School of

Theology and Missions

Ray Van Neste

Professor of Biblical Studies &
Director, R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies

University Profile | Scholarship Profile

About
Ray Van Neste has served at Union University since 2001, and also served as a visiting lecturer 1997-98. He has published numerous books and scholarly essays on topics such as biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and church history. An ordained minister, Ray preaches and teaches regularly in local churches and has served in pastoral or other staff roles in Baptist congregations in Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Scotland.

Ray serves on the editorial board of the Southeastern Theological Review and on the Board of Reference for Eagle Projects International, a missions organization. He helped to start and currently leads the study group on the Pastoral Epistles in the Evangelical Theological Society. He manages the website, pastoralepistles.com, which reports on the work of this study group and other research related to the Pastoral Epistles.

Ray and his wife, Tammie, met while they were students at Union and married just as they finished classes. They have six children, and the two oldest are students at Union. While pastoring in Wisconsin Ray and the rest of the family got caught up in Packer-mania and have been Green Bay fans ever since. The Van Nestes are members of First Baptist Church of Jackson, TN.

Education:
Ph.D, University of Aberdeen, Scotland
M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
B.A., Union University

Office: JEN 341, Box 3150, 731-661-5532
E-mail: rvanneste@uu.edu

Van Neste appointed dean of Union University's School of Theology and Missions

April 26, 2018 - Union University has named Ray Van Neste, professor of biblical studies, as dean of its School of Theology and Missions.

Van Neste has served on the Union faculty since 2001 and also is director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. He will begin his role as dean on June 1.

“God has blessed us with the right person in our very midst, someone who can step up to assume the responsibilities of this office, and someone whom the faculty respects as a leader,” Union Provost John Netland said. “We can’t see the future, but we trust that God will continue to bless the School of Theology and Missions, and we have confidence that Ray will be the kind of leader who does not lean on his own understanding but will, in all of his ways, trust in the Lord and follow his guidance.”

Netland said Van Neste is an accomplished scholar of the Scriptures, manager and administrator who loves the Lord, the Bible, the church, proclaiming the good news of the gospel and equipping others to do so.

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What People Are Saying About Dr. Van Neste

“Dr. Ray Van Neste is not only among the top New Testament scholars in the Southern Baptist Convention, he is also a gifted teacher and devoted pastor. Churches near Union will resonate with Ray, as he wakes up every morning deeply committed to serve the church.”

Chris Morgan, Dean and Professor of Theology,
School of Christian Ministries, California Baptist University,
author/editor of 19 books

“Dr. Van Neste is my friend.  When I was at First Baptist, Adamsville, Ray came and taught January Bible Studies as well as Baptist Doctrine. Ray also served as my supervisor during my doctoral work at Union. I was hoping he would be selected to serve in this position.”

Phil Mitchell, Director of Missions,
Weakley County Baptist Association, Dresden, Tenn.

“Ray Van Neste will be a tremendous asset to Union University in this role leading the School of Theology and Missions. He is an excellent scholar, and has been a valuable contributor to Preaching magazine for several years writing the annual survey of Bibles and Bible reference works for pastors. Ray has a heart for the church and will be an effective leader of Union's faculty in this field.”

Michael Duduit, Dean,  Clamp Divinity School and
College of Christian Studies at Anderson University;
Executive Editor, Preaching magazine

“The appointment of Ray Van Neste to this crucial position is great news for Union University. He is a gifted scholar and a phenomenal classroom instructor. My own sons raved about him when they were students at Union. This is a choice that bodes well for Union’s future.”

Daniel L. Akin, President,
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Ray Van Neste will bring to the leadership role of the School of Theology and Missions a deep love for the gospel of Jesus Christ, a heart for the lost, and a commitment to the churches of West Tennessee, the Southern Baptist Convention, and beyond. A gifted scholar and exemplary classroom teacher, Dr. Van Neste will model for faculty a genuine investment in students. As a Union grad who has been teaching at Union for many years, he brings an understanding of Union's distinctive mission and role in the Baptist and evangelical worlds. I pray God's blessings for Ray, the School of Theology and Missions, and for Union University in the days to come.”

David S. Dockery, President Emeritus, Union University;
President, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School