Dr. Michael D. Matlock

Associate Professor of Inductive Biblical Studies and Old Testament

Expertise:

• Old Testament
• Inductive Biblical Studies
• Jewish Writings and History of the Second Temple Period
• Early Rabbinic Literature

Education:

• Ph.D., Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
• M.Phil., Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion
• M.Div., Asbury Theological Seminary
• B.A., Southern Wesleyan University

Dr. Michael D. Matlock joined the Asbury Seminary faculty as an assistant professor of Inductive Biblical Studies in 2008 and attained the rank of associate professor in 2010.  He taught biblical languages at Asbury Seminary as an affiliate and adjunct instructor (2001-2008) and teaching fellow (1998-2001).  In 2003, he taught biblical Hebrew to rabbinical and graduate students at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati as a visiting instructor.  Professor Matlock regularly teaches Scripture study courses in the Pentateuch, Minor Prophets, Psalms, and the Gospel of Matthew.  He also teaches Second Temple Judaism courses for PhD and ThM students.  He understands his calling here at Asbury Seminary is to teach Scripture for the sake of God’s world. 

Matlock is engaged in biblical and theological scholarship for both the church and the academic guild.  He has written a host of articles for the New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press) as well as articles for scholarly journals and invited essays for serial volumes such as Studies in Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity (T&T Clark).  His first book, Discovering the Traditions of Prose Prayers in Early Jewish Literature (Library of Second Temple Studies series; London/New York: T&T Clark), will be published in March 2012.  He is currently writing his second book for clergy and seminary students, a treatment of the greater significance and perceived problems of the First Testament for Christians.

Dr. Matlock is an ordained elder in the North Carolina West District of the Wesleyan-Methodist Church.  He consults with churches to help plan and build effective programs for congregations in the areas of Bible and theology through adult forums, workshops, and seminars.  For a single occasion or for a series, he preaches and teaches on such areas as the Psalms and Spiritual Formation, Daniel and the Apocalypse, Prayers in the Bible, Prayer in Early Judaism, Old Testament, Bible Study Methodology, Apocrypha, and Rabbinics.  If you would like Professor Matlock to speak at your church, parachurch function, institution, or organization, please click on the booking link below for more information which includes a range of his teaching areas.

Dr. Matlock is married to Robin Orander Matlock and they have three children, Madeline, Raleigh, and Isaac.  

To hear Professor Matlock preach a homily on Psalm 36 in Estes Chapel, click on the following link:  http://media.asburyseminary.edu/podcasts/files/audio/20110112.mp3