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Asbury professors in the School of Christian Studies recently published research, participated in seminars, received election to denominations, and conducted mission-focused efforts.
Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. Jonathan Rutledge recently co-authored an article, “Love of Neighbor Assessment: Validity, Reliability, and a Template for Measurement” (forthcoming in Frontiers in Psychology) and authored “On Tethering Atonement Concepts to Scripture” (forthcoming in Philosophia Christi). Rutledge also presented a webinar for the Divine Forgiveness Grant with Harvard University and Gordon College and authored the RECEIVE Divine Forgiveness Workbook, which “is designed for use by therapists and religious leaders to help clients or parishioners struggling to experience divine forgiveness.” Free copies are available at the bottom of this webpage.
In May, Professor of New Testament Dr. Suzanne Nicholson spoke on a webinar panel for “Nicaea at 1700” for the John Wesley Institute, addressing the Bible, the Nicene Creed, and biblical evidence for Trinitarian theology. Nicholson also published an article titled “American Idols” with Firebrand magazine and received election as delegate to attend the General Conference of the Global Methodist Church, meeting in South Africa in 2026. Nicholson also gave three talks at the MidSouth Annual Conference in Tennessee. In November, she will present a paper titled “The Parable of the Good Samaritan and the Law of Love” for the Inductive Study of Scripture research group at the Institute for Biblical Research.
In June, Professor of BIble and Theology Dr. Kevin Anderson participated in the Wesleyan Studies Summer Seminar convened by Dr. Ken Collins and Dr. Jason Vickers at Asbury Theological Seminary. Anderson presented his research about the motif usage of ‘rest’ from Hebrews 3-4 in the Wesleys’ doctrine of sanctification. Professor of Theology Dr. Brian Shelton was also a Seminar fellow, presenting his research on John Wesley and the liberal arts.
In June and July, Gardner Professor of Pastoral & Christian Ministries Dr. Brian Hull recently brought messages of encouragement, challenge, and renewal to ministry leaders and young people at two significant gatherings this summer: the Salvation Army Central Territory Belonging Conference (in Milwaukee) and the Harvest Youth Conference (in Dothan, Alab.).
Last semester, Scholar-in-Residence for Intercultural Studies Dr. Thane Ury raised $10,000 with his theology classes to support earthquake relief efforts in Myanmar. Ury returned to Myanmar, delivering truckloads of rice and food and sharing the Gospel with citizens before traveling to Mongolia to teach and work on church planting efforts. Ury will return to Mongolia for four weeks this fall to give seminars on hermeneutics, discipleship, and leadership training.
“Many people do not realize the importance of the summer for professors,” Shelton said. “This summer, Christian Studies faculty have shown how writing, teaching, leading, ministry, traveling, and even studying keeps going for them. They love these activities and those they serve through them, making their summers a work of the heart.”
Asbury’s School of Christian Studies offers majors in Bible-Theology, Christian Ministries, Intercultural Studies, Online Leadership and Ministry, Online Ministry Management, Pastoral Ministries, Philosophy, Youth Ministry, and Worship Arts. The liberal arts-focused Master of Arts in Ministry Innovation is the first master’s program the University offers in Ministry and includes a hybrid experience plus a mentorship experience in which professional coaches guide each student on their path to ministry innovation.