The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has appointed Robert D. Jones as associate professor of biblical counseling. Jones joins the SBTS faculty after serving as a biblical counseling professor for 11 years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
“Dr. Robert Jones is one of the leading figures in the biblical counseling movement,” said R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary. “He combines scholarship and biblical fidelity with clear theological vision and a tremendous ability to translate biblical principles into the lives of others. The appointment of Professor Jones greatly strengthens our biblical counseling faculty and we are extremely pleased he is coming to join us.”
Jones earned a D.Theol. in systematic theology from the University of South Africa in 2015 and a D.Min. in pastoral counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has also earned degrees from the The King’s College, formerly in Briarcliff Manor, New York, and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
Jones has also served since 2006 as an elder and pastor of biblical counseling at Open Door Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. Before moving to Southeastern Seminary in 2004, Jones served for 19 years as lead pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in Hurricane, West Virginia.
“Dr. Robert Jones combines a commitment to scholarship with years of ministry experience and a heart for students,” said Randy L. Stinson, provost and senior vice president for academic administration. “I am delighted that he will be joining our faculty and confident that he will be instrumental in training up future generations of biblical counselors and pastors who faithfully apply God’s Word to those in their care.”
The author of two books, Uprooting Anger and Pursuing Peace, Jones has also contributed several articles, booklets, and book reviews. He is a fellow and certified counselor with the Associate of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), a council board member with the Biblical Counseling Coalition, and a certified conciliator and adjunct instructor at Peacemaker Ministries.
“I believe Southern Seminary plays a prominent and strategic role for advancing the ministry of Christ-centered biblical counseling and care, not only within our convention of churches but also across the broader evangelical landscape,” Jones said. “All around us, people struggle with countless personal and relational problems for which Jesus and his Word provide answers. I look forward to equipping Southern’s students to bring Christ’s help and hope in wise, compassionate ways to those within and outside of the church.”
Jones and his wife, Lauren, have been married for 32 years and have two adult sons. Jones will officially start at Southern Seminary on June 1, 2016.
“These are good days for biblical counseling at Southern Seminary,” said Jeremy P. Pierre, dean of students and associate professor of biblical counseling. “Dr. Jones brings with him decades of experience as a counselor and an instructor. He is thoughtful in a rare way — deeply concerned with the authority of Scripture and wise in its careful application to complex issues.”