Dr. Stephen Pardue to Join the Litfin Divinity School as Gunther H. Knoedler Chair in Theology

Dr. Pardue, an accomplished theologian with extensive experience in global theological education, will begin his appointment on July 1, 2027.

Wheaton College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Stephen T. Pardue as the Gunther H. Knoedler Chair in Theology in the Litfin Divinity School. Dr. Pardue returns to Wheaton after nearly 15 years of teaching and leadership in theological education in the Philippines. Since 2012, he has served on the theology faculty of the Asia Graduate School of Theology and International Graduate School of Leadership, where he currently directs the Th.M./Ph.D. program in Theological Studies. Under his leadership, the program has grown, serving students from across Asia, many of whom teach in theological institutions throughout the region.

“Steve brings together precisely the qualities we value at the Litfin Divinity School: theological depth, a deep commitment to the church, and a genuinely global vision for evangelical theology,” said Dr. Marc Cortez, Dean of the Litfin Divinity School. “His years of teaching and mentoring Christian leaders across Asia will enrich our students and faculty in significant ways.”

Dr. Pardue earned his Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Wheaton in 2012 under Dr. Daniel J. Treier, who later held the Gunther H. Knoedler Chair in Theology until his passing in December 2025. During his doctoral studies, Pardue also worked closely with Treier as a teaching and research assistant.

Dr. Pardue's scholarship focuses especially on systematic theology, theological interpretation, intellectual humility, and theology in global context. His most recent books include Retrieving Humility: Ancient Christian Wisdom for Modern Discipleship (Cascade, 2026) and Why Evangelical Theology Needs the Global Church (Baker Academic, 2023), which received a 2024 Christianity Today Award of Merit in the Missions/Global Church category. He is also the author of The Mind of Christ: Humility and the Intellect in Early Christian Theology and is currently writing a theological commentary on Acts for T&T Clark's International Theological Commentary series.

His work in Asia has extended well beyond the classroom. Dr. Pardue founded the Center for Theological Inquiry in Asia, a collaborative research center designed to strengthen the Asian church through sustained reflection on Scripture and Christian faith in Asian contexts. He has also served for more than a decade as an editor for the Publications arm of the Asia Theological Association and has edited or co-edited numerous volumes amplifying theological voices from across the Majority World and fostering theological conversation that can benefit from their distinctive contributions.

“It is an honor to be joining a team of exceptional colleagues at the Litfin Divinity School,” Dr. Pardue said. “I’m especially eager to help Wheaton strengthen and expand its partnerships with churches and institutions in the Majority World as it carries out its mission of forming theological leaders who can serve the church and world with Christlike wisdom and humility.”

As the Gunther H. Knoedler Chair in Theology, Pardue will teach across Wheaton's theology programs, mentor graduate and doctoral students, and contribute to the Litfin Divinity School's ongoing work of providing rigorous biblical and theological education in service to the church and the world.