Reflections on ETS 2014
Two weeks ago, over 2500 students, professors, exhibitors, and scholars from many fields journeyed to San Diego, California for the 66th Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). My colleague Matthew McAffee (Welch College) and I were among those in attendance. We each enjoyed the privilege of giving presentations this year. More significant, though, was the opportunity to attend three days of presentations from scholarship and ministry being done throughout the world.
While space does not permit a survey of each section of the program, I’d like to share with Forum readers an overview of this year’s event. Ultimately my hope is that readers will share in the overall impact of such a stimulating event, which is to drive all of us to think, feel, and walk passionately concerning the things of God.
Church Matters
Fred Sanders (Biola University’s Torrey Honors Institute) gave an informative and winsome talk on a subject often overlooked in evangelical academic circles: iconography. Drawing on his background in the history of Trinitarian theology and art, Sanders provided a helpful set of cautions or caveats concerning the nature of art’s function in the Christian life and the church. Yet amid his cautions, he urged listeners to attend to how iconography has functioned historically, learning from it even while they critique it Scripturally.
I enjoyed listening to my former professor John Hammett (Southeastern Seminary) explore a Baptist understanding of baptism. He examined the topic in a unique way, examining it in light of the growing belief among some Baptists in the sacramental character of baptism. Hammett first situated the topic in a biblical framework. He then suggested that we could consider baptism some sort of means of grace because God, the church, and the baptismal candidate are all participants in this special act. Insomuch that God is blessing the obedience of the church and candidate, this could be considered some means of grace (though not in a conventional way).
Pastor and professor Eric Moore (Moody Theological Seminary) presented on the often controversial subject of contemporary worship, particularly in its musical form. He examined it from a historical, biblical, and practical perspective. While his paper was far from comprehensive, it helped situate the subject in a framework in which it could be evaluated fairly on its own terms.
It’s often encouraging to see up-and-coming scholars at ETS as well. I heard two presentations from younger scholars connected with Southern Seminary. Matthew Lyon shared a paper on notable fundamentalist John R. Rice and his view of women in the church. An Independent Baptist in Southern’s doctoral program, Lyon presented a sympathetic, well-written overview of Rice’s contributions to this sometimes thorny subject. Similarly, Derek Brown, a young Silicon Valley pastor and Southern Seminary graduate, presented a paper entitled, “No Simple Matter: On the Contemporary Use and Misuse of the Regulative Principle.” As the title suggests, Brown explored the diversity that exists among those who affirm the regulative principle in theory, but embody it differently in their respective ministry practices.
Each year, three plenary addresses are given that relate in some way to the conference theme. Gregg Allison (Southern Seminary) gave a lecture on the important theological and practical intersection between the doctrine of the church (ecclesiology) and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit (pneumatology). Joseph Hellerman (Talbot School of Theology) presented on the profoundly familial roots of Christian identity in history and Scripture, and the implications this would have for the church’s self-understanding today. Yale theologian Miroslav Volf then offered a challenging account of the temptations that the church faces in the areas of politics and economics, urging the church to resist such temptations. If the church trusts in the living bread from above as opposed to the bread of this world alone, it will be equipped to resist the power that is often attached to political or economic influence.
Biblical & Theological Studies
I attended four sessions that fit more specifically within “biblical and theological studies.”
Craig Blaising (Southwestern Seminary) presented a paper entitled “Typology and the Church.” If we believe in inaugurated eschatology, he contended, then we need to consider how the consummation shapes our application of biblical types to understanding the church. In a holistic anthropology of the kingdom, God’s people are never a “mono-nation,” but a multi-national entity through which God is glorified.
Welch College biblical scholar Matthew McAffee presented in the Old Testament backgrounds/Ancient Near East program unit. McAffee gave a comparative analysis of the terms for liver (kbd) and heart (lb) in Ugaritic and Biblical Hebrew. McAffee’s presentation reflected a careful erudition of which Free Will Baptists can be proud.
World-renowned apologist William Lane Craig participated in a question and answer session on issues related to Molinism. Though Craig is best known for his global ministry of debating atheists on questions such as God’s existence, and the historicity of the resurrection, this was a more relaxed session. In it, program unit conveners and the audience asked questions about Craig’s espousal of Molinism and how it relates to various theological issues. Some Arminian readers will be aware of the controversial question concerning to what extent, if at all, Arminius was influenced by Molina’s understanding of middle knowledge. This presentation didn’t advance that dialogue, though it was interesting.
In historical discussions of the doctrine of perseverance, Augustine’s unique perspective is sometimes overlooked as it doesn’t completely support either the Calvinist or Arminian system of thought. However, Everett Berry (Criswell College) helped attendees revisit Augustine’s position in light of contemporary doctrinal discussion.
Canadian Baptist theologian Stanley Fowler offered an even more challenging look on the topic of perseverance from the standpoint of Five-Point Calvinism. He contended that the “eternal security” doctrine is unintelligible apart from the entire Calvinist doctrinal system. Many have made this argument over the years (including Free Will Baptist scholars), but it was refreshing to hear it once more from a Calvinist Baptist.
Prolific New Testament scholar Tom Schreiner gave the annual presidential address on the subject of sola fide (“faith alone”). Perhaps the most memorable feature of his address was his comprehensive critique of Frank Beckwith, former ETS president-turned Catholic. Schreiner sought to freshly rearticulate the significance of justification by faith, and in the process he challenged Beckwith’s account of the subject.
Ethics & Cultural Understanding
Renowned biblical scholar Darrell Bock gave a presentation on the challenges that homosexuality presents to the church’s ministry. Bock suggested that listeners should consider the subject on three levels: (1) the biblical ethic involved; (2) pastoral care; and (3) public policy. Bock explained that Christians must carefully think through how to relate these levels in a fallen world.
On a related subject, Denny Burk (Boyce College) gave a provocative but important presentation in a section dealing with issues of sexuality. His presentation considered the question, “Is Same-Sex Orientation Sinful?” Burk offered careful exegetical and theological reflection on the subject of desire, which is the key issue at stake in spiritual, clinical and practical terms when it comes to sexual attraction. Burk challenged listeners to consider the objects to which our desires are oriented.
I gave a presentation entitled “Redeeming Tradition: Reflections on Recent Theological Retrieval Projects.” I attempted to trace some contemporary developments in which many evangelicals are going “to the sources,” that is, early classical Christian sources, and account for why this may be happening. Those interested in a copy of the paper may click here for a PDF version.[1]
Society & Ekklesia
One section I really enjoyed was a series of presentations on the History of Christian Political Thought, followed by a lively panel discussion among the presenters and audience. Owen Strachan moderated the discussion, which followed the presentations below:
Greg Thornbury (president, King’s College) contrasted Athenagoras’ A Plea for the Christians with the account of St. Anthony as seen in Athanasius. Despite the significant differences between these examples, Thornbury contended that the common factor was the moral authority and integrity of the community of faith, which is still critical to the church’s ability to impact the world today.
Ethicist Brent Waters followed with an interesting overview of a changing global economy, and then raised some questions as to what challenges and opportunities this may create for the church and the work of the Holy Spirit despite the “creative destruction” that sometimes occurs during times of economic change.
Greg Forster (Kern Family Foundation) presented on John Locke’s contribution to our understanding of religious freedom and human rights. Forster offered a sober, but appreciative assessment of Locke’s legacy.
Matthew Arbo (Oklahoma Baptist University) concluded the section with a theological consideration of “subjective rights.” Arbo expressed significant concerns for the limitations of “rights language” and the conception of rights for forging a more comprehensive account of morality and public life.
Conclusion
ETS is a wonderful organization of scholars from many countries, academic disciplines, and church traditions. I would heartily encourage all interested in the broader thought of the evangelical church to make it a priority to attend one of these meetings at some point. While there are various degrees of membership, opportunities to attend as a guest are possible. In the meantime, one may visit the provided link to review both this year’s full program, as well as available audio recordings.
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[1] ETS has made audio recordings of all sessions available through www.wordmp3.com.
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