Fifty years ago, on Dec. 17, 1974, I had my initial interview at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. With one semester to go toward completing the Ph.D. program at Boston University School of Theology, I mailed my resume…
Are we finally ready to learn from Glenn Hinson, one of our Baptist prophets?
Forty years ago, Hinson’s open letter challenged Southern Baptist Convention President Bailey Smith’s pronouncement that “God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew.” Today, moderate Baptists know they don’t want to follow Smith and his tribe, but have we embraced a clear alternative?
Why all Christians, not just Baptists, are profoundly indebted to Glenn Hinson
A weekend of lectures on the life and teaching of Baptist historian E. Glenn Hinson prompts further reflection on Hinson’s contributions over six decades. These are just four of his many gifts to the Christian community.
Making God smile through music
During the recent Advent season, I challenged my congregation to savor the music of the holidays, and to listen with fresh ears to both the lyrics and melodies which carry our deepest longings and joys. As usual, in attempting to…
Hinson-Merton friendship continues impact on Baptist spirituality
By Carrie McGuffin and Jeff Brumley The late Catholic monk, author and interfaith pioneer Thomas Merton is far more than a distant historical figure because the body of his work can actually improve the spirituality of Baptists even today, Baptist…
Remembering Thomas Merton
Growing up in rural northwest Missouri, I didn’t have much opportunity to know people who belonged to the Catholic Church. And then during my years in two Baptist colleges and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, that didn’t afford much possibility…
My connection with the Rev. Will D. Campbell
In the fall of 2004, I was taking a seminary course on Thomas Merton. It was being taught by Merton friend and scholar E. Glenn Hinson. Dr. Hinson knew of my near-obsession with all things Will Campbell, and he helped…
Longing for vision
By Molly T. Marshall Without it — that vision thing — we will not fulfill God’s longing for us. Indeed, we may well perish. Following the Eastertide texts in Acts, vision seems to be the catalyst for the boundary traversing…