Robert A. Berg 4371 East Misty Woods Street Springfield, MO 65809 Telephone 417 830-9104 (cell) 417 865-2815, ext. 8523 (office) e-mail: [email protected]
Current Position
Professor of New Testament, Evangel University
Education
Drew University, 1983-88 Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, May 1988 (Dissertation: Pneumatology and the History of the Johannine Community: Insights from the Farewell Discourses and the First Epistle, 320 pp., principal adviser: William Stroker) Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 1976-78 M.T.S. in New Testament, May 1978 General Theological Seminary, New York, 1977 New York Theological Seminary, 1977 Wheaton College, 1971-74 B.A. in Social Science, December 1974 Columbia University, New York, NY, 1973-74
Experience
Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri Chair, Core Curriculum Committee, since 2015 Director of LifeWorks: The Center for Leadership & Life Calling, 2006-2012 Chair, Department of Theology, 2003-2006 Professor of New Testament, since 1989
Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri Adjunct professor, since 1990
Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania Chair, Bible and Theology Division, 1988-89 Assistant professor of New Testament and Theology, 1986-1989
New York Extension School of Valley Forge Christian College, 1979-1985 Assistant Pastor, Glad Tidings Tabernacle, New York, NY, 1975-76, 1980-83 Assistant Pastor, Trinity Temple, Fayetteville, AR 1978-79
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Selected Accomplishments and Awards
Received the E. M. and Estella Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship, and Service at Evangel University, May, 2018.
Created and taught new interdisciplinary general education courses that integrate the study of theology, history, literature, music, art, and philosophy:
Order: Exploring the nature of our world Humanity: Exploring the nature of the human being Culture: Exploring the nature of human creativity
As Director of LifeWorks: The Center for Leadership and Life Calling,
Served as liaison with the Lilly Endowment, the source of funding for a $2 million grant received in 2002; submitted annual assessment and financial reports, for department with $400,000 annual budget
Supervised innovative, multidisciplinary program incorporating career development, leadership, strengths education, service trips, and volunteerism
Initiated, planned, and supervised campus-wide student thematic Conference Day, 2006-2011; session topics ranged from philosophy to pop culture, dramatic presentations to ethics panels, including visiting presenters such as a local rabbi and Roman Catholic bishop. Sessions required interaction with all academic departments, and fostered collaboration among faculty from different disciplines.
Memberships in Professional Societies
Society of Biblical Literature Society for Pentecostal Studies Association for Interdisciplinary Studies
Publications
“How Primitive!” The Modern Pentecostal Movement as a Reflection of Cultural “Primitivism.” Interdisciplinary Studies: Integrated Approaches to Christian Theology and Praxis. Martin William Mittelstadt and Paul Lewis, eds. Wipf & Stock, 2016.
“The Antichrists Speak: A Message to the Community of 1 John.” ‘But These Things Are Written…’: Collected Essays on Johannine Literature in Honor of Ben Aker. Craig S. Keener, Jeremy S. Crenshaw, and Jordan Daniel May, eds. Pickwick, 2014.
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“Pentecostals, Postmodernism, and The Shack.” Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and Restoration: Multidisciplinary Studies from a Pentecostal Perspective. Martin William Mittelstadt and Geoffrey W. Sutton, eds. Pickwick, 2010.
“Judaism, Relationship to,” “Memphis Miracle,” and “Non-Pentecostal Christians, Relationship to.” Encyclopedia of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity, Stanley Burgess, ed. Berkshire, 2006.
Common Idea, Divine Intention.” College Faith: 150 Christian Leaders And Educators Share Faith Stories from Their Student Days. Roland Alan Knott, ed. Andrews University Press, 2002.
“1,2,3 John” in Full Life Bible Commentary to the New Testament. French L. Arrington and Roger Stronstad, eds. Zondervan, 1999.
The Writings of John. Spiritual Discovery Series. Gospel Publishing House, 1999.
“Jesus: Who is Jesus-Really?” Pentecostal Evangel, March 22, 1998.
“1913-16: The Oneness Controversy” Pentecostal Evangel, May 31, 1998.
Review of Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, edited by Walter Elwell (Baker, 1996), Enrichment, Fall 1997.
Review of Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity, by David Wenham (Eerdmans, 1995), Enrichment, Spring 1997.
Editorial Work
Translator, 1-3 John in Modern English Version. Charisma House, 2014.
Technical Review of The Book of Revelation for Dummies. Wiley Publishers, 2007.
Papers Presented:
“All Men are Created Equal: An Introduction to Reception History.” Plenary Address at 2019 Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, March 2019.
“Divine Accommodation(s).” Greater Springfield Professors of Bible Annual Meeting Plenary Session, September 2017.
“Bladerunner: Science Fiction and Being Human.” 2017 Faith and the Arts Conference, September 2017.
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“What is a Requiem?” 2017 Faith and the Arts Conference, September 2017.
“Original Sin?” 2016 Faith & Science Conference, September, 2016.
“Everything Has to do with Everything Else,” Greater Springfield Professors of Bible Annual Meeting, Evangel University, October, 2013.
“Calling: A View from a Pentecostal Liberal Arts University,” Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, Pasadena, CA, March, 2006.
Response to Graham Twelftree’s Work, Biblical Studies Group Pre-Conference Meeting of the Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, March, 2004.
“Review of The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions by Marcus Borg and N.T. Wright, Greater Springfield Professors of Bible, October, 2002.
“We’re the Ones with the Anointing: The Conflict in 1 and 2 John,” Annual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, Springfield, MO, 1999.
“The Assemblies of God View of Scripture,” Springfield Roman Catholic- Pentecostal Dialogue Meeting, March, 1996.
“The Subordination of the Paraclete in John 16:12-15,” Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, New Orleans, LA, November 1991.
Seminars and Sessions Conducted
“All Men are Created Equal,” Evangel University Faculty Joint Session, August, 2019.
“The Integration of Faith and Learning, Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 2016.
“The Integration of Faith and Learning, Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 2015.
“God at Work,” Evangel University Faculty Seminar Joint Session, August, 2013.
2009 Summer Seminar for Faculty: “Integrational Infusion,” Evangel University, June 2009.
“Exploratory Design: An Evangel Approach” (with Dr. Don Tosh), Evangel University Faculty Seminar Session, August 2009.
2008 Summer Seminar for Faculty: “Liberal Arts in the New Global Setting,” 5
Evangel University, June, 2008
“Evangel Ethos Update” (with Dr. Diane Awbrey), Evangel University Faculty Seminar Session, August, 2007.
2007 Summer Seminar for Faculty: “Calling at a Pentecostal Liberal Arts University,” Evangel University, June, 2007
Faculty Workshop on Faith and Learning: “What Integration of Faith and Learning is Not,” College of the Ozarks, August, 2006.
“The Integration of Faith and Learning,” Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 2001.
“The Integration of Faith and Learning,” Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 2000.
“Assessment of ‘Integration’ Essays: Training for Potential Evaluators,” Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 2000.
“The Integration of Faith and Learning,” Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 1999.
“Teaching for the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Life,” Evangel University Faculty Workshop, August, 1998.
Selected Seminars/Conferences Attended
Society for Pentecostal Studies Annual Meeting, often, most recently 2018.
Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, 1990, 2004.
Vocation in Undergraduate Education, Indianapolis, March, 2009.
CCCU International Forum on Christian Higher Education, Dallas, 2006.
2004 Summer Seminar for Faculty: “Cross-Disciplinary Teaching: A Strategy for Exploring the Theological and Moral Dimensions of Vocation,” Evangel University, June, 2004
2005 Summer Seminar for Faculty: “Enhancing the Conversation about The Call,” Evangel University, June 2005
Selected Evangel University Committees/Teams
Academic Council, 1993-94, 99-2000, 2003-2012, 2015-present 6
Core Curriculum Committee, chair 2015-present Campus Planning Council 2003-2012 Work Team on Evangel Outcomes Rubrics, Summer 2010 Task Force on Enrollment, chair 2006 Assemblies of God Task Force for Enhanced Education for Ministry, 2005-2006 2002-2003 Bible/Theology General Education Team Honors Program Committee, 1999-2000 Graduate Council, 1998-present Committee on Integration, chair 1997-2009 Professional Development, 1992-93, chair 1995-96 Ad Hoc Committee on At-Risk Students, 1994-95
Historical Figures Reenacted
Arius, various terms in FRWK 220 since 2010 Augustine and Pelagius, each term in FRWK/HUMN 230 since 2011 James Madison in Debate with Patrick Henry on the proposed US Constitution, Evangel University, April, 2011
Community Involvement
Volunteer with FOBs (Father of the Baby), Springfield Pregnancy Care Center, 2013-2015 Member, Springfield Roman Catholic-Pentecostal Dialogue, 1996- present Usher, Evangel Temple Christian Center, 2002-present Member, Board of Elders, Evangel Temple Christian Center, 1995-2000 Leader, Royal Rangers program, Evangel Temple Christian Center, 1992-98
Grants Received:
Project Envision Summer Grant for Writing, 2005 Evangel University Summer Research Grant, 2002 Pew Charitable Trusts Summer Research Grant, 1997
Professional Honors
Who’s Who Among American College Teachers, 1993, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005
Ministerial Credentials
Ordained, New York District of the Assemblies of God, 1981
References
Rev. Charles Arsenault Senior Pastor, Evangel Temple Christian Center Springfield, MO 417 883-0676 7
Dr. Michael McCorcle Provost Evangel University Springfield, MO 417 865-2815
Dr. Sheri Phillips Vice President for Student Development Evangel University Springfield, MO 417 865-2815
Mr. Steve Proffitt Director of Education and Client Services Pregnancy Care Center Springfield, MO 417 877-0800