Review & Expositor expands horizons

Dear Friend and Ministry Colleague:

The Review and Expositor invites you to participate in A NEW VENTURE OF COOPERATION! As one committed to historic Baptist principles, you will find this new enterprise stimulating and meaningful. The Review and Expositor has long been a leading theological journal for Baptists. Until now, R&E was published exclusively by faculty of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Now, R&E is expanding its horizons. It has become a Baptist consortium journal to offer a voice for historic Baptist theological education. Participating faculty members from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary have joined hands with the faculties of emerging Baptist theological institutions to explore theological issues confronting the church in the 21st century. This unique consortium now offers a national platform for mainstream Baptist theological educators to focus on ministry.

R&E’s Editorial Board will continue to function independently, but now includes representatives from four sponsors (Mercer School of Theology, The Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and participating faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) and three patrons (Central Baptist Theological Seminary, The Divinity School of Gardner-Webb University, and Campbell University Divinity School). Although broadening its Baptist constituency, R&E will continue its primary task of providing resources to help Baptist ministers, students, and theologians integrate intellectual reflection with local church ministry.

Denominational changes in recent years have had a profound impact on the shape of Southern Baptist theological education. Large portions of alumni have felt disenfranchised from their seminaries as a result of these changes. New seminaries are forming to provide Baptist alternatives to the convention seminaries. As these new seminaries emerge, there is a strong desire to insure that historic Baptist identity will be maintained. R&E has decided to address this need by serving as a paradigm of cooperation and communication for those wishing to dialogue about ministry in the 21st century.

This new consortium will continue to blend committed theological education for Baptists with quality academic reflection in an atmosphere off freedom, in keeping with the Journal’s long tradition. In 1904, the inaugural issue of R&E stated its goals in these terms:

“The Review and Expositor accepts evangelical Christianity as commonly held by the Baptists of today. Its sympathies are with truth from any and all sources. To “prove all things” and to “hold fast that which is good” will be its aim… It will be neither possible nor desirable to maintain a rigid doctrinal uniformity. Neither Northern, Southern, nor Canadian Baptists are wholly agreed among themselves on all doctrinal matters. It is inevitable then that considerable diversity of opinion will appear… .”

These goals will continue to direct the journal.

To help symbolize our commitment to continuity with 20th century mainstream Baptist traditions, the Editorial Board has appointed three honorary editors: ROY LEE HONEYCUTT, RUSSELL DILDAY, AND RANDALL LOLLEY. As former presidents of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, these persons epitomize the kind of Baptist commitment we will present to you.

The Review and Expositor treats subjects of interest to pastors, students, and theologians. We think you will be excited about the prospects for R&E. We know you will find it helpful in your ongoing ministerial education. We invite you to subscribe now. Help support this exciting, positive, channel of communication among Baptists.

The R&E Editorial Board

August 1996