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Dr. John J. Davis is President and Professor Emeritus at Grace College &
Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.
 Dr. John J. Davis has greatly impacted several fields in his remarkable career as an archeologist, author, coach, columnist, dean, outdoorsman, pastor, professor, president, missionary, and recording artist. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to parents John and Cathrine Davis, Dr. Davis grew up in a strong Christian home. His father and grandfather were wonderful lay Bible teachers while his mother, who immigrated to the U.S. from Wales, was a model of Christian love for Dr. Davis and his two younger brothers. Dr. Davis accepted the Lord when he was nine years old beginning a life-long call to ministry where he would serve the Lord using his gifts as a speaker, musician, and teacher. As a young teenager he developed a passion for theology, preaching his first sermon when he was just 16. A gifted athlete in high school, Dr. Davis excelled at football, baseball, and basketball, competing in roller skating competitions, and performed in his own Christian Country Band at Youth for Christ outings and church events. A solid student, Dr. Davis chose Trinity College for his undergraduate studies. There he served as a pastor in Tampa, Florida, played basketball, and met his wife of 50 years, Carolyn, a varsity cheerleader. For graduate studies, they moved to Indiana where Dr. Davis completed three degrees at Grace Theological Seminary. While a student, he was hired to teach an undergraduate course in Biblical archeology and coach baseball for Grace College. Later, the Seminary hired him onto its faculty where he would serve as professor, director of admissions, executive vice president, and finally, as president from 1986 - 1993.
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5 Books that Made Greatest Impact on Spiritual Walk |
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#1 Lectures to My Students |
#2 Cries of the Heart |
#3 My Utmost for His Highest |
#4 Bible Characters |
#5 Ashamed of the Gospel |
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Charles Spurgeon |
Ravi Zacharias |
Oswald Chambers |
Moody,Talmage & Parker |
John MacArthur | | |
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Latest Book Release
Dr. Davis’ latest book release (2008) is Conquest and Crisis: Studies in Joshua, Judges, and Ruth by BMH Books.
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Beyond his work at Grace, Dr. Davis has also thrived. He is widely regarded as an expert archeologist having been a Senior Supervisor at numerous sites in Israel and Jordan. Among his countless publications are journal articles for Tri-State Outdoor News, Andrews University Seminary Studies, Bulletin of Near East Archeological Society, and Grace Journal as well as a weekly newspaper column called “Outdoor Scene.” In addition, he has penned 18 books including Paradise to Prison, Moses and the Gods of Egypt, Biblical Numerology, and his latest work, Conquest and Crisis (2008), by BMH Books. While he retired in 2003, Dr. Davis’ ministry engagement has not slowed down. He leads Wild Game Dinners and conducts fishing clincs in churches across the country. He also continues working on his music career having released his seventh and latest CD “Hawaiian Sunset”, a compellation of traditional Hawaiian love songs. His most recent international trip was a series of Biblical lectures he gave in Albania at Southeastern Europe Theological Seminary in Tirana. Today, he and his wife, the proud parents of one daughter, live in Warsaw, Indiana where he is actively engaged in the community, teaches at church, and plays in a local bluegrass gospel band all the while preparing for his next archeological dig which should take place in the next two years. |
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Getting at the Heart of an Old Testament Scholar
Which professors most impacted you in pursuit of Old Testament Studies?
“Two professors stand out. Dr. Stanly Condon and Dr. Eugene Bragg, both from Trinity College. They invested a great deal of time with me and really challenged me intellectually and spiritually and really changed me personally. On the Seminary level, it was Dr. Herbert Bess and John Whitcomb. Both of these men challenged me to dig deep in the text and to make sure it found application in my life.”
Why did you choose Grace Theological Seminary for your M.Div. work?
“When it became clear I was interested in Old Testament and Archeological Studies, I wanted a school that was strong in both. Dr. Condon highly recommended Grace and when I did research, I found that Grace had a wonderful reputation and it was the kind of evangelical community I desired.”
In your opinion, who is the greatest Old Testament Scholar ever?
“There are so many. One that made a great impression on me was Dr. Elmer Smick of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I was able to travel with him overseas and I was so impressed with his skills especially in Semitic Languages. Also, J. Barton Payne. His broad knowledge of so many topics was impressive. Then today, Dr. Walter Kaiser. His work and the breadth of his skills are impressive and God-honoring. He has an incredible understanding of the Scriptures and their Near Eastern contexts.”
What advice would you give current Old Testament Students?
“Really explore the genuine competence of the professors you will be studying under. You want to experience a wide diversity of courses in your subject area. Also, make sure you have mastered the original languages of Scripture.”
What projects are you currently work on?
“I am working on two projects. The first is a work called Contemporary Counterfeits. The second is called If God Really Loves Me Why Am I Hurting? Then, I plan on doing commentaries on Jonah and Obadiah.”
How would you describe yourself?
“As somebody who loves to experience all of life. I enjoy trying new things in life and ministry. I love being with diverse people and hope when I die I would be known as someone who could sit down and relate to anybody for the sake of the gospel.” |
“I had a great home life with wonderful Christian parents who encouraged me in spiritual things and also encouraged me to attempt new things.”
– Dr. Davis reflecting on his parents' impact |
Impact of the Professor
“Dr. Davis has brought to the illumination of the historical record the contributions of many disciplines that are currently making fresh impact on Biblical studies.”
—S. Herbert Bess, Former O.T. Professor Grace Theological Seminary.
“Dr. John Davis is well known as a man of varied talents and accomplishments. Several include: an archeological scholar and senior staff member on eleven expeditions, pastor of two churches, newspaper columnist and outdoor writer. In addition, he served as one of the translators of the NIV Bible. Dr. Davis also was executive vice president for six years and president for seven years of Grace Schools. Those who know him well appreciate his wonderful sense of humor, his gracious spirit, and his passion for the local church.”
-Dr. Jeff Gill., Dean of Grace Theological Seminary
Email a Comment on the Impact
Dr. Davis has made on You | | | | |
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Dr. John J. Davis, Th.D., D.D.
(1936-)
Position:
President and Professor Emeritus at Grace College & Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana.
Ordination:
Ordained in 1962 by the Grace Brethren Church
Church Affiliation:
Winona Lake Grace Brethren Church in Winona Lake, Ind.
Family:
Wife: Carolyn (50 years)
Children: 1 Daughter
Education:
B.A. Trinity College, Florida (Biblical Studies) – 1959
M.Div. Grace Theological Seminary (Old Testament) – 1962
Grad. S Near East School of Archeology, Jerusalem (Archeology) - 1963
Th.M. Grace Theological Seminary (Old Testament and Hebrew) – 1964
Th.D. Grace Theological Seminary (O.T. & Archeology) – 1967
Post D. University of Edinburgh, Scotland - 1972
D.D. Trinity College, Florida– 1996
Professional Experience:
1956-1959 Pastor Faith Bible Church, Tampa Florida
1962 Ordained in Grace Brethren Church
1962-1964
Varsity Baseball Coach, Grace College
1963-1965
Instructor in Biblical Archeology Grace College
1965-Current
Bible Conference Speaker
1965-2003
Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Grace Theological Seminary
1970-1971
Executive Dean of Near East Institute of Archeology, Jerusalem
1971-1974
Pastor Centerview Community Church, South Whitley, Ind.
1974-2003
Senior Staff Member at Archaeological Expeditions in Jordan, Israel, & Central and North America.
1972-1976
Director of Admissions, Grace Theological Seminary
1976-1982
Executive Vice President, Grace College & Theological Seminary
1980-Current
Columnist for “Outdoor Scene” in Warsaw Times-Union Newspaper
1986-1993
President of Grace College & Theological Seminary
1995-Current
Recording Artist for Hawaiian and Gospel Music
International Outreach:
Dr. Davis has spent time in 44 countries doing ministry and archeological work. He has taught and preached extensively, but his work in Indonesia, Singapore, Hungary, Albania, Central America, Jordan, and Israel stand out the most.
Hobbies:
Photography
Hawaiian & Gospel Music
Lead Wild Game Dinners
Conduct Fishing Clinics
Hunt/Fish in Midwest U.S.
Hangoutat Coffee Shops
Sports (Played golf with Billy Graham)
Life Verses:
"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
-JOSHUA 24:14-15
“Joshua 24:14-15 has made the greatest impact. It encourages us to fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and truth. It also teaches that we must purse God and forsake things of this world.”
ITS Courses by this professor
LG 501 Conquest & Settlement
LG 502 United Monarchy
Professor Websites/Blogs
Dr. John Davis Ministries
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Dr. Davis' Perfect Day
“It would begin with early meditation in God’s Word followed by fishing on the lake in my bass boat. I would have lunch with friends and then return to fish until the sunset. I would then have a wonderful home-cooked dinner with my wife followed by a jam session with my guitar singing gospel songs late into the night.”
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