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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University
Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson
Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson

Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson

Co-Provost
Dean of Theology, Arts and Humanities
Floyd K. Clark Chair of Christian Leadership
Professor of Religion

Biography

Dr. Matthew Y. Emerson earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Emerson joined the OBU faculty in 2015. He previously taught at California Baptist University, where he served as Chair of the Arts and Sciences Department in the OPS Division.

Emerson has authored or co-authored over 20 publications. His research interests include the Old Testament’s use in the New Testament, early Christian interpretation, and theological method. He serves as co-Executive Director of the Center for Baptist Renewal, co-editor of the Journal of Baptist Studies, steering committee member of the Scripture and Hermeneutics Seminar, and Senior Fellow for the Center of Ancient Christian Studies. He is also a member of a number of scholarly societies, and blogs at Biblical Reasoning.

Emerson and his wife, Alicia, are both from Huntsville, AL. Married in 2006, they have five daughters.

He has served in local churches, both vocationally and as a volunteer, as a guest preacher, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, and men’s ministry director. He and his wife are both members at Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee.

Education

  • B.A., Auburn University
  • M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Courses Taught

Old and New Testament Survey, church history, systematic theology

Selected Publications

"He Descended to the Dead": An Evangelical Theological of Holy Saturday. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2019.

The Story of Scripture: An Introduction to Biblical Theology. The Hobbs College Library. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2017.

Between the Cross and the Throne: Reading Revelation. Transformative Word Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press. 2016.

Christ and the New Creation: A Canonical Approach to the Theology of the New Testament. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2013.

Professional Memberships

  • Evangelical Theological Society
  • Institute of Biblical Research
  • Society of Biblical Literature
  • North American Patristics Society