Michael Bryant headshot

Michael Bryant, PhD

Dean, College of Christian Studies
864.977.7022
michael.bryant@ngu.edu
Unit: College of Christian Studies, Christian Studies, Program Deans
Location: Tigerville

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” - Matthew 22:37-40
  • Research Interests
    Spiritual Disciplines, Hermeneutics, Leadership
  • Teaching & Education

    Bachelor of Science in History
    Charleston Southern University
    North Charleston, South Carolina
    1995

    Master of Divinity, Pastoral Track with Languages
    Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Wake Forest, North Carolina
    1998

    Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament
    Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
    Wake Forest, North Carolina
    2008

  • Professional Experience

    Administrative

    • Dean, College of Christian Studies, Charleston Southern University, 2013–2016 
    • Executive Vice President, Charleston Southern University, 2016–2019 
    • Interim President, Charleston Southern University, 2023, 2018 
    • Vice President for Strategic Planning, Faith Integration, and Christian Leadership, Charleston Southern University, 2019–2025 
    • Dean, College of Christian Studies, North Greenville University, 2025–present 

    Teaching

    • Assistant Professor of Religion, Charleston Southern University, 2008–2013 
    • Associate Professor of Christian Studies, Charleston Southern University, 2013–2016 
    • Professor of Christian Studies, Charleston Southern University, 2016–2018 
    • Tenured Professor of Christian Studies, Charleston Southern University, 2018–2025 
    • Professor of Christian Studies, North Greenville University, 2025–present

    Local Church

    • Summer Youth Director, Lakewood Baptist Church, Georgetown, South Carolina, 1995 
    • Youth Director, Flat Rock Baptist Church, Louisburg, North Carolina, 1995–1998 
    • Pastor, Merry Hill Baptist Church, Merry Hill, North Carolina, 2000–2008 
    • Interim Music Director, Ransdell Chapel Baptist Church, Louisburg, North Carolina, 1999 
    • Interim Pastor, Deep Branch Baptist Church, Varnville, South Carolina, 2008–2009 
    • Interim Pastor, Hill Crest Baptist Church, North Charleston, South Carolina, 2020

    Missions (Extended)

    • Orlando, FL (NAMB), June-August 1990  
    • Spokane, WA (NAMB), June-August 1992       
    • Nairobi, Kenya (SC BSU), July-August 1993  
    • Bangkok, Thailand (SC BSU), June-August 1994   

    Missions (Short-term)

    • Borbon, Ecuador, January 2003 
    • Shewa Robit and Komame, Ethiopia, July 2015 
    • Southwest Asia, May 2016 
    • East Asia, December 2018  

    Teaching 

    • Moldova Bible Seminary, Chisinau, Moldova, January 2002 
    • Cameroon Baptist Theological Seminary, Ndu, Cameroon, January 2004 
    • Uganda Baptist Seminary, Jinja, Uganda, January 2006  
    • Uganda Baptist Seminary, Jinja, Uganda, July 2008  
    • Evangelical Theological College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 2012 
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Writings 

    • “Study Notes for Mark, Luke and Acts,” in Worldview Study Bible (Holman Christian Standard Bible), ed. David S. Dockery (Holman Bible Publishers, 2018) 
    • “Integrating an Ancient Text in Education and Ministry,” in Ancient Text/Modern World: Teaching An Ancient Text to a Modern Student, ed. Jonathan Denton (Randall House Publishers, 2023)  
    • “Overview and Study Notes for 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus,” New English Translation Study Bible, ed. Daniel Hayes and J. Scott Duvall (Thomas Nelson, forthcoming) 

    Academic Presentations 

    • “Motivations for Prayer in the Fourth Gospel,” Evangelical Theological Society, Southeast Regional Meeting, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC, March 20, 2010  
    • “Continuity and/or Discontinuity: A Study of Matthew’s Presentation of the Old Testament Law in His Gospel,” Evangelical Theological Society, Southeast Regional Meeting, Columbia International University, Columbia, SC, March 18, 2016  
    • “The Contribution of C. H. Dodd to Parable Research,” Evangelical Theological Society, Southeast Regional Meeting, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC, March 16, 2019 

    Book Reviews

    • John A. D’ Elia. A Place at the Table: George Eldon Ladd and the Rehabilitation of Evangelical Scholarship in America. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. Reviewed for Westminster Theological Journal 71/2 (Fall 2009): 513–515. 
    • Kevin J. Vanhoozer, et al. Theological Interpretation of the New Testament: A Book-by-Book Survey. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. Reviewed for Southwestern Journal of Theology 52/2 (Spring 2010): 233–235. 
    • David G. Peterson. The Acts of the Apostles. Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2009. Reviewed for Midwestern Journal of Theology 8.21/9.1 (Spring 2010): 139–141. 
    • Craig L. Blomberg. Jesus and the Gospels. 2nd ed. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2009. Reviewed for Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry 7/1 (Spring 2010): 89–90. 
    • Andreas J. Köstenberger, Charles Quarles, and Scott Kellum. The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Academic, 2009. Reviewed for Criswell Theological Review 7/2 (Spring 2010): 104–106. 
    • Gordon D. Fee. The First and Second Letters to the Thessalonians. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2009. Reviewed for Criswell Theological Review 8/1 (Fall 2010): 115–116.
    • David L. Turner. Matthew. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008. Reviewed for Southeastern Theological Review 1/1 (Winter 2010): 70–71.  
    • David E. Garland. Luke. Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. Reviewed for Criswell Theological Review 10/2 (Spring 2013): 113–115
    • Walter Elwell and Robert W. Yarbrough. Encountering the New Testament: A Historical and Theological Survey. 3rd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013. Reviewed for Southeastern Theological Review 5/2 (Winter 2014): 235–237. 
    • Robert L. Plummer and Matthew D. Haste. Held in Honor: Wisdom for Your Marriage from Voices of the Past. Scotland, UK: Christian Focus, 2015. Reviewed for Southeastern Theological Review 6/2 (Winter 2015): 231–233. 
    • Keith T. Marriner. Following the Lamb: The Theme of Discipleship in the Book of Revelation. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2016. Reviewed for Southeastern Theological Review 8/1 (Spring 2017): 97–99. 
    • Gregory K. Beale and Benjamin L. Gladd. The Story Retold: A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the New Testament. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press Academic, 2020. Reviewed for Southwestern Journal of Theology 62/2 (Spring 2020): 139–141. 
    • Gerald Sittser. Resilient Faith: How the Early Christian “Third Way” Changed the World. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2019. Reviewed for Southwestern Journal of Theology 63/1 (Fall 2020): 205–208. 
    • Bruce W. Longenecker. In Stone and Story. Early Christianity in the Roman World. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020. Reviewed for Southwestern Journal of Theology 64/1 (Fall 2021): 157–159. 
  • Selected Awards Received
    • 2012 Excellence in Teaching Award (South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities), Charleston Southern University 
    • Charleston Southern University College of Adult and Professional Studies Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award (2010-2011) 
    • Charleston Southern University Promising Teacher Award (2010-2011) 
  • My Network

    SBC
    SCBC
    IACE
    ETS

  • My Story

    Conversion and Spiritual Growth  

    I became a Christian when I was eight years old. Since my conversion, the Lord has continued His work of salvation in my life to mature me spiritually. Spiritual growth has come through the study of Scripture, prayer, and interacting with godly believers He has placed in my life. He has continually taught me that He is a loving, faithful Father who provides all that I need for a life of purpose and flourishing.  

    Christian Higher Education/Church Service 

    I view my work in Christian higher education as a call to serve the church. More specifically, through the Christian university I seek to strengthen the Lord’s church. I served in various teaching and administrative roles at Charleston Southern University for seventeen years (2008–2025). In 2025, He led me to serve at North Greenville University as Dean of the College of Christian Studies, Special Assistant to the President for Church Engagement, and Professor of Christian Studies.  

    Wife and Children 

    I have been married to Amy since December 1996. We have four adult children, a son-in-law, and a grandson.  

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