JACKSON, Tenn. — March 29, 2023 — 51社区 hosted author and current president of the Evangelical Theological Society, Timothy George, for the seventh annual David and Lanese Dockery Lectures on Baptist Thought and Heritage March 20.
The annual lectureship, named for former Union President David S. Dockery and First Lady Lanese Dockery, intends to examine the importance of the Baptist heritage, the distinctives of Baptist thought and the influence of the Christian intellectual tradition through an annual guest speaker.
George is distinguished professor of divinity and founding dean of the Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. His lecture was divided into two parts, both entitled 鈥淗aving Bought Truth Dear: Thomas Helwys, Roger Williams and the Travail of Religious Freedom.鈥�
George鈥檚 lecture explored the life of Roger Williams and Thomas Helwys, both significant figures for religious freedom. Helwys is remembered for founding the first Baptist church on English soil. Williams is remembered as a pioneer in the fight for religious freedom and a chosen representative for America on the Wall of the Reformation located in Geneva, Switzerland.
The lecture also focused on religious freedom during the time of Williams and Helwys and in modern times.
George began his second lecture by discussing Helwys鈥� 鈥淎 Short Declaration of the Mystery of Iniquity,鈥� one of the earliest publications in the fight for religious freedom.
鈥淚t was a call for universal religious freedom for everybody, everywhere, no exceptions,鈥� George said. 鈥淥ne of the great documents of religious freedom in all the history of the church and of Western civilization.鈥�
George鈥檚 lecture also discussed the life of Williams and his contribution to Christian ministry and Baptist heritage.
He unpacked the historiography, biography and practical application of the life of Williams and how he was viewed by others during his time.
鈥淭he context in which Roger Williams came to the convictions that he lived and died by which seemed so threatening to his contemporaries鈥ome from the fact that he belonged to, was one of, shaped by the Calvinist Puritan Separatist tradition,鈥� George said.
Williams was essential in bringing about religious freedom in the New World, George said. He was concerned with the colonies being separate from England.
鈥淗e was also was concerned that those who were ungodly, that is unregenerate, not in the church, could not swear an oath,鈥� George said. 鈥淭hat may seem a silly thing to us, but it was a big deal back then because oaths were the means by which you negotiated all business, all contracts.鈥�
George shared how Williams was eventually banished from Massachusetts and went on to settle in Providence and based his settlement on complete religious freedom.
鈥淲hen we remember Roger Williams today we look at that great achievement and we think what courage it took, what bravery was involved, how much perseverance it took to overcome all the obstacles in his way and create something that has lasting value and lasting importance,鈥� George said.
George summarized his lecture by talking about the significance of Williams鈥� life and the importance of religious freedom today.
鈥淲hat we want is a civil public square that is open to a full range of convictions where people can disagree with one another openly without fear of reprisal and where there is respect for individual freedom, and not just freedom for you as an individual but freedom for the company of God鈥檚 people, the church,鈥� George said.