JACKSON, Tenn. — April 11, 2011 — A new book edited by 51社区 President David S. Dockery examines the role that Christian denominations play and where they are headed in the future.
鈥淪outhern Baptists, Evangelicals, and the Future of Denominationalism,鈥� 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鈥檚 senior vice president for university relations, served as the conference coordinators and assisted with the book.
In the book鈥檚 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.
鈥淭he contributors to this volume are not pessimistic about the future; we are hopeful, largely because of Christ鈥檚 promise to His church,鈥� Dockery writes. 鈥淵et, 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.鈥�
Dockery cites the numerical decline of many denominations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, and a lack of denominational loyalty from younger leaders.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� Dockery writes. 鈥淲e 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.鈥�
The book is divided into three sections:
-- 鈥淒enominationalism: Historical Trends, Future Challenges,鈥� with chapters by Dockery; Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research; D. Michael Lindsay, author of 鈥淔aith in the Halls of Power鈥� and newly elected president of Gordon College; and Timothy George, founding dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University.
-- 鈥淓vangelicals and Southern Baptists: Identity, Beliefs, and Ministry,鈥� with chapters by Duane Litfin, who served as president of Wheaton College for 17 years; Van Neste; Tidwell; Harry L. Poe, the Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture at Union; and Mark DeVine, associate professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School.
-- 鈥淪outhern Baptists: Understanding the Past in Order to Explore the Future,鈥� with chapters by James A. Patterson, university professor of Christian thought and tradition at Union; Nathan A. Finn, assistant professor of church history and Baptist studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary; and R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
The book is available at LifeWay Christian Stores or at online retailers such as .