January 31, 2017
East Texas Baptist University's School of Christian Studies along with the T.B. Maston Foundation hosted the annual T.B. Maston Lecture Series January 23, 2017.
The T.B. Maston Foundation aims to promote the legacy of Dr. T.B. Maston, a lifelong advocate for the deeper understanding and wider application of the life and ethical teachings of Jesus Christ. Dr. T.B. Maston (1897-1988), a pioneering voice in Christian Ethics among Southern Baptists, was instrumental in establishing the Department of Christian Ethics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas where he taught until his retirement in 1963. The author of many books, Dr. Maston was known for his prophetic voice on many social issues, taking controversial stands on such issues as race relationships, stirring the conscience of Southern Baptists in the 1950s and 60s.
The 2017 T.B. Maston Lecture Series included a Chapel Service and Luncheon featuring Dr. Karen Bullock, Chairman of the Heritage and Identity and Religious Freedom commissions for the Baptist World Alliance. Currently a Professor of Christian Heritage and Director of Ph.D Program at B.H. Carroll Theological Institute, Dr. Bullock is a renowned teacher and speaker as well as an author of numerous books, chapters in books, articles, and documentaries. She is also a historian and archivist for Buckner Baptist Benevolences.
"I would say that Karen Bullock is the Indiana Jones of Baptist historians," ETBU Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Thomas Sanders said. "She climbs cemetery walls, she goes through bushes, and she will go through the wilderness to find a place that is important to Baptists."
Through her lecture entitled, "Selfless, Fearless, Relentless: The People of the Baptized Way," Dr. Bullock wove together a picture of Baptists in history and their impact on the world. She emphasized how today's Baptists should take note of the mistakes and victories of the past and use them to help shape the future.
"There are three characteristics that set Baptists apart and characterize who they are," Bullock said. "They are selfless and fearless and relentless in a particular way. It matters because we live in a selfie world of selfishness. Ours is a world of self-absorption and self-centeredness, self-aggrandizement, self-promotion, extreme self-confidence and self-reliance, but from the earliest beginnings, Baptists have cherished selflessness and giving themselves away in the support of others in every generation."
Dr. Bullock referenced Baptists throughout history, like Dr. Maston, who made the world a better place. She said a person's identity in Christ and identity as a Christian should influence them to act ethically in the world around them through service.
"The funding of the largest mission-sending agencies in the world is still supported by men and women giving sacrificially for others," Bullock said. "As they give to the world, they come to know the living life of Jesus Christ. Their joy has been in serving Christ while serving others."
As part of the celebration of Dr. Maston's life and the service of Baptists that reflect his contributions to the Christian faith, ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn recognized Dr. William Tillman, director of Theological Education at the Baptist General Convention of Texas who has and continues to make an impact on the lives of Baptists across Texas and around the globe. Dr. Blackburn shared his gratitude for Dr. Tillman's significant work to secure scholarships for students that plan to serve in Christian ministry.
"We thank you for making it possible for so many ministry students to consider a Christ-centered education at ETBU and other Baptist Institutions in Texas." Dr. Blackburn said. Dr. Tillman was presented with the Divine Servant statue by Max Greiner to commemorate Dr. Tillman's servant's heart at the luncheon that followed the T.B. Maston Chapel Service.
Following Chapel, the lecture series continued at a luncheon in Edwards Conference Center located in the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center where Dr. Bullock spoke with leaders at the University and Christian Ministry students and called them to break down barriers between denominations in order to promote social unity.
According to Dr. Sanders and Dr. Blackburn, the goal of this year's T.B. Maston lecture was to help students understand their identity as Christians, Baptists and their role in society like Dr. Maston who played a critical role in how Christians think about human rights' issues. Maston believed that Christians had a responsibility to get involved when there is injustice. University leadership believed that Dr. Bullock was the perfect fit to bring the message and tribute to Dr. Maston's life.