Timothy Paul Jones

Timothy Paul Jones is an American evangelical scholar and professor specializing in Christian apologetics and family ministry. He serves as the C. Edwin Gheens Professor of Christian Family Ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also teaches apologetics. Jones has authored several influential books, including "Misquoting Truth," a response to challenges against the New Testament's reliability, and "How We Got the Bible," which won the Christian Book Award for Bible Reference Book of the Year in 2016. His collaborative work "In Church as It Is in Heaven," co-written with Jamaal Williams, received a Christianity Today Award of Merit in 2023 for its vision of multiethnic church communities.

Jones's career spans pastoral ministry, academic leadership, and public engagement. Before joining Southern Seminary, he served as a pastor and associate pastor in Missouri and Oklahoma, shaping his practical approach to family-equipping ministry—a model integrating family discipleship with church programs. His apologetic works evolved from evidential to presuppositional methods, emphasizing the church's moral witness and care for marginalized communities. Recognized by figures like Charles Colson as a key voice against New Atheism, Jones has lectured at institutions including the University of North Carolina and appeared on programs such as "Fox & Friends" and "Bible Answer Man."

Holding multiple advanced degrees, Jones earned a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is completing a second doctorate in church history at Stellenbosch University. His academic expertise extends to biblical languages, which he has taught at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Oklahoma Baptist University. Jones and his wife, Rayann, are parents to four adopted daughters, reflecting his personal commitment to family and community. His ongoing scholarship continues to bridge theological rigor with practical ministry applications.