A recent report from the Association of Theological Schools ranks Southern Seminary fourth among peer institutions for producing faculty doctorates in the accreditation agency’s member schools. Trailing only Princeton Theological Seminary, Harvard, and University of Toronto, Southern improved 12 spots on the list since the previous report in 2001.
— S. Craig Sanders
More information on Southern Seminary’s doctoral studies programs is available online at sbts.edu/doctoral.
Southern Seminary has appointed Robert D. Jones as associate professor of biblical counseling, effective June 1. Jones joins the SBTS faculty after serving as a biblical counseling professor for 11 years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“Dr. Robert Jones is one of the leading figures in the biblical counseling movement,” said Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. “He combines scholarship and biblical fidelity with clear theological vision and a tremendous ability to translate biblical principles into the lives of others.”
Jones has served since 2006 as an elder and pastor of biblical counseling at Open Door Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jones and his wife, Lauren, have been married for 32 years and have two adult sons.
“I believe Southern Seminary plays a prominent and strategic role for advancing the ministry of Christ-centered biblical counseling and care, not only within our convention of churches but also across the broader evangelical landscape,” Jones said. “I look forward to equipping Southern’s students to bring Christ’s help and hope in wise, compassionate ways to those within and outside of the church.”
— Andrew J.W. Smith
James William Cox, a renowned homiletics professor who taught at Southern Seminary for more than four decades, died Feb. 21 at 93.
Cox joined Southern’s faculty in 1959 as professor of Christian preaching and in 1981 became the first occupant of the Victor and Louise Lester Chair of Christian Preaching. He retired in 1993 and served as a senior professor until his death.
— Andrew J.W. Smith
A world-famous pianist and musicologist who was the longest-serving faculty member in Southern Seminary history died Nov. 11 after a battle with cancer. Maurice Hinson, 84, was the senior professor of piano at the seminary and had taught courses for 58 years.
“Maurice Hinson was one of the greatest musicologists ever to serve among Southern Baptists, a world-class scholar whose authority was regularly invoked in the leading conservatories and schools of music around the world,” said SBTS President R. Albert Mohler Jr., describing Hinson’s “immeasurable” legacy.
Among his 14 books, the reference work Guide to the Pianist’s Repertoire is a standard in the field and is currently in its fourth edition.
— S. Craig Sanders