It’s time for another #FacultyFriday! Meet Dr. Ross Winkle, professor of new testament and chair of the department of theology who has taught at PUC since 2005. He has a professional focus on the New Testament and has received several PUC Faculty Development Research and Honors awards, as well as two Herber Faculty Development Awards. He has also served as a student missionary in Tokyo, Japan, and as a pastor for 13 years in three successive church districts in Oregon. He is an ordained minister and occasionally leads adult Sabbath School discussions on campus and preaches in surrounding churches. Dr. Winkle has also had several pieces published in various publications and given a significant number of presentations at professional conferences around the world, including Edinburgh, Scotland; Izmir, Turkey; and Vienna, Austria.
Name: Dr. Ross Winkle
Title: Professor of new testament and chair, department of theology
Email: rwinkle@puc.edu
Faculty since: Fall 2005
Classes taught: Discovering Jesus (Honors), Encountering Jesus, Parables of Jesus, Book of John, Studies in Daniel, Studies in Revelation, Advanced Studies in Apocalyptic, Biblical Greek I, II, III, Seventh-day Adventist Beliefs, Theology of the Sanctuary, Last Day Events
Education: Bachelor’s degrees in theology and biblical language, from Walla Walla College, 1983; M.Div., from Andrews University, 1987; Ph.D. in religion, from Andrews University, 1987
Professional activities:
Editor’s note: Since Dr. Winkle’s professional activities are extensive, we have listed only a few of his most recent accomplishments.
Scholarly Publications
1 Peter. Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary (co-written [1 Peter 3-5] with Tom Shepard, Ph.D.). Nampa, ID: Pacific Press, forthcoming.
“Navigating the Aqueous and Fluvial Imagery of the Liquid Temple.” In Sacred Space, Sacred Thread. Wipf & Stock, forthcoming, 2018.
“Resistance Is Not Futile: Restraint as Cultic Action in 2 Thessalonians 2.” In Jewish Cult Identity: Constituents and Critique, eds. Henrietta Wiley and Christian Eberhart. Resources for Bible Study series. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2017.
“‘You Are What You Wear’: The Dress and Identity of Jesus as High Priest in John’s Apocalypse.” In Jewish Cult Identity: Constituents and Critique, eds. Henrietta Wiley and Christian Eberhart. Resources for Bible Study series. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2017.
“A River Flows From It: The ‘Sanctuary Doctrine’ and the Hydrological Ecclesiology of the Temple.” Spectrum 43/2 (2015): 8-15.
Selected Scholarly Presentations
“‘Clothes Make the (One Like a Son of) Man’: Dress Imagery in Revelation 1 as an Indicator of High Priestly Status.” Daniel and Revelation Symposium, Chico, CA. May 28, 2017.
“(The) Speaking of the Altar: Animate Architecture in the Heavenly Temple in Rev 16:7.” Daniel and Revelation Symposium, Chico, CA. May 27, 2017.
“Crystal Clear—The River Flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb as a Symbol of the Spirit.” Annual Meeting of the Adventist Theological Society on “The Triune God.” San Antonio, TX. November 19, 2016.
“Navigating the Aqueous and Fluvial Imagery of the Liquid Temple.” “Sacred Space, Sacred Thread” Global Conference. University of Southern California. Los Angeles, CA. November 4, 2016.
“Fluvial Fantasies? The Liquid Temple and the Spirit.” Plenary Session Presentation. North American Division Asian/Pacific Pastors Convention. Sacramento, CA. February 23, 2016.
What made you decide to be a teacher?
I first decided I wanted to teach Bible classes while I was in academy. I personally liked one of my Bible teachers there, but I felt the Bible class for the students was a disaster, and I thought I could do better. When I got to college, though, I decided I’d rather teach at the college level than at the academy level. My year as a student missionary in Tokyo while in college, teaching conversational English to Japanese students, helped solidify that desire.
What are some of your hobbies?
Reading, genealogical research, piano/keyboard, strategy games, hiking
What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I like making freezer jams with interesting, fruity flavors (e.g., elephant heart plum, blackberry rhubarb, blackberry orange, blueberry peach raspberry, etc.).
What’s your favorite thing about PUC?
I like the fact that it is “in nature” and surrounded by lots of hiking trails.
What’s your favorite spot on campus?
The water fountain in front of Paulin Hall—although I don’t spend a lot of time there!
What’s your favorite song?
There’s too many to pick from! And they are “favorites” for different times of the year, different emotions, different experiences one is going through. But since you’re forcing me, I’ll pick one: Currently, one of my favorite religious songs is “Somewhere in Your Silent Night” by Casting Crowns.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
Try several “different” courses to see whether you might like that direction for a career; manage your time well; and read your email!
Interested in learning more about PUC’s religion and theology programs? Visit puc.edu/admissions!