Nathan Finn, PhD

“Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. And, I suppose I should add, it is traditionalism that gives tradition such a bad name.” —Jaroslav Pelikan (1923–2006)

• Teaching & Education

  You will learn with me when taking courses in the fields of Leadership, Theology, and Church History.

  Degrees

  • BA, Brewton-Parker College
  • MDiv, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Professional Experience

  I joined the North Greenville administration and faculty on June 1, 2018. Previously, I served for eight years as a full-time faculty member at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, which was followed by three years as Dean of the School of Theology and Missions at Union University. I have also served as an adjunct professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

• Selected Publications

  Understanding Andrew Fuller: Reflections on His Life, Thought, and Legacy, 2 vols. Studies in Baptist History and Theology, co-edited with Jeffrey Robinson and Shane Shaddix. Peterborough, Ontario: H&E Publishing, 2021.

  Historical Theology for the Church. Co-edited with Jason G. Duesing. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2021.

  The Sum and Substance of the Gospel: The Christ-Centered Piety of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Profiles in Reformed Spirituality. Co-edited with Aaron Lumpkin. Grand Rapids, MI: Reformation Heritage, 2020.

  A Reader’s Guide to the Major Writings of Jonathan Edwards. Co-edited with Jeremy Kimble. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2017.

  Spirituality for the Sent: A New Vision for the Missional Church. Co-edited with Keith Whitfield. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2017.

  Andrew Fuller, Apologetic Writings, Volume 5: Strictures on Sandemanianism, The Complete Works of Andrew Fuller, vol. 9. Edited by Nathan A. Finn. Berlin, Germany and Boston, MA: Walter de Gruyter, 2016.

  History: A Student’s Guide. Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016.

  The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement. Nashville: B&H Academic, 2015. Co-authored with Anthony L. Chute and Michael A. G. Haykin.

  Ministry by His Grace and for His Glory: Essays in Honor of Thomas J. Nettles. Co-edited with Thomas K. Ascol. Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2011.

  Robert Hall Sr., Help to Zion’s Travellers, updated edition. Edited by Nathan A. Finn. Mountain Hope, AR: BorderStone Press, 2011.

  Richard Fuller and Francis Wayland, Domestic Slavery: The Correspondence of Richard Fuller and Francis Wayland. Co-edited with Keith Harper. Macon: Mercer University Press, 2008.

• Selected Awards Received
  • 2018 – Southeastern Theological Fellowship Award, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • 2018 – Young Alumni of the Year, Brewton-Parker College
  • 2012 – Ministerial Alumni of the Year, Brewton-Parker College
  • 2005 –  S. L. Stealey Church History Award, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• My Network

  I am active in Southern Baptist denominational life and periodically contribute essays to websites such as Baptist Press, The Gospel Coalition, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Center for Baptist Renewal, and the International Alliance for Christian Education. I’m also a member of the Evangelical Theological Society and the Fellowship of Baptist Historians and serve on the continuation committee of the International Conference on Baptist Studies.

• My Story

  I became a Christian on the campus of North Greenville University while attending a Centrifuge camp a couple of weeks following my graduation from high school. Shortly thereafter, God called me to the ministry of the gospel. Though I have served in ministry leadership roles in several churches, and I continue to preach and teach regularly for congregations, my primary ministry since 2006 has been Christian higher education. I’ve taught in both universities and seminaries and have written widely in the fields of theology, church history, higher education leadership, and spiritual formation. I’ve been married to Leah for over two decades and am the father of our children I call the Finnlings. I love hiking, playing golf, drinking coffee, reading good books, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves and Georgia Bulldogs.

  Favorite Course to Teach: A Doctor of Ministry seminar on The Pastor as Theologian, because it brings together two of my favorite interests—leadership development and theological formation.