W. Tyler Sykora
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Chief of Staff in the Office of the President
At a Glance
Biography
W. Tyler Sykora is the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a pastor at Liberty Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri.
He holds a B.S. and M.S. in exercise science from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, as well as an M.Div. in biblical languages, a Th.M. in pedagogy, and a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His doctoral research was on Paul’s construction metaphor in 1 Corinthians 3:9–17, with special focus on the building materials in verse 12.
Tyler is married to Samantha, and they have four children: Adeline, Jaxson, Lynlee, and Mylah.
Education
B.S. in Exercise Science, Southern Arkansas University
M.S. in Exercise Science, Southern Arkansas University
M.Div. in Biblical Languages, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Th.M. in Pedagogy, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Publications by W. Tyler Sykora
Faculty Q&A
“For the Church” impacts my teaching by keeping the focus of the classroom where it belongs. It is good and right to grow in knowledge of all things, especially God’s Word. However, if that knowledge is divorced from devotion to God and His people, it tends to puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1). “For the Church” is a consistent anchor that tethers us to our calling, and for that, I am incredibly thankful for the privilege of teaching at MBTS.
I love teaching at MBTS for several reasons. I love the committed students that we have the privilege of instructing. I love the Christ-centered colleagues that I get to interact with on a daily basis. I love the God-glorifying chapel services each week. I love serving in an academic context that is “for the Church.” I love that the administration at MBTS supports deep scholarship that is ultimately geared toward serving God’s people. There is no better place to teach.
I am most encouraged by their desire to root what they believe in the Word of God. My students are constantly wanting to see what the Bible has to say on any given matter. They are less convinced of a claim simply because someone well-known said it. Instead, they are a lot more like the Bereans who pored over Scripture to see if what was said was true (Acts 17:11).
