Dr. Brad H. Young is the founder and President of the Gospel Research Foundation, Inc. Residing in Tulsa, OK, Dr. Young is a member of the faculty of the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University serving as Associate Professor of Judaic-Christian Studies. A native of Sapulpa, OK, he received his first degree from ORU.
After receiving his B.A., Dr. Young departed Tulsa for Israel. At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he pursued graduate studies in early Christianity and ancient Judaism. During this time he lectured at the American Institute of Holy Land Studies, served as Research Assistant to Dr. David Flusser, and earned two degrees, an M.A. and Ph.D. both from the Hebrew University. His doctoral dissertation was published by Paulist Press under the title, Jesus and His Jewish Parables. Dr. Young is one of the founding scholars of the Jerusalem School of Synoptic Studies working closely on Gospel research with Prof. David Flusser and Dr. Robert L. Lindsey. He has contributed to scholarly journals and spoken at many academic, church, interfaith and civic gatherings.
In 1987 Dr. Young returned to Oklahoma to fill a teaching post at ORU. He regularly teaches classes on the parables of Jesus, the Jewish background to the Gospels, Rabbinic literature, and Paul the Jewish apostle to the Gentiles. Dr. Young has prepared Christian leaders and pastors for effective ministry and many of his former students are working on Ph.D. degrees at Jewish academic institutions.
In addition to teaching full-time and speaking at seminars and conferences around the world, Dr. Young has maintained a strong commitment to research and writing. The Gospel Research Foundation facilitates his work as an author and teacher. Hendrickson Publishers released his Jesus the Jewish Theologian and will soon print The Parables of Jesus in Light of Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation.
As a internationally recognized authority on the life and teaching of Jesus, Dr. Young has had a remarkable impact. His work has challenged audiences to return Jesus to his own culture, time and people, to the distant and foreign world of late Second Temple Period Judaism, and to have the courage to listen to his teachings afresh. Having broad appeal, Dr. Young's seminars attract both Catholics and mainline Protestants, evangelicals and Charismatics, those who are aiming for academic careers as well as those who are preparing for ministry in the church. Lay people discover a fresh perspective.
Whether through writing, teaching of public speaking, Dr. Young's message always enlightens, stimulates and stretches his audiences. His passion is studying and teaching the Jesus presented in the Synoptic tradition against the rich and diverse backdrop of ancient Judaism. For such a task, having lived, studied and taught in Jerusalem ten years, Dr. Young is uniquely qualified.
