Asbury Seminary congratulates Dr. Ken Collins, Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies, on the release of his new book Jesus the Stranger: The Man from Galilee and the Light of the World on July 18. In this book, Dr. Collins introduces a more approachable Jesus, focusing on his humanity, especially his suffering, rejection and ostracism from individuals and groups in the Gospels.

“The Jesus of the Gospels is far more beautiful and loves more broadly and deeply than many have imagined, and I hope this book introduces readers to a Jesus that is uncanny, radiantly beautiful and in the end transformative,” Dr. Collins said.

In addition to his role as professor, Dr. Collins also directs the Wesleyan Studies Summer Seminar, which fosters research, scholarship, and publication globally in the broad field of Wesleyan studies, and the Wesleyan Holiness Pentecostal Studies Center. He is the 2008 recipient of the Professor of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Dr. Collins joined Asbury Seminary’s faculty in 1995 as professor of church history historical theology and Wesley studies and has lectured and taught throughout the world and is known for his engaging, critical-thinking style. In May 2008, he taught a course on The Theology of John Wesley at the Moscow Evangelical Christian Seminary in Moscow, the Russian Federation. He has also lectured on the theology of John Wesley in several diverse settings ranging from Costa Rica to South Korea and on to Australia. Recently, he participated in a panel discussion on his widely used book, The Theology of John Wesley: Holy Love and the Shape of Grace, at the annual meeting of the Wesleyan Theological Society.

Before coming to the Seminary, he was recognized for exemplary teaching in a national competition among United Methodist schools in 1994. Earlier he received the Black Student Movement Award for Excellence in Religious Education at Methodist University. Dr. Collins is a past president of the Wesleyan Theological Society, a current member of the steering committee of the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies, a recent member of the steering committee of the Wesleyan studies group of the American Academy of Religion and a current member of the editorial board of the Asbury Journal. Beyond this, he currently serves on the faculty of the Baltic Methodist Theological Seminary in Tallinn, Estonia.

He has published a host of books and scores of articles exploring topics ranging from Wesleyan theology to Christian spirituality, including recent publications:

  • Collins, Kenneth J., and Robert W. Wall, eds. Wesley One Volume Commentary. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2020.
  • Collins, Kenneth J. and Jason E. Vickers. The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013.
  • Chilcote, Paul Wesley, and Kenneth J. Collins, eds. The Works of John Wesley: Doctrinal and Controversial Treatises Ii. 13. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013.
  • Collins, Kenneth J. Power, Politics and the Fragmentation of Evangelicalism: From the Scopes Trial to the Obama Administration. Grand Rapids, Michigan: InterVarsity Press, 2012.

Jesus the Stranger was published by Seedbed Publishing and is available for purchase on their website or on Amazon.