Dr. Richard Land

President Emeritus, Professor of Theology

Bio

Prior to becoming the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary in 2013, Richard Land served as the President of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. Currently, he serves as the Executive Editor of The Christian Post.

Dr. Land was appointed to serve on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2001 and was subsequently reappointed to three additional terms of service through 2012. In 2007, The Richard Land Center for Cultural Engagement was established by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where Dr. Land is a Visiting Professor. Dr. Land also received the Phillip E. Johnson Award for Liberty and Truth from Biola University in 2010. In 2012 Dr. Land received The Champions of Justice Award, presented by the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (also known as the Hispanic Evangelical Association).

Dr. Richard Land is a well-respected commentator on issues related to religion, politics, history and culture, and has appeared in thousands of media interviews in most major media outlets over the course of his career.

Research Interests and Expertise

Awards and Recognitions

  • The Champions of Justice Award, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, 2012.
  • Ambassador of Christian Ethics, Regent University, 2011.
  • Phillip E. Johnson Award for Liberty and Truth, Biola University, 2010.
  • W.A. Criswell Award for Public Service, Criswell College, 2008.
  • The Richard Land Center for Cultural Engagement was established by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2007.
  • Truth and Media Award, Tennessee Right to Life, 2007.
  • Carl F.H. Henry Society of Fellows, Union University, 2007.
  • Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Distinguished Service Award, 2003.
  • H. Paul Pressler Service Award, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, 2002.
  • John Leland Religious Liberty Award, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, 1999.
  • Alumnus Award, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1997.
  • Broadman Seminarian Award as Outstanding Graduating Student, 1972.

Publications

  • The Divided States of America: What Liberals and Conservatives Get Wrong about Faith and Politics (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011).
  • The Baptist Faith & Message (Nashville: Lifeway Press, 2008).
  • The Divided States of America? What Liberals and Conservatives Are Missing in the God-and-Country Shouting Match! (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007).
  • Mercury Rising: 8 Issues That Are Too Hot to Handle (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2006).
  • Imagine! A God Blessed America: What It Would Look Like and How It Could Happen (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2005).
  • Real Homeland Security (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2003).
  • For Faith and Family (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2002).
  • One Nation Under God: Our Founding Documents (Nashville: For Faith and Family, 2002).
  • Send a Message to Mickey (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998).
  • Herschel M. Hobbs: Baptist Why and Why Not Revisted (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1997).
  • Christians in the Public Square: Faith in Practice (Nashville: Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Publications, 1996).
  • Life at Risk: The Crises in Medical Ethics (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995).
  • Citizen Christians: The Rights and Responsibilities of Dual Citizenship (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994).
  • The Earth Is the Lord’s: Christians and the Environment (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992).
  • The Criswell Study Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1979).
  • Baptist Confessional Statement: A People Identifying Themselves Through the Enunciation of Their Faith (Dallas: Criswell Publications, 1978).
  • “Just Immigration Reform: Foundational Principles,” Regent Journal Of Law & Public Policy, vol. 3, no. 1 (2001): 68-93.
  • “A Just, Fair, and Compassionate Immigration Policy,” The Review of Faith & International Affairs, vol. 9, no. 1 (2011).
  • “Would the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons Make the World More Peaceful and Safe,” Defending the Faith, Engaging the Culture: Essays Honoring L. Russ Bush (2011).
  • “Congruent Election: Understanding Salvation from an ‘Eternal Now’ Perspective,” Whosoever Will: A Biblical-Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism (2010).
  • “World Congress of Families Profiles in Leadership,” World Congress of Families, vol. 3, no. 8 (2009): 5.
  • “The Christian and Alcohol,” Criswell Theological Review, vol. 5, no. 2 (2008).
  • “American Religious Democracy: Coming to Terms with the End of Secular Politics,” Journal of Law and Religion, vol. 23, no. 1 (2007-2008).
  • “Being Salt and Light in an Unsavory and Dark Age: The Christian and Politics,” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, vol. 11, no. 4 (2007).
  • “Human Rights, Genocide, and National Sovereignty: Just War Theory- Help or Hindrance?” Criswell Theological Review, vol. 4, no. 2 (2007).
  • “Seeing the Forest for the Trees,” The Review of Faith & International Affairs, vol. 4, no. 3 (2006).
  • “On Alcohol Use,” Center for Theological Research (2006).
  • “Pastoral Leadership: Authoritarian or Persuasive?” Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, vol. 3, no. 1 (2005).
  • “The Sanctity of Life in a Brave New World: A Manifesto on Biotechnology and Human Dignity,” Human Reproduction and Genetic Ethics, vol. 9, no. 2 (2003).
  • “The Great Commission Imperative: Proclaiming God’s Truth in Word and Deed,” Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Journal (1997).
  • “The Southern Baptist Convention, 1979-1993: What Happened and Why?” Baptist History and Heritage, vol. 28, no. 4 (1993): 3-13.

Education

  • D. D. (Honorary), 2009, Criswell College
  • D. Phil., 1980, Oxford University
  • Th. M., 1972, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
  • A.B., 1969, Princeton University