Dawson Trotman's Personal Spiritual Disciplines as the Foundation for His Great Commission Ministry
Abstract
DAWSON TROTMAN'S PERSONAL SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AS THE FOUNDATION FOR HIS GREAT COMMISSION MINISTRY
Jeffrey Paul Reynolds, Ph.D.
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2014
Chair: Dr. Timothy K. Beougher
This dissertation argues that Dawson Trotman's personal spiritual disciplines served as the foundation of his Great Commission ministry. Chapter 1 defines important terms and states the case for researching Dawson Trotman's views on the subject.
Chapter 2 presents a biographical sketch of Dawson Trotman's life, giving particular attention to his understanding of Great Commission ministry with emphasis on his understanding of the gospel and of the process of discipleship.
Chapter 3 explores Trotman's personal spiritual disciplines and the bases upon which he developed his understanding of such disciplines. Attention is given to the scriptural sources from which he derived his intensive regimen of regularly practiced personal spiritual disciplines and other sources that influenced his thinking in these disciplines. Furthermore, this chapter examines Trotman's core theological beliefs regarding his personal spiritual disciplines and the methods he employed in practicing them.
Chapter 4 chronicles Trotman's Great Commission ministry both in terms of its history and the vision Trotman proposed not long before his untimely death. This chapter concludes with an analysis of Trotman's understanding spiritual reproduction as the cornerstone of his Great Commission ministry and legacy.
Chapter 5 bridges the gap between Trotman's intense regimen of personal spiritual disciplines and his Great Commission ministry. Specifically, this chapter illustrates how Trotman's personal spiritual disciplines provided the foundation, motivation, and urgency for his disciple-making ministry, and it shows that Trotman felt that his personal spiritual disciplines also provided for the effectiveness of his Great Commission ministry.
Chapter 6 summarizes the research, presents conclusions, and offers some insight as to how Trotman can and should inform contemporary Christians as they seek to obey Christ's Great Commission.