Curriculum Vitae

Selected Leadership Initiatives at Houston Baptist University

  • Dr. Robert B. Sloan, President of Houston Baptist UniversityDevelopment and ongoing implementation of HBU’s twelve-year vision, The Ten Pillars: Faith and Reason in a Great City
  • Increased emphasis on integrating faith and learning
  • Emphasis on building a stellar faculty of acclaimed Christian scholars
  • Development of HBU’s academic centers, including the Center for Law & Liberty, the Francis Schaeffer Center for Worldview and Culture, the Center for American Evangelism, and the C. S. Lewis Centre in Oxford, England
  • Significant increases in graduate and undergraduate enrollments
  • Implementation of campus-wide retention and student success initiatives
  • Addition of new programs for undergraduates, including those in Cinema and New Media Arts, Multimedia Arts, Great Texts, Classics, and Kinesiology Sport Management
  • Addition of new graduate programs, including a Master of Arts in Apologetics, a Master of Arts in Philosophy, a Master of Fine Arts, and 100% online options for two Master of Education programs
  • Ongoing development and implementation of an online academic program at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
  • EdD in Executive Educational Leadership launched in the fall of 2016, moving HBU to the next level as a comprehensive university – and fulfilling a major goal in the twelve-year vision
  • Houston Theological Seminary launched in the fall of 2016 in partnership with Second Baptist Church
  • Honors College launched in 2008
  • New interdisciplinary Liberal Arts Core Curriculum implemented in 2011
  • Change from quarter calendar to semester calendar
  • Return to full membership status in Division I of the NCAA
  • Decision to join the Southland Conference
  • Decision to add football to athletics programming
  • Implementation of living/learning communities, including the Freshman Village, to build a residential society of learning and enrich the student life experience
  • Significant increases in student residential population during the last five years
  • Election of non-Baptist Christians to the HBU Board of Trustees
  • Construction of the University Academic Center and the six-story Hodo Residence College
  • Renovation of the Brown Administrative Complex, including the M. D. Anderson Student Center and the Bettis Quadrangle
  • Acquisition of the state-of-the-art Bradshaw Fitness Center, formerly known as the Memorial-Hermann Wellness Center
  • Initiatives to renew both the campus and the community through an ongoing review of the University’s master plan and implementation of The Pillars at HBU project

 

Professional Experience in Higher Education

  • President, Houston Christian University, 2006-present
  • Visiting Scholar, University of St Andrews, Spring 2006
  • Chancellor, Baylor University, 2005-2006
  • President, Baylor University, 1995-2005
  • Dean, George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, 1993-1995
  • Professor, Department of Religion, Baylor University, 1983-2006
  • Theology Instructor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, 1980-83
  • Adjunct Instructor, Hardin-Simmons University, Abilene, Texas, 1979-1980

 

Education

  • Doktor der Theologie, University of Basel, Switzerland, insigni cum laude, 1978
  • Post-baccalaureate research, University of Bristol, England, 1973-74
  • M. Divinity, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey, magna cum laude, 1973
  • B.A., Baylor University, cum laude, 1970, Honors Program, with distinction

 

Other Selected Leadership and Service

  • Chairman, Citizens, Inc. Board of Directors, June 2016-present
  • Christian Thinkers Society Board of Directors, June 2014-present – serving as a regular contributor, speaker, and key architect in the ongoing movement
  • Houston Symphony Board of Directors, May 2013-present
  • Greater Houston Partnership Board of Directors, January 2013-present
  • Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, 1995-2006; February 2011-present
  • Memorial-Hermann Healthcare System Community Relations Committee, November 2010-present
  • Marketplace Chaplains USA Charity Golf Committee, August 2010-present
  • The Cullen Trust for Higher Education Board of Trustees, April 2010-present
  • Houston Christian High School Board of Directors, 2008-present
  • Orphan Outreach Board of Directors, 2008-present
  • Citizens, Inc. Board of Directors, 2006-present
  • American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges & Universities Board of Directors, 2003-2004
  • Independent Colleges & Universities of Texas Board of Directors, 2000-2004; Treasurer 2001-2004
  • Chair, Group of Six, 2001-03
  • Chair, Big 12 Board of Directors, 2000-2002

 

Selected Honors and Awards

  • Michael S. Stevens Faithful Citizenship Award from the Texas Area Pastor Council/Houston Area Pastor Council, 2016
  • Hero of Faith Award from Vision America, 2015
  • George Washington Distinguished Service Award from Paul Carrington Chapter #5, Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution, 2009
  • Community Leadership award from Sharpstown Rotary Club, Houston, Texas, 2008
  • Robert B. Sloan, Jr., Endowed Scholarship in Graduate Education established by The Guild at Houston Baptist University, 2006
  • Baylor University Distinguished Alumni Award, 2000
  • Inducted into the Little League Hall of Excellence, 1996
  • Honorary member, Baylor Golden Key Honor Society, 1994
  • Mortar Board Circle of Achievement Award, 1993
  • First Holder of the George W. Truett Chair in Evangelism, Baylor Department of Religion, 1990-2006

 

Selected Professional Associations and Activities

Current Memberships

  • Institute for Biblical Research
  • Society of Biblical Literature
  • Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas

 

Past Memberships

  • Southwest Seminar on the Development of Second Century Christianity
  • Southwest Biblical Seminar
  • National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion
  • North American Patristics Society

 

Activities

  • Panelist at “The Gospel, Homosexuality, and the Future of Marriage,” the 2014 National Conference of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, Tennessee, October 2014
    Topic: “The State of Marriage in American Culture”
  • Featured speaker at Founders’ Day Convocation, Baptist University of the Americas, October 2013
    Topic: “Is There More to the Christian Faith than Dying and Going to Heaven?”
  • Delivered the 3rd annual Drumwright Family Lecture to the Honors College at Baylor University, to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Honors College, October 2012
    Topic: “Read, Watch, and Pray: A Charge to the Custodians and Prophets of the Great Texts”
  • Speaker at “Radical Emancipation: Confronting the Challenge of Secularism,” the 12th annual conference of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, November 2011
    Topic: “Universities and Secularism: The Points of Engagement”
  • Featured speaker at “KJV@400: A Story of Biblical Proportions,” a conference sponsored by the Dunham Bible Museum, Houston Baptist University, October 2011
    Topic: “‘The Hallelujah Chorus’: A Theological Reading of Scripture”
  • Inaugural lecturer at the McCall Lectures on Christian Leadership sponsored by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, September 2011
    Topic: “Servant Leadership: The Cliché Versus the Reality”
  • Participant in a student forum on leadership sponsored by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, September 2011
  • Guest presenter, Memorial-Hermann Southwest Hospital Leadership Workshop, August 2011
    Topic: “Leadership: Implementing the Theory”
  • Guest presenter, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, July 2011 Topic: “The Mission of a Christian University: The Crucial Role of Graduate Programs”
  • Speaker, Distinguished Speaker Series Luncheon at Houston Club, March 2011
  • Keynote speaker, Distinguished Visitors Series at King’s College, New York City, November 2010
  • Keynote speaker at the Breaking Bread program sponsored by the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, November 2008 Topic: “Accepting One’s Mortality: What It Means for Christian Mission, Ethics, and Hope. A Study of Philippians”
  • Presenter at “Credo: The Arts as Expressions of Belief,” a conference sponsored by Houston Baptist University, January 2007
  • Co-convener, Pauline Studies Group, Southwest Region of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1991-93
  • President, Southwest Commission on Religious Studies, 1991-92
  • Vice President, Southwest Commission on Religious Studies, 1990-91
  • National Board of Directors, Institute for Biblical Research, 1990-91
  • Convener, Southwest Region of the Institute for Biblical Research, 1989-93
  • Session moderator at the Colloquium on Gospel Studies (Greco-Roman Institute at Perkins School of Theology, Dallas, Texas), January 28, 1989
  • President, Southwest Region of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1988-89
  • Board of Trustees, The Second Century Journal, 1987-93
  • President Elect, Southwest Region of the Society of Biblical Literature, 1987-88
  • Guest at the annual meeting of the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (Apocalypse Seminar), Atlanta, Georgia, August 1986; Chicago, Illinois, 1993
  • Associate Editor (Book Review), Southwestern Journal of Theology, 1982-83


Academic Publications

Books

  • Discovering I Corinthians (Carmel, NY: Guideposts Associates, Inc., 1985)
  • The Favorable Year of the Lord (Schola Press, 1977)

 

Books Edited

  • Foundations for Biblical Interpretation (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1994)
  • Perspectives on John (Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1993)
  • Five New Testament volumes of The New American Commentary (vol. 23, Mark; vol. 32, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon; vol. 26, Acts; vol. 22, Matthew; and vol. 34, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus)

 

Selected Articles, Chapters in Books

  • “A Biblical Model of Leadership,” a chapter in Christian Leadership Essentials: A Handbook for Managing Christian Organizations, edited by David S. Dockery (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2011)
  • “‘Center,’ ‘Horizon,’ and Rhetorical Focus in Ignatius of Antioch,” an article in Thriving in Babylon: Essays in Honor of A. J. Conyers, edited by David B. Capes and J. Daryl Charles (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2010)
  • “The Baylor Project: A Response,” a chapter in The Baylor Project: Taking Christian Higher Education to the Next Level, edited by Barry G. Hankins and Donald D. Schmeltekopf (St. Augustine’s Press, 2007)
  • “The Favorable Year of the Lord: An Abbreviation and Addenda,” a chapter in Chronos Kairos Christos II, edited by E. Jerry Vardaman (Mercer University Press, 1998)
  • “Ancient Jewish Hermeneutics,” a chapter in Biblical Hermeneutics, A Comprehensive Introduction to Interpreting Scripture (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Press, 1996)
  • “2 Corinthians 2:14-4:6 and ‘New Covenant Hermeneutics’ – A Response to Richard Hays,” Bulletin for Biblical Research,vol. 5, 1995.
  • “Canonical Theology of the New Testament,” in Foundations for Biblical Interpretation (Nashville: Broadman, 1994)
  • “Apostles, Disciples,” in Holman Bible Dictionary (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 1991)
  • “Images of the Church in Paul,” in The People of God: Essays on the Believers Church (Nashville: Broadman, 1991)
  • “‘Signs and Wonders’: A Rhetorical Clue to the Pentecost Discourse,” in With Steadfast Purpose: Essays on Acts in Honor of Henry Jackson Flanders, Jr. (Waco, TX: Baylor University, 1990)

 

Numerous Reviews in Professional Journals

Unpublished Works

  • Romans: A Reader’s Commentary, manuscript completed, pursuing publication
  • “‘Predestination’ (∏POOPIZΩ) in Pauline Tradition: A Christocentric Hope”
  • “The Baptist Center: Its Presuppositions and Applications”

 

Selected Formal Papers

  • “The Summons of Freedom: The Pope, the Apostle Paul, and Alasdair MacIntyre.” Presented November 13, 2009 at the 10th annual fall conference of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana
  • “‘Predestination’ (∏POOPIZΩ) in Pauline Tradition: A Christocentric Hope.” Presented March 1993 to the Southwest Region of the Institute for Biblical Research, Dallas, Texas
  • “Paul and the Law: Another Look.” Presented March 14, 1992 to the Pauline Epistles Section of the Southwest Commission of the Society of Biblical Literature, Dallas, Texas
  • “Intertextuality and the Interpretive Shifts in 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6: New Covenant Hermeneutics?” Presented November 17, 1990 to the Pauline Epistles Section of the Society of Biblical Literature, New Orleans, Louisiana