Convictional Civility

Engaging the Culture in the 21st Century, Essays in Honor of David S. Dockery

C. Ben Mitchell, Carla D. Sanderson, Gregory Alan Thornbury, C. Ben Mitchell, Carla D. Sanderson, Gregory Alan Thornbury

• Publisher: B&H Academic
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781433685088
• eBook ISBN: 9781433685095
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

Jesus calls his followers to be salt and light in a fallen world. Through the ages, believers have grappled with what form Christian cultural engagement should take. Various Christian thinkers have advocated models of engagement, and some recent models have used the discourse of the battlefield to speak of “winning the culture war.” In a post-Constantinian, post-Christian culture, how are believers to live in the world without being of the world? 

Throughout his ministry, David S. Dockery has persistently advocated “convictional civility” as a vision for contemporary engagement—in which witness is more important that winning, and fidelity is more effective than fighting. In this volume, respected Christian leaders honor him by presenting these essays that explore convictional civility as a lifestyle of bearing witness for Christ and of contributing to the common good. From the pulpit to the public square and from the campus to the courtroom, followers of Christ are to demonstrate Christian virtues through winsome civility and Christian values through wholehearted conviction.

Contributors

Daniel L. Akin, professor of Christian preaching and president, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina

Hunter Baker, associate professor of political science and dean of instruction, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

Barry H. Corey, president, Biola University, La Mirada, California

Philip W. Eaton, president emeritus, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington

Millard J. Erickson, theologian at-large and retired dean, Bethel Theological Seminary, Saint Paul, Minnesota

Gene C. Fant Jr., provost and chief academic officer, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida

Nathan A. Finn, associate professor of historical theology and Baptist studies, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina

James Leo Garrett Jr., distinguished professor of theology emeritus, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas

Timothy George, founding dean and professor of divinity, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

George H. Guthrie, Benjamin W. Perry professor of Bible, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

Barbara C. McMillin, president, Blue Mountain College, Blue Mountain, Mississippi

C. Ben Mitchell, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Graves professor of moral philosophy, Union University, Jackson, Tennessee

R. Albert Mohler Jr., Joseph Emerson Brown professor of Christian theology and president, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Autumn Alcott Ridenour, assistant professor of religious and theological studies, Merrimack College, North Andover, Massachusetts

Carla D. Sanderson, provost emeritus, Union University and vice president for institutional effectiveness and professional regulation, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois

Robert Smith Jr., professor of Christian preaching, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama

Carol Swain, professor of political science and law, Vanderbilt University,...

Table of contents

• Foreword Carla D. Sanderson
• David Samuel Dockery: Evangelical Baptist and the Doctrine of the Bible James Leo Garrett Jr.
• With David Dockery Among Baptists and Evangelicals Timothy George
• Toward Convictional Civility Millard J. Erickson
• Convictional Clarity R. Albert Mohler Jr.
• What God Hath Joined Together Robert Smith Jr.
• Leadership Lessons from David S. Dockery Gene C. Fant Jr.
• Higher Education’s Role in Developing a Civil Society Hunter Baker
• Imaging God Through Union with Christ Autumn Alcott Ridenour
• Baptists, Conscience, and Convictional Civility in Health Care C. Ben Mitchell
• Afterword Gregory Alan Thornbury
• A Word of Gratitude and Thanksgiving for David and Lanese Dockery Daniel L.Akin
• Conviction, Courage, and Civility Barry H. Corey
• Winsome Champion for the Long Sweep of the Christian Intellectual Tradition Philip W. Eaton
• Irenic Conservative, Orthodox Baptist Nathan A. Finn
• A Civil “Wedge” in the World George H. Guthrie
• Wholehearted Conviction and Winsome Civility Barbara C. McMillin
• Cultural Warrior, Intellectual Strategist, and Recognized Visionary Carol Swain
• Activist for Racial Reconciliation Kimberly Thornbury
• Friend, Mentor, and Guide Jon R. Wallace
• Faithful Servant James Emery White
• Generous, Wise, and Humble John D. Woodbridge
• Learning from a Master Carl Zylstra
• David S. Dockery: Professional Highlights (1984–2014)
• Contributors