Western Theological Seminary
Professor / Writer / Theologian
About
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.”
Curriculum Vitae
Education
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
Employment
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
Recent Teaching
- Introduction to Theological Research
- Major World Religions
- Biblical Perspectives
- Biblical Foundations: The Old Testament and the Gospels
- The Pentateuch
- Theology of the Church
- The New Testament Church and Christian Traditions
- Christian Systematic Theology
- Barth and Bonhoeffer
- Theology Capstone
- Theology, Race and Place
- Religion in America
- Augustine and Aquinas
Professional Societies and Academic Service
- 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
Church Service
- Interim Chaplain, Calvin College, Grand Rapids MI, 2001
- Outreach Intern, Central Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, MI, 1999