Whether you are preparing for ministry, planning to teach, or simply seeking to deepen your knowledge of God and His truth, the Christian Studies program at Union University will help you achieve your goals. READ MORE
Union’s Christian Studies program has gained national recognition as one of the top undergraduate programs in the nation:
- A large faculty of gifted scholars with specialties in a broad range of disciplines
- A faculty which not only teaches and mentors effectively, but includes the authors of dozens of volumes in biblical studies, theology, and ministry, including such titles as:
- The Holman Concise Bible Commentary
- Preparing for Christian Ministry
- Biblical Greek Exegesis
- NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews
- Handbook of Contemporary Preaching
- Chance or Dance: An Evaluation of Design
- Christian Scripture
- Excellent opportunities for ministry experience and church-related jobs while in school
- An outstanding record of placing students in top seminaries and graduate schools, where they often receive advanced standing because of the depth of their undergraduate preparation.
Administrative Office
- Gregory A. Thornbury
- Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Christian Studies
- Dean, School of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A. , Messiah College
M.Div. , Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D , Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 326, Box 1849, 731-661-5082 (voice)
- E-mail: gthornbu@uu.edu
- Profile
- James A. Patterson
- University Professor of Christian Studies, Christian Studies
- Associate Dean of the School of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A. , Rutgers University
M.Div. , Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Ph.D , Princeton Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 328, Box 1891, 731-661-5269 (voice)
- E-mail: jpatters@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/jpatters/
Faculty
A committed and talented faculty will help you to grow in your faith while deepening your understanding of both faith and a Christian worldview. With significant personal attention, Christian Studies professors invest their lives in your life and ministry, preparing you to share your gifts with a world in need.
- Justin D. Barnard
- Associate Professor of Philosophy
- Director, Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Intellectual Discipleship
- Education:
B.A., Palm Beach Atlantic College
M.A., Florida State University
Ph.D, Florida State University
- Office: PAC C-4C, Box 3022, 731-661-5963 (voice)
- E-mail: jbarnard@uu.edu
- Profile
- Randall B. Bush
- Professor of Christian Studies and Philosophy
- Director of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program, Honors Community
- Education:
B.A., Howard Payne University
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Phil., University of Oxford
- Office: JEN 342, Box 1840, 731-661-5271 (voice)
- E-mail: rbush@uu.edu
- Profile
- David S. Dockery
- Professor of Christian Studies
- President, Administrative Office of the President
- Education:
B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham
M.A., Texas Christian University
M.Div., Grace Theological Seminary
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, University of Texas at Arlington
Additional Study, Drew University
- Office: PAC F-1, Box 1804, 731-661-5180 (voice), 731-661-5444 (fax)
- E-mail: ddockery@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/dockery/
- Mark Dubis
- Associate Professor of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.S., Clemson University
M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Th.M., Calvin Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Union Theological Semianry
- Office: JEN 339, Box 3132, 731-661-5093 (voice)
- E-mail: mdubis@uu.edu
- Profile
- Ken Easley
- Professor of Christian Studies
- Program Director, Master of Christian Studies, Germantown Campus
- Education:
B.A., John Brown University
M.Div., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Ph.D, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: Olford, Box UUG, 901-432-7145 (voice)
- E-mail: keasley@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/keasley/
- Roger Glidewell
- Assistant Professor of Youth Ministry
- Education:
B.A., Southwest Baptist University
M.R.E., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN, Box xxxx
- E-mail: rglidewe@uu.edu
- Profile
- Bradley G. Green
- Associate Professor of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Northeast Louisiana University
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Th.M., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Baylor University
- Office: JEN 333, Box 1926, 731-661-5129 (voice)
- E-mail: bgreen@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.bradleyggreen.com
- George Guthrie
- Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible
- Education:
B.A., Union University
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Th.M., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Ph.D, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 329, Box 1894, 731-661-5264 (voice)
- E-mail: gguthrie@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/gguthrie/
- Paul N. Jackson
- Professor of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Hardin-Simmons University
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 301, Box 1844, 731-661-5207 (voice)
- E-mail: pjackson@uu.edu
- Profile
- C. Ben Mitchell
- Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy
- Education:
B.S., Mississippi State University
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, University of Tennessee
- Office: JEN 332, Box 3000, 731-661-5915 (voice)
- E-mail: bmitchell@uu.edu
- Profile
- Kelvin Moore
- Professor of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Samford University
M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Th.D., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional Study, Jerusalem University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 338, Box 1830, 731-661-5265 (voice)
- E-mail: kmoore@uu.edu
- Profile
- David Olford
- Stephen Olford Professor of Expository Preaching
- Special Assistant to the President, Administrative Office of the President
- Education:
B.A., Wheaton College
M.A., Wheaton College
Ph.D, University of Sheffield
- Office: Olford, 901-432-7139 (voice)
- E-mail: dolford@uu.edu
- Profile
- James A. Patterson
- University Professor of Christian Studies
- Associate Dean of the School of Christian Studies, School of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Rutgers University
M.Div., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Princeton Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 328, Box 1891, 731-661-5269 (voice)
- E-mail: jpatters@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/jpatters/
- Hal L. Poe
- Charles Colson Professor of Faith & Culture
- Special Assistant to the President, Administrative Office of the President
- Education:
B.A., University of South Carolina
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional Study, University of Oxford
- Office: JEN 335, Box 3007, 731-661-5404 (voice)
- E-mail: hpoe@uu.edu
- Profile
- Gary V. Smith
- Professor of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Wheaton College
M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Ph.D, Dropsie College
- Office: JEN 337, Box 3127, 731-661-5297 (voice)
- E-mail: gvsmith@uu.edu
- Profile
- Gregory A. Thornbury
- Associate Professor of Christian Studies
- Dean, School of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Messiah College
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: JEN 326, Box 1849, 731-661-5082 (voice)
- E-mail: gthornbu@uu.edu
- Profile
- Jerry N. Tidwell
- Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry
- Director, R.G. Lee Center for Christian Ministries
- Senior Vice President for Church Relations, Administrative Office of the Senior Vice President for Church Relations
- Education:
B.S., University of North Alabama
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
D.Min., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Office: LH, Box 1819, 731-661-6595 (voice), 731-661-5950 (fax)
- E-mail: tidwell@uu.edu
- Profile
- Ray Van Neste
- Associate Professor of Christian Studies
- Director, R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies
- Education:
B.A., Union University
M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Ph.D, University of Aberdeen
- Office: JEN 341, Box 3150, 731-661-5532 (voice)
- E-mail: rvannest@uu.edu
- Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/rvannest/
- Richard Wells
- Professor of Christian Studies
- Dean of the Chapel, Campus Ministries
- Education:
B.A., Florida Southern College
M.Div., Criswell College
M.Div., Stetson University
Ph.D, Baylor University
Ph.D, North Texas University
- Office: SUB, Box 1812, 731-661-5161 (voice)
- E-mail: rwells@uu.edu
- Profile
- Taylor Benjamin Worley
- Instructor of Christian Studies
- Education:
B.A., Union University
M.Div., The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D, University of St. Andrews
- Office: JEN 3xx, Box 3017, 731-661-5971 (voice)
- E-mail: tworley@uu.edu
- Profile
Programs of Study
- Biblical Studies
Highly recommended for students pursuing ministry areas, including the pastorate,
missionary service. As foundational to any ministry, this area is also recommended
to those who wish to teach and plan to pursue graduate work in New or Old Testament or any theological discipline.
- Biblical Studies-Languages
The major is designed for those who wish to pursue biblical knowledge and study skill with a strong foundation in Greek and Hebrew, or who wish to enhance
personal Bible study and move into advanced, language-oriented courses at seminary. This major is recommended for those wishing to teach the Bible in a church context or the college level.
- Christian Ethics
The major will provide opportunity to experience growth in Christian character as well as deeper knowledge of contemporary issues facing the church and the nation. Critical thinking and research skills, prepares students for further seminary/graduate study in ethics or for a more thoughtful, informed approach to Christian discipleship, church membership, and citizenship.
- Christian Studies
Designed for students who want a general introduction to biblical, theological, or ministry studies, the program is recommended for students who have yet to choose a specific direction in ministry and wish to explore the various areas.
- Church History
- Philosophy (Christian Studies)
Designed for students who wish a greater understanding of the general study of philosophy and Christian theology toward studying these disciplines on the graduate level; or as foundation for biblical and ministry studies in seminary.
- Philosophy (General Studies)
- Sport Ministry
- Theology
- Youth Ministry
Crafted for students called to youth ministry, this major blends theological foundation
with practical information and mentoring relationships.
Please see the Academic Catalogue description for more detail. Some minors do not appear here.
Student Organizations
- Ministerial Association
Advisor: Dr. Kelvin Moore
A Ministerial Association is available for students entering the preaching/pastoral ministry. This association meets monthly for the purpose of strengthening the ties of fellowship among those on campus who are committed to the gospel ministry.
Recent News
Platt encourages Union students to forsake earthly comforts in pursuit of Christ’s worldwide glory
Students should pursue the kingdom of Christ by giving up the American dream and living a radical life proclaiming Christ’s glory to a needy world, David Platt told Union University students Oct. 21- 23.
Platt, pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Ala., was the keynote speaker f... -
(READ MORE)
MORE STORIES
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10/22/2009 - Town and Gown series on Christians and the environment begins Oct. 26
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10/20/2009 - Baker to lecture on secularism’s failure
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10/19/2009 - Platt to preach at Faith and Practice series Oct. 21-23
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10/13/2009 - Next generation crucial to future of SBC, Mohler says
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10/13/2009 - Van Neste, Tidwell examine pastoral ministry, revivals
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10/13/2009 - Patterson, Finn explore past, future of Baptists
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10/12/2009 - Akin: SBC’s future hinges on faithfulness to Scripture
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10/12/2009 - Smith urges a return to Christ-centered preaching
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10/12/2009 - Litfin, Lindsay address trends of evangelicalism, denominations
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10/12/2009 - Poe and DeVine: Denominations must address changes in culture
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10/9/2009 - From handwringing to hopefulness: Dockery calls on Christians to unite around essentials of the gospel
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10/8/2009 - Beeson’s George emphasizes value of creeds in understanding Christianity
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10/7/2009 - Stetzer: Denominations have future as ‘servants’ of churches on God’s mission
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10/6/2009 - Panel discussion added to Thursday’s conference schedule
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10/5/2009 - Future of denominationalism conference begins this week
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9/22/2009 - Late-night missions event simulates persecuted church
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8/31/2009 - Guthrie, Lawless to speak in Union chapel this week
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7/7/2009 - Dockery, other theologians discuss Baptist identity on podcast
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6/26/2009 - New Dockery book ‘Southern Baptist Identity’ now available
Recent Photos
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11/4/09 - Nic Seaborn, sophomore Biblical studies major, lays mulch around trees at Liberty Park during Campus and Community Day. - Beth Spain
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11/4/09 - Joshua David Creswell, junior philosophy major, picks up trash at the Hartland Place apartments during Campus and Community Day. - Beth Spain
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11/3/09 - Hal Poe, Charles Colson professor of faith and culture, presents a Christian Studies Colloquium on Edgar Allen Poe entitled "The Poes in Russia (Edgar & Hal): A Model for Apologetics in a Secular Setting." - Megan Bailey
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