About Our Faculty
A Faculty of Pastor-Scholars
One of Covenant Seminary's greatest strengths is its faculty of pastor-scholars who are dedicated to mentoring future Church leaders through our unique educational model of pastors training pastors. The Board and administration of the Seminary have consciously sought to gather a community of highly qualified teachers and scholars who also possess considerable experience in ministry and a pastoral approach to training for ministry. Our faculty subscribe annually to historic doctrinal standards which require an unqualified stand for the Bible as God's inspired and inerrant Word. While subordinate to the Bible, these standards (the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms), set forth our understanding of Biblical teaching.
The pastoral background and orientation of our faculty strengthens the practical dimension of instruction throughout the curriculum and enables faculty to model a pastoral approach in every class. As a result, students regularly report that classes challenge not only their minds, but also their hearts. In addition, this pastoral outlook produces a special degree of faculty unity and harmony, which enables the faculty corporately to model Biblical community for students.
Faculty-student interaction extends beyond the classroom as well. Professors regularly speak in chapel services and meet weekly with students in Covenant Groups for sharing and prayer. Social activities and special campus events bring faculty and students together outside the classroom. Ministry together in local churches provides opportunities to work side-by side and for on-the-job training. Professors also regularly serve the wider Church as interim pastors, Sunday school teachers, conference speakers, and worship leaders. Many also minister abroad, taking Reformed theological training to Christians in other countries.
Faculty Directory
|
Full-Time Faculty Emeritus Faculty |
Part-Time Adjunct Faculty Other Faculty |
Clarence DeWitt (Jimmy) Agan III
Associate Professor of New Testament
BS, Clemson University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Aberdeen (Scotland)
With pastoral experience at Clemson Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Clemson, South Carolina, and teaching experience at both Covenant and Erskine Seminaries, Dr. Jimmy Agan is well-equipped to train and pastor future Gospel ministers. After graduating from Covenant Seminary in 1995 with his MDiv degree, Jimmy studied with I. Howard Marshall at Aberdeen University and completed his PhD studies in 1999. During the last two years of his doctoral studies, he taught as a full-time adjunct professor of New Testament at Covenant Seminary. After four years teaching New Testament at Erskine Seminary, Dr. Agan served another four years as senior pastor at Clemson Presbyterian. He brings with him a great desire for students to understand that leading God's people means following after Jesus, who made Himself the servant of all.
See a list of New Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Agan.
W. Brian Aucker
Assistant Professor of Old Testament
BA, McDaniel College; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
With a background in medical imaging technology, Dr. Brian Aucker came to Covenant Seminary to pursue his MDiv degree, graduating in 1996. After completing PhD studies in Old Testament with Graeme Auld at the University of Edinburgh in 2000, he came back to the Seminary for a year as adjunct professor of Old Testament. He served as assistant pastor at The Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA), St. Louis, Missouri, for three years and also taught for three years at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis. He is the co-editor of the recently published Reflection and Refraction: Studies in Biblical Historiography in Honour of A. Graeme Auld (Brill, 2006). Dr. Aucker's passion is to point students to Jesus by encouraging their study of one of the more neglected sections of the Old Testament, the Historical Books.
See a list of Old Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Aucker.
Jerram Barrs
Professor of Christian Studies and Contemporary Culture;
Resident Scholar of the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute
BA, University of Manchester (England); MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
A disciple of the late Francis A. Schaeffer, Professor Barrs joined the Seminary faculty in 1989 after 18 years with L'Abri Fellowship in England, where he also served as a pastor in the International Presbyterian Church. Professor Barrs brings to his teaching a special sensitivity toward those outside the Christian faith and is in great demand as a speaker in the United States and abroad. Other interests include the arts and literature. His publications include Being Human, Shepherds and Sheep, Who Are the Peace-makers?, The Great Rescue, and The Heart of Evangelism, as well as the video series Building Up Bridges, Breaking Down Walls.
Learn more about the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute.
See our courses on Christianity and Contemporary Culture.
Featured Ministry Resources by Prof. Barrs.
Hans F. Bayer
Professor of New Testament;
Chair, New Testament Department
MA and MDiv, Ashland Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Aberdeen (Scotland)
Born and raised in Germany, Professor Bayer came to Covenant Seminary in 1994 after teaching for ten years at the German Theological Seminary at Giessen, where he also planted and co-pastored a church. With his expertise in critical scholarship and commitment to the authority and unity of the Scriptures, Dr. Bayer is a model of the pastor-scholar. His strong personal interest in world mission adds a rich multicultural dimension to each student's world vision for the Gospel. Dr. Bayer lectures and preaches regularly in the U.S. and Europe. He has published English and German monographs, essays, and dictionary articles, primarily on the Gospels and the book of Acts.
See a list of New Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Bayer.
Anthony B. Bradley
Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology
BS, Clemson University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary
Anthony B. Bradley joined the Seminary faculty in fall 2005 as an adjunct instructor and is now Assistant Professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology. Dr. Bradley also serves as a Research Fellow for the Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His doctoral work focused on the intersection of black liberation theology with economics. His additional research interests include the Scottish Reformation, the emerging church, welfare, education, and modern international forms of social injustice, slavery, and oppression. Dr. Bradley brings a wide range of ministry experience to his teaching, including leadership in youth ministry and Christian high school education and administration.
See a list of courses on Apologetics or Systematic Theology offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Prof. Bradley.
Robert W. Burns
Associate Professor of Educational Ministries; Director, Center for Ministry Leadership and DMin Program
BA, University of Maryland; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; DMin, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Georgia
Dr. Burns came to Covenant Seminary in 2004 to direct the Center for Ministry Leadership, a continuing education and renewal center. In 2007, he joined the faculty and began oversight of the Doctor of Ministry program. A veteran of two church plants and ministry positions working with youth, singles, families, adults, worship, and the arts, Dr. Burns has a heart to nurture ministry leaders in sustaining pastoral excellence. Growing out of his desire for the Church to serve the needs of today's world, Dr. Burns founded Fresh Start Seminars and is the author of the Fresh Start Divorce Recovery Workbook.
Learn more about the Center for Ministry Leadership at Covenant Seminary.
Learn more about the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program at Covenant Seminary.
See a list of Practical Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Burns.
David B. Calhoun
Professor of Church History;
Chair, Church History and World Mission Department
BA, Columbia Bible College; BD and ThM, Covenant Theological Seminary; ThM and PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary
Dr. Calhoun joined the Seminary faculty in 1978, after teaching at Covenant College, Columbia Bible College, and Jamaica Bible College, where he served as principal. He also studied with Francis Schaeffer at L'Abri in Switzerland. Dr. Calhoun was overseas coordinator of Ministries in Action (MIA), co-authoring the organization's plan for church growth. In addition, he has served as president of Presbyterian Mission International (PMI) and helped develop the materials first used by the PCA's Mission to the World (MTW). He is the author of The Glory of the Lord Risen Upon It: First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina, 1795-1995; A Place for Truth: The Bicentennial James Henley Thornwell Lectures; Cloud of Witnesses: The Story of First Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Georgia; Splendor of Grace: Independent Presbyterian Church, Savannah, Georgia; Grace Abounding: The Life, Books, and Influence of John Bunyan; and a highly respected two-volume history of Princeton Seminary.
See a list of Church History courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Calhoun.
Bryan Chapell
President;
Professor of Practical Theology
BSJ, Northwestern University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, Southern Illinois University
Dr. Chapell has served as President of Covenant Seminary since 1994. He began teaching at Covenant Seminary in 1984 after ten years in pastoral ministry. Before becoming President, he served for six years as vice president for academics and dean of faculty. He is much sought after as a speaker in churches and conferences around the country. His book Christ-Centered Preaching has established him as one of the nation's most recognized teachers of homiletics. Dr. Chapell teaches the introductory homiletics courses and several practicums, giving every MDiv student the opportunity to study under him. His many other books include: The Promises of Grace, In the Grip of Grace, Using Illustrations to Preach with Power, Each for the Other, The Wonder of It All, 1&2 Timothy: To Guard the Deposit (with R. Kent Hughes), Holiness by Grace, the children's book I'll Love You Anyway and Always, Praying Backwards: Transform Your Prayer Life by Beginning in Jesus' Name, and many articles.
Study guides and other resources from Bryan Chapell are available at www.BryanChapell.com.
Learn more about the Homiletics program at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Chapell.
David W. Chapman
Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Archaeology
BA, Rice University; MDiv and MA, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; PhD, University of Cambridge (England)
Covenant Seminary welcomed Dr. Chapman to its full-time teaching staff in January of 2000. Professor Chapman served for four years with Campus Crusade for Christ as well as in local church ministry and teaching. He has studied overseas and been involved in ministry in several other countries. His recent research focuses on the understanding of crucifixion in ancient Judaism and early Christianity. Other interests include enhancing appreciation of the New Testament through study of relevant Jewish and Graeco-Roman literature and through archaeological investigation. Dr. Chapman also serves as curator of the W.H. Mare Institute for Biblical and Archaeological Studies on Covenant Seminary's campus. He has recently published "Marriage and Family in Second Temple Judiasm" in Marriage and Family in the Biblical World.
See a list of New Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Chapman.
C. John "Jack" Collins
Professor of Old Testament;
Chair, Old Testament Department
BS and MS, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; MDiv, Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary; PhD, University of Liverpool (England)
Before coming to Covenant Seminary in 1993, Dr. Collins served as a church planter in Spokane, Washington. His background also includes advanced studies in linguistics and biblical languages, and practical experience in Bible study and discipleship ministry. He has written extensively on biblical languages and interpretation, and on science and the Christian faith. Dr. Collins has received grants from the John Templeton Foundation and from the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture for his work in science and faith. He is the author of The God of Miracles: An Exegetical Examination of God's Action in the World, Science and Faith: Friends or Foes? and Genesis 1-4: A Linguistic, Literary, and Theological Commentary. Professor Collins also served as Old Testament chair on the translation committee for the English Standard Version of the Bible.
See a list of Old Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Collins.
Mark Dalbey
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology;
Vice President for Student Services
BA, Tarkio College; MDiv, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; DMin, Covenant Theological Seminary
Dr. Mark Dalbey brings more than 25 years of experience as a teacher and pastor to his responsibilities as a leader of Covenant Seminary's students. He came to the Seminary in 1999 following seven years as senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Richmond, Indiana. Prior to that he served as pastor of The Church of the Covenant in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as a chaplain and Bible instructor at Geneva College. Dr. Dalbey's doctoral work focused on corporate worship and his heart for worship is evident as he leads Seminary chapel services, teaches worship classes, and advises worship pastors/leaders throughout the denomination. He currently serves as chairman of the Worship Reformation Network. Dr. Dalbey's pastoral experience and his years of service on presbytery committees over-seeing candidates for the ministry enrich the counsel he gives graduating students as they seek placement opportunities.
See a list of See a list of Practical Theology courses on worship offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Dalbey.
Philip D. Douglass
Professor of Practical Theology;
Chair, Practical Theology Department
BA, Washington and Lee University; MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary; PhD, Saint Louis University
Dr. Douglass came to Covenant Seminary in 1986 after 14 years of pastoring in the Washington, D.C., area, where he planted three churches. Since coming to St. Louis, he has started two churches and recently served for six years as pastor of a local church where he mentored students while continuing to teach full-time at the Seminary. He has served as Chairman of the PCA's Committee on Mission to North America (the church planting agency of the PCA) and continues as a member of MNA on the national and presbytery levels and as an advisor to Midwest MNA. He formerly directed Covenant Seminary's Doctor of Ministry program and served as president of the Association of DMin Directors. Dr. Douglass is known for taking time to mentor and assist students in clarifying their sense of calling, as well as for encouraging a vision for church planting.
See a list of Church Growth, Planting, and Renewal courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Douglass.
Zachary W. Eswine
Assistant Professor of Homiletics
BSW, Ball State University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, Regent University
Dr. Eswine served as senior pastor of Grace Church of the Western Reserve in Hudson, Ohio, for six years before joining Covenant Seminary's faculty in 2001. He has served as a campus minister with the Navigators, as a church youth director, and as a chaplain-evangelist in retirement facilities. Since arriving at the Seminary, Dr. Eswine has also served as interim pastor for Tates Creek Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, as advisory pastor for the Chinese Gospel Church of St. Louis, and as interim pastor for Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in St. Louis. He has taught New Testament in Ukraine and served as a short-term missionary in the Caribbean. Dr. Eswine is a gifted preacher and has authored the book Kindled Fire: How the Methods of C. H. Spurgeon Can Help Your Preaching and numerous articles on homiletics. In addition, as an accomplished musician and songwriter, he has recorded three collections of original songs.
Learn more about the Homiletics program at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Eswine.
Donald C. Guthrie
Associate Professor of Educational Ministries
BA, Grove City College; MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; MA, Indiana University of Pennsylvania; EdD, University of Georgia
Before coming to Covenant Seminary in 1998, Dr. Guthrie worked with the campus ministry Coalition for Christian Outreach, served in a number of roles in local churches, and taught at Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. At Covenant Seminary, he developed programs in field education, Christian education, and youth ministry, and served as director of the Doctor of Ministry program before serving as vice president for academics from 1999 to 2006. Dr. Guthrie is the author of a number of articles in the field of educational ministry, including a chapter in A Lifelong Call to Learn: Approaches to Continuing Education for Church Leaders, and is in demand as a consultant in these areas.
Learn more about Covenant Seminary's Degree Programs.
Learn more about our distance education program.
Learn more about the Francis A. Schaeffer Institute.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Guthrie.
J. Nelson Jennings
Professor of World Mission
BA, Vanderbilt University; MDiv, Covenant Seminary; PhD, University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
Dr. Jennings joined the faculty of Covenant Seminary in 1999 as both a teacher and the director of the Seminary's program in world mission. Dr. Jennings served in Japan from 1986 until 1999 with the PCA's Mission to the World, in church-planting and pastoral ministry. In 1996 he became assistant professor of international Christian studies at Tokyo Christian University. He is currently president of Presbyterian Mission International (PMI) and editor of Missiology: An International Review (www.asmweb.org/missiology.htm). His research interests are in the embodiment of the Christian faith in relation to language, culture, socio-political realities, and other religious traditions. His ministry focus in the United States is to encourage American Christians to exercise their roles in God's worldwide mission self-critically. He is the author of God the Real Superpower: Rethinking Our Role in Missions, Theology in Japan, and the co-author, with Hisakazu Inagaki, of Philosophical Theology and East-West Dialogue. Dr Jennings has also published articles on missiological and theological topics in both English and Japanese.
Learn more about World Mission studies at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Jennings.
Daniel L. Kim
Assistant Professor of Old Testament;
Associate Dean of Academic Administration
BA, Wesleyan University; BS, California Institute of Technology; MDiv, ThM, and PhD, Trinity International University
After completing his MDiv, Dr. Kim served for three years as an assistant pastor in two Korean-American churches on the East Coast. He joined the full-time faculty of Covenant Seminary in 2006 after three years as assistant professor of mathematics and physics at Trinity College in Deerfield, Illinois. He was born in South Korea and moved with his family at the age of five to Thailand, where his parents and older brother currently serve as missionaries and where he, his wife, Tammy, and their firstborn, Joseph, also served a one-year short-term mission. Having been raised in a tri-cultural environment, Dr. Kim has firsthand knowledge of many inter-cultural issues. In addition to his interests in OT Studies, Dr. Kim has a heart for evangelism, overseas theological education/missions, and adult Christian education.
See a list of Old Testament and Christian Education courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Kim.
Sean Michael Lucas
Associate Professor of Church History;
Chief Academic Officer;
BA, MA, Bob Jones University; PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary
Dr. Lucas joined Covenant Seminary in 2004 as candidate relations coordinator and adjunct professor of church history. He became assistant professor of church history in 2005 and was appointed dean of faculty in 2006. In 2007, he was named vice president for academics. His passion for students who study church history is that they understand that Jesus Christ is the hero of the Christian story in every generation. Prior to joining the seminary staff, Dr. Lucas served as assistant pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also served as an assistant pastor at The Covenant Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the co-editor of The Legacy of Jonathan Edwards: American Religion and the Evangelical Tradition and the author of two books: Robert Lewis Dabney: A Southern Presbyterian Life and On Being Presbyterian: Our Beliefs, Practices, and Stories. In 2004 Dr. Lucas received one of four research fellowships from the Presbyterian Historical Society for his book project For a Continuing Church: Conservative Dissent in the Presbyterian Church in the United States, 1934-74.
See a list of Church History courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Lucas.
Gregory R. Perry
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies;
Director, Covenant Worldwide
BS, Louisiana State University; MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary; ThM, Columbia Theological Seminary; PhD, Union Theological Seminary (Virginia)
Dr. Perry came to Covenant Seminary in 2003, following over ten years of ministry in local churches and on the mission field. While teaching theology in Australia, Dr. Perry chaired a task force to assess and support Australian church planters. He has also served on pastoral church staffs in Atlanta and Northern Virginia, working with small groups, pastoral care, and ministry to single adults. Dr. Perry has been involved in several creative nonprofit ministries seeking to embody the Gospel while addressing social challenges in urban Atlanta and D.C. He is currently a board member of Third Millennium, an organization created to bring theological education to church leaders in the developing world. Dr. Perry has a heart to disciple students in creative cultural applications of the Gospel.
Learn more about Covenant Worldwide and free Seminary courses.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Perry.
Robert A. Peterson
Professor of Systematic Theology;
Chair, Systematic Theology Department
BS, Philadelphia College of Bible; MDiv, Biblical Theological Seminary; MPhil and PhD, Drew University
Dr. Peterson joined the faculty in 1990, having served as Associate Professor of Systematic Theology and New Testament at Biblical Theological Seminary for ten years. He has served as pastor of several churches, including church planting efforts, and has been to Uganda and Peru on teaching and preaching missions. His experience as a minister of the Gospel is reflected in the practical emphases in his systematic theology classes. Dr. Peterson is also known for his daily lunches with students. Among his many books are Two Views of Hell; Hell On Trial: The Case for Eternal Punishment; Calvin and the Atonement; Adopted by God: From Wayward Sinners to Cherished Children; Why I Am Not an Arminian (with colleague Michael Williams); and Hell Under Fire (with co-editor Chris Morgan). He was also a contributor to The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology and edits Covenant Seminary's journal Presbyterion.
See a list of Systematic Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Peterson.
Jay A. Sklar
Associate Professor of Old Testament;
Director of the ThM Program
BA, University of Waterloo; MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; PhD, The University of Gloucestershire (England)
Covenant Seminary welcomed Dr. Jay Sklar to the faculty in the fall of 2001. A native of Canada, Dr. Sklar has led youth and children's ministries in both church and camp settings. He has also spoken often at college and youth events in addition to preaching regularly, and has taught a Bible study on Covenant Seminary's campus for St. Louis area businessmen. Dr. Sklar has a keen interest in developing theological education overseas and is currently a board member of the Johnson Center, whose aim is to equip leaders overseas who are responsible for theological education. His doctoral studies focused on the theology of sin, impurity, sacrifice, and atonement in the Old Testament sacrificial system, resulting in the book Sin, Impurity, Sacrifice, Atonement: The Priestly Conceptions.
See a list of Old Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Sklar.
Michael D. Williams
Professor of Systematic Theology
BA, Calvin College; MTS, Harvard Divinity School; MDiv, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Toronto
An adult convert to the Christian faith, Dr. Williams was a professor of theology at Dordt College for six years before joining Covenant Seminary's faculty in 1996. Dr. Williams has a strong reputation among Reformed and evangelical theologians. He has written particularly in the areas of the nature of theology and theological method, and history. Dr. Williams served as a youth pastor for three years. His publications include This World Is Not My Home: The Origins and Development of Dispensationalism, Why I Am Not an Arminian (with colleague Robert A. Peterson), and Far as the Curse is Found: The Covenant Story of Redemption.
See a list of Systematic Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Williams.
Richard Winter
Professor of Practical Theology
MB, BS, LRCP and MRCS, University of London; Member of Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK)
Dr. Winter came from the English L'Abri to head Covenant Seminary's counseling program in 1992. He is a qualified clinical physician with a specialty in psychiatry who served as senior resident in psychiatry at Bristol General Hospital in England. As a church elder, he has served in a variety of ministry and leadership roles in the church. Dr. Winter not only teaches counseling, but models the knowledge, respect, and compassion of a Christian counselor. He is the author of The Roots of Sorrow: Reflections on Depression and Hope, Choose Life: A Christian Perspective on Abortion and Embryo Experimentation, Still Bored In A Culture of Entertainment: Rediscovering Passion and Wonder, and Perfecting Ourselves to Death: The Pursuit of Excellence and the Perils of Perfectionism.
Learn more about the counseling program at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Winter.
Daniel W. Zink
Associate Professor of Practical Theology
BA, Eastern Nazarene College; MSW, Ohio State University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, Saint Louis University
Dr. Zink joined the full-time faculty in 1995 after serving for five years as adjunct professor in Counseling and director of student services, and for 11 years as a family counselor, case-worker, and supervisor of public children's services. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dr. Zink was the founding director and a five-year head of New Hope Counseling Services, a ministry of nearby Chesterfield Presbyterian Church (PCA). He has also been involved in the Christian education programs of four churches and has served as assistant pastor. His doctoral research focused on enduring marriages of adult children of divorce.
Learn more about the counseling program at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Zink.
R. Laird Harris
Professor Emeritus of Old Testament
BS, University of Delaware; ThB and ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary; MA, University of Pennsylvania; PhD, Dropsie University
An original faculty member of Covenant Seminary, Dr. Harris retired from full-time teaching in 1981. Widely known and respected for his biblical scholarship, he has done significant work in the study of theology and science, especially dealing with creation and evolution. Dr. Harris served as chairman of the Committee on Bible Translation which produced the New International Version, and was consulting editor of and contributor to the Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible and editor of the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament. He is also the author of The Inspiration and Canonicity of the Bible, Introductory Hebrew Grammar, and Man -- God's Eternal Creation.
See a list of Old Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
David Clyde Jones
Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology and Ethics
BA, William Jennings Bryan College; BD and ThM, Westminster Theological Seminary; ThD, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
After serving for two years as a missionary-pastor on Grand Cayman Island in the West Indies, Professor Jones joined the Seminary faculty in 1967. His special interest, Christian ethics, is reflected in his publications and service on national church committees dealing with subjects such as nuclear war, medical ethics, divorce, and abortion. Dr. Jones's sensitivity to these issues and others which directly affect the church make his classes a special mixture of practical and theoretical material. He is the author of Biblical Christian Ethics. Dr. Jones retired in 2007, but continues to minister to Christ's Church through his many writing projects and occasional preaching and teaching.
See a list of Systematic Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Jones.
Robert I. Vasholz
Professor Emeritus of Old Testament
BA, MA, and BD, Bob Jones University; ThM, Covenant Theological Seminary; MA, St. Louis University; ThD University of Stellenbosch (South Africa); post-doctoral studies, Brandeis and Harvard Universities
Dr. Vasholz served for three years as director of admissions, assistant dean of students, and as an instructor in Hebrew at Covenant Seminary before being appointed to the faculty in 1975. His creative approach to learning Semitic languages is evident in his study guide, Hebrew Exercises: A Programmed Approach, as well as in his language teaching. Dr. Vasholz' Jewish heritage gives him a unique and valuable perspective on Old Testament studies, both in language study and in practical, apologetic application. In addition to a number of articles, his publications include Data for the Sigla of the BHS, The Old Testament Canon in the Old Testament Church: The Rationale for Old Testament Canonicity, Pillars of the Kingdom: Five Features of the Kingdom of God Progressively Revealed in the Old Testament, and a new commentary on Leviticus. Though Dr. Vasholz retired in 2007, he continues to serve God's people through his teaching, preaching, and publishing projects.
See a list of Old Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Featured Ministry Resources by Dr. Vasholz.
Wilber B. Wallis
Professor Emeritus of New Testament
BA, University of California at Los Angeles; BD and STM, Faith Theological Seminary; MA, Columbia University; PhD, Dropsie University
Dr. Wallis served in the New Testament department of the Seminary from its founding until his retirement in 1982. A man of deep prayer, he is known for his comprehensive knowledge of the Greek language and insight into the unity of the Old and New Testaments. Dr. Wallis's personal commitment to students over the years has made him a favorite source of thoughtful, practical wisdom, as well as a revered figure in Covenant Seminary's history.
See a list of New Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
William S. Barker
Adjunct Professor of Church History
BA, Princeton University; MA, Cornell University; BD, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, Vanderbilt University
Covenant Seminary is privileged to have Dr. Will Barker as adjunct professor of church history. Dr. Barker previously taught history at Covenant College and served Covenant Seminary as professor of church history, dean of faculty, and president. After leaving Covenant Seminary in 1984, he served as editor of the Presbyterian Journal and professor of church history and academic dean at Westminster Seminary. He is the author of Puritan Profiles and many articles.
See a list of Church History courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Hugh M. Barlett
Adjunct Professor in Practical Theology
BA, Wheaton College; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Hugh Barlett is senior pastor of Chesterfield Presbyerian Church in Chesterfield, Missouri.
W. Wilson Benton, Jr.
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
BA, Belhaven College; BD, Columbia Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Edinburgh (Scotland)
Covenant Seminary is privileged to have Professor Benton, who served as senior pastor of the nearby Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church for twenty years until his retirement in 2006 He is also a gifted scholar and preacher. His contributions to our DMin, homiletics, and other practical theology courses have been highly prized by Covenant Seminary students during his years in St. Louis. He also serves on a number of committees of the PCA at the national level.
Learn more about our DMin and Homiletics programs.
See a list of Practical Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Tasha Chapman
Adjunct Professor of Educational Ministries;
Coordinator of Instructional Effectiveness;
Associate Dean of Student Life
BSME, Rice University; MRE, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; PhD, Trinity International University
Dr. Chapman combines a love of educational ministries with a desire to mentor women students and spouses at the Seminary as they prepare for leadership in ministry. Much of her mentoring and current work falls under the categories of cross-cultural learning and of instructional design. She teaches several of the educational ministry courses at Covenant Seminary and works with the dean of students in the design of co-curricular programs to build up the seminary community. Experienced both in campus ministry and women's ministry in the local church, Dr. Chapman combines her ministry field experience with heartfelt desire to help the church teach towards life-changing learning.
See a list of Christian Education courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Daniel M. Doriani
Adjunct Professor of New Testament
BA, Geneva College; MDiv and PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary; STM, Yale Divinity School
Dr. Doriani joined Covenant Seminary's faculty in 1991 and served as dean of faculty from 1995 to 2003, when he accepted the pastorate of Central Presbyterian Church (EPC) in St. Louis. He continues to teach one seminary course each semester. Dr. Doriani maintains scholarly interests in biblical interpretation and New Testament. He is a prolific writer, addressing topics from hermeneutics to biblical manhood. His books include Getting the Message, Women in Ministry, The Life of a God-Made Man, Putting the Truth to Work: The Theory and Practice of Biblical Interpretation, and commentaries on the book of James and the Sermon on the Mount.
See a list of New Testament courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Stephen T. Estock
Adjunct Professor in Practical Theology
BA, Rhodes College; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
A native of Alabama, Stephen Estock received his BA degree from Rhodes College in 1986. At that time, he was also commissioned as a lieutenant in the USAF, where he served as an intelligence officer from 1987-1991. Following the Air Force, he entered Covenant Theological Seminary, receiving an MDiv in 1995. From 1995 to 2002, he served at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama, as assistant, associate, and senior pastor. He also served as an instructor for Birmingham Theological Seminary, teaching courses in systematic theology and homiletics. In 2002, Stephen joined the staff of the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Louis as minister of adult nurture.
See a list of Practical Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Jeffrey Heyl
Adjunct Professor in Practical Theology
BME, Eastman School of Music; MM University of Hartford; DMA, University of Iowa
Following graduation from the Eastman School of Music in 1980, Jeffrey Heyl taught in public schools in New York and Pennsylvania, and worked as a freelance musician. In 1988 he obtained a Master's Degree in Opera from the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford, where he also taught voice in the community school. In 1995, he received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa. Prior to his work with Covenant Seminary, Professor Heyl served on the faculties of Bluefield College and Missouri Baptist College. Since 1998 he has been minister of music at the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.
See a list of Practical Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
F. Ryan Laughlin
Adjunct Professor of Homiletics
BS, US Military Academy; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Ryan Laughlin was born and raised in the suburbs of Washington D.C., the same city in which, many years later, he would meet his wife, Heather. In 1995, Ryan graduated from West Point (June), was married to Heather (July), and headed to Fort Lewis, Washington (August), to commence six years of service as an officer in the Army. During that time in the Pacific Northwest, Ryan and Heather drank lots of coffee and talked often about studying at seminary. Many cups and conversations later, in June 2001, they arrived at Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis (2001-2004). From 2004 to 2006, Ryan served as assistant pastor at McLean Presbyterian Church in Northern Virginia. He is now the senior pastor of The Covenant Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Learn more about the Homiletics program at Covenant Seminary.
See a list of Practical Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
George Robertson
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
BA, Covenant College; MDiv and ThM, Covenant Theological Seminary; PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary
In 2005, Professor Robertson accepted a call to the pastorate of historic First Presbyterian Church, Augusta, Georgia. Prior to that time, he pastored The Covenant Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, a nearby church formerly pastored by Francis Schaeffer and Covenant Seminary's founding president, Dr. Robert Rayburn. A gifted preacher, Professor Robertson was awarded the Robert G. Rayburn Homiletics Award upon his graduation from Covenant Seminary. Students appreciate Professor Robertson's preaching, his outstanding teaching gifts, and his deep love for the Church.
Learn more about the Homiletics program at Covenant Seminary.
See a list of Practical Theology courses offered at Covenant Seminary.
Scott W. "Scotty" Smith
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
AB, University of North Carolina; MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary
Professor Smith is the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee, near Nashville. Today the church -- which he began in 1986 -- averages close to 3,000 in attendance each week and is known for thoughtful preaching, engaging worship, and community ministry. In addition, Professor Smith is the author of Objects of His Affection: Coming Alive to the Compelling Love of God, Reign of Grace: Restoring Broken Things, and, with singer Michael Card, the book Unveiled Hope.
See a list of Practical Theology courses on worship offered by Covenant Seminary.
Andrew Vander Maas
Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology
BA, Calvin College; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Andrew Vander Maas is pastor of Crossroads Presbyterian Fellowship, a PCA church plant in Maplewood, Missouri.
Learn more about the Homiletics program at Covenant Seminary.
See a list of Practical Theology courses on worship offered by Covenant Seminary.
Janet Burns
Visiting Instructor in Counseling
BS, University of Maryland; MS, Georgia State University
Carlton Caldwell
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
BA, Westminster College; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
R. Clay Coffee
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
MDiv, MAC, Covenant Theological Seminary
Carl Ellis, Jr.
Visiting Instructor in Apologetics
BA, Hampton University; MAR, Westminster Theological Seminary
Joanne Graham
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
MAC, Covenant Theological Seminary
Denis Haack
Visiting Instructor in Contemporary Culture
BS and MA studies, University of New Mexico
Jeff Hall
Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministry
David M. Knight
Visiting Instructor in Counseling
BA, Washington and Jefferson College; MA and PsyD, Biola University
Danny Kwon
Visiting Instructor in Christian Education
BS, American University; MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; ThM, Covenant Theological Seminary
S. Eric Larsen
Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministry
BA, Covenant College; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Mimi L. Larson
Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministry
Mary Beth McGreevy
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
BA, Butler University; MM, University of Texas at San Antonio; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Jonathan B. Medlock
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
BA, Oglethorpe University; JD, Samford University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Robin Mourey
Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministry
Steven Nichols
Visiting Instructor in Contemporary Culture
Diane Powell
Visiting Instructor in Counseling
BS, University of Missouri; MS, University of Nebraska; PhD, St. Louis University
Richard L. Pratt
Visiting Instructor in Old Testament
BA, Roanoke College; MDiv, Union Theological Seminary; ThD, Harvard Divnity School
Cindy Province
Visiting Instructor in Systematic Theology
RN, MSN, St. Louis University; MA, Trinity International University
Barbara Quigley
Visiting Instructor in Systematic Theology
RN, Michael Reese Medical Center; BA, St. Mary's College; MA, Trinity International University
Harry L. Reeder
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
BA, Covenant College; MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; DMin, Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte, NC)
C. Scott Sauls
Visiting Instructor in Homiletics
BA, Furman University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Jeffrey P. Schulz
Visiting Instructor in Homiletics
BA, Washington and Lee University; MS, Northwestern University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Jay D. Simmons
Visiting Instructor in Homiletics
MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
D. Clay Smith
Visiting Instructor in Homiletics
BS, Mississippi State University; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Kevin Twit
Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministry
BA, Berklee College of Music; MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
Stephen Um
Visiting Instructor in Practical Theology
BA, Boston University; MDiv, ThM, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary; PhD, University of St. Andrews (Scotland)
William C. Yarbrough
Visiting Instructor in World Mission
MDiv, Covenant Theological Seminary
DeAnn Yount
Visiting Instructor in Counseling
Faculty Publications
In addition to training pastors and other ministry leaders, Covenant Seminary's faculty members are gifted writers and researchers who minister to the Church through their many publications.
See a list of recent Faculty Publications.
Purchase Faculty Publications from our Online Store.
Faculty Speaking Schedules
Our faculty members are also dedicated to using their teaching and preaching skills to taking the truth and beauty of Reformed theology far beyond the boundaries of the Seminary campus. They are in great demand as speakers and preachers at conferences, seminars, and churches across the country and around the world.
See the most recent Faculty Speaking Schedule.
