Historical-Critical Method WAS the Norm

by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                          Vol. IX, No. 7, August 1996

Previously I have cited the book Servant Songs: Reflections on the History and Mission of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1950-1988, ed. Thomas A. Bland (Smyth & Helwys, 1994). Following is an excerpt from pp. 95-96 in chapter 4 written by Dr. Richard L. Hester who had been Professor of Pastoral Care and Psychology of Religion at SEBTS and is now Executive Director, Georgia Association of Pastoral Care, Atlanta. The chapter is titled "The Faculty's Response to Fundamentalist Control." In this passage Hester is discussing trustee interviews of two prospective faculty.

"In these interviews trustees James Deloach and Robert Crowley [Note: Deloach and Crowley were relatively newly elected conservative trustees. TCP] interrogated the nominees to determine their stand on the issue of the inerrancy of scripture (sic). Deloach invoked the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy as his standard for judging the two candidates, despite the fact that this document had no recognized status at Southeastern. The Chicago Statement holds 'inerrancy' to mean that 'Scripture is without error or fault in all its teaching, no less in what it states about God's acts in creation, about events in world history, and about its own literary origins under God, than in its witness to God's saving grace in individual lives.' This view of the Bible is utterly contrary to the historical-critical approach to the Scripture that had been the norm since Southeastern's founding in 1950, and nothing in the school's Articles of Faith, statement of purpose, or other documents supported such a view." [Bold print added.]

[Editorial Comment: What a devastating admission! Dr. Hester states with complete clarity that to believe the Bible is 100% true is "utterly contrary to the historical-critical approach to the Scripture that had been the norm" at Southeastern since it was founded in 1950. Moreover, he goes on to assert that "nothing in the school's Articles of Faith, statement of purpose, or other documents supported such a view", i.e., that the Bible is true in every respect.

First, it is hard enough to accept that there used to be one or more SBC seminaries founded upon and consistently using a method of Bible study (the historical-critical method) "utterly contrary" to a belief that the Bible is without error. Second, it is also hard to believe that there was an SBC seminary none of whose basic documents supported a firm and full belief in the accuracy of the Bible. And third, it is mind-boggling that, if the first two were true, anyone involved with the school and supporting the errantist viewpoint would have the gall and judgment so flawed as to admit it in print!

In earlier Banners I have noted my appreciation for the liberals' habit of publishing their frank views and so allowing all to see just how unbiblical they are. One may speculate as to why they do. One theory might be that they are so convinced that anyone who really does believe the Bible is 100% true is so stupid and/or uneducated that they probably don't (or can't) read books anyway, so no damage will be done to the liberal position. A second possibility is that their minds are so blinded to biblical truth, so convinced of their own correctness that they believe everyone must accept the reasonableness of their views.

Still a third explanation may be that they feel a legalistic argument should obviously have carried the day. While liberals frequently accuse conservatives of being legalistic, quite often the shoe is on the other foot. For example, note Hester's last sentence; essentially what he asserts is that the school's documents and chosen interpretative method should have carried more weight than the Word of God! Truly, as Romans 1:22 says, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."

Praise God that Southeastern had trustees like Jim Deloach and Bob Crowley who were committed to the Word of God and had backbone enough (and it takes both qualities) to launch the process that has so quickly turned the school from its liberal past until today it is a thoroughly conservative seminary in which Jesus Christ and His Word are exalted and the Holy Spirit is palpably present. And God is blessing the school. Enrollment grew 34% two years ago, 19% last year. And all indications are that the fall semester will see Southeastern at an all-time high enrollment. Again, praise God!