Volume 69, Number 4
Campus Newspaper of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary • Fort Worth, Texas
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
A LOOK INSIDE »
THE SCROLL
Pitfalls to Avoid: Financial Advice for the Current or Future Pitfalls pg 4 » Minister
Preaching workshop untangles book of Revelation By Keith Collier | SWBTS
GET TO KNOW YOUR PROFESSORS: TERRY WILDER By Alex Sibley | SWBTS
Nearly 200 local church pastors and seminary students were challenged to overcome their fears of preaching through the book of Revelation during Southwestern’s Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop, Oct. 7. Professors at the seminary provided insight and tools into the apocalyptic conclusion of the New Testament and exhorted workshop participants to preach from the only biblical book that promises a blessing for those who read, hear and keep what is written in it. Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson, who wrote the commentary on Revelation in the New American Commentary series, spoke
during two sessions of the workshop. He noted that Revelation can be a great source of encouragement to churches during difficult days. “I know of no book in the Bible, maybe other than Job, that will assure the average parishioner more of the prospects for God owning the future and the present and nothing being out of His control,” Patterson said of Revelation. “The book of Revelation focuses on how bad the world is. You can’t imagine anything as bad as the world of Revelation. But not only does it tell how bad the world is, it also tells how great the Savior is and how His providence extends to all portions of our world.”
During his first session, Patterson addressed the genre of the book, which has been debated but, if understood correctly, sheds light on interpretation. He recognized that the book actually contains multiple genres, including letters, prophecy and apocalyptic tones. “It is a prophetic letter written at the end of the apocalyptic period by a fisherman who had acquainted himself extensively with Jewish literature and consequently knew about apocalyptic literature and borrowed some of the devices of apocalyptic literature because he knew that people living in his day would understand and comprehend it,” Patterson Revelation pg 2 » concluded.
Patterson answers rapid-fire questions during live Twitter Q&A By Keith Collier | SWBTS Southwestern Seminary President Paige Patterson answered nearly 60 questions related to theology, pastoral ministry, personal interests, and his views on the future of the Southern Baptist Convention during a live question-andanswer session via his Twitter account, Sept. 27. Patterson called the hour-long social media session the “Lion’s Den” after a similar ask-anything format he uses in chapel services on campus from time to time. Questions poured in from all over the country as people tweeted to @_PPatterson_ and used the hashtag #AskDrP to track the discussion. A
complete account of the Twitter session can be found at www.swbts.edu/AskDrP. Responding to the question of how he would redo the Conservative Resurgence differently if he had the chance, Patterson answered, “1. Pray more. 2. Much more diligently try not to see people hurt.” Patterson also answered questions related to difficult interpretations of biblical passages. One Twitter user asked, “If the temple in Ezek. 40-48 is a future physical reality, why does God put an altar in it when we are already atoned for?” “The problem is not just altar, but sacrifices. The nature of it all seems to
be memorial and significance,” Patterson replied. The Twitter Lion’s Den also exposed Patterson’s lighter side as he answered questions about his first date with his wife, his thoughts on Christian hip-hop music and his favorite weapon. When asked about his favorite dish made by his wife, he replied, “Prepare to be hungry: sweet potato biscuits. They are probably the original manna.” Patterson also gave pastoral advice. When asked what is most important in the first year of a new pastorate, he replied, “Preach hard, pray much, get acquainted with Patterson pg 2 »
Terry Wilder was called to ministry almost immediately after being saved at age 23. Although initially resistant, Wilder could not avoid God’s call. God even used power lines to get Wilder’s attention. “I couldn’t go down the street,” Wilder says, “and look at...power lines, with the pole and then the cross part -- it just haunted me. I couldn’t help but think of the cross.” Born in Dayton, Ohio, Wilder grew up in a non-Christian home, but even before his salvation experience, God’s influence was evident in Wilder’s life. “I had a godly grandmother I’m sure was praying for me,” Wilder says. “Just about every time I’d get a Christmas present or birthday present [from her], it was a Bible. Dropping a hint, I guess.” Wilder got involved and was even confirmed in a church down the street from his childhood home, though in truth he attended only because membership in the church’s little league baseball program required it. Though Wilder admits the Scripture he encountered at this church affected him, he eventually dropped out. As a junior in high school, a desire to be popular led Wilder, who had previously been a model student, to drugs, alcohol, and ‘other questionable activities.’ “I grew up in an inner city environment,” Wilder says, “so the opportunity for those Wilder pg 3 »
13 NEW MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS MAKE KINGDOM IMPACT By Keith Collier | SWBTS Administrators at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have approved 13 new merit-based “Impact Scholarships” designed to assist students with specific backgrounds or areas of ministry. These new scholarships will be available for the spring 2014 semester. “For years, Southwestern has offered affordable tuition and will continue to do so. Now, we can also advantage the hardest working students in a way that communicates their efforts will be rewarded.” said Steven Smith, vice president for student services and communications at the seminary. “This sends a huge message to incoming students that we are serious about attracting the brightest students.” Ministry-specific scholarships include studies in preaching Impact pg 3 »