Dean, School of Theology and Formation
Associate Provost for Institutional Effectiveness
Professor of Bioethics and Social Ethics

Expertise:

• Bioethics
• Social Ethics
• Sociology of Religion
• Rural Life

Education:

• B.A., Oberlin College, 1976
• M.Div., Yale Divinity School, 1979
• M.P.H., Yale Medical School, 1984
• Ph.D., Emory University, 1994

Dr. James R. Thobaben came to Asbury Theological Seminary in 1995 with a wide range of experience in ethics. Most recently he served as Vice President for Ethics and Research at Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center. He was also a visiting Ethics Scholar at the University of Missouri’s Molecular Biology Program. He is author of Healthcare Ethics: A Comprehensive Christian Resource.

In addition to his work at the seminary, Dr. Thobaben is co-pastor at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Mercer County, Ky.

Dr. Thobaben and his wife, Marcelyn, have two grown children.