‘The heartthrob of the Bible Department,’ also known as Dr. Josh Strahan, is redefining the Biblical teaching style while helping students harness their interest in their faith.
This style brings forth God’s word to students and allows them to search for answers to the questions they encounter through lecture.
“I’m really passionate about the material. I really find Jesus to be a compelling character, and I really try to let him speak for himself as much as possible,” Strahan said. “Overall, Lipscomb students seem to be very interested in spirituality. I get a sense of hunger and interest from them.”
Strahan graduated from Lipscomb in 2004 with a Bachelor’s degree in Bible before continuing on to earn his Ph. D. in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2011. Despite his position, he says that his recruitment to Lipscomb wasn’t filled with much enthusiasm.
“I went to Church of Christ High School in Columbia, Tenn. and Lipscomb recruited from there. Once I got a scholarship to go to Lipscomb, I was lazy, and didn’t apply to any other schools. Once I got in, it just seemed like a natural fit,” Strahan said.
Strahan’s walk with Christ didn’t officially begin until after high school. Like many young teens, he knew of God, but didn’t know who or what He was.
“I grew up in a Christian family, so I’ve always been taught about God. But I don’t know that I connected with the Christian story,” Strahan said. “As I started listening to lecturers like Earl Lavender and reading books by C.S. Lewis and Richard Foster, that’s when my eyes began to open to what Christianity was all about.”
Although he didn’t see it coming, what started as a half-hearted college experience would soon become an overwhelming call to the Christian ministry.
“I came in with no major. I took a psychology class that I really enjoyed, so I figured I might do that. But then I took Biblical Ethics with Lee Camp, and that’s when I started to get the itch,” Strahan said.
Rather than lecture for an hour a day, Strahan says he would rather encourage and welcome student interactions.
“I try to have an open door, and let them know that I care. I’ve counseled several students and do some mentoring with another group,” Strahan said.
Since he primarily teaches Story of Jesus, Strahan deals mostly with freshman. He aspires to be the same beacon for his students that directed him to the proper path during his time studying at Lipscomb.
“I want students to get the same sort of thing that I got out of classes when I was a freshman. I want them to be compelled by my class so that they may come to know Christ more. I hope they leave with a sense of who Jesus is, and a desire to know him,” Strahan said.