT FOR THE WORD OF THE LORD (2 TIMOTHY 4:5–6)

What is the point of Paul’s statement here to Timothy? Is not Paul telling

the past!”

How different are the words of Paul

regret or remorse. With an economy of words known only to a Holy Spirit– inspired writer, he not only affirms his own spiritual triumph but also offers

already being poured out as a drink

The final words of dying men and

offering” and “the time of my departure

women usually are stripped of

ministry that consistently practices the

has come.” Both of these metaphors

hypocrisy and reflect accurately

Word of the Lord.

convey that Paul expected to be

their true beliefs and feelings. On

martyred for the sake of the Gospel. John

his deathbed, Napoleon said, “I die

God’s seal of approval? Paul says it is a

MacArthur, Jr. comments, “It seems

before my time; and my body will be

ministry that preaches the Word (4:1–4),

there is no shortage of people nowadays

given back to earth, to become the

that pours itself out for the Word (4:5–6),

willing to kill (i.e., terrorists) for a lie. Yet,

food of worms . . . .” Not long before

and that practices the Word (4:7–8). It is

few seem to be willing to speak up for

he died, Gandhi, the world-renowned

a ministry without regret—an award-

the truth—much less die for it.”

Hindu religious leader, confessed,

winning ministry.

“My days are numbered. I am not

Dr. Tim Seal serves Mid-America as Academic Vice President, Dean of the Seminary, Chairman and Professor, Department of Practical Theology.

An award-wining ministry involves a pouring out and a loosening process

likely to live very long . . . . For the

whereby, over the years, the ties with

first time in fifty years I find myself

this world are willingly cut in service to

in a slough of despond . . . .” The

the Lord, even unto pouring out our lives

nineteenth-century French statesman

A ministry that honors God is a

What kind of ministry receives

Mid-America Team

MID-AMERICA WELCOMES NEW CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Mid-America is pleased to announce that Ray Helton has accepted the role of Chief Development Officer leading the work with faithful and generous donors.

After being long affiliated with MidAmerica through partnering churches, organizations, and as a volunteer, Ray now brings his more than 40 years of corporate business and non-profit experience to help the seminary and new College at Mid-America at a critical time.

Originally from Memphis, Ray lived in Virginia, Mississippi, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Georgia, and North Carolina before returning to Memphis in 1981. He is married to Sharon and they have five children, including two grandchildren. Ray’s first wife of 45 years (Barbara) went home to be with the Lord after battling cancer several years

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

9

improve our donor relationships. My

and seminaries in Europe, Indonesia,

goal is to work closely with other teams

Southeast Asia, India, North Korea, and

to build foundational systems and

the Middle East, as well as hundreds of

processes which Mid-America Baptist

alumni in missionary positions in other

Theological Seminary and The College at

countries around the globe.”

Mid-America will rely on for a successful and scalable future.”

Ray goes on to express his enthusiasm about Mid-America saying, “I have observed first-hand a depth of

Please pray for Ray and the efforts he leads so that Mid-America can continue to take the Gospel, as the Alma Mater states, “to all the world for Jesus’ sake.”

faith and commitment in our faculty that goes beyond the classroom. It was astounding to learn that the student evangelism requirement (Witness One:Seven) has resulted in over 164,000 professions of faith since the seminary opened its doors in 1972. That’s an average of 3,600-plus people per year who have professed Christ based on the efforts of students. I am amazed at the reach and impact of Mid-America across the world. Our alumni are in leadership positions in churches

ago. Ray says, “I grew up in a Christian home with parents who taught me well, and I professed Jesus as my Savior when I was 13 years old.”

Being in local church leadership exposed Ray to Mid-America’s great mission and legacy. He always admired the mission, but when he saw the impact on his son as a student (Parrish graduates May 2018), he wanted to help Mid-America in some way. After volunteering with Mid-America to aid business planning, he realized God was leading him to become more involved. In his words, “I’m convinced I am exactly where God wants me to be and trust that I can provide a positive impact to

Ray Helton Chief Development Officer Mid-America

10

Biblical Preaching

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

HOW CAN WE PREACH IN A WORLD OF CULTURAL HOSTILITY?

BY D R . HE RS HA E L W YO R K When I was a boy, my father had only five jokes, and most of them were not really jokes. His catalog of corny little routines included fake French

imbalance of hospitality, but eventually

past. Once we could safely assume that

they invited me and, when I ventured

people had a respect for the Bible—all of

into their houses, my ingenuous eyes

it—and considered it the Word of God,

opened to shattered worlds completely

even if they had not read it or did not

unlike my own. Most of their homes

understand it. Phrases like “the Good

were chaotic and disheveled, while some

Book says” punctuated public discourse,

were outright filthy. Some of their dads

schools did not schedule sports on

were absent, but most of those who were

Wednesday night because it interfered

around sat sullenly, serially nursing

with prayer meeting, stores were not

cans of beer in a dark den, and others

open on Sundays, and the pastor was

were morose and unkind even without

one of the most respected men in town.

alcohol. None of their dads told jokes, not

We now minister in a different

even corny ones. From then on, I gained

world. Gender is considered fluid,

a new perspective of my father’s humor.

marriage is temporary, morals are

Even after I got older and discovered the

malleable, and personal autonomy—

mystifying and inscrutable world of girls,

sexual, economic, and moral—is

no matter who came to visit, I found

the greatest good and highest goal.

myself saying, “Dad, Kathy hasn’t heard

Biblical literacy has been replaced by

you speak French yet.”

indifference or disdain. Preaching is deemed outdated or, worse still, hate

told my wife I’d ask the first monkey I

EMBARRASSED BY THE TEXT?

saw.” I heard these tired comedic sets

Ministry today has become a tricky

throughout my childhood, especially

thing. Pastors of a certain age were

when I had friends over to spend the

trained in a different world than the

night. I loved my father very much, and

one in which they now find themselves.

I didn’t mind his jokes when we were

Once we could ask people on what basis

alone, but I often felt more than a little

they hoped to go to heaven; now we live

embarrassment when he engaged my

in a world that, at best, ignores heaven

unwary schoolmates.

or, more probably, disbelieves it. Once

(“Comment allez-vous? Chevrolet?

Pontiac? Coupe, oui?”), or he would carry on an entire conversation like Donald Duck (and he had a killer Donald Duck voice!), or he would ask questions like “Do bananas grow on bushes or trees?” so that, whatever his confident interlocutor replied he could retort, “I

I don’t think I noticed that my

we ministered among unchurched

friends always came to my house and

people who would nonetheless agree

rarely, if ever, asked me to spend the

that going to church is a good thing

night at theirs. Perhaps their mothers felt

that they “ought” to do, but now they

an embarrassment of their own at the

find church a quaint relic of a bygone

speech.

With the culture arrayed against the orthodox teaching of the church for 2,000 years, Christians find themselves embarrassed by the Bible or, at least, parts of it. Passages that instruct women to submit to their husbands make them cringe and are no longer read in wedding ceremonies. Texts that address gender, sexuality, or God’s design in marriage have proved terribly inconvenient and are barely mentioned in some churches.

Old Testament stories of warfare and conquest are discarded as endorsing violence and genocide.

How are we to preach in such a

them as genuinely the Word of God,

world? How can anyone believe the Bible

explain them within the redemptive-

in the face of such cultural hostility?

historical narrative, and proclaim the

works and people find purpose when we

TRUST THE POWER OF THE WORD

transhistorical truths that they convey.

preach a radical call to discipleship and

To do less is to surrender any claim of

the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Following

the inspiration and the uniqueness of

Jesus is not a diversion or a charity to

Scripture. We should always be ready to

which one makes a contribution. Jesus

give a reason for the hope within us, and

did not say take up a cushion and follow

that hope emanates from our confidence

me. This generation, perhaps more than

in and understanding of Scripture.

any prior, is not interested in making

First, we need to understand that people are no more lost now than they have ever been. While things have certainly changed around us, in some ways the lines are clearer because they are not cloaked by the fog of cultural Christianity or a traditional religion that has no genuine effect. False believers won’t stick around very long in the face of intimidation, marginalization, or persecution.

These changing times, however, may cause us to feel, in truth we don’t have it tougher than Paul. The Gospel is not less effective than it was. God’s ear is not heavy that it cannot hear, nor His arm shortened that He cannot save! The power of the Gospel and the Word of God is as great now as ever.

Since the Gospel is the

Churches and preachers that are

reason to exist, let alone to grow.

On the other hand, the Holy Spirit

a donation nearly as much as finding

abnegating the historical views of the

something worthy for which to live and

church in the face of cultural pressure

die.

are bound to weaken and die because

PREACH REPENTANCE

they only offer the culture something that the culture has anyway. In other words, those churches have no unique product, no life-changing value that can fill the emptiness or repair the brokenness in the lives of people without Christ. If the church only reflects the values and presuppositions that people already have without Scripture or salvation, the church has no compelling

The good news of the Gospel is only good news if it is preached in the context of the forgiveness of sins. It’s only good news if they need to be saved from something. This generation may not initially know categories of sin, but they understand brokenness. They long for wholeness. When we boldly preach the holiness of God, the sinfulness of humanity, the greatness of Christ, and the availability

power of God unto salvation

of grace, then the Gospel is

in the 21st Century just as

good news! The more we see

it was in the 1st, preachers

the brokenness of humanity,

must stand with boldness.

the more we realize that the

A preacher of the Word will

Word of God is not a cause for

fear God, not man. We stand

embarrassment, but a source

before the Judge of all the

of life.

earth; why fear what man can do? Spirit-anointed

Dr. Hershael York (MABTS

preaching fears no reaction,

alumnus, MDIV, 1988, PHD, 1999) serves as Senior Pastor, Buck Run Baptist Church, Frankfort, Kentucky, and as Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. York was recently named Mid-America Alumnus of the Year. He blogs at pastorwell.com.

compromises no truth, avoids no subject, and spares no passion.

EMBRACE THE DIFFICULTY Rather than avoiding those passages that put Christianity at odds with the culture, we should claim

Faculty News

MID-AMERICA WELCOMES NEW MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM PROFESSOR

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

13

MID-AMERICA PUBLISHES BEAMAN’S COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

At their August meeting, the Trustees of Mid-America

The discovery of a commentary written (but never

Baptist Theological Seminary elected Dr. Bradley (Brad)

published) by Dr. Roy O. Beaman, longtime seminary

Roderick to the faculty. Dr. Roderick will serve as

professor and New Testament

Professor of Missions and Evangelism, as Dr. Mark Terry

scholar, brings his unique

will become Professor Emeritus. Dr. Roderick is well

biblical insights to light.

qualified to serve in this position. He earned his Bachelor

Roy Beaman combined the

of Arts degree at Mississippi College and his Master

talents of a linguist, a New

of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees at New

Testament scholar, and a biblical

Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He majored in

archaeologist. He was one of the

missiology in his doctoral studies. Beyond his academic

original four faculty members

preparation, Dr. Roderick has the field experience

of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. His

necessary to serve as a missions professor. He served

commentary on the Gospel of John was developed for

11 years with the North American Mission Board in the

almost four decades and taught repeatedly in churches

northeastern part of the United States, and he served

and in seminary classrooms. Though the manuscript

19 years with the International Mission Board in South

was never published, printed copies were distributed

and Southeast Asia. He and his wife, Gretchen, have two

through the years. Beaman’s Commentary on the Gospel

grown children and two grandchildren. He comes to

of John is the compilation of two of those manuscripts.

Mid-America from Greensboro, North Carolina, where

Edited and revised by Michael R. Spradlin, PhD, this

he has been serving as the Director of Missions for the

work will serve the scholar seeking information and the

Piedmont Baptist Association.

believer seeking devotional insights.

Dr. Brad Roderick

Professor of Missions and Evangelism

Dr. Roy Beaman

PREACHING THE WORD IN A

PRE-CHRISTIAN WORLD

Biblical Truth

WE ARE TO PREACH THE WORD EVEN IN AN INCONVENIENT WORLD

BY DR. FRANK ANDERSON JR. I love Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary! The Mid-America family has so greatly and positively impacted my walk with Christ, my marriage, my pastoral journey, the spiritual growth of my church family, and my Christian teaching career.

So as God continues to use the MidAmerica family to bless my life, I was not surprised to learn that this edition of the Messenger would focus on “Biblical Preaching in an Unbiblical Age.” I am honored, however, by this opportunity to write about the challenge God’s preachers face during this time.

When I think of this “unbiblical age,” my mind runs to Paul’s charge to Timothy—and God’s charge to all of His preachers of every generation—as Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not.” Our times certainly are inconvenient for the preaching of God’s Word; but how do we execute God’s charge when we are preaching to such an untoward generation?

Allow me to share three thoughts of encouragement that have resulted from my 38 years of preaching and my prayerful contemplation of the matter of biblical preaching in an unbiblical age.

FIRST, God’s preachers of today should avoid thinking of our times as “post-Christian.” If there ever was a time during which the world was pre-

15

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

Christian, that time is now!

Just think of the religious and

this world until He returns. In Luke 9:28, we hear Jesus telling us that “foxes have

philosophical pluralism that was “in

dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but

play” when Jesus was born. Mythology

the Son of Man has no place to lay His

was prominent. Some engaged in

head.” And all who follow Him will not

emperor worship. A pre-Christian

have a place of rest in this world. Until

form of Gnosticism was in effect; and

He returns, this world will function as

many were captivated by the various

a lost world; and inasmuch as He will

schools of philosophical thought, such

return, again, we should think of this

as Epicureanism and Stoicism. Others

world as pre-Christian.

were cynics and skeptics. Interestingly,

SECOND, we should remember—

Judaism was also complicated during

as God’s preachers—that while we have

this time by the existence of the

been ordained (by Him) to preach the

Pharisees, Sadducees, scribes, Essenes,

Gospel, our work will flourish only by

and Zealots.

and through His power.

Then came Jesus.

It could be argued that today’s world

In Ecclesiastes 1:2, Solomon said, “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher,

is more pluralistic than the world into

vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” This

which Jesus was born; but even now,

passage will even apply to our preaching

Jesus enters the world of lost people

if we fail to recognize that when God

when we preach the Gospel. Before the

calls us to any task, including the

Gospel is preached, the world is (at least)

preaching of the Gospel, He necessarily

as pre-Christian as the world was before

calls us to do what we absolutely cannot

Jesus was born.

do in our own strength. He calls us, first

I think it is all too easy to forget that Jesus has promised that we will be aliens in

and foremost, to rely on Him and to trust in His power. Without

GOD’S PREACHERS OF TODAY SHOULD AVOID THINKING OF OUR TIMES AS “POSTCHRISTIAN.” IF THERE EVER WAS A TIME DURING WHICH THE WORLD WAS PRE-CHRISTIAN, THAT TIME IS NOW!

His power, we are

16

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

destined to be frustrated—especially

aids the spiritual formation of those

encouraging us to think about

where preaching is concerned—in this

who—under the unction of the Holy

preaching in an unbiblical world,

pre-Christian age.

Spirit—are listening as God’s Word is

because our sinful world is—in fact—

preached. And inasmuch as expository

clearly described in God’s Word. Every

God’s preachers employ expository

preaching requires that we help God’s

prophet of the Old Testament and all

preaching because expository

people apply God’s Word to their lives,

of the apostles, pastors, teachers, and

preaching places the preacher and the

we are equipping them to avoid the

evangelists referenced in the New

preached message in the flow of God’s

temptations and endure the frustrations

Testament preached before untoward

THIRD, it is very important that

power.

generations and during inconvenient

So many definitions of exposition

times. Our sinful world was foretold

were provided and great commentary

by Jesus (Matthew 24) when He spoke

rendered concerning expository preaching in the Summer 2016 edition of the Messenger (mabts.edu/ resources), I will not render another definition. I learned how to develop and preach expository sermons at Mid-America (approximately 27 years ago). Since that time, I have felt God’s power—in a different way than

of the darkness that will come

GOD HAS DIRECTED US TO PERSIST IN THIS PRE-CHRISTIAN WORLD WHETHER CONVENIENT OR NOT. WE ARE TO PREACH THE WORD IN THIS INCONVENIENT WORLD.

before—as I am preparing

before He returns, and Scripture prepares us to know that we as believers will be called upon to suffer in a manner that more closely resembles His suffering before He returns. In terms of an oxymoron, the current sinful world may be referred to as biblical, since it is so well described in God’s Word.

Thankfully, God’s Word commands us as His preachers concerning

to preach. The preparation

what we should do in this lost

process greatly affects my life

or pre-Christian world. Again,

and my walk with my Lord; and as

through Paul’s charge to Timothy, God

I preach, expository preaching helps

has directed us to “persist” in this pre-

me to know that I am relying on the

Christian world “whether convenient or

power of the Holy Spirit as I am guided

of an unbiblical or pre-Christian

not.” We are to preach the Word in this

by His Word as opposed to relying upon

world. We are equipping them to live

inconvenient world.

my wisdom.

“incarnationally”—that is, to be the

As preachers and pastors, we can

hands, the feet, and the presence of

neither guarantee that our listening

Christ before an unbiblical or pre-

audiences will heed God’s Word as

Christian world. We are equipping them

we preach, nor are we responsible for

to be proclaimers of the Gospel of Jesus

their responses to our preaching; but

Christ as they go about their lives. We are

we are required by God to be servants

equipping the church to grow in Christ

of His Word, and expository preaching

and to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ

greatly enables us to do just that.

with others.

Furthermore, expository preaching

I greatly appreciate Mid-America’s

Dr. Frank Anderson Jr. (MABTS alumnus, MDIV, 1994, PHD, 2000) serves on the faculty of Union University, Jackson and Germantown, Tennessee.

WINTER & SPRING

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

MID-AMERICA PASSION PLAY

December 12, 7:00 p.m.

March 22–25

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AND REGISTRATION

PHD SEMINAR WEEKS

January 5, 9:00 a.m.

March 26–April 13

SPRING SEMESTER CLASSES BEGIN

SPRING PREVIEW DAY

January 16

March 27

MARCH MINI-TERM REGISTRATION

DMIN SEMINARS

February 5–11

April 9–13

SPRING BREAK

LAST DAY TO SUBMIT DMIN APPLICATIONS

March 12–23

May 1

MARCH MINI-TERM

GRADUATION

March 12–23

May 11, 2:00 p.m.

18

Biblical Resources

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

OPEN TREASURES THE ALLISON LIBRARY OFFERS A WEALTH OF INVALUABLE RESOURCES

BY T E R RY B ROWN

Such a close valuable presents itself to

beginning. While audience members

all at Mid-America, and its supporting

recall aspects of Dr. Gray’s telling with

community: The Ora Byram Allison

clarity, amusement, astonishment, or

Memorial Library, full of varied and

favor, the keen listener grasps a notable

deep wealth in thousands of books,

theme—Mid-America’s need for a robust,

journals, e-copies, and videos. Soon,

vibrant, and resourceful library facility.

the Allison Library will pass another

Dr. Allison has sounded this critical

landmark event in its 45-year history,

subject repeatedly, “the Library, the

the acquisition of its 200,000th title, but

Library, the Library” on Monday nights,

this occurrence will not be the result of

emphasizing this special division of

Tales of buried treasures intrigue

happenstance. Careful planning and firm

the Seminary. Moreover, for the past

people. Indeed, folks go to great efforts

administrative support make the Allison

two decades, President Mike Spradlin

in speculations and searches for these

Library one of the strongest in our entire

has furthered and broadened the

supposed wonders. However, people

region for study and research.

administration’s unflinching support to

overlook treasures before them—such as

Dr. B. Gray Allison, founding

the Allison Library through planning and

God’s Word, a precious family member,

president of Mid-America, has spoken

funding, helping to shepherd the Library

or a wonderful church congregation—

on Monday night of Founders’ Days of

fully and confidently into the new era of

and fail to appreciate immediate riches.

each academic year since the school’s

electronic copy, delivery, and assistance.

Today, with guidance from its successful and noteworthy heritage, including a cumulative circulation of materials into the hundreds of thousands and the value of collections into the millions of dollars and a long list of dedicated employees, the Allison Library guarantees its pledge to excellence. Aggressive expansion forsakes timidity in the Allison Library where even in years of lean budgets and reduced purchases, meticulous planning and the assured faith that the Lord will always provide produces a mindset of expansion, always expansion, in meeting needs and honoring our Lord Jesus.

Terry Brown has served Mid-America as Director of Library Services since 1981.

THIS TIMELINE demonstrates Mid-America’s unbroken commitment to developing and maintaining the highest quality library facility as the intellectual and research hub for all its users— students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

— 1972 Establishment of the library in Little Rock; original faculty members—Drs. Gray Allison, Philip Allison, Roy Beaman, and T.V. Farris donate all, or part, of their personal book collections to provide the core of materials — 1973 Holdings reach 7,500 — 1978 Dedication of library as The Ora Byram Allison Memorial Library; holdings reach 50,000 — 1981 Holdings in Library reach 80,000 titles — 1982 Move to first separate, permanent facility in Mid-town campus — 1989 Holdings reach 100,000 — 1995 Computerization complete for entire catalog and circulation — 1996 Move to the Germantown campus — 1998 Installation of first electronic databases for journals — 2006 Move to Cordova campus and separate wing for housing — 2009 Acquisition of first e-book collection, 29,000 volumes; holdings pass 150,000 — 2017 Acquisition of e-business collection for forthcoming College degrees, 16,000+ titles

THE COLLEGE AT MID-AMERICA IS RECONNECTING SCRIPTURE AND SCHOLARSHIP

BY D R . B RA D THO MPSO N On June 25, 1962, the United States Supreme Court decided in Engel v.

Vitale that a prayer approved by the New York Board of Regents for use in schools violated the First Amendment by constituting an establishment of religion.

The following year, the Court disallowed Bible readings in public schools for similar reasons. These two landmark

Supreme Court rulings mandated that

in the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed

religion had no place in public education,

The Old Deluder Satan Law of 1647,

planting the seeds of secularization that

ensuring that students would not be kept

have transformed education today.

from the knowledge of Scripture. Its

Fifty-five years later, almost to

preamble reads as follows:

the date, at the 160th annual meeting

It being one chief project of that old

of the Southern Baptist Convention,

deluder, Satan, to keep men from the

messengers addressed the reality of an

knowledge of the Scriptures, as in

increasingly secular American higher

former times by keeping them in an

education system further removed

unknown tongue, so in these latter

from a biblical worldview. They voted

times by persuading from the use of

to strengthen the connection between

tongues, that so that at least the true

campus ministries and local churches.

sense and meaning of the original might

The connection between church

be clouded and corrupted with false

and classroom has weakened over time.

glosses of saint-seeming deceivers;

From our very beginning, the Puritans

and to the end that learning may not

Undergraduate Degrees

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

21

be buried in the grave of our forefathers,

his life and studies is to know God and

England and Methodists, Princeton

in church and commonwealth, the Lord

Jesus Christ which is eternal life, John

by Presbyterians, Columbia by the

assisting our endeavors.

17:3, and therefore to lay Christ in the

Church of England, Brown by Baptists,

bottom, as the only foundation of all

Dartmouth by Congregationalists, and

even then, between the “church and

sound knowledge and learning.” In 1692,

Cornell, the only non-colonial school, is

commonwealth.” Early communities of

it adopted its original motto, “Truth for

also the only nonsectarian school.

50 families or more were required to

Christ and the Church” (Veritas Christo

hire a teacher, and those of 100 families

et Ecclesiae), which was changed in 1836

secularism, Darwinism, and naturalism,

or greater were required to provide a

after 200 years of secularization to just

the 19th century experienced the same

grammar school and a teacher.

“Truth” (Veritas).

cultural morass similar to present day.

There was a deliberate connection,

A few years earlier, the

In fact, seven of the eight Ivy

With the rising trends of the time—

In 1886, D.L. Moody acted upon the need

Congregational Church instituted

League schools today started with a

for young people to be connected to

Harvard College in 1636. The founders

distinct Christian and denominational

Scripture when he founded Moody Bible

said this: “Let every student be plainly

connection. Yale was founded by

Institute. The Bible School Movement

instructed, and earnestly pressed, to

Congregationalists, The University

of the 1880s to 1920s grew rapidly,

consider well [that] the main end of

of Pennsylvania by the Church of

and in the United States today, there

22

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

are approximately 4,500 colleges and

a high-quality education. Most Christian

degree as a part of our Institute for

universities, most of which were founded

colleges offer a great education for

Nouthetic Studies, founded by Dr. Jay

prior to 1900 as Christian colleges.

their students, providing them with

Adams. We have seen equal interest

Samuel Joeckel and Thomas

knowledge informed by wisdom and

in our Organizational Leadership and

Chesnes, editors of The Christian College

spiritual guidance. This connection of

Business Administration degrees to

Phenomenon, describe the 1990s as a

the classroom to the community through

launch in the spring semester.

time when public institutions of higher

a Christian worldview is an experience

learning in the United States experienced

that will remain with them for the rest of

believers, “See to it that no one takes you

a 3% growth in enrollment, while Christian

their lives.

captive through philosophy and empty

colleges and universities experienced a

Third, according to the College

In Colossians 2:8, Paul warns

deception, according to the tradition

36.9% growth during that same period.

Board, the average cost of tuition and

of men, according to the elementary

They remember 2006, when enrollment

fees for the 2016–2017 school year was

principles of the world, rather than

over the previous year at public

$33,480 at private colleges, and $9,650

according to Christ.” Too often, what’s

universities grew by 13% and at other

for state residents at public colleges.

heard on Sunday is cancelled out on

private colleges by 28%, but Christian

Affordable, Christ-centered education

Monday as college students enter the

colleges and universities rose by 70.6%.

is needed as we continue to experience

classroom. Instead of having their faith

dramatic cultural and moral shifts. What

strengthened, students are paying

in the Christian college and university

What is causing the rapid growth

a blessing to know that because of the

tremendous sums of money, often

movement? First, the community of

generous gifts by donors to The College

incurring sizable debt, to be indoctrinated

faith lacking in most every area of

at Mid-America, our tuition costs remain

away from the truths of Scripture.

modern culture is generally present in

at about $8,000 per year.

Continue to pray for us as we seek

a Christian school. Students encourage

It’s an encouragement to see the

to train the minds, hearts, and hands of

each other’s faith, and instead of tearing

wonderful response by pastors, parents,

college students for the future God has

down or mocking the belief of students,

and young people as we have begun The

for them.

faculty understand the relevance and

College at Mid-America. In addition to

importance of the Christian faith and

our current Bachelor of Arts in Christian

seek to strengthen it.

Studies, we have seen immediate

Dr. Brad Thompson serves Mid-America as Executive Vice President, Dean of the College, Chairman and Professor, Department of Christian Education.

Second concerns the experience of

interest in the new Biblical Counseling

LOW, DONOR-F UNDED TUITION MEANS F REEDOM AF TER GRAD UATION

CHRIST-CENTERED, SEMINA RYQUA LITY ACA DEMICS A RE F ULLY ACCREDITED

GO! PROGRA M OF COMMUNITY S E RV I C E C U LT I VAT E S L E A D E R S HI P

CO L L E G E AT M I DA M E R I C A . CO M

Faculty News

MID-AMERICA MESSENGER

23

MID-AMERICA PROFESSOR PUBLISHES NEW SEMINARY TEXTBOOK ON MISSIONS Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary is delighted to announce that Dr. Mark Terry, Chairman of the Missions Department, has published another book. In August, Baker Publishing released Dr. Terry’s most recent book, Encountering the History of Missions. This book is the last of a series of books on missions called the Encountering Missions Series which is edited by Dr. Scott Moreau of Wheaton College Graduate School. Dr. Terry also wrote another book in the series, Developing a Strategy for Missions, and Dr. Terry stated that all the books in this series are intended to serve as textbooks for seminary classes on missions. Concerning the book, Dr. Chuck Lawless, Vice President for Graduate Studies and Ministry Centers at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, writes: “The authors have done what might seem to be impossible, telling the story of centuries of missions history while holding the reader’s attention through biographical portraits, relevant sidebars, and challenging case studies. I finished the book asking God to allow me to play a role, even a minor one, in the continuing story of missions history. Somehow, I think the authors would be pleased.”

Dr. Mark Terry Chairman of the Missions Department MABTS

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID MEMPHIS, TN PERMIT NO. 831

P.O. Box 2350 • Cordova, Tennessee 38088-2350 901-751-8453 • info@mabts.edu • mabts.edu

Preview YO U R

future.

S P R I N G P R E V I E W DAY | M A R C H 2 7 , 2 0 1 8 F O R M O R E I N F O A N D TO R E G I S T E R N OW Graduate | mabts.edu/previewday Undergraduate | collegeatmidamerica.com/previewday