The Helwys Society is always sad to see its regular (and, in this case, long-term) contributors conclude their time with the forum. Regrettably, that time has come for member and co-founder, W. Jackson Watts. It would be difficult to overestimate the value of his contribution to the forum. Jackson, or “Jack” as we affectionately refer to him, has been a part of the forum from the beginning. His unique influence and tireless work have left an indelible mark on the forum, and we couldn’t be more grateful for that.
Jackson embodies what it means to be a pastor-theologian, which is one of the very things we hoped the forum would engender more of in our beloved denomination. Jackson has always set the bar high for himself as well as for other contributors in the area of scholarship. He’s the first to challenge a weak argument even when he agrees with its conclusion. He always tries to engage his ideological opponent’s best arguments and not their weakest ones. He values ideas and takes each one seriously while maintaining his deeply principled and firmly rooted beliefs. But Jackson also has an eye for gearing his scholarship towards the local church and local church pastors. He endeavors never to lose sight of how his scholarship can aid the local church. His example is worthy of emulation. These are just a few of the things we appreciate about Jackson.
With deep sadness, we bid farewell to Jackson as a regular forum contributor after ten years of faithful leadership, writing, and editing. As C. S. Lewis once noted, certain friends bring out unique aspects of their compatriots’ personalities that no other friend does. That observations is true with us as well. Regrettably, aspects of our camaraderie on the site will change without Jackson. But we’re committed to pressing on with what we started together. All that said, he will continue to write on occasion as a guest.
The next two months of posts will include articles from the Helwys Society’s third publication of its occasional journal Connections. We had planned to print these journals for the National Convention of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, but, in light of COVID-19, that was moved to an online modality this summer. Consequently, we are posting them digitally. The underlying theme of this volume of Connections will concern Free Will Baptists and the future. On the occasion of Jackson’s departure from the Helwys Society Forum, we’ve decided to dedicate this edition of Connections to our dear friend and fellow contributor Jack. We will post the journal’s first article next week, which is (suitably) authored by Jackson.
We know that the Lord will continue to bless your work as a pastor and scholar, Jack. Thank you for all you’ve done to make the Helwys Society Forum what it is today. Until our post next week, we offer reflections on some of our favorite articles that Jackson wrote.
– Jesse F. Owens and Matthew Steven Bracey
_______________________________________
“Desire: A Missing Link in Our Theology”: In this essay, Jackson interacts with James K. A. Smith’s work, Desiring the Kingdom, integrating Smith’s ideas with themes that he often visits in his own writing: the relationship between Christian belief and Christian practice. I appreciate all of Jackson’s work on the apparent disconnect between belief and practice in modern evangelicalism, but I think this piece addresses a part of the human soul that is almost forgotten in an age driven by empiricism and productivity: the ordering of loves, the attitudes of the heart, and the desires that drive us. As Jackson details in the essay, our desires have much to do with the habits and cultural liturgies that characterize our day-to-day lives, whether our stated beliefs align or not. This essay encouraged me to reflect on how I can align my actions and desires with right doctrine.
– Rebekah Zuñiga
“Does God Want Us to Fight about Worship?”: When looking back through Jackson’s posts over the last ten years, I notice a consistent theme. Jackson tailored most of what he wrote for the local church. He addressed complex topics related to technology, epistemology, and pragmatism, but he always tried to make application to the life and ministry of the local church. Readers can see this strategy in nearly all of his posts, but it is acute in his 2014 essay “Does God Want Us to Fight About Worship?” Part of the reason I choose this essay is because it’s representative of much of what I know about Jackson. He holds his beliefs passionately and loves to engage with others who might disagree but always with a spirit of charity. That’s what Jackson recommends regarding music in the life of the church. He believes that we shouldn’t fight about worship but that we should take it seriously, engaging one another biblically, carrying ourselves with humility, and dialoguing constantly about what biblical worship should look like. In everything he does, Jackson wants pastors and laypeople to grow in wisdom, understanding, and faithfulness. I commend him for these right and noble aspirations.
– Jesse F. Owens
Jackson does an excellent job in this essay of encouraging worshipers to approach conversations about how we worship with humility. In the consumer culture in which we live, this exhortation is extremely important. As Jackson points out, we do not need to approach worship asking what we can get out of it. Instead, we need to approach decisions we make about worship with “Scriptural reasoning, mutual love, and historical perspective.” In this essay and many others, Jackson helps us think carefully about how we can best glorify God in all we do.
– Zachary Vickery
“Is Technology Neutral?”: Even when talking about more heady topics, Jackson has often brought things within the grasp of the laymen. Whether Jackson was reviewing a book, interviewing someone, or discussing preaching and Tom Brady, he has had a great focus on how his writing (and ministry with the HSF) can benefit the man behind the pulpit and the people in the pew. One of the areas on which Jackson and I share a strong common interest is in the area of technology and ethics. He has written a decent amount on this topic throughout the years, but one essay stands out: “Is Technology Neutral?” He even revisited the essay years later, because the topic was so important. I visit this essay fairly often for two reasons. First, Jackson provides, in my opinion, a solid definition of “technology” that avoids the pitfalls of modern nomenclature. Eschewing the temptation to boil all technology down to the electronic, he clearly defines it as “a manmade tool, composed of both manmade and natural materials, designed for the purpose of supporting, sustaining, or extending some aspect of human culture.” Second, Jackson points the reader beyond the basic sensibilities of utilitarianism to analyzing a technology’s horizons of possibility, along with the intentions of the inventor. I could say much more about this essay, but it would benefit you more to read it!
– Christopher Talbot
“Pastoral Ministry in the COVID-19 Season”: I’ve deeply benefited from Jackson’s contributions to the Helwys Society Forum, but most importantly I’ve benefitted from his friendship. Jackson has a wonderful capacity to express empathy for those ministering in a local church setting. This awareness is particularly evident in his helpful article focusing on providing pastoral care during the COVID-19 season. During this strange season, Jackson offers five practical ways pastors can use their time wisely: (1) prayer and study, (2) calls and correspondence, (3) humble, long-term planning, (4) updating policies, and (5) clarity on thorny topics. Expectations will look different for each pastor, but I appreciate the way that Jackson encourages us towards personal edification. I’m grateful for these reminders and, having known Jackson for several years, I’m grateful for his constant encouragement to equip oneself for pastoral ministry.
– Zachary Maloney
“The Day Three Pastors Died”: Jackson has written many good essays over the years for the Helwys Society Forum, but I think my personal favorite was his 2018 post about the untimely death of three Missouri pastors in a plane crash. He gave a wonderful historical overview of the event and used that foundation to reflect on the complexity of trusting in God’s providence. Further, like all good historical writing, he made me want to learn more about the event.
– Phillip T. Morgan
“The Persistence of Place: Reflections on Craig Bartholomew’s Where Mortals Dwell”: Over the past decade, Jackson has published approximately 115 posts. Some are interviews, others are book reviews, but the vast majority of them are original articles and essays. At approximately 1,500 words an essay, that’s a lot of words. To pick a favorite post out of so many is not an easy feat. That said, I have picked “The Persistence of Place” to highlight because it is a good introduction to the importance of a theology of place. Against the gnostic temptation to treat physical localities as irrelevant and inconsequential, Jackson reminds readers that place—space and time—matters significantly in God’s providential care and shaping of us.
– Matthew Steven Bracey
“The Scandal of Singleness”: Jackson is a good friend and a thoughtful writer. Although I could recommend any number of articles (the ones on the neutrality of technology are very helpful), I would say that “The Scandal of Singleness” spoke to me personally. At one point in our lives, both Jackson and I were serving churches simultaneously as single pastors. So he wrote this essay with his personal experience in mind. With all that is happening in our society’s cultural moment (whether good or bad), we find more Christians who are single than in times past. Jackson offers some biblical-theological reflections on singleness and shows us how Christians can think about singleness in the church today.
– Jeremy Craft (former HSF contributor)
_______________________________________
Jackson, from all of us: We will miss you dearly.
August 5, 2020
Sad to hear this. Jackson may not remember me but we had a few pleasant email exchanges in which he encouraged me during a challenging. May God bless his future endeavors.
August 10, 2020
Seth, of course I remember you! I hope you are doing well. You feel free to reach out any time and let me know how you are. I appreciate your kind words, too.