At the Cross

Three is the perfect number.

On 2/22/2022, Tuesday of this week, Truett Seminary celebrated twenty years on the Baugh-Reynolds Campus. Truett opened administrative offices in 1993 and held their first classes in 1994, with 51 students as part of the inaugural class. The Seminary was first housed at First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas until its move to where we presently conduct our shared work of Christian education, off Interstate 35 at the corner of Dutton and University Parks Drive.

As part of our twenty year celebration, we dedicated the installation of a new cross sculpture, Max Greiner, Jr.’s “The Empty Cross.” The garden surrounding this cross will soon be completed, with a granite base and benches for rest. The sculpture, over time, will develop a patina of rust. Made of Cor-ten steel, the cross will “bleed.” It stands seven feet, seven inches tall.

Whereas a crucifix depicts Jesus’ suffering on the cross, an empty cross reminds us that Jesus’ body was removed and his work was completed. Jesus suffered “once for all time.” He was laid to rest in the tomb. After being buried, on the third day Jesus was raised from the dead by the Spirit, the firstfruits of the resurrection, a sign and a foretaste of the resurrection that is to come. Not only is the cross empty. The tomb is empty. Jesus now lives and reigns.

During the dedication of “The Empty Cross,” Dean Todd Still noted that this would be the third cross installed on the grounds of the Truett campus.

In the image above, at right, you can see the cross seated above the clock tower that has often been featured as the seminary’s logo. A flame rests on top, representing the Spirit of God; the crossbeam, which is slightly v-shaped, represents an open Bible. The remainder of the upright post, from below the beam to the ground, is meant to remind the viewer of a pulpit, signifying the preaching ministry not only of those called to be pastors but all Christians, who, each and every one, are exhorted to “preach the word.”

The cross on the left, the one atop our steeple, was raised to be a signpost to all who drive up and down Interstate 35.

Nancy Floyd shared that during the construction of the Truett building, Rev. Paul Powell, who was then dean of the seminary, would walk around the construction site. He would pray for the work that would take place in these walls, and he prayed for the construction workers, for their well-being—and, if any did not know Jesus, that they would come to faith in Christ.

Nancy shared that the construction worker who installed the cross (which she saw raised to the pinnacle by a large crane, along with others who served at Truett at the time) had asked to do this job. This worker wanted to affix the cross to the top of the steeple as his offering to God.

You can view Tuesday’s chapel event here on Facebook. Afterward, I told Nancy Floyd she was a legend, Kerry Burkley that I loved him, Matt Snowden that he’d spoken true words, and to Dean Still, I told him thanks, and that I could stand a little taller after a day done right.

Praise be to God for Truett Seminary and for those who have partnered to make our work possible. What a privilege to serve here.

Book Notes

Still reading Ron Chernow’s Washington and Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. I started Felicia Wu Song’s Restless Devices: Rediscovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age.

Song has done good work.

Sights and Sounds

I’ve been streaming The Cars 1978 self-titled album and David Gilmour’s Live in Gdansk. And I’m still listening to Spoon’s latest, Lucifer on the Sofa.

Last Words

On the blog: a joke about filling the pulpit and insight from J. I. Packer on drawing meaning out of the biblical text.

Before I go, standard copy.

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Be well this week. Bless others.

Best,

BAS

P.S. - This week at a staff meeting a colleague asked me if I knew anything. I didn’t say anything. They said, “You don’t know anything? That’s not good.” I shot back, “I know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

That was on Monday. I saw this on Tuesday.