FROM THE PRESIDENT
Theology Informs Our Practice

Dear Friends:

In the last issue of Perspectives I described the fragile nature of theological education in the 21st century. While the fragility remains a concern we must address as we plan our future and seek new leadership, I want now to comment on several key theological values that must shape our response to the challenges and difficulties of the current time.

From Christian history in general and from Baptist history in particular, I would contend that there are four primary theological realities that must shape our common life and practice. First is the birth and life of Jesus. We must stay centered on the “Jesus event” as the primary paradigm for understanding not only our past but also our future. Our authority comes from knowing and following what we know about Jesus from the Gospels and letters. This makes the study of scripture essential. It requires that leaders of the church be first and foremost “exegetes” of the word. This exegetical task involves both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament.

The second reality is Jesus’ death on the cross. The link between Jesus’ life and death must be explored and understood for our time. A new theology of atonement must be articulated to counter the tendency in contemporary Christendom to create a hierarchy of sin that includes some and excludes others. If we regard Jesus’ death as the event which changes the nature of our relationship with God and provides forgiveness for sin, then no sin is better or worse. The whole human condition is characterized by a brokenness that cannot be addressed apart from the Christ event. As the hymn writer put it, “At the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light and the burden of my sin rolled away.” We must reclaim the radicality of the atoning event as that which frees all sins. Did not Jesus pay it all? Radical grace requires radical forgiveness on the part of the church.

A third reality is the resurrection. That God would not let Jesus’ death be the final word means that new life is now possible for all. Hence the church is created to witness to both the atoning death and the liberating resurrection. This creates a community which must be open to all who come and welcoming of all needs, conditions, and issues. We do not get to pick and choose about the beneficiaries of the resurrection. At the center of our hope is the resurrection.

The fourth core theological value is Pentecost. Pentecost is the gift of power and unity. Here the church is given the spirit of understanding and discernment for the sake of the mission of the church. There is an assumed unity! We are together for the sake of the mission made known in the Jesus event. Unity is not an option but a command. We do not get to separate ourselves from others on the basis of disagreement or difference. The power of life, death, and resurrection binds us together to attend to a greater mission that cannot be undone by difference and disagreement. Perhaps one of the most troubling aspects of contemporary church life is the mistaken belief that one is free to break the ties of unity whenever one wants. The power of the church is in staying focused on the task of human liberation and hope. The power is not in quarreling about who is right and who is wrong. We need to stay focused on the mission in the midst of our differences and disagreements.

In these fragile and troubled times, ABSW is seeking to stay focused on these key theological values. We are unapologetically Christocentric in our life, study and work. We need to be clear about the values which inform and empower our practice. Our core values help us to stay focused on the things essential so as not to be distracted or disempowered by that which is not important. To navigate our way through these next years, we need to know who we are and what we hold as the core of our beliefs. Our task is to know who we are so that we can faithfully fulfill our mission while we wait for new direction from God.

Remember your school in prayer! We want to keep preparing men and women who are faithful servant leaders of the Good News of Jesus.

Faithfully yours,

Keith A. Russell
President