The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention named seven Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) faculty members and one student as fellows for the new Research Institute.
Daniel Akin, Bruce Ashford, Nathan Finn, Daniel Heimbach, David Jones, Mark Liederbach, Devin Maddox and Walter Strickland will “assist the ERLC in its mission by producing a variety of materials to equip Southern Baptists and churches to engage ethical and cultural issues of the day.”
Russell Moore, president of the ERLC, said, “The aim of the Research Institute is to be a catalyst to connect the agenda of the gospel to the complex questions of the day – and to do so at the highest levels of academic scholarship for the good of local congregations.”
“I am thrilled to get to work together with an exceptionally gifted band of scholars and leaders as we seek to be a persuasive, prophetic witness engaging the academy and equipping the church,” Moore emphasized.
David Jones, associate professor of Christian ethics at SEBTS, said, “Being named an ERLC research fellow in Christian ethics is both a blessing and a stewardship.
“It’s a blessing in that you get a chance to work with some of the best moral minds in the country on the cutting edge ethical issues of our day,” he explained. “It’s a stewardship in that you are responsible for giving counsel to denominational and evangelical leaders on the most pressing moral problems in the culture. I am honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve the church in this way.”
Nathan Finn, associate professor of historical theology and Baptist studies, added, “I am honored to join with several of my colleagues in working with the ERLC’s relaunche Research Institute.
“Russell Moore and his team are doing such a fine job of helping Southern Baptists to engage our culture with both conviction and civility. I’m thankful for this chance to partner with the ERLC in this strategic ministry.”
There are varying levels of fellows for the institute – senior research, research, associate research and research fellows in Christian ethics.
Akin is listed as a senior research fellow while Liederbach, Jones and Heimbach are research fellows in Christian ethics. Ashford is a research fellow and Strickland is an associate research fellow along with SEBTS doctoral student Maddox, who also works for B&H Publishing.
Former ERLC leader Richard Land is also a senior research fellow. He is president of the Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte.
Visit erlc.com/institute.