Columbia Theological Seminary has a first-class class faculty. They are leaders in their disciplines, represent a variety of Christian traditions, received their training from the finest institutions of higher learning, and come from around the world to serve at Columbia. They are inspired and driven each day to form the next generation of pastors who will serve the church and the world
“It is a privilege and joy to introduce my colleagues, the faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary. They are world-class and gathered here from around the world. They are esteemed scholars who shape their disciplines and connect the academy, the Church, and society in ways that model publicly engaged faith. They are celebrated teachers who inspire and challenge our students. They are gifted administrators who lead with wisdom and steward the resources of the Seminary to fulfill our educational mission with excellence. And they are ordained and lay leaders in the church, representing 10 denominations, and teaching, preaching, and serving congregations, communities, and governing bodies with intelligence, imagination, and love. Columbia is distinguished by this faculty of the highest quality and character.”
— Dr. Christine Roy Yoder,
Senior Vice President, Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs
J. McDowell Richards Professor of Biblical Interpretation
Faculty in the News
Read some of the blog posts, publications, and news stories about and by Columbia's faculty.
The Festival of Homiletics is dedicated to bringing together the finest preaching and the finest cutting-edge thinking about preaching, homiletics, worship, church, and culture, and the May 2025 gathering is occurring now in Atlanta, GA. Columbia Theological Seminary faculty members Dr. Anna Carter Florence and Dr. Jake Myers have already presented at the conference and Dr. William Yoo is scheduled to present on Wednesday, May 14.
Celebrating Dr. Mitzi J. Smith
On March 19, 2025, Columbia Theological Seminary celebrated the inauguration of Dr. Mitzi J. Smith as the J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament. Read more.
New Books by Faculty
Our faculty are leaders in their respective areas publishing scholarly articles and books that advance the field of theological inquiry.
“One of the most essential responsibilities of faculty members is to enhance the student learning experience. Columbia Theological Seminary is enriched by the depth and breadth of our faculty's commitment to academic excellence and ministry formation. As a theological institution, we celebrate the accomplishments and milestones of these champions of scholarly rigor and innovation. Their involvement in the church's life is equally inspirational, of which I am grateful!”
— Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo, Jr.
President
Keep Up with Columbia’s Faculty
Our faculty preach and teach around the world traveling to other institutions of higher learning as well as conferences and meetings to share their insights and knowledge.
Dr. Bill Brown
Published essay: “From Jumping Viruses to Job’s Leviathan: A Response,” in Ask the Animals: Developing a Biblical Animal Hermeneutic, edited by Arthur W. Walker Jones and Suzanna R. Millar. Semeia Studies 104; SBL Press.
Traveled to Puerto Rico with the Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) committee of the PCUSA to have conversations with our partners there about how the denomination can use its endowment resources towards the pursuit of justice
Keynote speaker at the 14th Annual Emden Conference of the Society for the History of Reformed Protestantism, speaking on “Calvin, Complicity, and Communication: Reformed Reflections on the Rhetoric of Contemporary Christian Nationalism in the United States”
Invited lecturer at Middlebury College on Christian nationalism
Co-led a workshop at Villanova (with Wonchul Shin) on “Artificial Intelligence and Political Theology,” co-sponsored by Villanova’s Center for Political Theology and the Villanova University Ethics Department
Along with Martha Moore-Keish and partners at GIPL, ASC, and the City of Decatur, he was part of a evening community program on climate resilience and climate justice, held at Columbia, on April 24
Published two articles in the latest edition of Interpretation: “The Advent of a Three-Body Problem: Artificial Intelligence and Political Theologies” (coauthored with Wonchul Shin) and “Between Text and Sermon: Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18”
Dr. Anna Carter Florence
Delivered a keynote lecture at the Philadelphia Presbytery’s Preaching Symposium in Philadelphia, PA
Preached for the ordination of Courtney Anne Henry at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth, GA
Preached and spoke at Central Baptist Church in Newnan, GA
Preached and lectured at the Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta, GA, in May 2025
Dr. Mindy McGarrah Sharp
Joined the Editorial Board of the Wabash Journal for Teaching
Served on the Wabash Center for Teaching Theology and Religion Large Grant
Appointed to the inaugural Small Grant Assessment Team for the Wabash Center for Teaching Theology and Religion
Hosted “Practical Theology as Vocation” panel of an artist, decolonial academic practical theologian, Muslim college chaplain, and Womanist pastoral theologian with MAPT graduating students
“Between Stony Silences and Snarky Shouts, Solidarity Arose,” A Conversation about Everything [in] Between A Sanctified Art Lenten meditations with Belmont UMC, Nashville, TN
Represented CTS at Hispanic Scholar’s Program board meeting
Serving as Chaplain in Residence to the new faculty in theological education workshop, Wabash Center for Teaching Theology and Religion
Dr. Tony McNeill
Worship Coordinator and Conference Musician for the culminating gathering for the Youth Theology Network (YTN) Conference curated by The Forum for Theological Exploration
Spring 2025 Just Worship Class led music for Columbia’s Partners in Ministry (PIM) donor event hosted at Fourth Presbyterian Church
Co-Presenter – Junius B. Dotson Institute for Music and Worship in the Black Church and Beyond. Topic: Better Together: Effective Team Building for Pastors & Musicians.
American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Convention
Panelist – The Art & Science of The Word. 2025 Bandy Preaching Conference hosted at Candler School of Theology at Emory University
Dr. Mitzi Smith
Wipf and Stock Publishers accepted a proposal submitted by Dr. Ericka Dunbar and Dr. Smith as co-editors of the Womanist Studies of Sacred Contexts Series. Mitzi and Ericka accepted the first book proposal for the series this year.
Published “A Womanist Reading of the Canaanite Woman (Matt 15:21–28): Dehumanization, and the Politics of Respectability and Inclusion.” In At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics: Transgressive Readings of Ruth and Matthew 15:21–28for Homiletic Transformation, edited by Yung Suk Kim, 165-83. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2025.
Dr. Rebecca Spurrier
Wrote a chapter for The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Liturgical Theology, edited by Porter Taylor and Khalia J. Williams and published in March 2025.
Completed six years of service as a board member for the Friendship Center at Holy Comforter.
Dr. Nicole Symmonds
Taught Candler Foundry Course, “Reclaiming the Body: A Womanist Theology of Belonging, Inclusion and Grace” at Beulah Baptist Church
Gave Catholic Women Preach Lenten Reflection
Dr. Jeffery Tribble
Inducted into the Bishop Alfred G. Dunston College of Preachers, Lecturers, and Scholars at Livingstone College
Attended the Association for Doctor of Ministry Education Conference at Denver Seminary and participated in Executive Board meetings. The Conference explored the theme: “Innovation in DMin Education: Surviving and Thriving in Turbulent Times.”
A panelist for The Power of an Equitable Church Scholars and Practitioners Conference of the A.M.E. and A.M.E. Zion Church, Emory Conference Center, Atlanta, GA. His panel will explore the question, “In this Season, Who is God?”
