2013 Theological Symposium: Summary & Reflections
Anytime believers from different regions, vocations, and intellectual backgrounds can assemble to think theologically together, it is likely an occasion worth attending. The annual Free Will Baptist Theological Symposium is such a setting for this type of activity. The Symposium is sponsored by the Commission for Theological Integrity, a historically important arm of the Free Will Baptist movement.
The annual meeting met on the campus of Hillsdale FWB College in Moore, Oklahoma this past Monday and Tuesday, October 28-29, 2013. It is always interesting to see which papers are submitted and will ultimately be presented. As significantly, the questions and discussion these papers elicit is perhaps the most beneficial part.
Summary
Hillsdale professor and administrator Thomas Marberry presented a paper that served as a continuation on a presentation made last year. In “The Lucan Travel Narrative: A Journey into Conflict,” Marberry presented some of the fruit from his own extensive work in Luke’s Gospel. His paper reflected a substantial, long-term engagement with the biblical text, and especially in the context of recent scholarship.
The next paper was presented by pastor and adjunct Hillsdale professor Charles Cook, entitled “Myth, Fact, or Both? Navigating Competing Claims in Secularization Theory.” Cook’s paper was largely a review of secondary literature on secularization. This review was designed to inform and confront Free Will Baptists with a chastened, realistic perspective on the purchase secularization has over ministry, and its implications for the church’s work. Cook’s paper engendered some of the most substantive response during the Q&A time.
Forum contributor Jesse Owens presented “The Necessity of an Historical Adam for Biblical Soteriology.” Regular Forum readers will know Owens wrote a shorter piece on this topic some time ago. Yet in this presentation he develops the arguments and goes into much greater depth on this somewhat current “hot topic” in hermeneutics and theological studies.
Theological Commission chairman and Welch College president Matt Pinson presented a review essay of Whosoever Will, a significant publication by the Southern Baptist authors that confronted the rising tide of Five-Point Calvinism (Forum contributor Jeremy Craft has also reviewed this book here). Pinson helpfully engaged the book in a way that affirmed its benefits to the Arminian theological perspective, while pointing out potential problems.
Welch College instructor of Biblical/Theological studies Kevin Hester presented one of the more unique papers of the Symposium. In “To Marry Is to Burn? Lessons on Marriage and Spirituality from a Celibate Monk,” Hester brought St. Jerome’s perspective to bear upon contemporary reflections on marriage and sexuality. Given Hester’s expertise in church history, he was well-positioned to illuminate this peculiar figure.
Matthew McAffee, Welch College campus pastor and faculty member, presented “Covenant and the Warnings of Hebrews: The Blessing and the Curse.” This paper was a sterling presentation which built upon last year’s paper. Perhaps the most notable feature was how this paper, despite its preceding body of work, was groundbreaking as it gave the robust biblical theology behind a historic doctrinal position.
Midway through Tuesday, I presented a paper entitled “Crafting a Free Will Baptist Apologetic.” This paper was an effort to move Free Will Baptists beyond conventional categories, and help them to be guided by their own unique doctrine in commending the faith to others.
Welch College faculty member/registrar and Forum contributor Matthew Bracey presented a more constructive proposal entitled, “Making Melody unto the Lord: A Practical Theology of Song.” Though sometimes a controversial topic, Matt fielded a number of earnest and useful questions that clarified the potential applications of his proposal.
Finally, Arkansas State Executive Director Tim Campbell presented “A Solemn Appeal for a Serious Approach to Licensure and Ordination.” Campbell’s paper was birthed out of observable trends in the Free Will Baptist movement, and called for a more rigorous, intentional, and biblically responsible procedure for the licensure and ordination of ministers.
Reflection
As indicated above, there was a healthy diversity of topics addressed. Each paper, in its own respective way, was driven by theological assumptions, or called for the application of a particular theological conclusion. Such substantial proposals were greeted with many questions, and engendered much discussion.
Many attendees were disheartened to learn that long-time Commission chairman, Leroy Forlines, was unable to attend and present a paper due to health concerns. At the same time, nearly all papers specifically invoked or alluded to Forlines. Several papers were especially indebted to a Forlinesean outlook on a particular aspect of their argument. This certainly reflects the profound influence the elderly theologian has had upon our younger generation of scholars.
The 2014 Theological Symposium will be held on the campus of Welch College on October 27-28, 2014. If you’re interested in learning more about this event and potentially submitting a paper, email any questions or suggestions to fwbtheology@gmail.com. The Commission looks forward to hearing from you as it furthers its work in the coming months.
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