Faculty
David L. Matson
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies
Phone: (714) 879-3901 x1287
Email: dlmatson@hiu.edu
Office: Nutwood Rm 216
EDUCATION:
- Ph.D., Baylor University
- M.A., Pepperdine University
- B.A., Pacific Christian College of Hope International University
BIOGRAPHY:
David Lertis Matson is a native southern Californian who joined the faculty of Hope International University (formerly Pacific Christian College) in August 2004 as Associate Professor of Biblical Studies. Prior to this appointment, he served as Minister of the Westwood Hills Christian Church in Los Angeles (1999-2003) and as Assistant Professor of Bible at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tennessee (1995-1999). He has a deep and abiding passion for teaching the scriptures and for injecting biblical scholarship into the life and ministry of the church.
Dr. Matson holds the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Religion (Biblical Studies-New Testament) from Baylor University, the Master of Arts degree in Religion (Biblical Studies) from Pepperdine University, and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Growth/Preaching from Pacific Christian College. He has also studied at the University of California at Los Angeles and at Fuller Theological Seminary. The author of numerous articles and book reviews, his Household Conversion Narratives in Acts: Pattern and Interpretation was published by Sheffield Academic Press in 1996 as part of its prestigious Journal for the Study of the New Testament dissertation series. In addition to his duties at Hope, Dr. Matson teaches regularly at Fuller Theological Seminary and Pepperdine University as an adjunct professor of New Testament.
Dr. Matson and his wife Mary are the proud parents of three children: Bryce, Brandon, and Brooke. Together, they enjoy attending their children’s sporting events as well as being involved in their local church. Dr. Matson’s classroom style can be aptly summarized by a placard he often brings to the first day of class: “I am subject to bursts of enthusiasm!”
COURSES:
- Hebrew History and Literature
- Early Christian History and Literature
- Greek I and II
- Tools for Literary Exegesis and Analysis
- Upper Division New Testament courses (Gospels, Pauline Epistles)
- Professional Issues in Biblical Perspective
KEY AWARDS/AFFILIATIONS:
- Rose B. and Edgar B. McReynolds Faculty Excellence Award, Hope International University (2006)
- Faculty Appreciation Award, presented by the Student Government Association, Milligan College (1999)
- International Society of Theta Phi, Emmanuel School of Religion Chapter (1996)
- E. L. Dwyer Academic Scholarship, Baylor University (1992-93)
- University Scholarship, Baylor University (1990-91)
- Graduate Fellowship, Baylor University (1988-90)
- Kenneth Stewart Academic Scholarship, Pepperdine University (1982)
- Pi Beta Sigma Honor Society, Pacific Christian College (1981)
- Merit Scholarship, Pacific Christian College
ACADEMIC INTERESTS:
- Integration of biblical faith and critical scholarship
- Relationship of exegesis to theological method and hermeneutics
- Role and function of the Bible in American public discourse
- Role of critical biblical scholarship in the life of the church
PUBLICATIONS:
| 2008 | "Who Wrote the Lunenburg Letter? The Untold Story of the 'Conscientious Sister' of Lunenburg," Stone-Campbell Journal 11 (2008): 3-28 |
| 2006 | “Tuning the Faith: The Cornelius Story in Resonance Perspective,” Perspectives in Religious Studies 33 (2006): 449-465. |
| 2006 | “Apostolic Church: The Significance of the Sent Community in the Gospel of John,” Leaven 14 (2006): 9-15. |
| 2003 | Outside Reviewer for The Custom of Hospitality in Antiquity and Its Importance for Interpreting Acts 9:43-11:18, by Andrew E. Arterbury (Society of Biblical Literature Academia Biblica series). |
| 2001 | “What Does Church Have to Do with God? A Case for Historic Christian Worship” The Christian Standard (June 10, 2001): 10-13. |
| 2001 | Review of Preaching the Gospel of Luke: Proclaiming God’s Royal Rule, by Keith F. Nickle, in Interpretation 55 (2001): 199-200. |
| 2000 | “Freedom or Fortune: Discerning Paul’s Basis for Ethics,” Leaven 8 (2000): 180-82. |
| 2000 | Review of Conversion in the New Testament: Paul and the Twelve, by Richard V. Peace, in Interpretation 54 (2000): 326. |
| 2000 | “Cornelius,” Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible, ed. David Noel Freedman. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. |
| 2000 | “Zacchaeus,” Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. |
| 2000 | “Revelation in Perspective,” Leaven 8 (2000), editor. “‘Outside Are the Dogs’: Interpreting Revelation’s Hate Language,” Leaven 8 (2000): 40-47. |
| 1999 | Review of “Through Many Tribulations”: The Theology of Persecution in Luke-Acts, by Scott Cunningham, in Religious Studies Review 25 (1999): 303. |
| 1998 | Review of Luke1:1-9:50 and Luke 9:51-24:53, by Darrel L. Bock, in Religious Studies Review 24 (1998): 85. |
| 1997 | Review of The Davidic Messiah in Luke-Acts, by Mark L. Strauss, in Religious Studies Review 23 (1997): 184. |
| 1997 | “Ministry in Luke-Acts,” Leaven (Summer Quarter), editor. |
| 1996 | Household Conversion Narratives in Acts: Pattern and Interpretation. JSNT Supplement Series 123. Sheffield Academic Press. |
| 1995 | “Breaking the Bread, Breaking the Veil: Recognition of Jesus at Emmaus,” Leaven 3 (1995): 8-12. |
| 1995 | Review of The Ongoing Feast: Table Fellowship and Eschatology at Emmaus, by Arthur A. Just, Jr., in Interpretation 46 (1995): 208. |
| 1995 | Review of Leadership and Discipleship: A Study of Luke 22:24-30, by Peter K. Nelson, Religious Studies Review 21 (1995): 235. |
| 1995 | Review of New Views on Luke and Acts, by Earl Richard, ed., in Religious Studies Review 21 (1995): 235. |
| 1992 | Review of Luke, by Fred B. Craddock, in Interpretation 46 (1992): 91. |
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:
| 2008 | "'Repairing the World': A Metaphor for Resurrection," Forest Lawn Monthly Employees Meeting, Glendale, CA |
| 2008 | "Who Wrote the Lunenburg Letter? The Untold Story of the 'Conscientious Sister' of Lunenburg," Stone Campbell Journal National Conference, Cincinnati, OH |
| 2008 | "Introduction to 1 Thessalonians," "Introduction to Ephesians," Roman Catholic Archdiocese Diaconate Training, Sylmar, CA |
| 2006 | Bible Lecturer, Regional Assembly, Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
| 2006 | “‘It Has Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit and to Us’: Encouraging the Church to Think Theologically,” Theological Presentation to the Pacific Southwest Regional Board of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) |
| 2005 | Panel Member—Leaven Symposium on the Gospel of John, 62nd Annual Bible Lectures, Pepperdine University |
| 2005 | “I Wish You Happiness,” Baccalaureate Address, Pepperdine University |
| 2003 | “Resonance: A New Approach to the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and a Biblical Case Study” (with Warren S. Brown), Society for the Study of Psychology and Wesleyan Theology |
| 2002 | “Permanence and Change: Toward a Biblical Understanding of God” (Stone- Campbell Journal National Conference) |
| 2001 | Panel Member—“God and Politics,” University of Judaism, Los Angeles, CA (Jan. 25, 2001). |
| 2001 | Panel Member—“God and Animal Rights,” University of Judaism, Los Angeles, CA (Jan. 18, 2001). |
| 1991 | “Parousia or Temple Judgment: The Meaning and Function of Mark 13:24-27 in the Olivet Discourse” (Society of Biblical Literature, Southwest Region). |
HOBBIES/INTERESTS:
Biking, golfing, traveling, spending time with family, discussing theology
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION:
William Ayers tells Frederick Douglas’s story of his learning to read as a slave, though it was forbidden for slaves to read. His master’s wife, however, taught him to read the Bible in hopes that he would come closer to God. When the master discovered the crime, he exploded: “It will unfit him to be a slave!” . . . . Education will unfit anyone to be a slave . . . education is for self-activating explorers of life, for those who would challenge fate, for doers and activists, for citizens. Training is for slaves, for loyal subjects, for tractable employees, for willing consumers, for obedient soldiers (from William Ayers, To Teach: The Journey of a Teacher).
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES FOR NEW TESTAMENT STUDY:
Study Bibles
HarperCollins Study Bible (HarperCollins)
New Interpreter’s Study Bible (Abingdon)
New Oxford Annotated Bible (3 rd. Edition) (Oxford)
Commentary Series
Abingdon New Testament Commentary (Abingdon)
Anchor Bible Commentary (Doubleday)
Baker Exegetical Commentary (Baker Books)
Black’s New Testament Commentary (Hendrickson)
Brazos Theological Commentary (Brazos)
International Critical Commentary (T&T Clark)
Interpretation (Westminster/John Knox)
IVP New Testament Commentary (InterVarsity)
New American Commentary (Broadman)
New Century Bible Commentary (Eerdmans)
New International Biblical Commentary (Hendrickson)
New International Commentary (Eerdmans)
New International Greek Testament Commentary (Eerdmans)
New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary (Abingdon)
New Testament Library (Westminster John Knox)
NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan)
Sacra Pagina (Liturgical Press)
Pillar New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans)
Tyndale New Testament Commentary (Eerdmans)
Word Biblical Commentary (Word Books)
Specialized Commentaries
IVP Bible Background Commentary (InterVarsity)
People’s New Testament Commentary (One-Volume) (Westminster/John Knox)
Atlas
Atlas of the Bible Lands (Hammond)
IVP Atlas of Bible History (InterVarsity)
Bible Dictionaries
Anchor Bible—6 Vols. (Doubleday)
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary—1 Vol. (Eerdmans)
New Bible Dictionary—1 Vol. (InterVarsity)
New Testament Introduction/Theology
An Introduction to the New Testament (R. Brown)
Introduction to the New Testament (W. Kummel)
New Testament Introduction (D. Guthrie)
New Testament Theology (D. Guthrie)
New Testament Theology (I. H. Marshall)