Dr. Terry A. Chrisope <chrisope@mobap.edu; 314-392-2335> is a professor of History and Bible. He teaches upper-level undergraduate history and graduate-level theology at Missouri Baptist University. In addition to a Ph.D. in history from Kansas State University, he holds a B.A. from Central Baptist College, and an M.Div. and a Th.M. from Covenant Theological Seminary. Dr. Chrisope is the author of two books that reflect his combined interests in history and Biblical theology: Jesus is Lord: A Study in the Unity of Confessing Jesus as Lord and Saviour in the New Testament (first published by in 1982, and being expanded for republication) and a 2001 offering Toward a Sure Faith: J. Gresham Machen and the Dilemma of Biblical Criticism, 1881-1915 (2000). In addition, Professor Chrisope has published numerous articles in the Founder’s Journal.
Dr. Chrisope’s professional affiliations include memberships in the Historical Society, the Conference on Faith and History, and the Evangelical Theological Society. In 1995, he received the Parkway Distinguished Professor Award. In all of his teaching, research and writing, Professor Chrisope seeks to live out the Lordship of Jesus Christ, seamlessly integrating faith and learning. Thus, in his most recent book on J. Gresham Machen, he argues from primary-source material to credibly revise the standard scholarly portrayal of Machen, one of the leading figures in American theological history. At the same time, Dr. Chrisope sensitively highlights how improved understanding of Machen can provide guidance for maintaining Biblical faith even after “a potentially faith-shattering encounter with modern thought.” In Professor Chrisope’s published words:
Machen was a person of intense intellectual honesty. He would not believe a historical claim which he was convinced was not historically true. His examination of the evidence for the historicity of the New Testament events, therefore, carries the greater weight because he was evidently prepared to reach opposite conclusions from those he did reach. That he did come down on the side of historic Christianity bears testimony not only to the survivability of such an intellectual crisis, but also—for those who will receive it—to the power of the historical witness of the New Testament documents to one who has not ruled out their truthfulness beforehand…. For Machen, as for many others, a faith tried and proven is stronger than a faith not tried at all.
Dr. Chrisope is always eager to work with new students at Missouri Baptist University. He encourages prospective students with interests in his academic fields to contact him directly with their questions or for more information.
