For the first time in the 156-year history of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a child of a seminary president graduated from the school during the May 8 commencement for Boyce College.
Christopher Mohler, the son of Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr., was one of 90 Boyce College students to participate in the ceremony. A total of 107 students graduated from the seminary’s undergraduate school this year.
“A college degree is no small thing,” Mohler said in his charge to graduates. “The graduates who cross this stage and receive these degrees are not receiving trophies given out without regard to achievement and distinction. Boyce College represents the finest traditions of Christian scholarship, teaching, and learning.”
In his address from Mark 8:34-38, Mohler said most commencement speeches urge graduates to “seize the day and believe in yourselves,” which is contradictory to Jesus’ call to discipleship. Because of the commitment of Boyce College to the gospel, Mohler encouraged graduates to “enjoy this day to the fullest” but recognize its significance in the “calendar of God’s sovereign purpose.”
“Graduates of Boyce College, follow Christ with all your heart for the length of your days,” Mohler said. “Lose your life to save it. Take up your cross in the name of the one who died on a cross for you. Use the education you have earned for the glory of God and for the sake of the church and for the furtherance of the gospel.”
Boyce Dean Dan DeWitt delivered a charge to graduates, “What Will Define You,” encouraging students to study, preach, live, defend, and not be ashamed of the gospel. Using the example Tom Kremer, who popularized the Rubik’s Cube, DeWitt said that graduates’ preoccupation will define them.
“Unlike the Rubik’s Cube, the Word of God is no toy,” DeWitt said. “And we aren’t playing games here. It’s unlikely you will become rich by way of faithful proclamation, and even more unlikely that you will ever be recognized publicly for setting a Guinness World Record for your dedication to the Word.”
Founded in 1974 as Boyce Bible School, the program began offering bachelor’s degrees as James P. Boyce College of the Bible in 1998 under Mohler’s leadership. Later, the name of the school was changed to Boyce College. Boyce was the founder and first president of Southern Seminary. Today, students can receive a variety of bachelor’s and associate degrees through formats like Boyce Online, seminary track, and dual enrollment.
The full text of Mohler’s commencement address, “Whoever Would Save His Life Will Lose It,” is available online at albertmohler.com. The manuscript of DeWitt’s charge to graduates is available online at theolatte.com. More information about Boyce College is available online at boycecollege.com.