"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."
Romans 1:16, NIV
Dr. David S. Ritsema serves as Assistant Dean of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary and as Assistant Professor of New Testament. He earned a B.A. in Christian Ministry from ETBU, an M.Div. from George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in New Testament from B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary. His doctoral dissertation, *Divine Messiah: A Portrait of Jesus in the Johannine Literature*, explored the Christological witness of John’s Gospel and Letters.
His research focuses on the Gospel of John, New Testament Christology, and biblical theology, with interest in how scholarship shapes the church’s preaching, discipleship, and mission. He has presented papers at regional, national, and international meetings, including Regent’s Park (Oxford), the St. Andrews Symposium on the Divine Son of God (Scotland), and the Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting (Berlin). He has authored more than 15 books and commentaries, along with numerous scholarly articles, reviews, and essays, contributing to both church and academic communities.
Dr. Ritsema has served in pastoral ministry for over 25 years (notably 13 years at First Baptist Church of Waxahachie and five years at Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin), providing leadership that brought congregations into growth and renewal. His ministry includes increases in membership and attendance, expansion of staff and ministries, capital campaigns, debt elimination, construction of new facilities, and relocation to expanded campuses.
He has been involved in professional societies including the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), Evangelical Theological Society (ETS), Institute for Biblical Research (IBR), American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), and the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion (NABPR).
He and his wife, Kristin, have five children. His life and work are rooted in a commitment to the gospel, the local church, and preparing disciples for faithful service in God’s kingdom.