On Monday evening, Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary gathered for a special dinner during its annual in-person Board of Directors meeting. The evening brought together board members, seminary leadership, and friends of CBTS for a time of fellowship, thanksgiving, and reflection on the Lord’s kindness to the seminary.
A Surprise Presentation in Honor of Dr. Waldron
The highlight of the evening was a surprise presentation honoring Dr. Samuel E. Waldron, President of CBTS, pastor, professor, author, and longtime servant of Christ’s church. Unknown to Dr. Waldron, friends, colleagues, former students, and fellow laborers had contributed to a Festschrift written in his honor.
The volume is titled The Informed Scholar with a Pastoral Heart: Essays in Honor of Dr. Samuel E. Waldron. The book contains essays on exegetical, historical, theological, and pastoral topics. Many of the chapters reflect major themes that have marked Dr. Waldron’s own writing and teaching ministry.
The title of the volume captures both the man and the mission of CBTS. Dr. Waldron has served as a pastor and professor marked by conviction and compassion. His ministry has combined careful scholarship with pastoral warmth and theological depth with a desire to strengthen Christ’s people.
You can order the book here.
For several years, Dr. Waldron has faithfully served the Lord wherever He has placed him. Through preaching, teaching, writing, and shepherding, his ministry has blessed pastors, students, churches, and institutions around the world. This volume was prepared as an expression of gratitude for that faithful service.
Announcing CBTS Press
The Festschrift is also significant because it is the first publication of the new CBTS Press.
In partnership with Broken Wharfe, CBTS Press will publish biblical and theological works that combine academic excellence with pastoral conviction. Every publication is intended to strengthen Christ’s church through faithful scholarship rooted in the historic Reformed Baptist tradition.
A Collection of Essays from Pastors and Scholars
The Informed Scholar with a Pastoral Heart includes contributions from a wide range of pastors, scholars, and theologians. The essays are arranged in four major sections: Pastoral Theology and Ministry, Exegetical Theology, Confessional Theology and History, and Systematic Theology. The volume also includes a bibliography of Dr. Waldron’s writings, compiled by John Divito and Blake Cassell.
Gratitude for Faithful Service
The evening was a fitting reminder of the Lord’s kindness to CBTS and to the churches we seek to serve. We give thanks for Dr. Waldron’s faithful ministry, for the friends and contributors who helped prepare this volume, and for the opportunity to begin the work of CBTS Press with a publication that so clearly reflects the seminary’s mission.
CBTS exists to serve Christ’s church by providing rigorous theological education for faithful ministry. Dr. Waldron’s life and labor have embodied that aim: informed scholarship with a pastoral heart. We are grateful to honor him with this volume, and we pray it will serve the church for years to come.
The Informed Scholar with a Pastoral Heart is available for order here.
