JACKSON, Tenn. — May 18, 2015 — 黑料论坛 has named Nathan Finn of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as dean of the university鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions.
Finn, director of the Center for Spiritual Formation and Evangelical Spirituality and associate professor of historical theology and spiritual formation at Southeastern, has taught at the seminary and held a variety of positions there since 2006.
鈥淣athan is a great teacher, an excellent scholar, a strong churchman, a devoted husband and father and a faithful follower of Christ,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淲e are excited that he is joining us at Union and look forward to his leadership and service as we seek to advance our mission and vision.鈥�
Finn will take over the position previously held by Greg Thornbury, who left Union in 2013 to become president of The King鈥檚 College in New York. James Patterson has been the school鈥檚 acting dean since then.
Finn said he is thankful for Union鈥檚 storied history and ongoing influence in Baptist life and the wider evangelical world.
鈥淚 could not be more excited to be joining the Union family,鈥� Finn said. 鈥淚 was shaped profoundly by my own education at a Baptist liberal arts college. I look forward to being a part of a comprehensive university where every discipline is engaged from the perspective of the Christian worldview.鈥�
The faculty in Union鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions is one of the strongest theological faculties in the nation, he added.
鈥淚 have been friends with many of them for years and have been greatly influenced by their teaching and writing in my own ministry,鈥� Finn said. 鈥淚 love how they wed faithful Christian scholarship with an emphasis on practical ministry and a burden for the salvation of the lost. I鈥檓 grateful for the chance to lead the School of Theology and Missions as we educate a rising generation of pastors, church staff, missionaries and other Christian leaders for the glory of God and the advance of his kingdom."
Danny Akin, president at Southeastern, called Finn 鈥渙ne of the finest church historians I have ever known鈥� and 鈥渁 wonderful churchman.鈥�
鈥淗is departure from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is a huge loss for us and a tremendous gain for 黑料论坛,鈥� Akin said. 鈥淚 can only give my blessing to this move because in my heart I know it is good for the kingdom work of Christ. I believe Nathan will excel at his new assignment, and he goes with my love, prayers and full support.鈥�
Finn completed his bachelor鈥檚 degree from Brewton-Parker College and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy from SEBTS.
In addition to his role at SEBTS, Finn serves as an adjunct professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he teaches seminars and supervises doctoral students in biblical spirituality.
A prolific writer and editor, Finn is co-author, along with Anthony Chute and Michael Haykin, of 鈥淭he Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement,鈥� which B&H Academic will release in August. This textbook offers a comprehensive narrative introduction to the Baptist tradition.
Finn edited 鈥淗elp to Zion鈥檚 Travellers鈥� by Robert Hall Sr. and co-edited 鈥淒omestic Slavery: The Correspondence of Richard Fuller and Francis Wayland鈥� and 鈥淢inistry by His Grace and for His Glory: Essays in Honor of Thomas J. Nettles.鈥� He has written dozens of book chapters, scholarly essays, popular articles and book reviews.
In addition to his teaching and writing ministry, Finn is an ordained Southern Baptist minister who previously served in ministry positions in several Southern Baptist churches in Georgia and North Carolina. He is an elder and member at First Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina.
鈥淣athan Finn is a Bible-man, a gospel-man, and a church-man,鈥� Union Provost C. Ben Mitchell said. 鈥淗is passion for students, for his discipline, for the church and for the worldwide spread of the gospel of the risen Christ will be infectious.鈥�
George Guthrie, Union鈥檚 Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, said he is grateful for Finn鈥檚 appointment.
鈥淣athan loves the church, understands the academic context as a crucible for Christian discipleship and integrates a warm-hearted faith with rigorous scholarship,鈥� Guthrie said. 鈥淭he fact that he is one of our very best Baptist historians in the field today can help keep us rock-solidly grounded in our heritage while giving us crystal-clear perspective on our current challenges in the broader Baptist and evangelical life.鈥�
Finn and his wife Leah, a full-time homemaker, have been married since 2001. They have four children: Georgia, Baxter, Eleanor and Fuller. Among his hobbies, Finn includes reading spy novels and fantasy novels, watching movies and Broadway musicals, listening to a wide range of music and rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves.
He will begin at Union July 1.