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United Theological Seminary

The seminary welcomes new faculty members in the areas of biblical studies and homiletics

DAYTON, Ohio, April 12, 2023 — United Theological Seminary is pleased to welcome two new faculty members, Drs. Pauline Paris Buisch and Xavier L. Johnson, who will begin their teaching duties on July 1, 2023.

Portrait of Dr. Pauline Paris Buisch

Dr. Pauline Paris Buisch, Assistant Professor of Old Testament, recently completed a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to her doctoral work she served as a lecturer in Biblical Studies at Redeemer Seminary. In addition to her academic teaching, she has also been involved in biblical education in various local church settings. Dr. Buisch’s research has been published in the Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha and Novum Testamentum. Her current project examines the literary and theological development of the recurring biblical character of the woman facing the threat of childlessness.

“I am thrilled to be joining the faculty at United and am looking forward to helping students discover how the ancient library of texts that is the Old Testament is not only relevant to but essential for their ministries,” says Dr. Buisch.

Portrait of Rev. Dr. Xavier L. Johnson

Rev. Dr. Xavier L. Johnson, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Preaching and Black Church Studies, earned his Doctor of Ministry in Ministry Development from Virginia Theological Seminary and holds both a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and a Master of Arts in Teaching. He has held teaching appointments at Duke Divinity School and, most recently, at Earlham School of Religion at Earlham College where he was Director of Contextual Ministry Education and an Assistant Professor of Practical Theology. Since 2013, he has served as Senior Pastor of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio.

Dr. Johnson’s research interests converge at the intersection of clergy leadership, black religion, social justice, and preaching, and he is engaged in various social justice and human rights organizations.

“United has a long history of equipping, preparing, and sending leaders to serve the broader church,” says Dr. Johnson, adding, “I am delighted to be a part of the faculty and to help to continue that work.”

Dr. Buisch and Dr. Johnson bring United’s teaching faculty to 16 members, including Drs. Reggie Abraham, Cheryl Bridges Johns, and Jack Jackson, who joined the seminary community in the summer of 2022.