The Morning After

by Dr. Paige Patterson                                                                            Vol. V, No. 5, September 1992

[Paige Patterson is the newly elected president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, NC. As the closest SBC seminary to Virginia, it is not surprising that more Virginia Southern Baptist pastors are graduates of Southeastern than any other seminary, just about 40%. Therefore, developments at SE are most significant for us. The selection of Dr. Patterson as SE president is arguably the most encouraging thing that could have happened for conservative Virginia Baptists.]

Everyone knows that Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has been engulfed in a public relations "nuclear winter" characterized by being placed on probation by two accrediting associations, experiencing campus unrest more typical of the 60's, and at the same time undergoing a change of direction which would refocus the seminary in a more conservative, evangelical, and missionary trajectory. But the morning after the "nuclear winter" is anything but dismal. To the contrary, the sun has risen brightly on the Eastern Seaboard. The clouds have almost dissipated, and it is clear that the future is bright.

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Even the past at Southeastern Seminary, while falling short of conservative Southern Baptists' expectations, cannot be written off as without significance. Quite to the contrary! Churches have been initiated, and outstanding mission work has been effected through the ministry of many godly and gracious professors, staff, and students at Southeastern. Now it is the purpose of the Seminary to build on every centimeter of that godly foundation, an edifice that will reflect the glory of our Maker and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

As President of the Seminary, I understand that this is a trust given to those of us who provide direction to the Seminary by Southern Baptists whose deepest desire is to see ministers and missionaries trained for an all-out assault on the bastions of hell itself. Our purpose is to train a generation of men and women who will not be intimidated by the enormous task that lies ahead, but instead, walking in faith and courage, inspired by the Spirit of the living God in their hearts, will initiate a strategy to get the Gospel to every precious person on the face of the globe.

Fortunately, this is able to be accomplished from the launch pad here in Wake Forest that is as radiantly beautiful as any I have ever imagined. The encouragement I receive from people in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and all along the Eastern Seaboard has been nothing short of phenomenal.

Please pray that God will give us the ability to be as "wise as serpents and as harmless as doves." Our purpose will be to love those who do not see things our way and reorganize each of them as our precious brethren for whom Christ died. Our further purpose will be to remain absolutely loyal to every syllable of God's Word and to march under the Lordship of Christ in the enabling ministry of the Holy Spirit. If God will help us, I intend to do this with every millibar of energy left within.