Post Graduation Reflections

This past weekend I very much enjoyed the ministry of Dr. Tom Nettles, professor of Historical Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Nettles was the guest speaker at the graduation exercises of Toronto Baptist Seminary on Friday evening, and he preached at both services at Trinity Baptist Church. All three messages were challenging and a blessing. On Friday evening he spoke about what seminary could and could not do for its students. It was a good reminder that there is more to Christian ministry than successfully completing assignments, writing papers and passing examinations. God must be working in our lives, otherwise it will all come to nothing. Yesterday morning at Trinity, he spoke on James 1:19 about being quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. And then in the evening service he spoke and what we know as Christians according to the closing verses of 1 John 5:18-21. All three messages where faithful to the biblical text, practical and God honoring. One of the great things about getting people in to speak on special occasions is the reminder that God has his people in different places throughout the world. The Lord is building his church, accomplishing his purposes and hastening the day when he will return in glory and power. How thankful we should be!

Graduation was also a real blessing. It was good to see so many present for this annual celebration. As a teacher it is satisfying to see the graduates complete their studies and look to the Lord for future service. We need both men and women who are trained in the word of God to out into the world and to live out the truth of the gospel. While the office of elder/pastor is reserved in the New Testament for qualified men whom God calls to serve in that way, it is a theological and practical blunder to downplay the need for theologically educated women. Churches and groups of churches that do not see the importance of training both men and women need to re-read both the Old and New Testaments and not merely focus on a few isolated texts which are routinely interpreted in a myopic fashion. The church is the new humanity, a priesthood of believers, and a mighty evangelistic army which is to go into all the world and make known the gospel to all nations, teaching them to obey everything Jesus has commanded us, until the very end of the age. May this group of graduates do just that to the praise of God's glorious grace!