August 27, 2025 (Ontario, CALIF.) -- Shawn Wilhite, associate professor of New Testament at California Baptist University, has joined Gateway’s doctoral program as affiliate faculty in Early Christianity and Patristic Theology. 

“Dr. Wilhite is a faithful academic and churchman,” said Adam Groza, president of Gateway Seminary.

“His demonstrated commitment to developing students who will advance God’s kingdom is precisely what is needed in the West.”

Wilhite has served as an adjunct in Gateway’s doctoral program since 2022, teaching seminars and supervising students writing dissertations.

“It is a joy and privilege to teach for Gateway’s doctoral program,” said Wilhite.

“I deeply love my scholarly discipline. The theological visions that are formed within early Christianity excite and feed my love for learning. I look forward to training theologians and scholars of the period.” 

Wilhite earned two Ph.D.s, one from Durham University and the other from Southern Seminary, a Th.M. from Southern Seminary, and a B.A. from California Baptist University. He also pursued post-graduate studies at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology.

He is currently the series editor for Studies of Patristic Theology and Spirituality with Baylor University Press and the Apostolic Fathers Commentary Series with Wipf and Stock. And he is the co-director of the Center of Ancient Christian Studies. His publications include Cyril of Alexandria’s Christological Exegesis: Explorations of Partitive Exegesis in the Dialogues on the Trinity (forthcoming with Brepols in 2026), The Didache: A Commentary, and Nicaea for Today: Why the Council of Nicaea Still Matters.

At Gateway, affiliated faculty teach seminars in the Ph.D. and Th.M. programs, serve as faculty advisors for students working on dissertations and theses, and participate in Gateway’s academic community while maintaining a primary faculty role at their own institutions. Other current affiliated faculty include Luke Stamps, professor of Christian theology at Anderson University and the Clamp Divinity School, David Howard, professor of Old Testament at Bethel Seminary, Christopher W. Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University, and Robert Alan Johnson, senior pastor of Grace Point Church San Diego. 

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