Dr. James Thobaben appointed Dean of School of Theology and Formation

Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Leslie Andrews is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. James Thobaben as the next Dean of the School of Theology and Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary, effective July 1, 2010.

Dr. Thobaben has served on the Asbury Theology Seminary faculty for 15 years as professor of church and society in the fields of bioethics, social ethics, and sociology of religion. In addition to his faculty role, he serves as the co-pastor of a small rural church, is a part-time professor in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, and operates a small farm. Previously, he worked as an institutional ethicist and as vice-president of a physical rehabilitation facility. He holds degrees from Oberlin College, Yale University, and Emory University.

Dr. Andrews notes, “Dr. Thobaben is distinctly qualified to serve as the Dean of the School of Theology and Formation. His outstanding record of scholarly research coupled with his extensive administrative, teaching, and pastoral work position him well to provide strong leadership to the School of Theology and Formation faculty in their next season of ministry to Christ, students, and Asbury Seminary.”

Dr. Thobaben’s special research interests are disability issues (especially traumatic brain injury related), social benefit from and concern with genetically-modified organisms, fictional portrayals of bioethical issues, the interaction of church and society, and rural life.