The Sept. 20 “Towers” takes on the Reformation and why it remains such a vital and influential event nearly 500 years later. In anticipation of the Sept. 27-28 Refo500 conference taking place at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the publication explores the when, where, why and “so what?” of the Reformation and its continued influence upon theology and culture.
- Contributing writer Jeff Robinson considers the formative role Genevan reformer and theologian John Calvin played in the shaping of Western society and culture since the time of the Reformation, highlighting 10 major areas of influence still evident today (page 4).
- Robinson, in an additional piece, surveys some of the “must-have” books for a beginner’s library on the Reformation (pages 10 and 11).
- What is Refo500? That is the question “Towers” editor Aaron Cline Hanbury seeks to answer in his piece on the mission and focus of the Refo500 organization. The article includes excerpts from Hanbury’s conversation with David Hall, North American director of the Refo500 project (pages 3 and 6).
- David Puckett, professor of church history and associate vice president for doctoral studies, examines in his essay the somewhat overlooked Latin phrase of the Reformation—lectio continua (page 5).
- The North American Mission Board elected Kevin Ezell, alumnus and adjunct professor of Southern Seminary, as its new president. Ezell states that his focus as president will be upon planting Gospel-centered churches (page 7).
Other content in the next “Towers” includes:
- contributing writer Robert Sagers writing of his encounter with the wisdom of Christ in Zimbabwe (page 6);
- an SBTS student and pastor working with his church and community to fend off a pornography retailer’s influence (page 5);
- a Southern Story featuring T. Vaughn Walker, WMU professor of Christian ministries and professor of black church studies at SBTS (page 9); and
- Daniel Harman, missional team leader for Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Louisville, answering “Three Questions” (page 16).