Dr. Steve W. Lemke
Dr. Steve W. LemkeProvost
Professor of Philosophy and Ethics

Office: Frost Building,
Office Phone: 1-800-NOBTS-01; or (504) 282-4455
Fax: (504) 816-8428
Home Phone:
E-Mail: slemke@nobts.edu

Education

  • Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1985)
  • M.A.R.E., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1978)
  • M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ( 1976)
  • B.A., Louisiana Tech University (1972)
  • Additional study at Texas Christian University, the University of Texas at Dallas, and in the M.A. in Philosophy program at Texas A&M University

Teaching Experience

  • Provost, Professor of Philosophy and Ethics, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (1997-present)
  • Associate Professor in Philosophy of Religion, and Convener of the Philosophy of Religion Department, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1990-1997)
  • Guest professor at Oradea Bible Institute in Oradea, Romania (1995); Bucharest Theological Seminary in Bucharest, Romania (1991, 1995); St. Petersburg Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia (1993), and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (2003).
  • Chairman, Department of Religion and Philosophy, and Associate Professor of Philosophy, Williams Baptist College (1984-1988)
  • Instructor in Philosophy, Blinn College (1988-1989)
  • Instructor in Philosophy and Ethics, Weatherford College (1981-1983)
  • Teaching Fellow in Philosophy of Religion and Systematic Theology Departments, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1978-1982)
  • Instructor in Philosophy, Tarrant County Junior College (1979-1980)

Teaching Specializations

  • Christian philosophy
  • Ethics
  • Anthropology
  • Aesthetics
  • Hermeneutics
  • Literature
  • World Religions

Ministry Experience

  • Pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Bryan, Texas (1988-1990)
  • Pastor, First Baptist Church, Santo, Texas (1979-1984)
  • Youth Ministry Intern, University Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas (1978)
  • Associate Pastor, Ardmore Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (1977)
  • Youth Associate, Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas (1976)
  • Youth and Activities Director, Thomas Avenue Baptist Church, Pasadena, Texas (1975)
  • Youth Minister, First Baptist Church, Eagle Lake, Texas (1973)
  • Supply preacher in over 200 churches
  • Revival evangelist for over a dozen revival meetings
  • Speaker for over a dozen seminars in churches
  • Preacher in over a dozen Bible conferences
  • Delivered sermons in numerous associational meetings and college/seminary chapel services
  • Participated in seven mission trips in four states and two foreign countries
  • Interim pastor for 12 churches:
    • Suburban Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana (2002-2003)
    • First Baptist Church, Avondale, Louisiana (2000-2001)
    • Barrataria Baptist Church, Lafitte, Louisiana (2000)
    • Rio Vista Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana (1998)
    • Westgate Memorial Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas (1977)
    • First Baptist Church, The Colony, Texas (1995-96)
    • Ryanwood Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas (1992)
    • Hillcrest Baptist Church, Bryan, Texas (1990)
    • Immanuel Baptist Church, Newport, Arkansas (1987)
    • First Baptist Church, Myrtle, Missouri (1986)
    • First Baptist Church, Pocahontas, Arkansas (1985-1986)
    • Witts Chapel Baptist Church, Maynard, Arkansas (1984-85, 1987)

Publications

Books

  • Co-editor with Bruce Corley and Grant Lovejoy, Biblical Hermeneutics: A Comprehensive Introduction to Interpreting Scripture.  Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1996; revised ed., 2002.
  • The Christian Philosophy of Emile Cailliet. unpublished Ph.D. dissertation, available at the Cailliet Collection of the Robert E. Speer Library of Princeton Theological Seminary and at the A. Webb Roberts Library of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1985.
  • A Brief History of the First Baptist Church in Santo (Santo, Texas: First Baptist Church, 1982).
  • Living Hope: Studies in I Peter (Jackson, MS: Video Publications, 1982).
  • Joy in Christ: Studies in Philippians (Jackson, MS: Video Publications, 1980; reprint ed., Nashville: JM Productions, 1981).

Articles in Books

  • "Article XII:  Education," in The Baptist Faith and Message 2000:  Critical Issues in America's Largest Protestant Denomination, ed. Douglas Blount and Joseph Woodell  (Lanham:  Rowman and Littlefield, 2007), 121-135.
  • "Does the Bible Affirm that Animals Have Rights?" and "Does the Bible Teach the Abuse of Nature?" in The Apologetics Study Bible, ed. Paul Copan, Ted Cabal, and Chad Brand (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2007).
  • Foreword to Athanasius' Concept of Eternal Sonship as Revealed in Contra Arianos, by Marvin Jones (Lewiston:  Mellen Press, 2006), i-ii.
  • "The Academic Use of the Harmony of the Gospels," in Harmony of the Gospels (Holman Christian Standard Bible), ed. Steven Cox and Kenneth Easley  (Nashville:  Broadman and Holman, 2007), 18-21.
  • "The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture," in Biblical Hermeneutics: A Comprehensive Guide to Interpreting Scripture, ed. Bruce Corley, Steve Lemke, and Grant Lovejoy, rev. ed. (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2002).
  • Seven articles ("Authority," "Hellenism," "Logos," "Preparation Day,""Seven Words from the Cross,""Suffering," and "Time, meaning of,") in The Holman Bible Dictionary, rev. ed., ed. Chad Brand, Archie England, and Charles Draper (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2003), 145-146, 746-748, 1044-1045, 1326, 1467-1469, 1539-1540, 1595-1597; and two articles ("Preparation Day" and "Seven Last Words from the Cross,") in the original version of Holman Bible Dictionary, ed. Trent Butler (Nashville: Holman, 1991), 1135-1136, 1250.
  • "Who Will I Be in the Next Life?" in Fake Answers, ed. Jon Brooks and Karen Jones, pp. 75-82 (Nashville: Convention Press, 1995).

Articles in Periodicals

  • "Spiritual Vitality and the Lord's Supper," Vision, vol. 64, no. 1 (Spring 2008), 5.
  • "Editorial Introduction:  Baptists Ministering in the Midst of Disaster," Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, vol. 4 (Katrina anniversary special edition), 4-7; available online at http://baptistcenter.com/JBTM_Vol_4_Extra_Edition_Baptists_Ministering_in_the_Midst_of_Disaster.pdf.
  • "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?  Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, vol. 4 (Katrina anniversary special edition), 24-34; available online at http://baptistcenter.com/JBTM_Vol_4_Extra_Edition_Baptists_Ministering_in_the_Midst_of_Disaster.pdf.
  • "Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?" guest editorial for the Baptist Message (April 17, 2007): 5; available online at http://www.baptistmessage.com/articledetail.php?articleID=2c8058ef87b9dcd87b2c8168f1e2dfb8.
  • "Why Does a Good God Allow Suffering?" guest editorial for the Baptist Message (March 1, 2007): 5; available online at http://www.baptistmessage.com/articledetail.php?articleID=22ab68aedb78f6807263cb37999cbd0b
  • "Good Hermeneutics:  Rightly Dividing the Word of God," Areopagus Journal,  vol 6. no. 1 (January-February 2006):7-13.
  • "Pluralism and Relativism in Richard Rorty's Liberal Utopia," Midwestern Journal of Theology, vol. 3, no. 2 (Spring 2005):49-58.
  • "Tough Decisions about Palliative Care," Mature Living (Leadership Edition), vol. 4, no. 3 (November 2004):1, 4.
  • "Tough Decisions about Euthanasia," Mature Living (Leadership Edition), vol. 3, no. 4(December 2004):2.
  • "Church Responses to End of Life Issues," Mature Living (Leadership Edition), vol. 4, no. 1 (January 2005):2.
  • "God's Relation to the World: Terrance Tiessen Proposal on Providence and Prayer," Criswell Theological Review n.s. vol. 1, no. 2 (Spring 2004):205-213.
  • "Evangelical Theology in the Twenty-First Century,"Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, vol. 1, no. 1 (Spring 2003):58-77.
  • "Are We Entering a 'Doctrine-Free' Era?"Preaching Now, vol. 2, no. 2 (July 10, 2003), available online at the Preaching Now website.
  • Co-author with Ray Higgins, Paul Stevens, and Joe Gross of "Clinical Pastoral Education for Seminary Professors: Supervisory Considerations and Professional Benefits," Journal of Supervision and Training in Ministry, vol. 14 (1992-1993), 33-42.
  • Numerous book reviews in the Southwestern Journal of TheologyTheological Educator, Criswell Theological Review, The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, Faith and Mission, Catholic Books Review, Journal of Church and State, and the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society (1986-present).
  • Eleven articles in Biblical Illustrator
    • "The Mount of Olives," 13, no. 2 (Winter 1987), 42-49.
    • "The Law and the Prophets," 14, no. 3 (Spring 1988), 23-25.
    • "Angels and the Angel," 16, no. 3 (Spring 1990), 20-23.
    • "Mount Carmel," 17, no. 4 (Summer 1991), 2-3, 7-9.
    • "The Elder in the Early Church," 19, no. 1 (Fall 1992), 59-62.
    • "History: The Setting of Luke’s History," 20, no. 2 (Winter 1994), 14-19.
    • "Peter’s Shepherd Assignment." 27, no. 4 (Summer 2001): 52-54.
    • "Andrew: Just Peter’s Brother?" 29, no. 3 (Spring 2003), 30-32.
    • "'Falling Away' or 'Erring' from the Faith?"30, no. 3 (Spring 2004):52-54; (also included in the premiere issue of Biblical Illustrator Plus (Spring 2004), an interactive CD-ROM).
    • "Caesar Is Lord vs. Jesus as Lord," 32, no. 1 (Fall 2005), 28-33.
    • "The Sanhedrin:  Their History and Function," 34, no. 4 (Summer 2008), 16-19.
  • Eleven issues of Home Bible Study Guide, a correspondence Bible course offered by the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. April, 1979; July, 1980; February, 1981; February, 1982; May, 1982; October, 1982; July 1983; March, 1984; August, 1984; August, 1985; and an issue on salvation republished by the Home Mission Board.
  • Over fifty lessons in Sunday School Adults and Sunday School Young Adults in the Convention Uniform Series of Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as contributions in The Adult Teacher, Adult Leadership, and teaching Kit (September 1986; June-August, 1988; September-November, 1989; December 1991-February 1992; and June-August 1995); and adult lessons in Pursuits (January-February, 1998; January-February 1999). Designing lesson outlines for the January, 1999 Life and Work lesson series.
  • Taught in twenty-one broadcasts of Good News over the ACTS/VISN television network (April, 1991; May-July, 1992; May-June, 1993; June-July, 1995).
  • Co-author with Ray Higgins of "Institutional Ethics Committees in Baptist-Related Hospitals: Survey Results and Analysis" (unpublished).

Professional Presentations

  • "The Intelligent Design of Humans:  The Meaning of the Imago Dei for Theological Anthropology," presented at the March 2008 annual meeting of the Southwest regional Evangelical Theological Society at Havard School for Theological Studies in Houston, Texas. 
  • "Teaching Them to Observe the Doctrine of Salvation:  Tiessen's Accessibilism vs. Jesus's Exclusivism," presented at the November 2007 annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in San Diego. 
  • "What Is a Baptist?  Nine Marks that Separate Baptists from Presbyterians," presented at the March 2007 Baptist Theology and Ministry conference on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 
  • "Truth for a Postmodern Era," presented at the November 2005 annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in San Antonio, Texas.
  • "The Future of Southern Baptists as Evangelicals," presented at the April 2005 Maintaining Baptist Distinctives Conference at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis.
  • "Agent Causation, or, How to Be a Soft Libertarian," presented at the March 2005 meeting of the Southwest Regional Evangelical Philosophical meeting in New Orleans.
  • "A Theological Protocol for Palliative Care," presented at the February 2004 annual meeting of the Baptist Association of Ministers to the Aging, in New Orleans.
  • "Truth for a Postmodern Era," presented at the March 2004 Southwest regional meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society at Dallas Baptist College.
  • "The Transdimensional God:  A Proposal Regarding God, Time, and Providence," presented at the March 2003 annual Southwest regional meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society at Dallas Theological Seminary.
  • "God's Relation to the World: Terrance Tiessen's Proposal on Providence and Prayer," at the November 2002 annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Toronto, Canada.
  • "Personal Identity and the Afterlife," at the November 2002 meeting of the Student Theological Fellowship of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
  • "Providence and Prayer: A Response to Tiessen's Proposal," at the March 2002 Southwest regional annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas.
  • "Let's Get Real! Magritte and the Nature of Reality," a response to "Putting God in a Frame: The Art of Rene Magritte as Religious Encounter" by Scott Drumm, the Ola Farmer Lenaz Lecture at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in December 2001.
  • "Evangelical Theology in the Twenty-First Century," the Presidential Address for the April 2000 meeting of the Southwest regional Evangelical Theological Society at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
  • "Teaching Moral Virtue: How Can We Overcome Moral Weakness?" at the December 1999 meeting of the New Orleans chapter of the College Theology Society at Loyola University of New Orleans.
  • "Supernatural Evil and Good in the Novels of Dean Koontz: Toward a Theology of Hope," at the March 1999 meeting of the Arts, Literature, and Religion section of the Southwest regional American Academy of Religion meeting in Dallas, Texas.
  • "Moral Weakness and Moral Virtue," at the March 1999 meeting of the Ethics section of the Southwest regional American Academy of Religion meeting in Dallas, Texas.
  • "Teaching Moral Virtue: How Can We Overcome Moral Weakness?" at the November 1998 annual meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society in Orlando, Florida.
  • Chair of the section on environmental ethics and respondent to "How to Think about Environmental Ethics" by Norman Wirzba, at the Baptist Association of Philosophy Teachers biennial meeting at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, in September 1998.
  • "The Challenge of Postmodernism," at the April 1998 Scholar's Forum at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
  • "Pluralism and Pain in Richard Rorty's Liberal Utopia," at the 1997 Southwest regional meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society meeting at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas.
  • "Peter Forrest’s Project of General Revelation: Personal Identity and the Afterlife," at the 1997 Evangelical Theological Society annual national meeting in Santa Clara, California.
  • "Personal Identity and the Afterlife," at the 1997 Baptist Association of Philosophy Teachers at Samford University.
  • "The Serpent in the New Eden: Technology and the Hudson River School," at the 1997 Rocky Mountain regional meeting of the American Society for Aesthetics meeting at St. John's College.
  • "Freedom and Temptation: A Christian Approach to Akrasia," at the 1997 Southwest regional Evangelical Theological Society meeting at Dallas Theological Seminary.
  • "Subjectivity in Kierkegaard: A Reassessment," at the 1996 eastern regional Society of Christian Philosophers meeting at Salem College.
  • "The Concept of the Sublime in Nineteenth Century American Landscape Painting," at the 1996 Southwest regional American Academy of Religion meeting in Dallas.
  • "Just How Subjective is Kierkegaard's Subjectivity?" in a 1996 lectureship at College of St. Thomas More in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • "Ethics Committees in Southern-Baptist Related Hospitals: Survey Results and Analysis," at the 1995 southwest regional meeting of the American Academy of Religion in Dallas.
  • "Worldviews in Our Culture," at the 1995 National Seminar of the Christian Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention.
  • "Nineteenth-Century Landscape Painting: A Hermeneutic of the Sublime," at the 1995 Literary And Academic Conference at Baylor University.
  • "A Hermeneutic of Stewardship: The Biblical View of Animals," at the 1994 Evangelical Theological Society meeting in Chicago.
  • "Subjectivity in Kierkegaard: A Reassessment," at a 1993 Southwest regional Evangelical Theological Society meeting in Chicago.
  • "A New Look at Kierkegaard’s Epistemology," at the 1993 Southwest regional Evangelical Theological Society meeting at Dallas Theological Seminary.
  • "Animals and the Problem of Pain," at the 1992 Southwest regional American Academy of Religion meeting at Dallas.
  • "Singing the Songs of Zion in a Strange Land: A Southern Baptist Teaching Philosophy in a State College Setting," at the 1990 Baptist Association of Philosophy Teachers meeting at Baylor University.
  • "The Objective Pole in Kierkegaardian Epistemology," at the 1988 Baptist Association of Philosophy Teachers meeting at Belmont College.
  • "Lessing, Hegel, and Kierkegaard: Three Models for Religious Epistemology," at the 1987 Arkansas Philosophical Association meeting at Arkansas State University.

Affirmations/Endorsements

Steve Lemke has signed or endorsed the following doctrinal confessions and resolutions:

 Other Lemke Papers and Publications

"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew 9:13