Dr. David G. Barker Named Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies

After more than 40 years of teaching and mentoring students at both the college and seminary level, Dr. David G. Barker has been recently recognized by the faculty and President’s Cabinet of Heritage College & Seminary with the honorary title of Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies.

“It is an honour to be recognized by one’s peers in this way,” says Dr. Barker.

Though he continues to teach at Heritage, he explains that retirement comes with joy mixed with some sadness as he looks back at his work as something in the past. Despite the mixed feelings, he explains that being named a Professor Emeritus at Heritage is meaningful due to its recognition of his years of service and ministry that continues to this day.

“It means that perhaps I bring not just 40 plus years of learning and teaching in my fields of interest and study, but some venerated wisdom in life and ministry that I can pass on to others,” explains Dr. Barker.

In 1978, Dr. Barker began his teaching ministry at London Baptist Bible College & Seminary. When London merged with Central Baptist Seminary in 1993 to form Heritage College & Seminary, he continued to teach and served in several academic and administrative roles. While teaching and mentoring students in the classroom, he has also served the church in several pastoral roles and continues to travel to churches around the province to preach and teach the Bible.

Today, Dr. Barker continues to have a passion and heart to teach the Bible. He explains that his motivation to teach and mentor students at Heritage comes from the joy he gets helping students know the Bible more and, through this, see them grow as they come to know Christ more through its pages.

“It is through the teaching of the content of the Bible and how to interpret the Bible that we come to see and know Christ in his saving work, and by the power of the Spirit embrace his values, virtues, and sense of mission in the Church and world,” says Dr. Barker.

Dr. Barker now becomes Heritage’s second Professor Emeritus, sharing the title with long-time fellow faculty member and friend Dr. Stanley K. Fowler, Professor Emeritus of Theological Studies. For him, to share this title with a person whose teaching and writing has impacted so many – including himself – is truly meaningful.

“This is a huge honour to be linked with one of the finest theologians I have ever known,” says Dr. Barker. “He has impacted my theology, my understanding of morals and ethics and how to process decision-making in these domains, and my understanding of church. Stan has modelled for me and for so many others how to engage in difficult and complex conversations with both an irenic spirit and deep conviction.”

As Dr. Fowler continues his recovery from a recent stroke, Dr. Barker says that he shares with many others the grief over the impact of this stroke and continues to pray that God will be merciful to him and his wife, Donna, and restore some measure of health.

“His voice and pen are so needed in our times,” says Dr. Barker.