Inspire, Fall 2007

18 Fall 2007 Feature : Bible Department Introducing the School of Biblical and Theological Studies On July 24, 2007, Cedarville University announced that as part of an Academic Division restructuring, the Department of Biblical Education would become the School of Biblical and Theological Studies. Dr. Tom Hutchison ’80, professor of Christian education, was appointed interim dean of the school. In September, Dr. Hutchison announced the creation of three new departments within the school: • The Department of Biblical Studies (Dr. Chris Miller, interim chair) • The Department of Ministry and Mission (Dr. Don Grigorenko, interim chair) • The Department of Theology and Philosophy (Dr. Greg Couser, interim chair) This new organizational model will be assessed and, if needed, revised at the end of the academic year. The permanent structure will be in place when the faculty move into their new home in the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies next summer. The school is pleased to introduce its five new faculty: Carl Smith, Professor of Bible PhD in History, Miami University (Ohio) MA in History, Miami University (Ohio) MDiv in New Testament Studies, Temple Baptist Theological Seminary BA in Biblical Studies, Tennessee Temple University Carl comes to Cedarville from Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU), where he most recently served as both associate professor of history and religion and as director of evening ministry programs. In his nine years there, Carl supported the university through a variety of teaching, administration, advising, and committee roles and was awarded a faculty research grant and an Aspiring Scholar Award. Prior to his ministry at PBAU, Carl served for nine years as the pastor of Fairhaven Community Church in Camden, Ohio. He was an active pastoral advisor for a counseling service as well as for domestic violence task force in the area. An eager student of early Christian history, Gnostic studies, and second-century literature, Carl sat under the tutelage of history scholar Dr. Edwin Yamauchi at Miami University. Carl’s interest in Gnostic studies led him to write No Longer Jews: The Search for Gnostic Origins , which was published in 2004. At Cedarville, Carl will teach Christian Life and Thought, Christian Worldview Integration, and Theological Foundations for Ministry. Carl and his wife, Debby, have five children (Jeremy, Erin, Peter, Jordan, and Jenny) and one granddaughter, Regan. Carl enjoys tennis and fishing (particularly if the fishing involves trout). Shawn Graves ’00, Assistant Professor of Philosophy PhD (in progress) in Philosophy, University of Rochester MA in Philosophy, University of Rochester MA in Philosophy, Ohio University BA in Philosophy & English, Cedarville University Shawn comes back to his alma mater following graduate studies and teaching opportunities at Ohio University, the University of Rochester, and, most recently, Roberts Wesleyan College. He is nearly finished with his PhD in philosophy from the University of Rochester, where he is working on a dissertation in epistemology. Shawn also has strong research interests in ethics and the philosophy of religion. His passion is to see people develop a deeper intimacy with Jesus by thinking hard and clearly about who God is, how He interacts with the world, and how He would have us live in this world. This fall Shawn will be teaching three philosophy courses: Logic, Ethics, and Epistemology. Shawn and his wife of seven years, Marlena Proper Graves ’01, have been active in ministry since their undergraduate days at Cedarville. They have taught adult Sunday school classes, directed VBS programs, participated in drama ministry, and served on pastoral search teams. Most recently, they served on staff as full-time directors of youth and young adult ministries at their church in Rochester, which they considered a deeply rewarding and meaningful ministry. Shawn and Marlena celebrated the birth of their first child, Iliana Milena, on May 8, 2007. They praise God for this healthy, beautiful little girl, and plan to take lots of walks with her around Cedarville and the surrounding area.