W. Jackson Watts

Next week I’ll conclude my tenure as a member of the Commission for Theological Integrity. It has been a wonderful experience of working alongside other men who have faithfully sought to accomplish the three-fold purpose of the Commission.

(a) To alert our people of theological trends that could threaten our theological integrity as a denomination; (b) To prepare materials that will contribute to the continued preservation of the theological integrity of our denomination; (c) As the need and opportunity arise to conduct seminars on subjects which are pertinent to the purpose of this Commission.

Without hesitation, I can say that every brother with whom I have served has been focused on these three purposes. For whatever diversity in background and perspective has existed, we have enjoyed unity in caring for the denomination’s well-being and letting sound theology guide our discussions.

Throughout the 60+ years of the Commission’s existence, there have occasionally been those who wanted the Commission to do or say otherwise than it did or said. Longtime Chairman Leroy Forlines made clear more than once that the Commission’s purpose wasn’t to conduct investigations or stake out positions not otherwise articulated by the delegates of the National Association. True to that vision, the Commission has tried to balance the work of being proactive and informative for our people, while also respecting its proper limits and function. This is why essentially every special report we’ve ever given on various topics was generated in response to being asked by the National Association to do so.

As for me, I’ve been edified and encouraged by participating in many vibrant and consequential discussions of biblical, ministerial, and ecclesial significance. However, in this final article as a Commission member, I wanted to remind Free Will Baptists of some of the meaningful and helpful moments, presentations, and/or publications that I’ve enjoyed. There have been so many, but I limited myself to 12.

Note that this list of 12 is in no particular order of importance or excellence. I simply thought they were all significant, but perhaps they might be forgotten or overlooked—especially for people new to the Commission’s work. I’ll identify each of these moments/presentations/publications and add a brief word of explanation.

The Q&A Session with Dr. Picirilli at the 2022 Theological Symposium

Our 2022 Symposium honored the contributions of Dr. Robert Picirilli. We were blessed not only to have him in attendance, but also to give a presentation. Moreover, he was interviewed by Cory Thompson and answered some interesting questions. There are a lot of deeply personal and challenging aspects to his remarks, especially about life and scholarship. Regrettably, the video of this session is not currently available.

The Inaugural Publication of De Doctrina

Due to a generous grant from the Free Will Baptist Foundation, the Commission was able to expand its resources by publishing a shorter, theological essay that is available to our pastors and leaders. (It can also be viewed online.) Moreover, I was honored to be able to author the first edition. Through your generous support of the Commission’s work (via Together Way giving or designated gifts), we hope to be able to continue to publish this resource.

“Moderating the Maelstrom”, a Symposium Paper on Denominational History and Identity

Occasionally our Theological Symposium features papers with a more historical orientation. Charles Cook’s 2022 paper on Robert Picirilli’s tenure as National Moderator was such a paper. It was a fascinating look at the shaping of Free Will Baptist identity in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Names often forgotten like Stan Mooneyham and Billy Melvin surface in this paper/presentation. It provided a fuller picture of some of Dr. Picirilli’s earlier colleagues, and more important, some of the key figures during a generation of FWB history long since passed.

2014 Symposium on Evangelism in a Post-Christian World

In 2014 the Commission was fairly ambitious in trying to do the first thematic symposium we had done in several years. This year’s theme was on evangelism in a post-Christian world. The “post-Christian” lingo wasn’t brand new but wasn’t as common then as it is now. Not only was the theme substantial, but our program featured an array of diverse presenters on a wide array of topics, all designed to help us think clearly and practically about evangelism and apologetics. For the first time in a while, we invited a guest presenter, Dr. Mark Coppenger. He was thoughtful, humorous, and helpful.

Two Papers on the Lord’s Supper

I’ve noticed that there has been a modest recovery of interest in the ordinances among younger Baptists, including Free Will Baptists. Some of this is evidenced by two very good Symposium papers on the Lord’s Supper presented in 2017 and 2018. Pastor Josh Colson (IL) presented a paper on “Calvin and the Lord’s Supper”, and Pastor and Commissioner Cory Thompson (OK) presented a paper entitled, “The Lord’s Supper as Meaningful and Open.” Both were well-written, interesting, and stimulated extensive conversation.

The 2024 Welch College Chapel Remarks by Dr. Picirilli

During the 2024 Symposium, we were blessed to merge one of our sessions with a Welch College chapel service. Professors Phillip Morgan and Matthew Bracey shared some remarks about the publication of Teacher, Scholar, Shepherd, an honorary volume of essays they had edited about Dr. Picirilli’s life and work. After they presented Picirilli with a copy, he shared 11 or 12 minutes of remarks about his life and ministry. He echoed some thoughts that he expressed back in the 2022 Q&A session from above, but I just sat on the back row of chapel soaking it all in. His candor, honesty, and passion were moving.

2017 Convention Seminar on Transgenderism

When the National Convention was held in Louisville in 2017, transgenderism still felt a bit like a boutique issue. There wasn’t nearly the public outcry that there has been over the last five years. Very few books on the topic from a Christian perspective were available. However, the Commission felt that we needed to pursue the topic. I was tasked with presenting what became, “Beyond Bathrooms: The Truth about Transgenderism.” I recall us Commission members being grateful to find a packed amphitheater. While some people came more out of curiosity, others were also already seeing and feeling the problems in their own communities. Regardless of how dated that presentation feels looking back on it, I’m glad we pursued it.

The Release of the Commission’s Report on Divorce, Remarriage, and Ordination

In 2022 delegates to the National Association debated several contested topics, among them was the 1976 Resolution on the eligibility for ordination for divorced and remarried men. The Theological Commission was asked to examine the issue and bring forth a report the following year on the subject, which we did. While there are hundred different aspects to this subject—textual, theological, ecclesial, practical—we did our best to produce a report. This process reminded me that, at our best, Free Will Baptists can still discuss contested, emotional topics and find a way forward.

A “Political Topic” Handled Responsibly

My good friend Dr. Matthew Bracey has been an important conversation partner through the years on most matters theological and cultural. Our backgrounds and vocations have caused us to spend a lot of time thinking deeply about all matter of cultural phenomena, including this thing that most Christians call “conservatism.” But what is it, really? Is it next to godliness? In his 2019 Symposium presentation entitled, “Conservatism and the Church,” Bracey offers an informed and balanced vision of conservatism that is congenial to a biblical worldview.

The 2016 Symposium Honoring F. Leroy Forlines

2016 was an important year for many reasons. Among them were the publication of The Promise of Arminian Theology: Essays in Honor of F. Leroy Forlines (Randall House Academic). Our Commission decided to make the symposium theme revolve around Forlines’s rich legacy, which included fifty years of service to the Commission as Chairman. Besides several interesting and personal reflections, Forlines himself took to the podium and presently briefly on the Abrahamic Covenant. I don’t know for sure if this was his last official public presentation, but it was his last time presenting at a symposium. 

The 2020 “Virtual Seminar and Symposium”

In 2020 many of us spent nine of 12 months “adjusting” to our new COVID-19 reality. The Theological Commission had to do the same, both for our Convention Seminar and Symposium. As Program Chairman of the latter, I often felt that I was pulling my hair out in anticipation of the event. I constantly wondered, “How is this going to go? Will anyone watch?” As it turned out, we had a rather strong slate of papers, even if we missed being able to discuss them in person. One of my favorite papers ever was presented—Matt Pinson’s “Jacobus Arminius and the Diversity of Reformed Theology Prior to the Synod of Dort.” Along with Josh Colson’s paper on prevenient grace, all Free Will Baptist pastors and teachers would do well to read these.

 As to the Convention seminar, I think this is one of the very best things the Commission has done. While the video/audio quality weren’t consistent throughout, this seminar entitled, “Doctrine, Confessionalism, and Denominational Identity” holds up well. But you decide for yourself.

 The 2015 Symposium at Randall University

This is perhaps the toughest to explain, and thus, will be less helpful. I’ll just say this: Dr. Picirilli and the other Commission members were piled into a rental van. Along the way he told us one of the funniest stories I’ve ever heard. We all laughed hysterically. (I don’t think he cracked a smile.)

In reality, there were many smiles over these years on the Commission. I’m grateful to have been a part of the important work. Let’s pray for the Commission as they continue on now, and in the future with whomever else may serve.

 __________________________________________________

W. Jackson Watts served on the Commission for Theological Integrity from 2013 to 2025, most of those years as Program Chairman. He and his wife Mckensie continue to serve the Grace FWB Church in Arnold, Missouri, where Jackson began serving as pastor in 2011. He continues to serve the denomination in various capacities and writes regularly at www.churchatopia.com.