Dr. Mark DeVine is today's Friday Faculty Feature. He is associate professor of divinity at Beeson, where he teaches history and doctrine. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, Dr. DeVine is married to Jackie, and they have two sons.
How long have you been at Beeson? What brought you to Beeson?
I am in my 14th year. Timothy George called me. It was a windy, snowy day in Kansas City in 2007. Dr. George said the sun was shining and the temperature was 65 in Birmingham. So I listened keenly to everything else he said.
What gives you the greatest joy of being a professor at Beeson?
The thought that I might contribute in a positive way to the life of a student who will serve the Lord as a minister of the Word of God.
Why Beeson?
I wanted to work with Timothy George who taught my wife and me when we were in seminary. I wanted to teach more history than I had in my former position and I was intrigued by the interdenominational character of Beeson.
What is a fun fact other people may not know about you?
I once lived across the street from the Marshall Tucker Band which was then called, The Toy Factor for their lead singer Toy Caldwell. My father complained at the loud music that emerged from their tiny garage.
What advice or encouragement would you share with seminarians these days?
Our students who wish to serve in the United States need to face the reality that Christianity is in decline here and that hostility to gospel is on the rise. I hope to point them to resources from the history of the church that can offer tools, models, and guidance to help them strengthen and serve the congregations they will serve.