Timothy Christian, Ph.D.

Greek Instructor
Instructor, Bible and Theology

Departments: Ancient & Modern Languages, Christian Studies & Philosophy

Office: Reasoner

Phone Extension: 2489

Biographical Information

Dr. Christian has been teaching Greek, Latin, New Testament, Theology, and Ministry courses at Asbury University as an Adjunct Professor since 2016. He is a graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary (Ph.D. in Biblical Studies [New Testament] and M.Div.) and Asbury University (B.A. in Bible and Theology). Also, he is a Licensed Local Pastor in the United Methodist Church and is currently appointed as the Associate Pastor of Wesley UMC in Canton, IL.

His wife and High School sweetheart, Paige Christian (the other Prof. Christian at Asbury), is an LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and is founder of Joyful Nest Counseling and Consulting (PLLC). Prof. Christian (Paige) teaches Social Work at Asbury University as an Adjunct Professor as well. They have four children.

Dr. Christian is not only passionate about studying the Bible, but he also loves the church and has served in ministry as a Lead Pastor, Associate Pastor, Youth Pastor, and Worship Pastor. Apart from ministry and teaching, Dr. Christian enjoys playing, composing, improvising, and transcribing jazz music in his free time on piano, bass, guitar, trumpet, and drums. His musical influences are Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Miles Davis. He is also a diehard fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, Chicago Cubs, Washington Capitals, and Kentucky Wildcats.

Education

Ph.D., Asbury Theological Seminary, 2019 (Biblical Studies: New Testament)
M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary, 2014 (Academic Track: New Testament)
B.A., Asbury University, 2011 (Pre-Seminary Track: Bible & Theology)

Research Interests and Expertise

Pauline Epistles
Classical Rhetoric and Rhetorical Criticism
Greek Grammar and Syntax
Eschatology and Resurrection

Courses Taught

Understanding the New Testament
Growth of the New Testament Church
Elementary Greek
Intermediate Greek
Elementary Latin
Foundations of Christian Thought
The Church in Contemporary Society

Selected Publications

Paul and the Rhetoric of Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15 as Insinuatio. Biblical Interpretation Series. Brill: Leiden, 2023.
Review of Andrew Kimsen Tan, The Rhetoric of Abraham’s Faith in Romans 4. Review of Biblical Literature (2021).
“The Problem with Wesley’s Postmillennialism: An Exegetical Case for Historical Premillennialism in 21st Century Wesleyan Theology and Missions.” The Asbury Journal 73.1 (2018): 65-104.
Review of Gary S. Selby, Not with Wisdom of Words: Nonrational Persuasion in the New Testament. Biblical Interpretation 26 (2018): 122-125.
Review of Matthew R. Malcolm, Paul and the Rhetoric of Reversal in 1 Corinthians: The Impact of Paul’s Gospel on His Macro-Rhetoric. Review of Biblical Literature (2017).
“Cornelius Nepos’s Themistocles: A Targeted Comparison with the Histories of Herodotus and Thucydides with Implications for the Historical Reliability of the Gospels.” Pages 103-41 in Biographies and Jesus: What Does it Mean for the Gospels to be Biographies?, Edited by Craig S. Keener and Edward T. Wright. Wilmore, KY: Emeth Press, 2016.
“A Questionable Inversion: Jesus’ Corrective Answer to the Disciples’ Questions in Matthew 24:3—25:46.” The Journal of Inductive Biblical Studies 3.1 (Winter 2016): 44-67.

Professional Membership

Society of Biblical Literature
Institue for Biblical Research
Wesleyan Theological Society