Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 21:2 (Fall 2024)
Article: Bob Stewart’s Legacy & The Greer-Heard Forum
Author: Tawa J. Anderson

Bob Stewart’s Legacy & The Greer-Heard Forum

Tawa J. Anderson

Tawa Anderson serves as associate professor of philosophy and apologetics; director of the Institute for Christian Apologetics; and Greer-Heard Chair of Faith and Culture at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

It is a distinct honor and privilege to serve as the Guest Editor for this Fall 2024 edition of the Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry, which honors the legacy of Dr. Robert B. (Bob) Stewart. The recently-retired Dr. Stewart served for 26 years on the faculty at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. For the last 13 years of his tenure, he was my trusted mentor and dear friend. Indeed, it is due to him that I have stepped into his former role at NOBTS. Bob’s confidence in my ability to fill his shoes, while probably unwarranted, is a tremendous encouragement. One of Bob’s gifts is his ability to see the best in others and to draw out the best in them. He saw leadership and scholarship potential in me that I did not see; but his affirmation has challenged me to become a better apologist and a better academician. I can only hope that I am able to build upon the legacy that he has left at NOBTS in the years to come.

When thinking through Dr. Stewart’s legacy, two monumental achievements stand out: Defend and the Greer-Heard. The Spring 2024 issue of JBTM honored Bob’s efforts in launching and building the annual Defend Apologetics Conference. This issue focuses on his unique brainchild: the Greer-Heard Point-Counterpoint Forum, which ran from 2005 through 2017. The Greer-Heard Forum was Bob’s baby, but it was made possible by the generous financial gifts bequeathed by William Heard Jr. and his wife Carolyn (nee Greer). Originally envisioned as a five-year pilot program, the Greer-Heard Forum instead saw 14 iterations. What was so unique about Bob’s beloved Greer-Heard?

Contemporary American culture is increasingly polarized, and deep disagreements are rarely discussed, let alone discussed civilly and charitably. Instead, opponents tend to take pot-shots at one another on social media, to shout over one another, to demean anyone who dares to disagree, and/or to demonize people ‘on the other side.’ In an increasingly polarized and divided culture, Dr.

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Stewart (with funding, support, and encouragement from Bill & Carolyn Heard) initiated a Forum which intentionally brought together leading scholars who had deep disagreements about significant issues, for a 24-hour exchange of ideas. The topics & participants of the 14 Greer-Heard Forums cover a wealth of significant issues, addressed by world-class thinkers: