JACKSON, Tenn. — Union University has named Nathan Finn of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as dean of the university’s School of Theology and Missions.
Finn, director of the Center for Spiritual Formation and Evangelical Spirituality and associate professor of historical theology and spiritual formation at Southeastern, has taught at the seminary and held a variety of positions there since 2006.
“Nathan is a great teacher, an excellent scholar, a strong churchman, a devoted husband and father and a faithful follower of Christ,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “We are excited that he is joining us at Union and look forward to his leadership and service as we seek to advance our mission and vision.”
“Finn named as dean of Union University’s School of Theology and Missions”
Finn will take over the position previously held by Greg Thornbury, who left Union in 2013 to become president of The King’s College in New York. James Patterson has been the school’s acting dean since then.
“I could not be more excited to be joining the Union family,” Finn said. “I was shaped profoundly by my own education at a Baptist liberal arts college. I look forward to being a part of a comprehensive university where every discipline is engaged from the perspective of the Christian worldview.”
Finn completed his bachelor’s degree from Brewton-Parker College and his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy from SEBTS.
In addition to his role at SEBTS, Finn serves as an adjunct professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he teaches seminars and supervises doctoral students in biblical spirituality.
A prolific writer and editor, Finn is co-author, along with Anthony Chute and Michael Haykin, of “The Baptist Story: From English Sect to Global Movement,” which B&H Academic will release in August. This textbook offers a comprehensive narrative introduction to the Baptist tradition.
In addition to his teaching and writing ministry, Finn is an ordained Southern Baptist minister who previously served in ministry positions in several Southern Baptist churches in Georgia and North Carolina. He is an elder and member at First Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina.
“Nathan Finn is a Bible-man, a gospel-man, and a church-man,” Union Provost C. Ben Mitchell said. “His passion for students, for his discipline, for the church and for the worldwide spread of the gospel of the risen Christ will be infectious.”
Finn and his wife Leah, a full-time homemaker, have been married since 2001. They have four children: Georgia, Baxter, Eleanor and Fuller. He will begin at Union July 1.
