Keith Starkenburg

Keith Starkenburg, professor of theology, is drawn to thinking about the challenging forces that form Christian communities. Perhaps it was his upbringing on the edge of the west, Rapid City, SD, a place fluid with a diversity of racial, religious, and economic backgrounds. It could be his engagement with the various families of Reformed Christianity. Or, his years spent in a vibrant University community where students and professors brought their varied faith commitments to bear on their academic life. Wherever it began, Starkenburg has an affection for the heart of Christian communities, the boundaries that Christian communities cross, and the borders they share with other communities. That affection is rooted in his belief that ”experiences with people of backgrounds other than my own (non-Dutch, non-Reformed, non-American) help me enter God’s love.”

University of Virginia

Ph.D in Religious Studies (Philosophical Theology), 2011

University of Virginia

2000-2004.
M.A. in Religious Studies (Philosophical Theology), 2008

Western Theological Seminary

M.Div., 2002

Northwestern College

B.A. in Humanities, 1996

Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Vita Scholars Program

Western Theological Seminary, 2022-Present

Professor of Theology

Trinity Christian College, 2016-2022

Associate Professor of Theology

Trinity Christian College, 2012-2016

Assistant Professor of Theology

Trinity Christian College, 2008-2012

• Book Review Editor, Reformed Journal (formerly Perspectives), 2016-Present.
• Examination Reader, Ph.D. Candidacy Panel for Mike Hogeterp, University of Divinity (Melbourne, Australia)/NAITTS, November 2021.
• Member, Center for Special Education Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2019-2022.
• Chair, Campus Diversity and Unity Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2018-2020
• Member, General Education Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2016-2018
• Member, Campus Diversity and Unity Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2015-2016, 2020-22
• Chair (two years) and Member, Program Review Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2012-2016
• Member, Vision, Direction and Priorities committee, Trinity Christian College, 2014-2015
• Member, Political Science Department Faculty Search Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2014
• Participant, Leadership and Christian Formation in the Early Church Seminar, Calvin College, 2014.
• Peer Reviewer, Political Theology, June 2013; Journal of Scriptural Reasoning, 2013.
• Member, Board of Editors, Perspectives, 2012-Present
• Member, Public Schools Admissions Task Force, Trinity Christian College, 2013
• Member, Theology Department Faculty Search Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2013
• Chair, General Education Learning Outcome Task Force, Trinity Christian College, 2012
• Chair, Communication Studies Faculty Search Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2012
• Member, Adult Studies Faculty Search Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2011
• Member, Adult Studies Faculty Search Committee, Trinity Christian College, 2010
• Interim Co-Chair, Theology Department, Trinity Christian College, 2009-2010
• Coordinator, Christian Theology Graduate Colloquium, University of Virginia, 2007-2008
• Participant, Liturgical Identities Seminar, Calvin College, 2007
• Co-Convener, Graduate Scriptural Reasoning Group, University of Virginia, 2006-2008
• Research Assistant, Charles Mathewes, Dept of Religious Studies, University of Virginia, 2003-2004
• Student Member, Faculty Search Committee, Western Theological Seminary, 2000-2001
• Facilitator, Engaging the Liberal Arts (college immersion program for high school students), Northwestern College, IA, 1997