My call to ministry took me to seminary in Texas and graduate school in Kentucky before leading me and my young family to a teaching position in Georgia. I was blessed with inspiring and challenging professors who became friends and colleagues. I had formative ministerial opportunities along the way, serving as minister of music and youth in Texas and having multiple opportunities to preach and serve as interim pastor while in graduate school.

A call to ministry and a call to biblical scholarship were combined in an academic setting. I spent 20 years as a college professor and administrator, with students and colleagues who consistently challenged me to hone my knowledge and skills.

As my career moved in a different direction, I continued to write, teach, and preach as opportunities arose. And that vocation which is also avocation is a lifelong commitment and pursuit.

Available for:

• Supply Preaching
• Weddings
• Topical Presentations
• Small-group Lesson Series
• Writing

Education

• BSEd: Missouri State University (Political Science/English), 1979
• MDiv: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Theology), 1983
• PhD: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (New Testament), 1987

Scholarly Interests

• New Testament Gospels, particularly the infancy narratives in Matthew and Luke
• Narrative Critical reading/interpretation of biblical narratives
• Development of the New Testament Canon
• English Translations of the Bible
• Worship, Liturgy, and the Lectionary
• Ancient Narratives

Selected Publications

• Listening to Christmas: Meditations for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas. Cleveland, TN: Parson’s Porch Books, 2022.
• Choosing a Bible: A Guide to Modern English Translations (with Robert N. Nash, Jr.). Nashville TN: Abingdon Press, 1999.
• The Bible in English Translation: An Essential Guide (with Robert N. Nash, Jr.). Nashville TN: Abingdon Press, 1997.
• Narrative Asides in Luke‑Acts. JSNTS; Sheffield: JSOT/Sheffield Academic Press, 1992. Reprint. London: Bloomsbury, 2015.