Matthew Millsap
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Dean of Library Services
At a Glance
Biography
Dr. Millsap serves as Dean of Library Services and Associate Professor of Christian Studies. Following the completion of his Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Millsap joined the faculty of Midwestern in 2015. He also earned the M.Div. degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2006 and a B.S. in business administration from Arkansas Tech University in 2003.
In addition to pursuing additional studies in library and information sciences, Dr. Millsap’s research interests include the intersection of theology and popular culture, as evidenced by his dissertation, “Playing with God: A Theoludological Framework for Dialogue with Video Games.” While at Southwestern, Dr. Millsap taught undergraduate courses such as Virtues of Godly Character, Disciple Making, and was a lecturer in master’s-level systematic theology courses. He sees the professor in a seminary setting uniquely suited both to equip ministers for God’s service and to shepherd them spiritually toward that purpose through demonstrating the connection between theological studies and the life of faith, through mentoring and leading by example. For Dr. Millsap, the classroom is the primary locus of intersection between belief, knowledge, and action.
Dr. Millsap is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, the Popular Culture Association, and American Mensa. He is married to Susan, and together they have three children.
Education
B.S. in Business Administration, Arkansas Tech University
M.L.I.S., University of Missouri
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Faculty Q&A
The “For the Church” vision of MBTS spurs me to structure the content of my courses in such a way as to enhance the future ministries of my students. We draw direct application of the material to the context of local church ministry and to how the material relates to the people these future ministers will serve.
I love teaching at MBTS because the students here are so eager to learn and to grow. When the heart of the student is one that desires to serve the Lord through a time of dedicated preparation for ministry, it makes the job of the professor so much more joyful as we work together to ready the student for service to the church.
I am encouraged by how open the next generation of pastors and ministry leaders are to the Lord’s work in their lives. Over my time at MBTS, I have had personal conversations with multiple students about what God has done in their lives, how he brought them to MBTS, and how he has met their needs. Many times, my students have been a source of encouragement to me as I have learned more about who they are and who they want to become to the glory of God.
