Dr. Bobby Kelly joined the OBU faculty in 1997. He was named the Rowena Strickland Professor of Bible in 2000 and in 2004 he was named the Ruth Dickinson Chair of Bible. He received his PhD in New Testament Studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (1998), where he also served as a teaching fellow for three years. He also received his master of divinity degree from Southwestern Seminary (1992) and his bachelor’s degree from Clear Creek Baptist College in Pineville, Kentucky (1988).

Dr. Kelly contributes articles frequently to the Biblical Illustrator as well as dictionary articles and presentations at professional conferences. He is also active in preaching and teaching in churches throughout Oklahoma. Kelly has served as interim pastor of eleven Oklahoma churches since his arrival at OBU including First Baptist Midwest City, Quail Springs Baptist Church (OKC), First Baptist Ponca City, and First Baptist Shawnee. He also travels the state teaching January/Winter Bible Studies.

Dr. Kelly has been recognized for excellence in teaching. He received the Promising Teacher Award in May 2000, an award given annually to a junior faculty member who demonstrates outstanding potential as a teacher. In May 2011 OBU awarded Dr. Kelly the Distinguished Teacher Award, the highest honor for OBU faculty members. This award is presented to a senior faculty member who has exemplified characteristics of superior instruction as acknowledged by former students, peers and current students. Dr. Kelly also received the Delta Epsilon Chi Award in May 2000, an annual award given to a distinguished alumnus as selected by the faculty, administration and trustees of Clear Creek Baptist College.

Dr. Kelly has been married to his wife, Angie, for twenty years. They have two children, Luke and Levi. In his spare time he enjoys Kentucky basketball, serving as basketball coach for his sons and running. He completed the Marine Corps Marathon in 2000 (4:18) and the Memorial Marathon in OKC in 2008 (3:38).

Educational Background:

Courses Taught:

Selected Publications and/or Professional Activities:

“The Roman Death Penalty.” Biblical Illustrator 38:3 (Spring 2012).

“The Family of Jesus.” In The Baker Illustrated Handbook to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.

“Women Followers of Jesus.” In The Baker Illustrated Handbook to the Bible. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2011.

“Richard Rolle’s Impact on the English Bible: Response to Ralph Hanna.” Green Scholars Initiative Speaker Series. 27 September 2011.

“Pilgrim Motif in 1 Peter.” Biblical Illustrator 37:3 (Spring 2011).

Galatians: The Truth about Grace. January Bible Study Exegetical Commentary 2011. Lifeway. May 2010.

“Reconciliation: A Word Study.” Biblical Illustrator 36:3 (Spring 2010).

“Jesus Films: Not Necessarily for More Mature Audiences.” Paper presented at the National Association for Baptist Professors of Religion, Southwest Region, Dallas, Spring 2010.

Book Review Alan Thompson, One Lord, One People: The Unity of the Church in Acts in Its Literary Setting. Review of Biblical Literature: Fall 2009.

“Preparation for the Sabbath.” Biblical Illustrator 35:3 (Spring 2009).

"Acts." In What the New Testament Authors Really Cared About: A Survey of Their Writings,ed. Kenneth Berding and Matthew Williams. Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008.

"Pentecost and the Gathering of the Nations." Biblical Illustrator34:4 (Summer 2008).

"Matthew and His Gospel." Biblical Illustrator. 34:1 (Fall 2007).

"Simon Peter: The Man and His Ministry." Biblical Illustrator 33:3 (Spring 2007).

"Lot's Wife: A Pillar of Preservation." Paper presented at the regional Society of Biblical Literature, Dallas, Spring 2006.

"Jesus, Luke, and the Poor." Biblical Illustrator 32:2 (Winter 2005).