SPRING 1978 



Columbia 5eminary 




FORUM AND CONFERENCE6 PTTRQCT 



FORUM SETS TONE 

"/ thought the Columbia Forum 
was exceptional . , . informative, 
challenging , and inspira tional, ' ' "A 
place for us and a time for us to 
be fed . . . thank you." "The Colum- 
bia Forum was a smasheroo . . . very 
enlightening and refreshing." 

These are just a few of the com- 
ments that were made about the re- 
cent Columbia Forum held on the 
Seminary campus during February. 

The week of lectures, colloquies 
and class reunions took a new form 
this year and the change was met 
with a resounding expression of ap- 
preciation and support. Alumni Lec- 
turer, John H. Leith, and Smyth 
Lecturer, Austin C. Lovelace, pro- 
vided stimulating lectures, while 
Guest Preacher, David H. C. Read, 
demonstrated his gifts as a pulpit 
master. 

Attendance overflowed the Chapel 
and most of the lectures and worship 
services had to be held at the Colum- 
bia Presbyterian Church. Especially 
gratifying was the return of so many 
of Columbia's graduates who partici- 
pated fully in the activities of the 
week and helped the Seminary cele- 
brate its Sesquicentenial. 

The multi-media presentation en- 
titled "Recollection and Expectation" 
shown during the Alumni/ae Lunch- 
eon was a real highlight of the 150th 
Anniversary Celebration. It demon- 
strated how the providence of God 
has provided for the Seminary for 
a century and a half and how the 
Spirit of God is still at work through 
Columbia's commitment to theologi- 
cal education. 

The Worship and Convocations 
Committee, along with the Alumni/ae 
Council, is already at work on next 
year's Columbia Forum. 



Seminary students and visiting college students provide a study in concentration during 
the recent COLLEGE CONFERENCE when 65 persons spent a weekend on campus to 
consider the vocation of ministry. 

COLUMBIA CAMPUS CONFERENCES 



Columbia Seminary is encouraged 
by the response to the COLLEGE 
CONFERENCE held February 10- 
12. Over sixty-five men and women 
met on Columbia's campus to be- 
come better acquainted with the 
faculty, staff, students and curriculum 
of Columbia. The Conference began 
with a talk by Dr. Philips on some 
of the basic ingredients of a call to 
serve. Included in the weekend were 
opportunities for students to partici- 
pate in several current classes, and 
in discussions of other matters, such 
as housing and financial aid, as well 
as an opportunity to worship to- 
gether. 



A second Conference  THE CON- 
FERENCE ON MINISTRY  is 

scheduled at Columbia for April 
28-30. This Conference is geared 
primarily for men and women who 
are considering a vocational change. 
Some of Columbia's most dedicated 
and effective candidates for the min- 
istry have found this Conference to 
be helpful and instrumental in dis- 
covering God's will for their lives. 

In addition to the Conferences, 
Mr. Harry Barrow, the new Director 
of Admissions, is visiting College 
campuses and challenging students 
with the possibilities of Ministry as 
a vocation. 




Gonzalez Inaugurated 

The inauguration of Dr. Catherine 
Gunsalus Gonzalez as Professor of 
Church History will take place in 
the Seminary Chapel on Tuesday, 
April 25, at 7:30 p.m. The title of 
her inaugural address is "The Double 
Turning Point: A Pattern in the Pil- 
grimage of Some Reformed Theo- 
logians." 

Professor Gonzalez was born in 
Albany, New York. She did her un- 
dergraduate work at Beaver College 
in Pennsylvania and received her 
S.T.B. from Boston University 



School of Theology. She earned her 
Ph.D. at Boston University and was 
ordained as a minister in the United 
Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., in 1965. 
She is currently a member of Louis- 
ville Union Presbytery. 

Prior to coming to Columbia Sem- 
inary, Dr. Gonzalez was Associate 
Professor of Historical Theology, 
Louisville Presbyterian Theological 
Seminary. She became Associate 
Professor of Church History at Col- 
umbia in 1974 and Professor of 
Church History in 1977. 

She has served on many signifi- 
cant committees of the Church, most 
recently on the Task Force to plan 
the Mission Consultation. 

She has written articles for various 
periodicals and together with her 
husband. Dr. Justo L. Gonzalez, com- 
posed the Woman's Workbook, Pres- 
byterian Church, U.S., for 1977-78. 

In 1975-76, Dr. Gonzalez preached 
on the Presbyterian segment of "The 
Protestant Hour" Radio Program. 

The Seminary community looks 
forward to sharing in the inaugura- 
tion of Professor Gonzalez. 



Two New Scholarship 
Aid Funds Established 

Two brothers in the First Presby- 
terian Church of Huntsville, AL, 
have honored their parents by estab- 
lishing a fund at Columbia Seminary 
for the education for the Gospel 
ministry. The fund is named "THE 
JOHN BLUE, JR. AND NELL 
BLUE MEMORIAL SCHOLAR- 
SHIP FUND." The amount of this 
fund is $75,000. 

In addition, these two brothers 
have set up another scholarship fund 
in honor of their pastor and his wife, 
"THE DONALD B. AND JANE 
ESTES BAILEY SCHOLARSHIP 
FUND." Mr. Bailey is a graduate of 
Columbia, Class of '41. The amount 
of this fund is $10,000. 

The Seminary is deeply apprecia- 
tive of this very generous expression 
of support. The two scholarship funds 
fill a great need in providing financial 
aid for deserving students preparing 
for ministry. 



Meeting of 

THE PRESIDENT'S 

ADVISORY COUNCIL 

April 18, 1978 



Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 Columbia Drive, Decatur, Ga., 30031. Vantage, Vol. 70, No. 2, Richard A. Dodds. Editor. Published Quarterly. 
Second Class Postage Paid at Decatur, Ga., Publication No. 124160. 



FROM the PRE6IDENT 

II 




I am more and more impressed 
with the significant involvement of 
Columbia Seminary in the life and 
mission of the Church. For example, 
in just one week recently, 1 3 pro- 
fessors and staff members preached 
in Presbyterian churches, 6 met with 
important Presbytery, Synod and 
General Assembly committees, and 



3 others led Seminars for ministers. 
Many of our students were also at 
work in the Church. That happened 
in just one week, but it is not all 
that unusual. It is good for us here 
at Columbia to contribute to the 
nurture and growth of the members 
and ministers of our Church. It is 
even more imporant for the Seminary 
Community to know and understand 
the needs of the Church, and the 
realities of life in the world today. 

Your partnership in the task of 
preparing for ministry is indispen- 
sable! Let me urge you to join 
us in this mission here and to pray 
specifically for these things: 

1) That students may be sustained 
in the midst of many pressures 
and responsibilities, and that their 
needs may be supplied in God's gra- 
cious providence. 

2) That Columbia Seminary may 
be faithful to the Call of God in 
serving Christ's Church through the 
education of ministers at all levels of 
the Church's life. 

3) That the President, the Faculty, 



the Staff and the Board may be clear- 
ly led by God in processes of plan- 
ning for present and future work. 

4) That the financial resources 
needed for Scholarships, Operating 
Budgets, and Endowment be met 
through the generosity and commit- 
ment of many persons who care about 
the tasks committed to Columbia 
Seminary by the Church. 

5) That the Presbyterian Church, 
U.S., in covenant with God may re- 
spond to the tremendous opportuni- 
ties of mission and ministry today 
with renewed faith and effectiveness. 

Let me close with a word of pro- 
found appreciation to you for your 
concern and understanding. I have 
been overwhelmed by your support 
of the Seminary and of me person- 
ally in the challenging experience of 
a Seminary President. We couldn't 
do it without you! 

/) Faithfully yours.^* . . 
fj J. Davison Philips 



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GOLUMBIP FORUM -1Q78 



> r*vu 





Guest Preacher, Dr. David H. C. Read, makes a point during the President J. Davison Philips gives an update to over 300 returning 
Colloquy on Preaching while President Philips and Dr. Newsome graduates at the Annual Alumni/ ae Association Luncheon, 
reflect. 




Smyth Lecturer, Dr. Austin C. Lovelace, expounds on "How Does 
a Hymn Mean?" to Professor Taylor. 




&E55K 








Student Joanna Adams shares her sense of call to ministry with 
the members of the Alumni/ ae Council. 




Student Leland McCuIlough meets some of the "old grads" of the 
Alumni/ ae Council. 




Alumni Lecturer, Dr. John H. Leith, greets faculty, students and 
Alumni following one of his lectures. 




Mr. Claude Clopton, faithful cook at CTS for 38 years, is pre- 
sented honorary membership in the Alumni/ ae Association by Dr. 
Philips. 




Recent graduate, Dan Hamby, announces the establishment of the 
Mobley Prize for Biblical Scholarship at the Alumni/ ae Asso- 
ciation Luncheon. 




Dr. J. Frank Alexander (center), newly 
elected President of the Alumni/ae Asso- 
ciation confers with Vice President Joe 
Harvard and Dick Dodds, Director of 
Seminary Relations. 

Alumni Adopt New Project 

The Annual Meeting of the Alum- 
ni/ae Council and Association took 
place during the recent Columbia 
Forum. The 33 member Council, rep- 
resenting graduates from Columbia's 
supporting Synods and beyond, spent 
a full day engaging in a dialog with 
faculty, staff and students. Special 
attention was given to academics, 
student life and continuing education. 

The following persons were elected 
to provide leadership for the Council 
and Association during 1978: 

J. Frank Alexander ('44), President 
(Synod of the Mid-South) 

Joe S. Harvard, III ('66), V. Pres. 
(Synod of the Southeast) 

Wayne D. Griffin (71), Sec'y- 
Treas. (Synod of Florida) 

A significant action was taken in 
the selection of the Alumni/ae Pro- 
ject for 1978-79. It was decided 
that this year's project would con- 
tinue to support Scholarship Aid but 
that an amount of $5,000 would be 
set aside as a Publishing Grant Fund 
to encourage the faculty to publish. 
An Alumni/ae Giving Record was 
reached during the 1976-77 Fiscal 
Year with a total of $33,760 from 
376 donors. 



COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL 


SEMINARY ALUMNI/AE GIVING 


Year 


Number 


Amount 


1972-73 


110 


$ 3,698 


1973-74 


106 


2,521 


1974-75 


223 


13,045 


1975-76 


225 


14,283 


1976-77 


376 


33,760 


'1977-78 


279 


24,197 


*A$ of March 


15, 1978 with  


',2 months 


to go before 


June 30. 





IN MEMORIAM 

The following graduates of Columbia Theological Seminary became 
a part of the Church Triumphant during 1977: 

Class of 

Yosip Benyamin 1909 

Wm. Joseph Boyd 1937 

Walter M. Crowe 1952 

Cecil V. Dalton 1964 

C. Darby Fulton 1915 
Richard T. Gillespie 1933 
John D. Henderson 1924 
Harry K. Holland 1929 
Daniel Iverson 1918 
Harvey B. Johnson 1965 
Herbert E. Kann 1933 
John Frank Ligon 1915 

D. Lyman Mobley 1977 
Clarence E. Pickens 1940 

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; yea saith the Spirit that 
they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."  Rev- 
elation 14:13 



Alumni/ae Sidelights 




The Class of 1948 talks about old times 
during the Class Reunion Luncheon. 



25th Anniversary Class Reunion 


Uf '* X :?J3 


i 


EH - . <M rtll 1 


1 


Kill 





Professor, Emeritus Samuel A. Cartledge 
reads the list of graduates who have joined 
the Church triumphant and offers a me- 
morial prayer during the meeting of the 
Alumni/ae Association. 

50th Anniversary Class Reunion 




The Class of 1953 



The Class of 1928 



Continuing Education 




Director of Advanced Studies, Dr. James 
D. Newsome, Jr., outlines opportunities for 
Continuing Education to the A lumni/ae 
Council. 




"Hi, I'm Continuing Ed" 

Continuing Ed Joins Staff 

" 'Continuing Ed' is quite a fellow. 
He's sharp and up to date and al- 
though he's just come on board, he'll 
be travelling more miles in the next 
few months than all the other mem- 
bers of the Seminary community 
combined." 

With that brief word of introduc- 
tion, "Continuing Ed" was presented 
to over 8,000 ministers and lay per- 
sons throughout Columbia Seminary's 
constituency bv means of a CON- 
TINUING EDUCATION NEWS- 
LETTER sent late in February. 
"Continuing Ed" gives a good out- 
line of over twenty different credit 
and non-credit courses to be offered 
on and off the CTS campus during 
the next several months. He also pro- 
vides valuable information on the 
"Summer Workshop on Evangelism" 
and lists the titles of books and cas- 
sette tapes that may be secured to fur- 
ther one's theological education. 

If you would like to become better 
acquainted with "Continuing Ed" and 
the stimulating array of services that 
he offers through the CONTINUING 
EDUCATION NEWSLETTER, 
please write to: 

Dr. James D. Newsome, Jr. 
Director of Advanced Studies 
Columbia Theological Seminary 
Decatur. Georgia 30031 



D.Min. Program Expanded 

Dr. James D. Newsome, Jr., Direc- 
tor of Advanced Studies, recently held 
meetings at Presbyterian College, 
Clinton, SC; the Vine Street Presby- 
terian Church, Birmingham. AL; and 
Belhaven College. Jackson, MS, for 
the purpose of discussing with in- 
terested persons the possibility of 
extension Doctor of Ministry work 
in these areas. A total of 23 minis- 
ters attended the three meetings. Dr. 
Newsome explained the design of 
Columbia Seminary's D.Min. pro- 
gram while another 28 ministers who 
could not be present had asked by 
mail to be informed of the outcome 
of these meetings. 

Pending formal applications into 
the D.Min. program, Columbia Sem- 
inary, in cooperation with its partner 
in the Atlanta Theological Associa- 
tion  the Candler School of Theol- 
ogy at Emory University  will offer 
extension D.Min. work in any or all 
of these areas beginning in the Fall 
of 1978. 



Seminary Sunday -April 23 

The General Assembly of the 
Presbyterian Church, U.S., has de- 
signated April 23 as Seminary Sun- 
day. This gives an opportunity for 
the four PCUS Seminaries (Austin, 
Columbia, Louisville and Union) to 
inform the members of local congre- 
gations about the mission and indis- 
pensable task of theological educa- 
tion. 

Special pamphlet bulletin inserts 
are being sent to all the churches in 
Columbia Seminary's supporting Sv- 
nods that request them. The pamphlet 
is entitled, "Know Your Seminary" 
Quiz. It provides helpful information 
about Columbia's heritage along with 
its present needs and concerns. Post- 
ers and multi-purpose envelopes arc 
also available. 

In addition to the printed mater- 
ials, there will be an effort to have 
members of the faculty, staff and stu- 
dent body preach in churches 
throughout the Seminary's constitu- 
ency. There will be a special effort 
to fill pulpits in the Synod of the 
Mid-South on April 2'3 in prepara- 
tion for the Capital Funds Campaign 
for Theological Education during 
1978-79. 



Florida Caravan 

Suwannee Presbytery in Florida 
extended a particular invitation to the 
members of the Seminary Communis 
to form a caravan and visit and 
preach in thirty of their churches on 
April 1 6. On Saturday morning, 
April 15, over thirty faculty, staff and 
students of Columbia will leave by 
bus for Lake City. After having sup- 
per together, representatives of the 
Seminary will scatter to churches 
throughout Suwannee Presbytery. On 
Sunday, April 16, they will be leading 
worship services and preaching and 
returning to Decatur on that evening. 




Paul Ard, President of the Student Co- 
ordinating Council, expresses appreciation 
to Mr. and Mrs. O. W . Hanson for their 
dedicated service at the Mission Haven 
Clothes Closet. 



"Come See Columbia Day*' 

The Columbia Friendship Circle, 
whose over 5,000 members actively 
support Columbia Seminary through 
their interest, prayers, and gifts, has 
set Thursday, April 13, as its an- 
nual "COME SEE COLUMBIA 
DAY." Over 300 CFC members from 
several States are expected to gather 
on Columbia's campus to sec the 
Seminary, to meet with students and 
faculty, and to worship and plan to- 
gether. 

Another part of this day's activi- 
ties will be a look at CFC's present 
work and a look forward to its new 
project. The 1977-78 Project for 
CFC has involved a goal of $25,000 
to be used for Scholarship Aid for 
International Students. This aid is 
now enabling outstanding students 
from other countries to study at 
Columbia and to participate in the 
life of both the Seminary and the 
Presbyterian Church, U.S. 

CFC's President, Mrs. Martha 
Tissington of Mobile, AL, has ex- 
tended a cordial invitation to per- 
sons throughout the supporting Sy- 
nods to be present on April 13 to 
join with the Columbia Friendship 
Circle in celebrating the Seminary's 
150th Anniversary. 



GRADUATION 

at 

COLUMBIA 

THEOLOGICAL 

SEMINARY 

May 21, 1978 
BACCALAUREATE 

11:00 a.m. at 

CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH 

Rev. T. Morton McMillan 
Preaching 

COMMENCEMENT 

4:00 p.m. at 

COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN 
CHURCH 

Address by 
Rev. Joseph L. Roberts 



Holy Smokes Win Championship 



New Slide Show Available 

A new color slide show with a 
script entitled, "A Glimpse Into the 
Life of CTS," has been prepared and 
is now available for interested groups 
and churches. It tells a fascinating 
story of the way God has and is using 
this 1 50-year-old institution of the 
Presbyterian Church in the U.S. 

Showing time is from 12-15 min- 
utes. It is ideal for a family night sup- 
per or circle meeting. 

Copies of the show may be se- 
cured by calling (404/378-8821) or 
writing: 
THE OFFICE OF SEMINARY 

RELATIONS 
Columbia Theological Seminary 
Decatur, Georgia 30031 




Back row: Billy Wade, Bob Ball, Bob Buchan, Dean Chapman: Front row: Wilt Bynum. 
Da\id Chadwick, Dan Sansburv, Rickv Dex. 



Columbia Seminary's answer to the 
Portland Trailblazers, "The Holy 
Smokes," won the City of Decatur 
Basketball Championship by posting 
a regular season record of 1 0-0. They 
also were victorious in finals of the 
Post-Season Tournament by defeat- 
ing Glenwood 84-65. 




President J. Davison Philips, who had 
the privilege of delivering special lectures 
and sermons to PCUS Missionaries and 
Brazilian Pastors in Patrocinio, Brazil, dur- 
ing January, has a chance to reciprocate. 
Here he welcomes to our campus the 
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of 
Brazil, Boanerges Ribeiro (center) and the 
Rev. Frank Arnold, PCUS Acting Staff 
Associate for Latin America. Dr. Ribeiro 
preached during morning Chapel. 



Columbia 

Theological 

&eminary 




David Chadwick, former stellar 
performer of the University of North 
Carolina and second year student at 
Columbia, is the player-coach of 
"The Holy Smokes." Congratulations 
to the team! 

Project Inform 
PROJECT INFORM is an effort 
to inform the leadership of the 
churches in the Synods of Florida, 
Mid-South and Southeast about the 
life and ministry of Columbia Semi- 
nary. Pastors and Clerks of Session 
have been cooperating by marking 
the names of key leaders in their 
Church Directory and sending it to 
PROJECT INFORM at the Semi- 
nary. We have been sending these 
persons copies of our quarterly 
newsletter VANTAGE. Over 5,000 
names have been added to our mail- 
ing list during the last six months. A 
special word of thanks to those who 
have assisted in PROJECT IN- 
FORM. 



COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 701 COLUMBIA DRIVE, DECATUR, GEORGIA 30031 
Vol. 70, No. 2/Spring 1978 
Richard A. Dodds, Editor 
Published Quarterly 



Second Class 

Postage 

Paid at 
Decatur, Ga. 

Publication No. 124160 



onjooc /