Today’s Wednesday News & Views is dedicated to A. T. Robertson. A Virginia native, Robertson (1863-1934) was a professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky for 44 years. In addition to his teaching duties, he was a prolific author. He published 45 books, with a special focus on Greek studies. He was respected as one of the premier New Testament scholars of his generation.

Some of his books sit on the shelves of my personal library. If I’m preaching a sermon from the New Testament, I’ll sometime consult his “Words Pictures in the New Testament” to see what he says about a particular Greek word used in the verse I’m studying. I’ve always liked Robertson because he was a scholar who made Greek easy to understand. He wrote in a way that was helpful for preachers. I also like some of his quotes. Here are two quotes you might enjoy:

“The greatest proof that the Bible is inspired is that it has withstood so much bad preaching!”

“God pity the poor preacher who has to hunt for something to preach — and the people who have to listen!”

Robertson believed in sound scholarship and great preaching. When he was installed as an assistant professor at Southern Seminary in 1890, his inaugural address was titled “Preaching and Scholarship.” In this address he declared that an education did not have to result in dry or powerless preaching.

I’m thankful for my seminary education. I’m thankful for men like A. T. Robertson whose work makes my study easier. I’m thankful we have some young men from our church who are now studying for ministry at two of our Southern Baptist seminaries. Because good scholarship can benefit the preaching of God’s word, I dedicate today’s news and views to Dr. A. T. Robertson.

Now to the News & Views:

Pastor Rick Warren speaks about his son’s suicide. After a life-long battle with mental illness and severe depression, 27 year old Matthew took his life on April 5. Rick and Kay Warren gave an interview with CNN’s Piers Morgan which aired last night. If you didn’t see it, I encourage you to watch it online. The way they handled this has only increased my respect for this man of God. We can all learn from him what it looks like to be true to Jesus and His word while also being compassionate at the same time.

Archaeologists have discovered a town on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee dating back 2,000 years that is most likely the town referred to in Mark 8 as Dalmanutha. This is the place Jesus went after feeding the 4,000 and it was there that the Pharisees tested Jesus by asking for a sign from heaven. For some time now skeptics have questioned the veracity of various places and persons mentioned in scripture, yet with time discoveries continue proving the Bible accurate. God’s word is worthy of our trust and confidence.

We continue our study of Psalm 119 this Sunday. Remember to read the Psalm once this week and memorize verse 14.

Pastor Steve Hogg

A. T. Robertson