Dr. David Westfall serves as professor and chair of the theology department at Dordt University, teaching courses such as Introductory Greek & Hebrew, Biblical Foundations, and courses on the Old and New Testament.
“I have the joy of teaching about what I need to know the most: the glory of God revealed in Christ for the life of the world,” adds Westfall. “The concerns of my profession go hand-in-hand with my faith and discipleship, and my aim is to spread a contagious love for the Bible and the gospel in all of my teaching, research, and other work.”
His research interests include the theology of the apostle Paul, sacrifice and atonement in the Bible and in Christian theology, biblical intertextuality, second language acquisition & natural approaches to Biblical language pedagogy.
Westfall studied classics and classical Greek at Calvin, followed by training in theology and pastoral ministry at Gordon-Conwell. Later, he completed a dissertation under the supervision of N.T. Wright, exploring the relationship between substitutionary atonement and participation in Christ in the writings of the Apostle Paul.
A recipient of Dordt University’s 2024 Award for Excellence in Teaching, Westfall remains committed to a deep understanding of his field and investing in the lives of his students. He is involved in student mentorship, preaching in Dordt’s chapel services and local churches, and is a member of the Institutional Review Board for behavioral and bioethical research ethics.
Westfall has contributed to several scholarly publications, including:
- “Exodus in the Pauline Letters.” In Exodus in the New Testament: The New Testament and the Scriptures of Israel, edited by Seth M. Ehorn, Library of New Testament Studies. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2022.
- “The Mercy Seat: An Artistic Grammar for Substitutionary Atonement.” Co-authored with Justin A. Bailey. Spiritus 24.1 (2024): 77–98.
In his free time, Westfall enjoys reading novels, learning languages, backpacking, and gaming.
Education:
- PhD in New Testament, University of St Andrews, 2018
- MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2014
- B.A., Calvin College, 2011