John Simons

Associate Dean

In his previous career, Dr. Simons practiced law in Atlanta, Georgia, and Ocala Florida for more than ten years. His legal practice included commercial litigation, business law, health care law, and real estate law. In Fall of 2010, he stepped down from his legal practice to pursue advanced theological education. His research explores the intersection of church history, theology, and legal history. His dissertation focuses on the relationship between puritan theology and the work of the magistrates who governed the colonies of Connecticut and New Haven in the second half of the Seventeenth Century. He has taught in a variety of contexts at the undergraduate and graduate level.

John and his wife, Lynn, have three adult children. John enjoys woodworking and cycling. He is an avid fan of University of Florida athletics.

Education

Affiliations & Achievements

Publications

2019 Robert W. Caldwell, III. Theologies of the American Revivalists From Whitefield to Finney. IVP Academic, 2017. 39 Trin. J. 102-04 (2019)

2018 Chad B. Van Dixhoorn. God’s Ambassadors: The Westminster Assembly and the
Reformation of the English Pulpit, 1643-1653. Reformation Heritage, 2017. 39
Trin. J. 256-58 (2018)

2016 William Perkins. J. Stephen Yuille, ed. The Works of William Perkins: Vol. 1. Reformation Heritage, 2014. 37 Trin. J. 286-88 (2016)

1998 Note: Is the Doctrine of Necessaries Necessary in Florida?: Should the Legislature Accept the Challenge of Connor v. Southwest Regional Medical Center?, 50 Fla. L. Rev. 933 (1998).

1997 Case Comment: Changing Assumptions: Disentangling Title I Remedial Education at Parochial Schools, Agostini v. Felton, 117 S. Ct. 1997 (1997), 49 Fla. L. Rev. 651 (1997).

Study with Dr. Simons


Master's

Church History

36 CREDITS | 1.5 YEARS

ABOUT

Engage with the history and doctrine of the early church, history of church revival, and gain a deeper insight into the history of the Free Church. Trinity offers some of the most renowned church historians to mentor and teach you how to integrate history and theology throughout your studies.

COURSEWORK

Featured Courses

  • Introduction to Biblical Theology
  • Theology 1: The God of the Gospel: From the Father
  • Classic Texts in the History of Christianity 1
  • Colloquium in Historical Methodology 1
ThM

Master of Theology

22 CREDITS | 1 YEAR

ABOUT

TEDS’ ThM offers discipline concentrations in each of our eight departments: Church History, Counseling, Educational Studies, Mission and Evangelism, New Testament, Old Testament, Pastoral Theology, and Systematic Theology, or specialized inter-departmental concentrations developed in consultation with the departmental faculty. The program can be completed in one year of study.

COURSEWORK

  • Concentration Core: 19 -20 hours
  • Capstone: 2-3 hours
Doctor of Philosophy

Theological Studies

50 CREDITS | 5 YEARS

ABOUT

The PhD (Theological Studies) at TEDS offers an exciting, academically robust program that prepares graduates for a wide range of career opportunities. Alumni from the PhD (Theological Studies) have gone on to a diverse set of vocations that include academic teaching and writing and various forms of church, parachurch, and denominational leadership.

COURSEWORK

REQUIRED COURSES

  • ST 9110: The Theological Scholar – 2 hrs.
  • ST 9120: Reading Scripture Theologically Past and Present – 3hrs.
  • ID 9200: Integration Seminar – 3hrs.
    • ID 8210: Theological Research Methods 1a (OT/NT) – 1hr.
      -OR-
    • ID 8215: Theological Research Methods 1b (HT/ST) – 1hr.
  • ID 8220: Theological Research Methods 2 – 1hr.
  • ID 9110: Proposal Study 1 (Independent) – 3hrs.
  • ID 9120: Proposal Study 2 (Independent) – 3hrs.
  • ID 9130: Proposal Study 3 (Independent) – 3hrs.
  • ID 9140: Proposal Study 4 (Independent) – 3hrs.

Electives

  • Concentration – 12 hrs.
  • Elective – 3hrs.
  • EDS (ES) – 2hrs.
  • ICS (ME) – 2hrs.

Research

  • Comprehensive Exams Prep – 3hrs.
  • Dissertation – 6hrs.

TOTAL: 50hrs.

Certificate

Christian Foundations

12 CREDITS | 1 YEAR

ABOUT

The Christian Foundations Certificate program enables you to explore the rich traditions, theology, and history of the Christian faith from its early beginnings, through the Reformation, and to the present day. Through examining church history and foundational theology, you can gain a biblical understanding of God’s work in the world and how culture has shaped different church traditions.

COURSEWORK

Featured Courses

  • Introduction to Biblical Theology
  • Theology 1: The God of the Gospel: From the Father
  • Theology 2: The Gospel of God: Through the Son
  • Theology 3: The People of God: Through the Holy Spirit