David Clark

Job Titles

• Professor Emeritus
  M.A. (Christian Thought), Bethel Seminary

Highlight

Dr. Clark's academic discipline is philosophy of religion. In addition to philosophy of religion, he teaches theology, ethics, and apologetics. He has special interests in epistemology, the problem of evil, and the relation of theology to science. His approach to these topics emphasizes dialogue: he invites students to learn how to ground their faith perspectives with solid critical reason. And, in this day of uncivil discourse, he also challenges students to share the Gospel by first listening to others, then serving, and then sharing the reasons for faith in the context of respectful personal relationships.

Started at Bethel

1988

Education

• Northwestern University - Ph.D. , 1982
• Trinity Evangelical Divinity School - M.A. , 1976
• Houghton College - B.A., 1974

Biography

David Clark and his family moved to Minnesota in 1988 to teach at Bethel Seminary. During his faculty years, he published eight books and dozens of articles. In addition to teaching, David has served in leadership roles as Lead Pastor in a church and as University Provost and VP/Dean of the Seminary at Bethel. He has also contributed as a member of several boards, including the national board of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He now serves the wider church through consulting and public speaking.

David is married to Sandy. Together, the Clarks have two sons: Tyler, who lives in Boulder with his wife, Renee, and Ryan, who lives in the Twin Cities with his bride, Rachel. The Clarks have five grandchildren, Griffin, Norah, Theo, Davy, and Hudson. For fun, David enjoys golf, remodeling (he has built/rebuilt six different homes for his family), and serious conversations about leadership, ministry, and faith.

Courses Taught

Systematic Theology

Christian Social Ethics

Missional Apologetics

Perspectives on Evil and Suffering

Science and Theology

C S Lewis

Publications

The Epistemology of Mystical Experience

Pantheism of Alan Watts

Apologetics in the New Age

Readings in Christian Ethics, vols 1 and 2

Dialogical Apologetics

When Someone You Love is Dying

To Know and Love God

Quote

"A reasonable faith is not only possible, it's necessary, for the heart cannot embrace what the mind regards as nonsense."