Christian professors come from around the world to spend time investing in students and helping them to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Christian Studies Center professors have studied and taught at some of the finest schools in the world including:
Yale University
University of Oxford
Duke University
University of St. Andrews
University of Cambridge
Here is a list of professors that will be teaching at the CSC this year:
Ben Witherington III
Dr. Ben Witherington III
B.A., University of North Carolina
M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Durham, England
Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Ben is one of the top evangelical scholars in the world and was elected to the SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. He is one of the most published living writers and has already published 37 books, including several novels. His work includes, Women and the Genesis of Christianity, The Jesus Quest and The Gospel Code: Novel Claims About Jesus. Ben has also written a commentary on every book of the New Testament, making him one of only a handful of living people to have accomplished this. Now, with a commentary done on every New Testament book individually, he is turning his attention to combining the whole New Testament in a two volume set. More than an average armchair philosopher, Ben takes his teaching outside the classroom with a traveling course on New Testament sites in Greece and Israel. He has also made television appearances on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, The Discovery Channel, A&E, and the PAX Network. Despite constantly expanding his huge body of work, Ben takes time to compose music, watch baseball, and spend time with his two children.
Areas of Specialty: Women in the New Testament, the Historical Jesus, Christologies of the New Testament, Pauline Exegesis and Theology, Johannine Exegesis and Theology, Women in Ministry, the Jesus Seminar
Courses taught at the CSC:
Women in the New Testament
B.A., University of North Carolina
M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Durham, England
Ben Witherington is Amos Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary and on the doctoral faculty at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Ben is one of the top evangelical scholars in the world and was elected to the SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies. He is one of the most published living writers and has already published 37 books, including several novels. His work includes, Women and the Genesis of Christianity, The Jesus Quest and The Gospel Code: Novel Claims About Jesus. Ben has also written a commentary on every book of the New Testament, making him one of only a handful of living people to have accomplished this. Now, with a commentary done on every New Testament book individually, he is turning his attention to combining the whole New Testament in a two volume set. More than an average armchair philosopher, Ben takes his teaching outside the classroom with a traveling course on New Testament sites in Greece and Israel. He has also made television appearances on NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, The Discovery Channel, A&E, and the PAX Network. Despite constantly expanding his huge body of work, Ben takes time to compose music, watch baseball, and spend time with his two children.
Areas of Specialty: Women in the New Testament, the Historical Jesus, Christologies of the New Testament, Pauline Exegesis and Theology, Johannine Exegesis and Theology, Women in Ministry, the Jesus Seminar
Courses taught at the CSC:
Women in the New Testament
Daniel Strait
Dr. Daniel Strait
B.A., Houghton College
M.A., Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Dan Strait is Professor of English at Asbury College and serves as an editorial board member of The Chesterton Review. Dan is popular in the classroom and engages students through his exploration of the intersections of literature, philosophy and religion. Much of his research and writing has focused on Shakespearean drama and Renaissance culture. He has presented several notable papers on religious experience in English poetry and presented a paper on the topic in 2008 at the International George Herbert conference held at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro: "George Herbert's Travels: International Print and Cultural Legacies." In addition, he has published numerous articles on Emily Dickinson, G. K. Chesterton, George Bernard Shaw and Joseph Mitchell. Dan and his wife of 21 years have two children and live in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Areas of Specialty: Exploring the intersections of literature, philosophy, and religion, especially in Shakespearean drama and Renaissance literature
Courses taught at the CSC:
C. S. Lewis and the Oxford Circle
B.A., Houghton College
M.A., Florida Atlantic University
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Dan Strait is Professor of English at Asbury College and serves as an editorial board member of The Chesterton Review. Dan is popular in the classroom and engages students through his exploration of the intersections of literature, philosophy and religion. Much of his research and writing has focused on Shakespearean drama and Renaissance culture. He has presented several notable papers on religious experience in English poetry and presented a paper on the topic in 2008 at the International George Herbert conference held at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro: "George Herbert's Travels: International Print and Cultural Legacies." In addition, he has published numerous articles on Emily Dickinson, G. K. Chesterton, George Bernard Shaw and Joseph Mitchell. Dan and his wife of 21 years have two children and live in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Areas of Specialty: Exploring the intersections of literature, philosophy, and religion, especially in Shakespearean drama and Renaissance literature
Courses taught at the CSC:
C. S. Lewis and the Oxford Circle
David Bentley Hart
Dr. David Bentley Hart
B.A., University of Maryland
M.Phil., University of Cambridge
M.A., University of Virginia
Ph.D., University of Virginia
David Bentley Hart is a renowned Eastern Orthodox theologian and has taught at the University of Virginia, the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Duke Divinity School and Loyola College. David is known even in the scholarly world for his vast array of knowledge on a variety of subjects, and some have said that he is one of the most important theologians in the English speaking world. Hart is the author of several books, including In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments and The Story of Christianity: An Illustrated History of 2000 Years of the Christian Faith. His book, The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth has been called one of the most important works of theology in the last decade. He has also published articles in The Wall Street Journal, First Things and The New Atlantis. David lives in Virginia with his wife, Solwyn, and son, Patrick.
Areas of Specialty: Philosophical Theology, Patristics, Evil and Suffering, Esthetics
Courses taught at the CSC:
Seminar: Church and State: A Historical Exploration
History of Christianity
B.A., University of Maryland
M.Phil., University of Cambridge
M.A., University of Virginia
Ph.D., University of Virginia
David Bentley Hart is a renowned Eastern Orthodox theologian and has taught at the University of Virginia, the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Duke Divinity School and Loyola College. David is known even in the scholarly world for his vast array of knowledge on a variety of subjects, and some have said that he is one of the most important theologians in the English speaking world. Hart is the author of several books, including In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments and The Story of Christianity: An Illustrated History of 2000 Years of the Christian Faith. His book, The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth has been called one of the most important works of theology in the last decade. He has also published articles in The Wall Street Journal, First Things and The New Atlantis. David lives in Virginia with his wife, Solwyn, and son, Patrick.
Areas of Specialty: Philosophical Theology, Patristics, Evil and Suffering, Esthetics
Courses taught at the CSC:
Seminar: Church and State: A Historical Exploration
History of Christianity
Devin Brown
Dr. Devin Brown
B.A., Culver-Stockton College
M.A., Eastern Illinois University
M.A., University of Florida
Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Devin Brown is Professor of English at Asbury College and a Lilly Scholar. Brown is one of the most celebrated Lewis scholars and is the author of Inside Narnia: A Guide to Exploring The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Inside Prince Caspian. He has also signed a contract to write a third book about Narnia, Inside the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. He has presented scholarly papers on Lewis at several places including Oxford, London and the University of Wroclaw and published original poetry in literary journals, including Connecticut Review, Wind and The Chaffin Review. Devin also enjoys writing for a younger audience, and his novel for kids, Not Exactly Normal was named a Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Book and has been listed on Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year. Devin’s wife, Sharon, is associate professor of physical education at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, where the two of them live with their cat, Mr. Fluff.
Areas of Specialty: C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia, Poetry
Courses taught at the CSC:
C. S. Lewis and the Oxford Circle
B.A., Culver-Stockton College
M.A., Eastern Illinois University
M.A., University of Florida
Ph.D., University of South Carolina
Devin Brown is Professor of English at Asbury College and a Lilly Scholar. Brown is one of the most celebrated Lewis scholars and is the author of Inside Narnia: A Guide to Exploring The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Inside Prince Caspian. He has also signed a contract to write a third book about Narnia, Inside the Voyage of the Dawn Treader. He has presented scholarly papers on Lewis at several places including Oxford, London and the University of Wroclaw and published original poetry in literary journals, including Connecticut Review, Wind and The Chaffin Review. Devin also enjoys writing for a younger audience, and his novel for kids, Not Exactly Normal was named a Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Book and has been listed on Bank Street College Best Children's Books of the Year. Devin’s wife, Sharon, is associate professor of physical education at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, where the two of them live with their cat, Mr. Fluff.
Areas of Specialty: C. S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia, Poetry
Courses taught at the CSC:
C. S. Lewis and the Oxford Circle
Jerry L. Walls
Dr. Jerry L. Walls
B.A., Houghton College
M.Div., Princeton Seminary
S.T.M., Yale Divinity School
Ph.D., Department of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
Jerry Walls is one of the most respected Christian philosophers in America. His engaging, energetic lectures make Jerry a student favorite, and his lively debates outside the classroom help students learn to think and communicate Christianly on a variety of topics. For many years, Jerry taught at Asbury Theological Seminary and is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame. He has authored and edited nearly a dozen books and has been a contributor to almost 20 others. Jerry has published a pair of books that make a philosophical defense of Christian views on the afterlife, Heaven: The Logic of Eternal Joy and Hell: The Logic of Damnation. He is also an editor of a volume in the prestigious Oxford Handbook series, The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology. Two of his other books explore the thought of C.S. Lewis, C. S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer (with Scott Burson) and The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy (with Gregory Bassham). Not merely a cut and dry philosopher, Jerry also won a national poetry contest in his college years, and in 2009, he published his first book of poetry Who Watch For The Morning. When he is not writing books, Jerry serves as a pastor, guest lecturer or avid sports fan.
Areas of Specialty: C.S. Lewis, Heaven and Hell, Calvinism and Arminianism
Courses taught at the CSC:
Philosophy of C. S. Lewis.
Philosophy of Religion
B.A., Houghton College
M.Div., Princeton Seminary
S.T.M., Yale Divinity School
Ph.D., Department of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame
Jerry Walls is one of the most respected Christian philosophers in America. His engaging, energetic lectures make Jerry a student favorite, and his lively debates outside the classroom help students learn to think and communicate Christianly on a variety of topics. For many years, Jerry taught at Asbury Theological Seminary and is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Philosophy of Religion at the University of Notre Dame. He has authored and edited nearly a dozen books and has been a contributor to almost 20 others. Jerry has published a pair of books that make a philosophical defense of Christian views on the afterlife, Heaven: The Logic of Eternal Joy and Hell: The Logic of Damnation. He is also an editor of a volume in the prestigious Oxford Handbook series, The Oxford Handbook of Eschatology. Two of his other books explore the thought of C.S. Lewis, C. S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer (with Scott Burson) and The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy (with Gregory Bassham). Not merely a cut and dry philosopher, Jerry also won a national poetry contest in his college years, and in 2009, he published his first book of poetry Who Watch For The Morning. When he is not writing books, Jerry serves as a pastor, guest lecturer or avid sports fan.
Areas of Specialty: C.S. Lewis, Heaven and Hell, Calvinism and Arminianism
Courses taught at the CSC:
Philosophy of C. S. Lewis.
Philosophy of Religion
Jonathan Pennington
Dr. Jonathan Pennington
B.A., Northern Illinois University
M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Ph.D., University of St. Andrews
Jonathan Pennington is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville and is known for his fun and engaging teaching style. Jonathan is author of Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew and Cosmology and New Testament Theology as well as several Greek and Hebrew reference works. He is also a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Tyndale Fellowship, the Institute for Biblical Research and the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies. He currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky where he leads worship at his church. He and his wife, Tracy, have six musically-talented children who all play at least two instruments.
Areas of Specialty: Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord's Supper in the Synoptics, the Theology of Work, Virtue of Ethics in the Sermon on the Mount
Courses taught at the CSC:
Understanding the New Testament
B.A., Northern Illinois University
M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Ph.D., University of St. Andrews
Jonathan Pennington is Assistant Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville and is known for his fun and engaging teaching style. Jonathan is author of Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew and Cosmology and New Testament Theology as well as several Greek and Hebrew reference works. He is also a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the Tyndale Fellowship, the Institute for Biblical Research and the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies. He currently lives in Louisville, Kentucky where he leads worship at his church. He and his wife, Tracy, have six musically-talented children who all play at least two instruments.
Areas of Specialty: Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord's Supper in the Synoptics, the Theology of Work, Virtue of Ethics in the Sermon on the Mount
Courses taught at the CSC:
Understanding the New Testament
Joseph Okello
Dr. Joseph Okello
Th.B., Scott Theological College
M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary
M.A., University of Kentucky
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Joseph Okello is a visiting assistant professor of philosophy of Christian religion at Asbury Theological Seminary. His motivating preaching style is largely influenced by his Kenyan background, which brings a fresh perspective to many American institutions. As a student at Asbury, Joseph earned the Philosophy and the Christian apologetics award and the Frank Bateman Stanger award for excellence in preaching. Joseph has a rich, melodious voice that earned him a Masters degree in church music and which makes listening to him in the classroom enjoyable. He has taught at several schools, including Asbury Seminary and Scott Theological College, and is the author of numerous articles and books, including Revisiting God: A Commonsense Approach to Theism. He has also served as a pastor and choral director at Africa Inland Church and lives with his wife, Sophia.
Areas of Specialty: Naturalism and Supernaturalism, Logic, Ethics (christian and professional), Death and Dying, the Problem of Evil
Courses taught at the CSC:
Philosophy of Science
Th.B., Scott Theological College
M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary
M.A., University of Kentucky
Ph.D., University of Kentucky
Joseph Okello is a visiting assistant professor of philosophy of Christian religion at Asbury Theological Seminary. His motivating preaching style is largely influenced by his Kenyan background, which brings a fresh perspective to many American institutions. As a student at Asbury, Joseph earned the Philosophy and the Christian apologetics award and the Frank Bateman Stanger award for excellence in preaching. Joseph has a rich, melodious voice that earned him a Masters degree in church music and which makes listening to him in the classroom enjoyable. He has taught at several schools, including Asbury Seminary and Scott Theological College, and is the author of numerous articles and books, including Revisiting God: A Commonsense Approach to Theism. He has also served as a pastor and choral director at Africa Inland Church and lives with his wife, Sophia.
Areas of Specialty: Naturalism and Supernaturalism, Logic, Ethics (christian and professional), Death and Dying, the Problem of Evil
Courses taught at the CSC:
Philosophy of Science
Kevin Kinghorn
Dr. Kevin Kinghorn
B.A., Emory University
M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary
S.T.M., Yale University Divinity School
D.Phil., University of Oxford, The Queen's College
Kevin Kinghorn is associate professor of philosophy at Asbury Theological Seminary and was elected to the Theology faculty at Oxford University. Kevin did his Ph.D. studies under Richard Swinburne, one of the most renowned Christian philosophers in the world. He has since published numerous essays and is the author of The Decision of Faith: Can Christian Beliefs Be Freely Chosen. Kevin also loves to bike near his home in central Kentucky and lives in a 100 year-old farmhouse with his wife Barbara, and two children.
Areas of Specialty: Philosophy of religion and philosophical theology
Courses taught at the CSC:
Philosophy of Religion
B.A., Emory University
M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary
S.T.M., Yale University Divinity School
D.Phil., University of Oxford, The Queen's College
Kevin Kinghorn is associate professor of philosophy at Asbury Theological Seminary and was elected to the Theology faculty at Oxford University. Kevin did his Ph.D. studies under Richard Swinburne, one of the most renowned Christian philosophers in the world. He has since published numerous essays and is the author of The Decision of Faith: Can Christian Beliefs Be Freely Chosen. Kevin also loves to bike near his home in central Kentucky and lives in a 100 year-old farmhouse with his wife Barbara, and two children.
Areas of Specialty: Philosophy of religion and philosophical theology
Courses taught at the CSC:
Philosophy of Religion
Mark Trump
Mark Trump
B.A., Messiah College
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary (Biblical Studies)
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary (Theological Studies)
Ph.D. Candidate, Marquette University
Mark has balanced two worlds and passions by combining his experience as a Pastor for the last 12 years with the pursuit of his education. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in New Testament at Marquette University and the pastor of a growing United Methodist Church in Union Grove, Wisconsin. He has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary as a Language Teaching Fellow and is an adjunct instructor at Carthage College and Marquette University. As a Pastor/Student he is passionate about the intersection of faith, biblical and theological studies and culture. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Areas of Specialty: Johannine studies, Pauline theology
Courses taught at the CSC:
Understanding the New Testament
B.A., Messiah College
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary (Biblical Studies)
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary (Theological Studies)
Ph.D. Candidate, Marquette University
Mark has balanced two worlds and passions by combining his experience as a Pastor for the last 12 years with the pursuit of his education. He is currently a Ph.D. Candidate in New Testament at Marquette University and the pastor of a growing United Methodist Church in Union Grove, Wisconsin. He has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary as a Language Teaching Fellow and is an adjunct instructor at Carthage College and Marquette University. As a Pastor/Student he is passionate about the intersection of faith, biblical and theological studies and culture. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Areas of Specialty: Johannine studies, Pauline theology
Courses taught at the CSC:
Understanding the New Testament
Philip Tallon
Dr. Philip Tallon
B.A., University of South Florida
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Saint Andrews
Phil Tallon is Director of Academic Programs and one of the founding members of The Christian Studies Center at The University of Kentucky. He is also an adjunct instructor in philosophy and theology at Asbury Theological Seminary and Asbury College. At the University of Saint Andrews, he was part of the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts. He has published numerous articles and essays on theology, philosophy and different aspects of pop culture, with his essays appearing in books such as Hitchcock and Philosophy, Superheroes and Philosophy, The Hobbit and Philosophy. However, his work extends beyond essays, as he is the editor for The Philosophy of Sherlock Holmes (forthcoming from University Press of Kentucky) and has written multiple plays, including an adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce. Phil also enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters (family bike rides and snow skiing are favorite family activities).
Courses taught at the CSC:
Faith and Film
Philosophy of C. S. Lewis
Christian Theology
Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Areas of Specialty: Christian Theology, C. S. Lewis, Philosophy, Theology and Culture
B.A., University of South Florida
M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Saint Andrews
Phil Tallon is Director of Academic Programs and one of the founding members of The Christian Studies Center at The University of Kentucky. He is also an adjunct instructor in philosophy and theology at Asbury Theological Seminary and Asbury College. At the University of Saint Andrews, he was part of the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts. He has published numerous articles and essays on theology, philosophy and different aspects of pop culture, with his essays appearing in books such as Hitchcock and Philosophy, Superheroes and Philosophy, The Hobbit and Philosophy. However, his work extends beyond essays, as he is the editor for The Philosophy of Sherlock Holmes (forthcoming from University Press of Kentucky) and has written multiple plays, including an adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce. Phil also enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters (family bike rides and snow skiing are favorite family activities).
Courses taught at the CSC:
Faith and Film
Philosophy of C. S. Lewis
Christian Theology
Ethics
Philosophy of Religion
Areas of Specialty: Christian Theology, C. S. Lewis, Philosophy, Theology and Culture
Robert E. Coleman
Dr. Robert E. Coleman
B.D., Asbury Theological Seminary
M.Th., Princeton Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Iowa
D.D., Trinity International University
Robert Coleman is Distinguished Professor of Discipleship and Evangelism at Gordon-Conwell South Hamilton. Robert is the author of hundreds of books and articles, including The Master Plan of Evangelism and The Mind of the Master, and translations of his books are published in over 100 languages. He is also a popular preacher and speaker and averages about 35 speaking engagements each year at churches, conferences and student gatherings around the world. Widely known for his ministry as a disciple-maker and evangelist, he currently serves on the Mission America Facilitation Committee as well as many international mission boards. Before coming to Gordon-Conwell South Hamilton, he was director of the School of World Mission and Evangelism at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for 18 years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his children and grandchildren, and keeping up with those he has discipled.
Courses taught at the CSC:
Introduction to Communication
Areas of Specialty: Theology of Evangelism and the Revival, Lifestyle of the Great Commission
B.D., Asbury Theological Seminary
M.Th., Princeton Theological Seminary
Ph.D., University of Iowa
D.D., Trinity International University
Robert Coleman is Distinguished Professor of Discipleship and Evangelism at Gordon-Conwell South Hamilton. Robert is the author of hundreds of books and articles, including The Master Plan of Evangelism and The Mind of the Master, and translations of his books are published in over 100 languages. He is also a popular preacher and speaker and averages about 35 speaking engagements each year at churches, conferences and student gatherings around the world. Widely known for his ministry as a disciple-maker and evangelist, he currently serves on the Mission America Facilitation Committee as well as many international mission boards. Before coming to Gordon-Conwell South Hamilton, he was director of the School of World Mission and Evangelism at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for 18 years. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his children and grandchildren, and keeping up with those he has discipled.
Courses taught at the CSC:
Introduction to Communication
Areas of Specialty: Theology of Evangelism and the Revival, Lifestyle of the Great Commission
