2025 Symposium Wrap-Up
Jeremy Craft
The theological symposium, sponsored by the Commission for Theological Integrity, was held October 6-7 at Randall University in Moore, Oklahoma. Sixty-three registrants from six different states attended the meeting. Many of the papers celebrated the meeting’s theme on the 90th anniversary of the National Association, though additional papers discussed a wide range of subjects. The following presenters and topics were included in this year’s program:
Daniel Sweet, The Self-Authentication of Scripture: An Evidential Defense Grounded in Inerrancy. Daniel employed an evidential epistemological approach, which used both internal and external evidence, to show how Scripture testifies to its own truthfulness and divine authorship.
Adam Blehm, Should Psychotic Robots Wash Feet? AI, Mental Health, and Foot Washing. Adam used the ordinance of foot washing as a lens for thinking wisely about challenges posed by artificial intelligence and mental health concerns in our current cultural moment.
James-Henry Christian, Surveying the Use of the OT in the NT and Paul’s Conversion as a Hermeneutical Turning Point. James-Henry surveyed various issues in the New Testament’s use of the Old and examined how Paul’s Damascus Road conversion provides a hermeneutical lens for his Christ-centered interpretation of the Old Testament.
Phillip T. Morgan, John R. Gower and the Culture of Turn-of-the-Century Free Will Baptists. Phillip used the life of John R. Gower, a minister in middle Tennessee, to offer insight into the cultural dynamics at play in the temperance and unity movements at the turn of the twentieth century. The paper demonstrated how broader cultural forces influenced Free Will Baptists in the South.
Daniel D. Mann, The Danger of Dullness: An Exposition of Hebrews 5:11-6:8. Daniel demonstrated how Hebrews warns genuine believers about the danger of apostasy due to spiritual sluggishness and a lack of progress toward spiritual maturity.
Christopher Talbot, Apologetic Theology or Theological Apologetics? Toward an Integration of Apologetic and Theological Thought. Chris advocated an approach to apologetics that integrates it with theological thought and allows a person to leverage his or her own theological tradition in developing a more robust apologetic for Christianity.
Jay McCurry, Christian Higher Education in a Postmodern Age: Resilient Foundations and Strategic Opportunities. Jay argued that Christian higher education possesses the necessary resources for equipping Christians to respond effectively to the challenges postmodernism presents in culture.
Timothy Eaton, Streams of Influence: An Early History of Randall University. Timothy discussed the various streams of influence in Oklahoma Free Will Baptist history that led to the founding of Randall University.
Derek Cominskie, Reformed-Arminian Catholike? Jacobus Arminius and the Ancient Church. Derek argued that while Arminius thought the church needed to be reformed by Scripture, he did not see himself as departing from the church’s universal tradition or its teaching. Hence, through his use of the church fathers, creeds, and councils, Arminius revealed himself to be both Reformed and catholic (universal).
The topics garnered significant discussion during the Q&A periods following each paper’s delivery, as well as during meals and breaks. In attendance were students, laymen, and church leaders all of whom contributed to the conversation.
The commission also held its annual business meeting, which included plans for events and resources in 2026. Volume 2 of De Doctrina, featuring an article by Kevin L. Hester entitled, “The Image of God in Early Christianity: Lessons for Today,” has been printed and will be available from your state leaders following the upcoming Leadership Conference in December.
Next year’s symposium will be held on October 5-6 on the campus of Welch College in Gallatin, Tennessee. Paper proposals or abstracts can be sent to the symposium coordinator, Cory Thompson, at fwbtheology@gmail.com. Submissions should be made no later than June 1. There will be an open theme, so any theological topic will be considered.
To purchase a 2025 digital digest, visit https://www.fwbtheology.com/2025-symposium-digest-digital-pdf/.
