Jerry Tidwell Union University

New Dockery book explores role of Christian ... - Union University

JACKSON, Tenn. – April 11, 2011 – A new book edited by Union University President David S. Dockery examines the role that Christian denominations play and where they are headed in the future.

“Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism,” published by B&H Academic, includes chapters from a variety of Southern Baptist and evangelical leaders, based upon their presentations at a 2009 conference at Union.

Ray Van Neste, associate professor of biblical studies at Union, and Jerry Tidwell, Union’s senior vice president for university relations, served as the conference coordinators and assisted with the book.

In the book’s preface, Dockery writes that the world has seen significant changes over the past 50 years, and Christian denominations that reached their peak 50 years ago are now struggling to discover their place in a new age.

“The contributors to this volume are not pessimistic about the future; we are hopeful, largely because of Christ’s promise to His church,” Dockery writes. “Yet, we recognize that we find ourselves at a propitious moment when important questions about change, continuity, unity, and diversity need to be raised in light of the challenges around us. We not only want to raise the questions but look for answers that are faithful to our confession and our heritage.”

Dockery cites the numerical decline of many denominations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, and a lack of denominational loyalty from younger leaders.

“The disconnect has been created by rapid changes in our culture, which have been understood by a younger generation of leaders who desire greatly to engage these cultural shifts and respond to them in a gospel-focused manner,” Dockery writes. “We want to encourage the next generation of Baptist and Evangelical leaders toward wise stewardship of that which has been entrusted to them. We pray that God would favor them with great wisdom and abundant grace.”

The book is divided into three sections:

-- “Denominationalism: Historical Trends, Future Challenges,” with chapters by Dockery; Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research; D. Michael Lindsay, author of “Faith in the Halls of Power” and newly elected president of Gordon College; and Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University.

Southern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism

Southern Baptist Consensus and Renewal, A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Proposal

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