President Brian Arnold announced today (Monday, February 15, 2021) that Drs. Steven J. Duby and Kenneth T. Magnuson will join Phoenix Seminary as research fellows.
“I’m excited to announce our new research fellows, Dr. Steve Duby and Dr. Ken Magnuson,” said Dr. Arnold. “These two scholars will help us continue to build the academic profile of Phoenix Seminary.” The Research Fellows Program enriches the Phoenix Seminary community by bringing students, faculty, and staff into contact with leading scholars who have a deep connection with the seminary. Research fellows will hold periodic seminars with the seminary’s resident faculty where they will share the fruit of their current research projects. They will occasionally teach courses in the masters and doctoral programs, and, when possible, they’ll office at the campus to join the seminary’s community life.
Dr. Steven J. Duby serves as associate professor of theology at Grand Canyon University and has also served as an adjunct professor of theology at Phoenix Seminary since the fall of 2019. He and his family live in Phoenix, where they are members of Trinity Bible Church. Dr. Duby earned his Ph.D. at the University of St Andrews, his M.Div. at Denver Seminary, and his B.S. from Moody Bible Institute. He is the author of God in Himself: Scripture, Metaphysics and the Task of Christian Theology (IVP Academic, 2019) and Divine Simplicity: A Dogmatic Account (Bloomsbury, 2016). His research interests include the doctrine of God and Christology as well as the integration of scriptural exegesis with the work of systematic theology.
“Dr. Duby is a rising star as a theologian,” said Arnold. “His work on Theology Proper and Christology is exceptional, and I believe he will be a leading evangelical theologian in the coming years.” Phoenix Seminary Provost J. Michael Thigpen also expressed excitement about Dr. Duby joining the seminary as a research fellow. “He brings a wonderful depth in classical theology,” said Thigpen. “He has written well-regarded treatments of the doctrine of God and divine simplicity. His work, while robust and theologically rigorous, is deeply spiritual, focusing on knowing, not just knowing about, our triune God.”
Dr. Duby expressed delight in this new role. “The conversations with professors, the office space, and the library resources have been a great help in working on research projects. The campus is an excellent place to study and write. I am in the midst of finishing a book manuscript on the person of Christ, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the learning experience so far. In the future, I plan to continue research on the Trinity and the person of Christ and am scheduled to write a biblical commentary in the International Theological Commentary series with T & T Clark.”
Dr. Kenneth T. Magnuson serves as professor of Christian Ethics at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, and as executive director of the Evangelical Theological Society, which offices on campus at Phoenix Seminary. Dr. Magnuson has taught Christian ethics for more than two decades. His research and writing interests include the structure of ethics, with attention to teleology, virtue, and divine commands, as well as contemporary issues related to family, sexuality, the dignity of human life, and a theology of work. He has recently published the textbook, Invitation to Christian Ethics: Moral Reasoning and Contemporary Issues (Kregel, 2020), which is part of Kregel’s Invitation to Theological Studies series.
“Dr. Magnuson brings to us a wealth of experience in an area the church desperately needs,” said Thigpen. “He brings a wise reading of Scripture, a pastoral heart, and incisive ethical analysis together in a way that will enrich our students and faculty as we navigate these turbulent times.”
Magnuson expressed his gratitude at the opportunity to serve in the research fellow role. “Phoenix Seminary is blessed with tremendous leadership, excellent faculty and staff, and wonderful students. It is prepared to train a generation of faithful gospel ministers to serve the church for the glory of God. I’m excited about exploring what it means to love God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37–40), to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord (Col. 1:10), and to live for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31) with Phoenix students and faculty. I look forward to bringing these key principles to bear on issues like infertility and reproductive technology, marriage and family, singleness, and how radical discipleship is often seen in simple obedience and faithfulness in the ordinary things that God calls us to be and to do.”
“Dr. Magnuson comes to us with decades of experience in theological education,” said President Arnold. “His recent work on Christian ethics is the fruit of years of thoughtful Christian engagement with the most important ethical issues of our time. The addition of these two elite theologians to our institution will make Phoenix Seminary even stronger, and I know our students will greatly benefit from their presence on our campus.”
Drs. Duby and Magnuson began as research fellows in January 2021.
