Yesterday marked the 75^th birthday of Dr. Rolland D. McCune. As some of you may know, Dr. McCune recently retired from the full-time faculty of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. I’ve had the incredible privilege of being Dr. McCune’s student, faculty and administrative colleague, and pastor. The influence that Dr. McCune has had on my life is immeasurable. His theology classes ignited a fire in my soul for the Word and God’s glory. His commitment to the truth regardless of the political consequences was refreshing and formative. His patience with questions and interest in his students was encouraging. He was one of God’s gracious gifts to me as a very young pastor—he had been in the ministry for almost as long as I had been alive, yet he never once despised my youth and always provided me with timely, wise counsel. How I thank God for this wonderful servant of Jesus Christ!

I know others who have been blessed by his ministry will appreciate honoring this godly servant, and those who don’t know him will benefit from introduction. So, I’ve compiled some items to help. Inside the post, I’ve placed two notes of appreciation that we written for publications. The first comes from a special edition of the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal that was done in honor of Dr. McCune’s seventieth birthday. I’ve modified it slightly, but the content is essentially the same. The second is the endorsement I wrote for Dr. McCune’s book, Promise Unfulfilled. After that I’ve put in some links to direct you to Dr. McCune’s articles, books, sermons, and an interview with Dr. McCune done by Andy Naselli. Enjoy to glory of God!

Dr. Rolland D. McCune has been Professor of Systematic Theology at Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary since 1981. He also served as Dean of the Faculty for six years and then, in 1989, was chosen to serve as the President of the seminary. Dr. McCune served effectively as President for ten years until returning to the classroom and research to continue his teaching while expanding his writing ministry.

Before joining the faculty at DBTS, Dr. McCune spent fourteen years on the faculty of Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Minneapolis, serving as Professor, Registrar, and Dean. He also served for a time on the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota Baptist Association and on the faculty of Indiana Baptist College in Indianapolis. Dr. McCune has pastored churches in Missouri and Indiana, as well as serving often as interim pastor in churches in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Dr. McCune received his seminary and doctoral training at Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana. He has also studied at the Institute of Holy Land Studies in Jerusalem. Dr. McCune has written numerous articles for the publications of the seminaries where he has served and has produced extensive syllabuses for his courses that serve as invaluable resources for his students. Dr. McCune has also written a book entitled Promise Unfulfilled: The Failed Strategy of Modern Evangelicalism, released in October 2004.

It is very common for former students to express appreciation for the influence of their professors, but when Dr. McCune’s former students talk about his impact on their lives, it usually transcends mere appreciation. Their testimonies are full of profound respect and agreement that his example and instruction were life-changing. Four decades worth of seminary students have benefited from his consistent example as a believer, preacher, teacher, and separatist Fundamentalist.

While strongly opposed to the pietism that often exerts a negative influence on evangelicalism and fundamentalism, Dr. McCune has modeled consistent godliness and faithfulness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Warning students often to beware of any spirituality that attempts to “bypass the intellect,” he has urged seminarians to build their walk with God on the solid ground of biblical truth, not experientialism and emotionalism. It is that solid ground which has enabled him to stand firm in the face of difficult personal trials, including two bouts with cancer. He has lived out his theology in the trenches of daily life.

It would be impossible to sit under Dr. McCune’s ministry and miss the importance of the local church in his life and teaching. His clear articulation of the biblical teaching regarding the primacy of the local church for God’s work in this age has profoundly shaped the thinking of seminary students and helped pastors in local churches for over three decades. Rather than set the seminary in competition with local churches, Dr. McCune directed his teaching and poured his efforts into helping the local church. His faithfulness to his own church has been a powerful testimony to his students. His pulpit ministry in churches has been a source of great blessing to congregations throughout the Midwest.

Over the course of his long teaching ministry, Dr. McCune has never stopped being a student. He has set a pattern of lifelong study to continually strengthen and sharpen his understanding of the Scriptures and his correlation and articulation of its doctrines. Instead of resting on yesterday’s notes, Dr. McCune is always expanding and refining them in the light of continued biblical study and interaction with the newest literature on those subjects. He has set a high and worthy standard for men heading into the preaching and teaching ministry.

During the course of his ministry, the landscape of evangelicalism and fundamentalism has changed considerably. Tides have shifted regularly, and many men and ministries have drifted along with them. Dr. McCune, however, has remained steadfast in his propagation and defense of the Faith once delivered to the saints. Because he believes and teaches that fundamentalism is first and foremost a theological movement, his students have been grounded in biblical fundamentalism and have learned to make issues of Truth primary (versus concerns about personalities and ecclesiastical politics). His stands against ecclesiastical compromise have been clear and consistent. His commitment to sound theology has caused him to confront error both inside and outside of the fundamentalist movement. His clear voice and careful biblical arguments have helped equip students and pastors to stand firmly in a day of enormous compromise.

A central theme of Dr. McCune’s teaching and preaching has been the glory of God’s grace, so it is only fitting that we offer our thanks to the Sovereign God for saving, equipping, and using Dr. McCune for His glory. This man has been a choice instrument in the hands of the Living and True God. Much has been accomplished by the Master through a willing and able servant. Soli Deo Gloria.

Endorsement for Promise Unfulfilled

I have had the privilege of observing Dr. Rolland McCune’s life and ministry from several different perspectives. He was my theology professor while I was in seminary. I was Chairman of the Board while he served as the Seminary President. He is a member of the church where I serve as pastor. I have preached with him in pastors’ conferences. We have shared rooms together on the road for the seminary, and family occasions together at home. I watched him face two bouts with cancer with confident trust in His God. I have seen him take difficult stands on biblical principles with gracious strength. In all of these varied situations of life, Dr. McCune’s commitment to the truth of God’s Word and the God of that Word has been unwavering. His dedication to study, love for the local church, and desire to communicate biblical truth have had a profound effect on my life and ministry. Whenever he speaks or writes, I listen carefully because I know it reflects a life of study and devotion to the cause of Jesus Christ.

While in seminary, I had the privilege of taking Dr. McCune’s course on the History and Theology of New Evangelicalism and it turned out to be one of the most influential courses I have ever taken. Since I was not born until after Harold J. Ockenga announced the launch of the New Evangelicalism and did not begin to think seriously about such matters until almost two decades after that, it was eye-opening to learn this history and see its implications for the world of ministry I was entering. Frankly, before taking the course I knew what the Fundamentalist position was, but I didn’t fully understand why. The material contained in that course, and in this book, helped me understand the dangers of the compromises which had been made before I was born but were bearing very bad fruit by the time I was entering ministry. Now, almost another two decades later, the costs of these compromises continue to mount. I pray that the material in this book will have the same effect on others that it has had on me, and I hope that it will receive a wide audience among Fundamentalists and Evangelicals. It is a serious and solemn call to faithfulness that desperately needs to be heard.

Dr. McCune’s articles in Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal:

Dr. McCune’s books:

A sampling of Dr. McCune’s conference lectures and sermons:

·         Paul and Educated Unbelief - notes (MACP lecture)

·         “Who Controls the Local Church” (MACP lecture)

·         “The Gospel’s Ethical Foundation: The Imputed Righteousness of Christ” (MACP lecture)

·         “Ecumenical Evangelism: Its Effects on the Growth of the Evangelical Church” (MACP Lecture)

·         “The Gospel and Modern Man” (BJU Bible Conference message)

·         “Social Gospel: Evangelicalism” (BJU Bible Conference message)

An interview with Dr. McCune by Andy Naselli.

 

Thank you Dr. McCune for your contribution to the Lord’s work and especially for the contribution you have made to my life and ministry. I thank God for Daisy and you!