Borders, C. Jason

Dr. Jason Borders earned his Ph.D. from the London School of Theology, Brunel University, in March 2004. His dissertation, entitled “Place as Mission: Temple Ideology and Function in the Intertextual Relationship of Isaiah 66 to the Temple Scroll and Acts 7,” was successfully defended before committee at Queen’s College, Oxford University, in February 2004. His areas of specialization include Luke–Acts, Isaiah, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. In addition, Dr. Borders holds a Master of Divinity cum laude in Biblical and Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Millsaps College. Non-degree work has taken Dr. Borders to Israel, where he completed the Intensive Summer Ulpan in Modern Hebrew at the University of Haifa (1997), as well as the Graduate Year Program of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1997–98).

Previous positions held by Dr. Borders include Foreign Student Advisor for the University of Mississippi (1998–99), Adjunct Assistant Professor of Religion for Union College (2003), and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies for the Jerusalem Center for Biblical Studies, Israel (1997–2004). While holding the latter position, Dr. Borders led tours throughout Israel for church laity and continues to enjoy traveling and teaching in Israel.

Dr. Borders has presented a number of seminars to churches and colleges on the following topics: “When God is on Our Side: Religion, Politics, and Perspective;” “A Place Called It: A Biblical Perspective of God and Land;” “The Galilean and Judean Ministries of Jesus Christ;” “Christ and the Fifth Gospel;” “Diversity and the International Community;” “First Century Israel and the Ministry of Jesus Christ;” “Political Climate of Modern Israel;” “The 8th Century Prophets;” and “Post-Holocaust Jewish Theology.” In addition, Dr. Borders has published reviews in the Review of Biblical Literature, Themelios, and Ashland Theological Journal.

Dr. Borders believes his career at Huntingdon is fundamentally a ministry of the Church. In fact, Dr. Borders is an Ordained Elder in the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He and his family are members of First United Methodist Church in Montgomery, where he serves as Theologian in Residence. Born in Tupelo, Miss., and growing up as the son of a United Methodist pastor in the Mississippi Conference, Dr. Borders is excited about contributing to Huntingdon’s mission by helping, enabling, and encouraging students as they begin the process of discerning their life’s calling.

And last, but certainly not least, Dr. Borders is the husband of Margaret Borders, whose specialty is medical technology. They have two children, Caleb and Leah Grace. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening, beekeeping, and even a little banjo playing.

Honors

• Exemplary Teacher Award, General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, 2014
• Dr. and Mrs John N. Todd Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2006

Memberships

• Society of Biblical Literature
• The Institute for Biblical Research (Fellow)
• Wesleyan Theological Society

Publications

• Borders, Jason. Review of “New Light on Luke: Its Purpose, Sources and Literary Context,” by Barbara Shellard. Themelios Vol. 28: 91–92 (2003).
• Borders, Jason. Review of “Reading Isaiah: Poetry and Vision,” by Peter D. Quinn-Miscall. Review of Biblical Literature (2003). <http://www.bookreviews.org/bookdetail.asp?TitleId=1994&CodePage=1994>
• Borders, Jason. Review of “Eschatology, Messianism, and the Dead Sea Scrolls,” by Craig A. Evans and Peter W. Flint, eds. Ashland Theological Journal Vol. 34: 165–66 (2002).
• Borders, Jason. Review of “Jesus and the Holy City: New Testament Perspectives on Jerusalem,” by Peter W.L. Walker. Ashland Theological Journal Vol. 33: 129–30 (2001).
• Borders, Jason. Review of “Communities of the Last Days: The Dead Sea Scrolls, the New Testament and the Story of Israel,” by C. Marvin Pate. Ashland Theological Journal Vol. 33: 159–62 (2001).
• Borders, Jason. Review of “The Dead Sea Scrolls in Their Historical Context” by Timothy H. Lim. Ashland Theological Journal Vol. 33: 162–63 (2001).

Personal Quote

“I am very pleased to serve a college that unapologetically claims its relationship with the Church and its commitment to build a community of faith, wisdom, and service. As a person of faith, committed to the Wesleyan understanding of knowledge and vital piety, I am excited about learning and growing in this community as I continue to respond to my calling as a teaching minister of the Church.”