February 2, 2016 (Tuesday)
The Bible courses at Baylor were called “Religion” courses. I think I studied under all the professors of religion at that time. The chairman of the department was Dr. C. J. Humphrey, who taught a course entitled “Law and Grace,” which pretty much characterized his approach to our faith. He emphasized the grace of God in Christ, and God’s love for all people. At times he would be almost overcome with emotion as he spoke of Christ on the cross.
Baylor University
I took a course in “Hebrews-Revelation” from Dr. Eddie L. Dwyer, a good and godly man who spoke occasionally of his family. Strange, but the first thought of his class now brings memories of Dr. Dale Moody from Louisville Seminary, who visited the class and spoke to us one day. He was full of fire and obviously loved to expound the Scriptures. Dr. Dwyer’s approach was more conversational but filled with theology that gave me a firm foundation in my beliefs.
Dr. J. W. Ousley was a very nice man who would walk with me and talk with me as I went from one class to the other, showing a personal interest in me and the other students. His course dealt with Baptist church polity. He gave us a pop test every day. We covered new material in each lecture so it was vital that we not let ourselves get behind.
Dr. C. P. Sansom was an old-fashioned Baptist preacher turned professor who loved the Lord. That dedication came through in his attitude and teaching. His wife was a nurse, a seminary graduate and professor. He loved the Lord and that love “rubbed off” on his students.
The J. B. Tidwell Bible Building was built during my time as a student, but I graduated and moved on before it was open for classes. All our Bible classes were held in Old Main, one of the buildings pictured in yesterday’s blog.
After graduation from college, I went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where all my teachers were dedicated men of God, and we studied our faith from every angle, and always reverently and respectfully. We studied mission work, Christian ethics, the Bible, theology, Greek, Hebrew, church history, Christian education, Christian counseling, sermon preparation and delivery and more. Some of my teachers had been paid with sacks of beans during the Depression years, but they continued to follow their calling to prepare men and women for vocational service to the Lord. Even during the 1950’s when I was there as a student, they were woefully underpaid. It was their dedication to their Lord that kept them there. I won’t try to name them in this blog, but each had a positive impact upon my life.