Interview with Dr. David Dockery, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Dr. David Dockery, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was among several special guests on Liberty University’s campus for the inauguration ceremony of President Dondi Costin on Oct. 26, where Dockery delivered the keynote remarks.

Prior to the inauguration, Dockery sat down with Liberty’s Vice President of Communications and Public Engagement Ryan Helfenbein for a wide-ranging interview on issues related to Christian higher education.

The two discussed topics like the challenges of Christian education in today’s world, the need for “Christianly” thinking on college campuses, educating the next group of pastors to take the pulpit, and the best ways to reach the current generation of college students.

Referred to as the “dean of Christian higher education” by Costin during the inauguration ceremony, Dockery has a deep past of training students in ministry at several other Christian higher education institutions. In addition to serving as president at Southwestern Baptist, he is also the president of the International Alliance for Christian Education.

Prior to joining Southwestern Baptist, Dockery served as the 15th president of Union University for nearly two decades, where he was named President Emeritus after his tenure ended; served as president at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, chief academic officer at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and also as the board chair for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Dockery has authored or edited more than 40 volumes and contributed to another roughly 80 books, becoming an acclaimed author for his work on Christian education. He holds several degrees from recognized institutions of higher education, including the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Grace Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Texas Christian University, and the University of Texas.

The full conversation between Helfenbein and Dockery is available below.