PROFESSIONAL RESUME

Ian A. Fair (PhD) Professor Emeritus of New Testament and New Testament Theology Graduate School of Theology College of Biblical Studies Abilene Christian University To contact me please click here to go to contact the director of the Center:

Family
Dr. Fair is married to June (Stent) and has three sons:
Deon [married to Susan (Slaughter) with two children, Rachel, married to Casey Cooke,  and Kevin]
Nigel [married to Sherri (Barker) with one child, Shelby]
Douglas [married to Joy (Hulett) with one son, Ian Michael]

Contact the Director
Contact: Click here to go to Contact Us
Web Page:  http://www.centercr.com

Education
Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, University of Natal, South Africa
     Dissertation:  The Theology of Wolfhart Pannenberg as a Reaction to Dialectical Theology
MA in New Testament Theology, University of Natal, South Africa
     Thesis:  The Resurrection of Jesus in Three Contemporary Theologians
BA Honors in Bible and Theology, University of Natal, South Africa
BA in Bible, Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas, USA
High School, Harward High School, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Biographical Information
Dr. Fair is a native of Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He and his wife June were converted to Christ by an American missionary,   Robert H. (Tex) Williams, in 1959. Dr. Fair became involved in mission work and preaching in 1960. He first ministered to the Church of Christ in his hometown, Pietermaritzburg, and then later in the city of Benoni. At the time of his conversion he was working in Civil Engineering and Town Planning with the South African Railways.

In 1965 he enrolled in Abilene Christian College where he was awarded a BA degree in Bible and Ministry in 1968. Returning to South Africa to continue his mission work and education at the University of Natal. Dr. Fair was awarded a BA Honors degree (a post graduate degree similar to an MDiv. degree) in Theology and Biblical Studies in 1971, an MA degree in New Testament (1973) and a Ph.D. degree in Systematic Theology (1975).

While working as a missionary, Dr. Fair, together with Tex Williams and Delbert McLoud established the Natal School of Preaching near Pietermaritzburg. Dr. Fair served as Director and Instructor in this school from 1969 – 1974.  The Natal School of Preaching was devoted to an aggressive program of evangelism and ministry training.

In 1974, Dr. Fair and his family moved to Lubbock, Texas, to serve with the Sunset School of Preaching, first as an Instructor and then as the Dean of the School.

In 1978 Dr. Fair moved to Abilene to join the faculty of Abilene Christian University as an Associate Professor. He became Chairman of the Department of Bible in 1983, and the Dean of the College of Biblical Studies in 1984.  In 1997 Dr. Fair resigned his position as Dean of the College of Biblical Studies to return to a full time faculty position.   In 2000 Dr. Fair retired from the faculty of Abilene Christian University.  He now serves as an Adjunct Professor in the College of Biblical Studies at Abilene Christian University.

At Abilene Christian University Dr. Fair served as a member of the Graduate School of Theology, where he held the rank of Professor, and where he taught New Testament courses in Revelation, Romans, Matthew, The Prison Epistles, and The Thessalonian Epistles. He also served as the Director of the Center for Church Enrichment. From this Center, Dr. Fair engaged in research in Church Enrichment, and conducted seminars in Church Leadership and Biblical Studies among Churches of Christ.  He has conducted seminars in 20 States in the United States, and in 11 foreign countries. Dr. Fair continued his involvement in Missions by serving as a member of the Missions Resource Network, a program for facilitating mission work among Churches of Christ.

Dr. Fair now serves as the Director of the Center for Church Enrichment, hosted by World Bible School in Austin, Texas.

Church Involvement
Dr. Fair is currently a member of the Bayfield Church of Christ in Bayfield, Colorado, where he serves as an Elder in the congregation.  For many years he was a member of the South 11^th and Willis church in Abilene, Texas, in which he has served as a Preacher and an Elder.  For four years he was a member of the Sunset Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas, where he served as a deacon.  For fourteen years he served as a missionary and minister in the Republic of South Africa.
During his ministry career Dr. Fair has served as a missionary (14 years), a preacher (30 years), a deacon (3 years), an elder ( 8 years), and a regular Bible class teacher (40 years).

Specialization and Teaching
New Testament Text
Revelation and Apocalyptic Literature
Synoptic Gospels
Romans
Prison Epistles
Thessalonian Epistles
New Testament Theology
Systematic Theology
History Of Theology
Biblical Hermeneutics
Greek
Leadership
Living World Religions

Professional History
Civil Engineering, South African Railways (1951-1960)
Missionary in South Africa (1960-1974)
Chairman, Board of Trustees, Southern Africa Bible School, Benoni, South Africa (1968-1969)
Co-Founder, Director, and Instructor, Natal School of Preaching, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (1968-1974)
Dean and Instructor, Sunset School of Preaching, Lubbock, Texas (1974-1978)
Preacher (1960-1986)
Elder (1986-1995)
Professor, Abilene Christian University (ACU), (1978-2000)
Chairman, Department of Bible, ACU (1983-1984)
Dean, College of Biblical and Family Studies, ACU (1985-1997)
Director, Center for Church Enrichment, ACU (1990 - )
ACU University LINK Team (Technology)
Past President, Evangelical Theological Society, Southwest Region (1983)
Society for Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion
Board of Directors, Restoration Quarterly (1985 -2000 )
Board of Directors, World Bible School, (1990- )
Founding Member and Board of Trustees, Mission Resource Network (1990 -2000 )

Languages
Dr. Fair has a working knowledge of the following languages: English, Greek, Afrikaans, Flemish, Dutch, Zulu, Xhosa

Publications
Leadership in the Kingdom
Revelation
Conquering in Christ
Conquering With Christ: A Commentary on the Book of Revelation
Inkanyezi (Zulu, The Star, Church Doctrine)
Biblical Hermeneutics (Chapter)
Evolution and Faith (Chapter)

Major Speaking Appointments
Churches of Christ in the USA and foreign countries
Leadership Seminars (60+ seminars in over 16 states and nations)
Most Christian College and University Lectureships
Pan American Lectures
Asian Mission Forum
Sunset School of Preaching Lectureships
Unity Restoration Conferences
Christian Scholars Conferences
Evangelical Theological Society Conferences, Southwest Region

Professional Workshops Attended
George Barna Church Growth Workshops
Leadership Network Seminars
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Workshop
Center for Church Growth Workshop
Evangelical Theological Society
American Academy of Religion
Society for Biblical Literature