Heaton Publishes New Book on Early Christian Writing
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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University alumnus and adjunct professor, Dr. Rob Heaton, recently published “The Shepherd of Hermas as Scriptura Non Grata”, a book related to an early Christian writing that was excluded from the biblical canon, but offers a version of early Christianity that was definitively overridden by devotion to Christ himself, rather than principally to his virtues.
“It is exciting to see good fruit from our graduates’ vocations and ministry, whether that be in church ministry, or in Dr. Heaton’s case, the academic publication of this major monograph with Lexington Books,” said Dr. Nathan Willowby, dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry.
Heaton earned a Master of Theological Studies degree from the School of Theology in 2013 and a PhD in 2019. During his time at AU, Heaton was also awarded the Jeeninga Fellowship in Archaeology to travel and work as a participant at the archaeological site, Tel Hazor Excavations with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel, and served as a student-tutor with in the Kissinger Academic Center for Excellence.
Heaton helps to frame “The Shepherd of Hermas” in a way that explains what led to its exclusion from the canon, and through his work, contemporary readers can have a better understanding of how they might learn from this influential early Christian text.
Learn more about Heaton’s work and to purchase the book online.
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.