Dr. Joseph Zichterman
Ph.D.
-
Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology
2008-Present
Contact
jzichterman@multnomah.edu
Schooling
Ph.D. - Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Favorite Quote
“God's will is what I would choose if I knew all the facts."
Faith story
I grew up near Washington D.C. and my faith journey began at a very young age when I began contemplating questions about the meaning of life. Blaise Pascal once said, “there is a god-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, and only God can fill it.” As I immerged into my teen years, I remember feeling the truth of his words more consciously than ever. This resulted in my attending religious services several times each week, while praying and studying the Bible voraciously every day. Finally on July 23, 1983, I committed my life to Christ as a result of seeing His love lived out through the life of my Aunt Cindy.
Education and research
Almost immediately, I had a newfound desire to study the Scriptures so I could better understand the character and ways of God. That God-given passion eventually led me to pursue two Ph.D. separate programs (in Biblical & Theological Studies) and I have served as a full-time undergraduate professor of Bible & Theology since 1996, joining the faculty at Multnomah in 2008.
I thank God every day for the privilege of being at Multnomah, where I can serve alongside hundreds of other likeminded fellow-servants of Christ who desire to know God through a deeper understanding of His Word. I am an ardent enthusiast for God’s plan of unity through diversity in the body of Christ and my particular areas of research expertise are the twentieth-century American Fundamentalist, Church Growth and Pentecostal-Charismatic movements.
Ministry outside the classroom
It was my privilege to serve as lead pastor for 8 years at Long Lake Community Church (WI) and as interim pastor at both the Northwest Church of God (IL) and currently at Chinese Faith Baptist Church (OR). I also enjoy speaking frequently at churches, camps, and conferences within a wide diversity of denominational and non-denominational contexts.
Family and other information
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy music composition (having published approximately 40 worship songs), playing and watching basketball (almost exclusively watching these days), taking nightly walks with the love of my life (Jocelyn), and spending time with my 8 wonderful children (2 boys and 6 girls).
Favorite verse
“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give favor and honor: no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11).