Bingham elected vice president of North American Patristics Society

Dr. D. Jeffrey Bingham, Southwestern Seminary’s newly elected dean of the School of Theology, was elected vice president of the North American Patristics Society (NAPS) during its annual meeting, May 26-28. Bingham, who previously served as associate dean of biblical and theological studies as well as professor of theology at Wheaton College, has been a member of NAPS for more than 20 years, and Stephen Presley, director of Southwestern’s Center for the Study of Early Christianity, says his election “reflects the wide respect he engenders throughout the society for his collegiality and scholarship.”

“At the same time,” Presley continues, “Dr. Bingham’s appointment shows the strength of Southwestern’s teaching and research in early Christianity. In recent years, there has been a distinct rise in the interest of early Christian theology and exegesis, especially among evangelicals. Dr. Bingham’s election is further confirmation that Southwestern Seminary is uniquely positioned to have an important voice in this conversation. Southwestern is clearly the place to come for any prospective students interested in studying the early church.”

Founded in 1970, NAPS is a scholarly organization dedicated to the study of the history, literature and theology of ancient Christianity. Among the society’s major activities are the sponsorship of an annual conference in Chicago, Ill., and the publication of The Journal of Early Christian Studies.

“The North American Patristics Society is the foremost scholarly society in the Western hemisphere for the study of early Christianity,” says Craig Blaising, executive vice president and provost at Southwestern and member of NAPS. “Dr. Bingham, a long-term member of that society, has proven himself to be a top scholar in the field of patristics through many publications, lectures and presentations as well as the many doctoral dissertations that he has supervised in that field. His standing is truly indicated by the honor his fellow scholars have bestowed upon him by electing him as vice president of this prestigious society.”

Blaising continues that Southwestern is honored to have Bingham joining the faculty of Southwestern. “Students at Southwestern will have the opportunity to study theology and patristics with Dr. Bingham,” he explains, “and his coming will bring to five the number of Southwestern faculty who have degrees in patristics, making the Southwestern Center for Early Christian Studies a top consideration for graduate studies in this field.”

Bingham was elected dean of Southwestern’s School of Theology during the spring trustee meeting, April 13. He officially assumes this position on Aug. 1.