ABILENE—Hardin-Simmons University named Myles Werntz—a graduate of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary—as the next T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Logsdon Seminary.
Werntz, 37, assistant professor of biblical and theological studies for the School of Ministry at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla., begins his duties at Logsdon in January 2016.
He fills the Maston Chair previously held by Bill Tillman, professor of Christian ethics emeritus at HSU. Tillman served as the first Maston Chair from 2000 to 2012 and now is director of theological education for the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
“We are exceedingly pleased to have Dr. Werntz joining Logsdon and HSU in January,” HSU President Lanny Hall said. “His significant scholarship, his past service in church ministry and his impressive academic record are exceptional. I believe he is uniquely qualified to serve in this important position.”
In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Werntz will be plan and direct the annual T.B. Maston Lectures in Christian Ethics and oversee publication of The Window, a semi-annual journal designed to help ministers with sermon preparation, research and ministry to the local church.
The T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics and the lecture series named for Maston honor the legacy of a pioneering 20th century ethics professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“It is seldom that one finds the depth of scholarly achievement and teaching ability in someone so young as Dr. Myles Werntz,” Donald Williford, dean of Logsdon School of Theology and Seminary, said. “I am elated to have someone of his stature join the faculty of Logsdon Seminary. Dr. Werntz brings a solid understanding of Baptist life, an enthusiasm for teaching biblical ethics and a thorough academic preparation to serve as the T. B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics.”
Werntz earned his bachelor of arts degree in English literature from Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. in 2000, his master of divinity degree from Truett Seminary in 2003 and his doctor of philosophy degree in religion from Baylor University in 2011. He served in several volunteer leadership positions at Calvary Baptist Church in Waco.
From 2011 to 2012, Werntz was a temporary lecturer of theology at Truett Seminary, where he was a postdoctoral fellow from 2012 to 2014. Werntz assumed full-time teaching responsibilities at Palm Beach Atlantic University in 2014.
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“We are very pleased that Dr. Werntz has accepted the invitation to fill the Maston Chair at Logsdon,” Thomas Brisco, provost and chief academic officer at Hardin-Simmons, said. “A gifted classroom teacher, Dr. Werntz has already established himself as an emerging voice in the field of biblical ethics.”
Werntz is the author of Bodies of Peace: Nonviolence, Ecclesiology, and Witness, as well as several other chapters and articles on ecclesiology, war and peace, and Christian witness. He also served as editor of two posthumous volumes of work by the Mennonite theologian John Howard Yoder.
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