College of Theology Rankings

Grand Canyon Theological Seminary (GCTS) launched the Flourishing Pastor Network (FPN) in partnership with five peer organizations in January 2026. GCTS is the lead school for the FPN, a $10M grant-funded project supported by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., to establish and support a scalable network of pastoral residency programs in partnership with local churches.

On April 10, 2026, the Center for Worship Arts released an album titled Canyon Worship X to commemorate its 10th anniversary. The album features original songs collaboratively written by worship arts students and alums. These songs were performed live during a celebratory worship service held on GCU’s main campus in late 2025.

Steven B. Sherman, Richard A. Holland, Gary S. Osmundsen and Peter J. Rasor published An Introduction to Philosophy: A Christian Guide to the Things that Really Matter (Zondervan Academic, 2025), an overview of philosophy that emphasizes critical thinking, faith and student‑friendly learning features. The book surveys major philosophical areas while helping readers connect philosophical inquiry with Christian intellectual tradition and practical life.

Justin McLendon, Joshua M. Greever and D. A. Horton (editors) published Let Justice Flow Like Water: Toward a Theology of Biblical Justice (B&H Academic, 2025), a volume that connects social justice with the gospel and the church’s mission, offering a theological framework for understanding biblical justice in today’s context.

John Cheong and Jonathan Ro published Emplacing Globalisation: Contextualising Mission in Settings of People, Places and Processes (Regnum Books International, 2025), a work that offers an important framework for understanding globalization in relation to theology and mission, making it a valuable resource for scholars and ministry leaders.

Moises Felipe, MA, was invited to lead worship and preach at the National Youth Conference for the Church of God of Prophecy in Managua, Nicaragua, an event known for its intensive worship, deep study of God’s Word and fellowship that strengthens young believers across the country.

College of Theology instructor Jacob E. Hicks published To Contest with All the Powers of Darkness: New England Baptists, Religious Liberty and New Political Landscapes, 1740–1833 (University of Tennessee Press, 2024), a work demonstrating how Baptist leaders like John Leland became key political figures advocating for religious disestablishment, aligned with the Democratic‑Republican Party and influencing important milestones such as the Religious Freedom Act of 1811.

Professor of Theology Justin McLendon (editor/contributor), along with other scholars, published Theology and the Blues (Fortress, 2024), a work that explores how the blues, rooted in church traditions and expressive of life’s struggles, loss and hope, carries rich theological themes and reveals deep spiritual journeys within the genre.

Assistant Professor of Theology Robin G. Thompson published Paul’s Declaration of Freedom from a Freed Slave’s Perspective (Biblical Interpretation Series, 210) (Brill, 2023), a study that explores how slaves and freepersons in the Galatian churches may have understood Paul’s concept of Christian freedom, interpreting it as both a spiritual and individual reality within their lived Christian experience.

College of Theology faculty member Brian M. Koning published The Prophet and the Sage: Intertextual Connections between Habakkuk and Job (Wipf & Stock, 2023), exploring the literary and theological connections between the two biblical books. He highlights how Habakkuk reinterprets Job’s wisdom tradition to confront themes of suffering, justice, and divine mystery.

College of Theology faculty Ryan A. Brandt and John Frederick (editors) published Theological Interpretation of Scripture as Spiritual Formation (Brill, 2022), a collection of essays demonstrating how Theological Interpretation of Scripture serves not only as scholarly exegesis but also as a transformative practice that nurtures spiritual formation within individuals and Christian communities.

College of Theology Professor Ryan A. Brandt published Spiritual Formation for the Global Church: A Multi-Denominational, Multi-Ethnic Approach (IVP Academic, 2021), a volume addressing the church’s ongoing need for practical spiritual growth, unity and diverse representation.