Bingham elected president of North American Patristics Society

D. Jeffrey Bingham, Southwestern Seminary’s dean of the School of Theology, was elected president of the North American Patristics Society (NAPS) during its annual meeting, May 25-27, in Chicago. He has been a member of NAPS for more than 20 years.

“Dr. Bingham’s election signifies the respect for his work among scholars from across the theological and religious spectrum,” says Stephen Presley, director of Southwestern’s Center for the Study of Early Christianity. “Students at Southwestern have the opportunity to learn from the wealth of knowledge and expertise that Dr. Bingham brings to the seminary. Those who take his courses in systematic theology and church history can know that they are learning from one of the top scholars in his field. At the same time, students sitting in his courses know, Dr. Bingham researches and teaches theology out of a sincere love for Christ and His church.”

During the past year, Bingham served as vice president of NAPS and assumed the responsibility of organizing the annual conference this past May. At the conclusion of this year’s meeting, Bingham transitioned to the position of president for the coming year. “The appointment serves as a reminder that students at Southwestern are learning from top-notch professors and scholars who are preparing them to think well as they engage the culture and carry out the Christian mission to proclaim the Gospel,” says Presley.

Founded in 1970, NAPS is one of the most prominent organizations in the world for the scholarly study of the history, literature and theology of early Christianity. Among the society’s major activities are the sponsorship of its annual conference in Chicago and the publication of The Journal of Early Christian Studies. Bingham’s specialty is in second-century Christianity, which is important for understanding the development of Christian thought after the New Testament. He is also well-known for his work on the history of biblical interpretation.

“We heartily congratulate Dr. Bingham on his election as president of the North American Patristics Society,” says Craig Blaising, executive vice president and provost at Southwestern and member of NAPS. “Dr. Bingham is an internationally known patristics scholar and is well deserving of the honor bestowed on him by his peers.”

“Dr. Bingham has trained a number of patristics scholars who are currently serving in a variety of colleges, universities and seminaries, and who, in turn, are making valuable contributions to the study of early Christianity,” Blaising continues. “We are blessed to have Dr. Bingham serving as the dean of the School of Theology at Southwestern. He is not only an able administrator but is a highly favored professor and sought-out mentor of students. Southwestern has several patristics scholars on its faculty serving alongside Dr. Bingham, and it is becoming well-known as the key evangelical institution for graduate study in early Christianity.”