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Ray Van Neste

Ray Van Neste

Dean; Professor of Biblical Studies; and Vice President for University Ministries

About

Ray Van Neste has served at Union University since 2001, and also served as a visiting lecturer 1997-98. He has published 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 Board of Reference for Eagle Projects International, a missions organization. Ray and his wife, Tammie, met while they were students at Union and married just as they finished classes. They have six children- four of whom have attended Union, one who is at Union now, and one still at home- and three grandsons. 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

  • M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

  • B.A., Union University

Scholarship

Books

Articles

Presentations

  • Psalms, Singing & the Care of Souls (2018)

    Town & Gown Lecture, Union University

  • The Mangled Narrative of Evangelism and Missions in the Reformation (2017)

    Legacy of the Reformation Conference

  • Evangelism and Missions in the Reformation (2017)

    REF500: A Festival of Celebrating the 500th Annicersary of the Protestant Reformation

  • Revival Services FBC Socorro (2015)

    FBC Socorro

  • 1 Peter 3:3-9 (2014)

    First Union University Chapel after tragedy on campus

  • January Bible Study, Colossians (2014)

    Pleasant Plains Baptist Church

  • Reformation Spirituality & Colossians 3 (2014)

    Faculty Workshop, Union University

  • Coherence and Authorship in 1 Timothy (2013)

    Pastoral Epistles Study Group, Evangelical Theological Society

  • Striving With All His Might; The Power of Christ in Sanctification (2013)

    Men's Retreat, Grace Community Church

  • What Does the Bible Really Say about Homosexuality? (2013)

    First Baptist Church

  • January Bible Study 1-3 John (2013)

    Central Baptist Church

  • The Care of Souls: The Heart of the Reformation (2012)

    Reformation Day Chapel, Union University

  • The Shepherd’s Call (2012)

    The Call: The Leader as Shepherd Conference

  • The Discourse Function of oe in 2 Timothy (2011)

    Biblical Greek Language and Linguistics, Society for Biblical Literature

  • Church Health Weekend (2011)

    Fellowship Baptist Church

  • The Might of His Glory: Translation of Colossians 1:11 and its Theological Impact (2010)

    Evangelical Theological Society Meeting

  • Baptists, Pastors, and Titus 1 (2010)

    Baptist Life and Thought study group Evangelical Theological Society Annual Meeting

  • Communicating Familiar Bible Stories in Unfamiliar Ways (2010)

    Middle Tennessee Pastors Conference

  • Oversight of Souls: The Heart of Pastoral Ministry (Parts 1&2) & Pastoring a Rebellious People (2010)

    Shepherding God's Flock, Midwest Regional Founders' Conference

  • Overview of Hebrews (2010)

    Sunday School Teachers Training, Concord Baptist Church

  • Oversight of Souls: The Shape of Pastoral Ministry in Southern Baptist and Evangelical Life (2009)

    Southern Baptist, Evangelicals, and the Future of American Evangelicalism, Union University

  • Pastoral Ministry in Light of Christ’s Return (2009)

    Pastors Conference

  • The Life and Legacy of Charles B. Williams (2009)

    Founders Day Address, Union University

  • Soli Deo Gloria Today (2008)

    Reformation Roundtable

  • Defense of Proposal for Amendment of the Doctrinal Basis of the Evangelical Theological Society (2008)

    National Evangelical Theological Society Meeting

  • Bible Conference (2008)

    Grace Covenant Baptist Church

  • Lectures to pastors and church planters (2008)

  • A Literary Reading of the Epistle to Titus (2007)

    National Evangelical Theological Society Meeting

  • Bible Material of Children (2007)

    One Bible, One Gospel Conference, Union University

  • Pondering our Practice of the Ordinances (2006)

    Christian Colloquium, Union University

  • Baptist Doctrine Study (2006)

    FBC

  • Guest Lecture on the Pastoral Epistles (2005)

    Erskine Seminary

  • Lectures to pastors and church leaders (2005)

  • Intelligent Design in the Pastoral Epistles: An Argument for Coherence (2004)

    Evangelical Theological Society National Meeting

  • Church Health and Polity (2004)

    International Baptist Church, Aberdeen

  • Speaker (2003)

    Madison-Chester County Association weekly pastors meeting

  • Evidence of Intelligent Design in the Pastoral Epistles (2003)

    Southeastern Regional ETS Meeting

  • Bible Study Teacher (2002)

    Madison-Chester County Association Annual Meeting

  • Does the ETS Doctrinal Statement Say Enough? A Critical Assessment (2001)

    Evangelical Theological Society National Meeting

  • Structure and Cohesion in Titus (2000)

    2000 British New Testament Conference

  • The Reliability of Scripture (2000)

    Robert Gordon University

Awards

  • Undergraduate Research Grant, Translating Colossians 1:11: “glorious power or power of glory?” (2009)

    Undergraduate Research Grant award recipient.

  • Faculty of the Year, Union University (2008)

    Union University's Faculty of the Year 2009-2010

  • “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” (2006)

  • Newell Innovative Teaching Award (2006)

    Honorable Mention "A Textbook-less Approach to Teaching New Testament Survey"

  • Chi Omega Teacher of the Month (2004)

  • Course Redesign Grant CHR 365 Pastoral Ministries (2004)

    Union University

  • “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” (2004)