By Dustin Bruce
Last night (November 18, 2013), friends, colleagues, and family of Dr. Michael Haykin gathered to honor his life and ministry on account of his 60th birthday (11/24/13). The surprise party, planned to coincide with the annual conference of the Evangelical Theological Society, was held at the Baltimore Hilton and featured a presentation of both a portrait of Samuel Pearce and a book written in his honor.
Dr. Tom Nettles presented Haykin with a portrait of Samuel Pearce, an eighteenth-century English Baptist pastor and one of Haykin’s favorite historical figures. The portrait was an original painting by Dr. Nettles’ son, Robert Nettles.
Then, much to his surprise, a Festschrift entitled The pure flame of devotion was presented to Haykin by Steve Weaver, who edited the volume along with Ian Clary. Over two years in the making, The pure flame of devotion features a foreword by Dr. Russell Moore and 23 essays on the history of Christian spirituality by such leading scholars as David Hogg, Carl Trueman, Joel Beeke, Tom Nettles, and Don Whitney.
Dr. Albert R. Mohler, Jr. offered a word of appreciation for Haykin on behalf of Southern Seminary. According to Mohler, the Festschrift, with its range of contributors and subjects,testifies to the broad impact Haykin’s scholarship has made across the Christian community. Mohler noted, however, that it is in churches ranging from Canada to Kentucky that Haykin will ultimately have the most impact.
Finally, Haykin expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone involved with the event and especially to Steve Weaver and Ian Clary for compiling and editing the volume in his honor. Recounting the Lord’s blessings, Haykin spoke of feeling unworthy, but grateful, for the Festschrift and the friendships it represents.
Copies of The pure flame of devotion may be purchased from Amazon and Joshua Press.
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Dustin Bruce lives in Louisville, KY where he is pursuing a PhD in Biblical Spirituality at Southern Seminary. He is a graduate of Auburn University and Southwestern Seminary. Dustin and his wife, Whitney, originally hail from Alabama.