The Faculty Page of Dr. Raymond Pennoyer III
Raymond Pennoyer III
B.S. in Biology, Fairfield University
M.Div. Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, The Johns Hopkins University
email: ray.pennoyer@nestheology.org
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Ray Pennoyer draws from a rich and varied background, much of it right here in New England and Fairfield County. He spent his early years in the Methodist church, but came to personal faith in Christ during a summer youth event at a local Evangelical Free congregation (Calvary in Trumbull CT). A desire for reading and understanding the Scriptures gripped him early on, laying a foundation that helped carry him through whatever challenges lay ahead. He entered Fairfield University as a Biology major, and while he continues his interest in science, his future direction was indicated by his minor in Religion (primarily New Testament). During that season at a Catholic university, he and fellow students would regularly take trips down to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Darien, where he gained much from the ministry of Rev. Everett (Terry) Fullam. During this time he also met Donna, his wife-to-be and the mother of their five children.
Under the helpful encouragement of advisors like Dr. Stanley Allaby of Black Rock Congregational Church, Ray entered the M. Div. program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts. He has always considered it a great privilege to have studied there under such excellent professors in bible, theology, church history, and ministry. During the years there, he and his wife had the wonderful opportunity to assist in the planting of Grace Fellowship, a Christian and Missionary Alliance church in nearby Danvers. Direction after Gordon-Conwell was clarified when, somewhat to his surprise, he discovered a particular passion for the Old Testament. He was accepted into the Ph.D. program at The Johns Hopkins University and studied under P. Kyle McCarter Jr, Delbert Hillers, and other first-rate scholars. During their years in the Baltimore area, Ray and Donna were active at Chesapeake Church (now Sovereign Grace Church). Ray and his family moved back to Connecticut in 1997. As a family they have been blessed by the ministries of Vineyard Christian Fellowship of New Haven, Faith Living Church in Southington, and Walnut Hill Community Church in Bethel and Waterbury.
Dr. Pennoyer models theological precision and a charitable disposition. His love for the Scriptures and his personal background have given him a special sensitivity to Christians of various traditions. He desire is to relate biblical truth to life in today’s world, and to grow personally as a disciple.
In addition to teaching and preaching in church settings, Ray has taught as an adjunct Professor at Loyola College in Maryland, Western Maryland State, and the University of Baltimore. He is currently on the adjunct faculty at both Sacred Heart University and Albertus Magnus.
Posts by Dr. Pennoyer include:
My Best Advice for Young Theologians
Spotlight on Mormonism
Racism, Slavery, and the Book of Job
The Entire Christmas Story in One Verse
Should Christians Love the Doctrine of Hell and Divine Judgment?
Do Miracles Prove the Existence of God?
Harold Camping’s Judgment Day
On the Nature and Purpose of Christian Apologetics
Denzel Washington, Martin Luther, and Our Strange Neglect of the Bible
(Reprinted by our friends at The Gospel Coalition here)
Gordon Fee on the Book of Revelation
The Resurrection of Jesus
Lessons from the “Burn a Koran Day” Crisis
How Do You Read a Book?
The Pharisee in Me
Great Books for Summer – or Any Season
