Daniel Hill, Ph.D. 2018

Assistant Professor of Christian Theology
Truett Seminary

"I present for your consideration, Hebrews 1,” Dr. Treier told our Christology class. We had spent the past forty-five minutes debating the merits of kenotic Christology, with scant reference to the biblical text. However, in a few short words, Treier reminded us that if the scriptures do in fact bear witness to Jesus Christ, then they should ground and determine how we talk about him. A few months later, I received a similar reminder from my beloved mentor: “Daniel, you should practice being the kind of theologian you want to be,” Dr. Cortez reminded me once in his office after I had found myself emulating the theological approaches and writing styles of my dissertation interlocutors. According to Cortez, if you want to be a theologian who engages Holy Writ, you need to practice engaging and wrestling with Holy Writ.

Of course, there are many merits to Wheaton’s doctoral program. There you will find yourself studying alongside evangelical scholars of various backgrounds, collaborating with Old Testament and New Testament scholars on the meaning of Numbers 23, forming life-long friendships with evangelicals from all over the globe, and receiving collegial feedback from Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and even a free-church Baptist or two! But the element I value the most is the manner in which Dr. Cortez and Dr. Treier kept impinging on me to return to the biblical text, to wrestle with it, and to steep myself in Holy Scripture. I am forever grateful for that. 

Wheaton College’s doctoral program is a unique and special place. There isn’t another program quite like it. Here, you will find mentors who invest in you as a person and a scholar, mentors who are brilliant but also wonderful people. Here, you will interact with world-class scholars from multiple disciplines who love the church and strive to equip her and serve her well. But more than anything else, at least for me, Wheaton College’s doctoral program is a place where you can receive the training that enables you to read Holy Scriptures as God’s Word to us. In the language of Ezekiel 3, you will learn to “eat this book,” so that it shapes your theological imaginations. I can think of no better place to learn how to be a teacher for Christ and his kingdom.