Third annual Southeastern Theological Fellowship honors scholars at ETS

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evangelical theological society speakerSoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary recognized five evangelical scholars during the Southeastern Theological Fellowship dinner at the 67th annual meeting of The Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) in Atlanta.

The scholars, who represent five different colleges, universities and seminaries, received awards for excellence in research and writing and for displaying the characteristics of a great commission scholar, particularly classroom instruction and Christian scholarship.    

“Southeastern sponsors this event in order to facilitate fellowship and scholarly collaboration across the evangelical community and to award selected persons for their contributions to evangelical scholarship,” said Bruce Ashford, provost of Southeastern and master of ceremonies for the event. 

In his opening remarks, Ashford quoted Mark Noll as he explained that the purpose of Christian scholarship is ultimately worship. “The point of Christian scholarship is not recognition by standards established in the wider culture. The point is to praise God with the mind. Such efforts will lead to the kind of intellectual integrity that sometimes receives recognition, but for the Christian that recognition is only a fairly inconsequential byproduct,” he said. 

The first four honorees were Susan Booth, professor of evangelism and missions at Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary and College; Michael Shepherd, associate professor of biblical studies at Cedarville University; Douglas Moo, professor of New Testament at Wheaton College; and Gregg Allison, professor of Christian theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dean of Beeson Divinity School Timothy George received the fifth award. George briefly addressed attendees on the benefit of scholarship in building up the church. He closed by emphasizing the difference between knowledge and wisdom, and expressed his desire for everyone in the room to grow in both areas.  

“It was a wonderful evening in which we had evangelical Baptists, Anglicans, Presbyterians, and Methodists together at the banquet, not only dining together, but building friendships, sharpening one another, and even in some instances conceiving of writing projects upon which they wish to collaborate,” Ashford said.

Over 20 Southeastern students and faculty presented papers at the meeting in the areas of theology, biblical studies and ethics. 

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