Four appointed to Scarborough College faculty

Four new professors have been appointed to the faculty of Scarborough College, President Adam W. Greenway announced during Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s spring meeting of the board of trustees, April 13.

“With the addition of these new faculty, our college will be infused with even greater academic rigor and proven ministers of the Gospel who will model the scholarship on fire for which this institution has long been known,” said Greenway. “I am eager for our college students to learn from these scholar-ministers, who will help to shape them to serve the Lord with excellence wherever they are called.”

M. Todd Bates has been appointed professor of philosophy and associate dean of Scarborough College. He completed his Bachelor of Arts at the University of Central Florida (1992), his Master of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School (1995), and his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Arlington (2001). He has pastored churches in Alabama, Florida, and Texas, and his academic experience includes roles at Criswell College in Dallas, Patrick Henry College in Virginia, California Baptist University, and Houston Baptist University, where he served as dean of the School of Christian Thought. 

“Dr. Bates comes to Scarborough College with a wealth of experience,” said Scarborough College dean Benjamin M. Skaug. “He is a proven scholar, leader, and professor who loves and serves the local church. He is the right combination of what we are looking to model at the college.” 

Blake McKinney has been appointed assistant professor of history. He earned his B.A. from Union University (2008), his M.Div. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (2011), and his Master of Arts (2015) and Ph.D. (2021) in history from the University of Alabama, where he has served for six years as a teaching assistant and five years as an instructor. He is a member of the American Society of Church Historians, Conference on Faith and History, Council for European Studies, German Studies Association, and Southern Historical Association. 

Skaug called McKinney “a bright young scholar who already has a number of academic articles to his credit. His passion for church history will be evident to all of his future students.”

Joshua M. Philpot has been appointed assistant professor of biblical studies. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Liberty University (2005) and his M.Div. (2009) and Ph.D. (2013) from Southern Seminary. His ministerial experience includes service in Ohio, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas. He has served as an adjunct professor at Houston Baptist University and Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona, and is one of the editors of The Law, the Prophets, and the Writings: Studies in Evangelical Old Testament Hermeneutics (B&H Academic).

Skaug said Philpot is coming to Scarborough College “to help us build on our foundation of biblical theology as one of the hallmarks” of the school. 

Justin Wainscott has been appointed assistant professor of Christian ministry and director of Discipleship and Campus Ministries. He completed his B.A. at Union University (2002), his M.Div. at Beeson Divinity School (2005), and his Doctor of Ministry at Southern Seminary (2015). He has served in multiple roles at churches across Tennessee and Kentucky, most recently as senior pastor for over a decade at First Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee. His academic experience includes serving as adjunct professor at Union University and as a high school teacher at Trinity Christian Academy in Jackson. He is the author of Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise: Hymns and Poems (Resource Publications).

Skaug called Wainscott “a gifted preacher of God’s Word and a proven disciple-maker. He will bring years of pastoral experience to our campus as he seeks to help our students grow in Christlikeness.”

Of these four appointments, interim provost David S. Dockery said, “Dean Ben Skaug has brought a fresh vision and new energy to the undergraduate programs at Southwestern Seminary. A testimony to his leadership can be seen with the outstanding new faculty members who will be joining us in philosophy, biblical studies, history, and ministry-related areas. Todd Bates, Blake McKinney, Josh Philpot, and Justin Wainscott will serve our undergraduate students with excellence and enhance the overall work of Southwestern Seminary.”

The appointment of Wainscott is effective June 1; the others are effective July 1.