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David Allen
Professor of Preaching, Director of the Southwestern Center for Expository Preaching, George W. Truett Chair of Ministry, and Dean of the School of Theology
817-923-1921 ext. 4220



Dr. Allen’s research and writing has focused primarily in the area of Biblical Studies and Preaching. In addition to numerous journal articles and essays, he is the author of Hebrews in the New American Commentary series and Lukan Authorship of Hebrews in the NAC Studies in Bible & Theology series. He also co-edited and contributed chapters to Whosoever Will: a Biblical-Theological Critique of Calvinism; Text-Driven Preaching: God’s Word at the Heart of Every Sermon; and The Return of Christ: a Premillennial Perspective. He is currently working on 1-3 John in the Preaching the Word series published by Crossway, which will consist of a series of expository sermons on the Johannine letters. Dr. Allen’s current research interests revolve around the theological issue of the extent of the atonement and its impact on preaching, evangelism and missions, as exampled in his chapter “Preaching for a Great Commission Resurgence” in Great Commission Resurgence, published by B&H, and “Substitutionary Atonement and Cultic Terminology in Isaiah 53” in The Gospel According to Isaiah 53, published by Kregel. Dr. Allen has served as a senior pastor of two churches for 21 years, as well as several interim pastorates. He leads Preaching Workshops locally, as well as at the Associational and State Convention level within the SBC, and is a frequent speaker at Church Bible Conferences, and Pastor’s Conferences around the country.

    Education
  • Ph.D. in Humanities, University of Texas at Arlington (1987) (Major: Linguistics; Minor: Philosophy)
  • M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1981)
  • B.A., Criswell College, Dallas, TX (1978)
    Past Employment
  • Senior Pastor, MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church, 8001 Mustang, Irving, TX 75063, 2000-2005
  • W.A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching , Professor of Preaching, and Director of the Jerry Vines Institute of Biblical Preaching, The Criswell College, Dallas, TX (1998-2004)
  • Senior Pastor, Audelia Road Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas (1982-1998)
  • Assoc. Pastor/Min. of Youth, Prestonwood Baptist Church, Dallas, TX (1977-1982)
    Teaching Experience
  • Adjunct Professor of New Testament and Homiletics, The Criswell College (1985-98)
  • Professor of Preaching, The Criswell College (1998-2004)
  • Professor of Preaching, SWBTS (2004-present)
    Honors
  • College:
    • Summa Cum Laude graduate
    • H. Leo Eddleman Award for outstanding scholastic achievement
    • President of the Senior Class
  • Other:
    • Outstanding Young Men of America (1980, 1983)
    • Criswell College Outstanding Alumnus of the Year - (1993)
    • Criswell College Outstanding Alumnus of the Year - (2002)
    • Distinguished Alumnus Award, SWBTS – (2011)
    Southern Baptist Convention Service
  • Board of Trustees – Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1992-2004)
  • Vice-Chairman, Board of Trustees – SWBTS (2001-2003)
  • Chairman, Board of Trustees – SWBTS (2003-2004)
  • Resolutions Committee, Southern Baptist Convention (1989)
    Southern Baptists of Texas State Convention Service
  • Committee on Order of Business (1999-2003)
    Dallas Baptist Association Service
  • President, Dallas Baptist Association Pastor's Conference (April-September, 1993)
  • Evangelism Committee Chairman (1992-93)
  • Parliamentarian, Annual Meeting (1985, 1986)
  • Vice-President of Pastor's Conference (1984)
  • Christian Life Committee (1985-89)
  • Mt. Lebanon Committee (1983-84)
    Interim Pastorates
  • Inglewood Baptist Church, Grand Prairie, TX (August 2010 – February 2011)
  • Woodland Heights Baptist Church, Bedford, TX (February 2009 – July 2009)
  • Lakeland Baptist Church, Lewisville, TX (February 2007 – July 2008)
  • Galloway Avenue Baptist Church, Mesquite, TX (Spring 2006)
  • MacArthur Boulevard Baptist Church, Irving, TX (December 1999 – June 2000)
  • Highland Baptist Church, Dallas, TX (February – November 1999)
  • First Baptist Church, Shannon, GA (Summer 1976)
  • Bush Arbor Baptist Church, Rome, GA (Summer 1975)
    Other Ministry Experience
  • Led over 300 Revivals, Bible Conferences, and Workshops
  • Israel Study Tour, “The Preaching of Jesus,” (2008)
  • Oxford Study Tour, “History of British Preaching,” (2007)
  • Bonn, Germany, “Principles of Expository Preaching,” (2007)
  • Vice Chairman - Advisory Board, Criswell Legacy Project (2002-2004)
  • Mission Trips to Lima, Peru; Puebla, Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico
  • Co-Host with Danny Akin of “The Criswell College Presents” on KCBI (90.9 FM) (1988-91)
  • Camp Pastor, Dallas Baptist Association G.A. Camp (1978, 1984)
  • Dean, Super Summer Evangelism School, Waco, Texas (1980, 1981)
  • Camp Pastor, Dallas Baptist Association Preteen Camp (1979)
    Preaching Engagements, Conferences, Chapels, and Special Engagements (2000-present)
  • Pastors Conference - FBC Jacksonville, Fla., February (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
  • Pastor’s Conference, FBC Atlanta, GA (September 2010)
  • Conroe Area Bible Conference, Mims Baptist Church, Conroe, TX (January 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011)
  • Bailey Smith Real Evangelism Conference, FBC Indian Trails, NC (March 2008)
  • Bailey Smith Real Evangelism Conference, FBC Woodstock, GA (February 2008, 2009)
  • Expository Preaching Workshop, SWBTS (February 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
  • Advanced Expository Preaching Workshop, SWBTS – Fort Worth, TX (October 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010)
  • Lone Camp Baptist Church, Mineral Wells, TX (May 2011)
  • Men’s Breakfast, Oates Drive Baptist Church, Mesquite, TX (May 2011)
  • Bible Conference, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Henderson, TX (April 2011)
  • Spring Preaching Workshop, SWBTS (March 2011)
  • Lusanne Conference on Jewish Evangelism Bible Teacher, St. Louis (March 2011)
  • Small Church/Bivocational Pastor Preaching Workshop, Dequincy, LA (March 2011)
  • Hillcrest Baptist Church, Cedar Hill, TX (March 2011)
  • Power in the Pulpit Preaching Conference (March 2011)
  • Revival, First Baptist Church, Estero, FL (February 2011)
  • Men’s Retreat, Salem Heights Church, Salem, OR (January 2011)
  • Chapel, SWBTS (January 2011)
  • Santee Baptist Association, SC, Preaching Workshop, S (January 2011)
  • Oklahoma Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference, Shawnee, OK (November 2010)
  • Alabama State Convention, SWBTS Alumni Luncheon, Birmingham, AL (November 2010)
  • Revival, FBC Whitesboro, TX (November 2010)
  • FBC Coushatta, LA (November 2010)
  • Criswell College 40th Anniversary Celebration, Dallas, TX (October 2010)
  • Grayson County Baptist Association Annual Sermon, Sherman, TX (October 2010)
  • Revival, Emory Baptist Church, Emory, TX (October 2010)
  • Revival, Woods Chapel Baptist Church, Arlington, TX (October 2010)
  • Ron Dunn Encourager Conference, MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church, Irving, TX (Sept. 2010)
  • Speaker - Baptist Pastors Conference in Lemgo, Germany (June 2010)
  • Kaufmann Van Zandt Baptist Association Pastors/Deacons Annual Banquet (May 2010)
  • Ridgeview Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN (May 2010)
  • FBC, Jacksonville, FL (April 2010)
  • Lusanne Conference on Jewish Evangelism, Atlanta, GA, Bible Teacher (March, 2010)
  • Speaker - Jerry Vines Ministry Acts 1:11 Conference, North Metro FBC, Lawrenceville, GA (November 2009)
  • Preaching Workshop, Dallas Baptist Association, Lakeside Baptist Church, Dallas, TX (November 2009)
  • Dallas Baptist Association Pastors Meeting, Lakeside Baptist Church (November 2009)
  • Deacon Retreat, “Servant-Leadership,” FBC Whitesboro, TX (November 2009)
  • Chapel speaker, Truett-McConnell College, Cleveland, GA (October 2009)
  • Paschal Preaching Lectures, Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, TX (October 2009)
  • Barry Preaching Lectures, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, Cordova, TN (October 2009)
  • Speaker, The Criswell College Preaching Conference, Dallas, TX (October 2009)
  • Preaching Workshop, SBTC Pastor’s Conference, Lubbock, TX (October 2009)
  • Pastor’s Conference Speaker, SBTC Convention, Lubbock, TX (October 2009)
  • Adrian Rogers Preaching Conference, Mid-America Baptist Seminary, Cordova, TN (September 2009)
  • Area-wide Preaching Conference, Riverside Baptist Church, Huntsville, TX (September 29, 2009)
  • Hebrews Bible Conference, Riverside Baptist Church, Huntsville, TX (September 2009)
  • Bible Conference, Salem Heights Church, Salem, OR (July 2009; July 2010)
  • Bible Conference, Perdido Bay Baptist Church, Pensacola, FL (July 2009)
  • Bible Conference, First Baptist Church, Burkburnett, TX (June 2009)
  • Tent Revival, Sandy Creek Baptist Church, Liberty, NC (May 2009)
  • Southern Baptist Central TX Association Evangelism Conference, Lakeview Baptist Church, Belton, TX (April 2009)
  • Isaiah 53 Conference, Irving Bible Church, Irving, TX (March 2009)
  • Crusades for Christ Bible Conference, London, KY (August 2007, 2008)
  • Expository Preaching Workshop, Beaumont, TX (July 2008)
  • Men’s Conference, Shorter Ave. Baptist Church, Rome, GA (August 2008)
  • Expository Preach Conference, Indiana State Convention, Indianapolis, IN (November 2007)
  • Dogwood Baptist Annual Association Meeting Keynote Speaker, Athens, TX (October 2007)
  • Shorter College Chapel, Rome, GA (September 2007)
  • Bible Conference, Green Bay, WI (September 2007)
  • Bible Conference, FBC Katy, Katy, TX (July 2007)
  • SBTC Pastor’s/wives Retreat, Grapevine, TX (July 2007)
  • EK Bailey Preaching Conference Speaker, Dallas, TX (July 2007, 2008, 2009)
  • Honors Day Chapel, Baptist Bible College, Graceville, FL (May 2007)
  • Associational Evangelism Conference, Tuscaloosa, AL (March 2007)
  • Bible Conference, Palestine, TX (March 2007)
  • Preaching Conference, Criswell College (February 2007)
  • E3 Ministries Leadership Banquet, Frisco, TX (January 2007)
  • Speaker, Baptist Distinctives Conference, SWBTS (September 2006)
  • SS Leadership Conference, Whitesburg Baptist, Huntsville, AL (August 2006)
  • On Track Bible Conference, Greensboro, NC, (2006)
  • Jerry Vines Ministries - Power in the Pulpit Conference, Atlanta, GA (August 2006)
  • Ron Dunn Encourager Conference, MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church (May 2005)
  • Missions Conference, First Baptist Church, Bastrop, Texas (April 2005)
  • Westwood Baptist Church - Palestine, Texas (April 2005)
  • Preach the Word Conf. - San Angelo, Texas (April 2004)
  • Sinclair Bible Conf. - Fairview, Texas (April 2004)
  • SBC Jewish Fellowship Keynote Speaker - Indianapolis, IN. (June 2004)
  • Northcutt Preaching Lectures, SWBTS, “From Exegesis to Exposition” (August 2004)
  • Preaching Conference - Harmony Baptist Association - Pittsburg, TX (August 2004)
  • Preach the Word Conference – Criswell College (September 2003)
  • Ancient Words/ Ever New Pastors Conference – Criswell College (November 2003)
  • Pastors Conference - Greenville, TX (November 2003)
  • Apollos Conference - Criswell College (September 2002)
  • Winter Bible Study - Chicago, IL. (October 2002)
  • Colorado Preaching Conference - Aurora, Colo (November 2002)
  • Preaching Workshop - Forest Heights Baptist Church, Athens, GA (April 2001)
  • Preaching Conference - North TX Baptist Assc. - Carrollton, TX (August 2001)
  • North Georgia Conference (September 2001)
  • Colorado Conference - Aurora, Colo. (October 2001)
  • SBTC Evangelism Conf. Speaker - Arlington, TX,( February 2001)
  • Encourager Conference - MacArthur Blvd. Baptist Church - Irving, TX (May 2000)
  • Preaching Conference - First Baptist Church, Grove, TX (November 2000)
  • Apollos Preaching Conference - Criswell College (August 2000)
  • Preaching Conf. - Criswell College (January 2000)
    Lectures, Conferences, and Papers Delivered
  • "Homiletics and Biblical Authority" - Inaugural Lecture for the W.A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, The Criswell College (November 3, 1999)
  • "Homiletics and Biblical Authority" - Evangelical Theological Society Regional Meeting, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (April 8, 2000)
  • Symposium on New Testament Studies: A Time for Reappraisal - Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, NC. Paper - "The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Luke." (April 6-7, 2000)
  • "A Tale of Two Roads: Homiletics and Biblical Authority," Evangelical Homiletics Society, Orlando, FL (October, 2000)
  • H. I. Hester Lectures on Preaching, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO, "A Tale of Two Roads: Homiletics and Biblical Authority," (February, 2001)
  • “A Tale of Two Roads: Homiletics and Biblical Authority,” Regional ETS Meeting (2003)
  • Adams Preaching Lectures, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, “Text-Driven Preaching,” Wake Forest, NC. (February 2004)
  • Northcutt Preaching Lectures, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX. "From Exegesis to Exposition." (August 2004)
  • Southern Baptists of Texas Pastors/Wives Conference, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX (July 2005)
  • Premier Designs Annual Conference, Fort Worth, TX. “Welcome and History of Fort Worth,” (July 2005)
  • Baptist Distinctives Conference, SWBTS, “Dipped for Dead: The Proper Mode of Baptism” (Sept. 2006)
  • Northcutt Preaching Lectures, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, TX. “Hebrews as Creative Expository Preaching,” (August 2008)
  • Baptist Distinctives Conference, SWBTS, Fort Worth, TX, “Autonomy of the Local Church,” (September 2008)
  • "With a Bible in My Hand: The Legacy of W.A. Criswell," Criswell Theological Lectures, Criswell College, Dallas, TX (January 21, 2010)
    Professional Memberships
  • Evangelical Theological Society, 1998-present
  • Evangelical Homiletics Society, 2000-present
  • Institute of Biblical Research, 2000-present
    Publications
  • “The Millennial Reign of Christ,” The Return of Christ: a Premillennial Perspective, eds. David L. Allen & Steve Lemke (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2011), 74-87.
  • “Substitution and Cultic Terminology in Isaiah 53,” in The Gospel According to Isaiah 53: Encountering the Suffering Servant in Jewish and Christian Theology, (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2011)
  • “The Authorship of Hebrews: Historical Survey of the Lukan Theory,” Criswell Theological Review, N.S., 8.2 (Spring, 2011), 3-18.
  • Hebrews, New American Commentary, vol. 35 (Nashville: B&H, 2010)
  • The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Luke, NAC Studies in Bible & Theology (Nashville: B&H, 2010)
  • “The Extent of the Atonement: Limited or Universal?” in Whosoever Will: A Biblical and Theological Critique of Five-Point Calvinism, ed. David L. Allen and Steve Lemke (B&H Academic 2010)
  • “Introduction,” and “The Method of Text-Driven Preaching” in Text-Driven Preaching: God’s Word at the Heart of Every Sermon, eds. Daniel L. Akin, David L. Allen, Ned Matthews (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010)
  • David L. Allen, “Preaching for a Great Commission Resurgence,” in Toward a Great Commission Resurgence: Fulfilling God’s Mandate in Our Time, eds. Lawless & Greenway (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010)
  • “The Autonomy of the Local Church,” in Upon this Rock: The Baptist Understanding of the Church, eds. White, Duesing, Yarnell (Nashville: B&H Academic, 2010), 57-83.
  • “Hebrews Use of the Old Testament,” Mishkan: A Forum on the Gospel and the Jewish People, vol. 63 (2010): 41-52.
  • “Expository Preaching and the Mission of the Church,” The Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, vol. 6.2 (Fall, 2009): 25-32.
  • “Dipped for Dead: The Proper Mode of Baptism,” in Restoring Integrity in Baptist Churches, eds. T. White, J. Duesing and M. Yarnell (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2008), 81-106.
  • "Fundamentals of Genre: How Literary Form Affects the Interpretation of Scripture" in The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching; eds., Larson & Robinson (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005).
  • "The Rules of the Game: Seven Steps to Proper Interpretation," in The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching; eds., Larson & Robinson (Grand Rapids: Zondervan 2005).
  • “With a Bible in My Hand: The Preaching Legacy of Dr. W. A. Criswell,” Criswell Theological Review, N.S. (Fall 2003), 3-17.
  • “A Tale of Two Roads: The New Homiletic and Biblical Authority,” Preaching, Vol. 18, no. 2 (Sept/Oct, 2002), 27-38.
  • “With a Bible in My Hand: The Preaching Legacy of Dr. W. A. Criswell,” Criswell Theological Review, Oct.,2002.
  • “My Anchor Holds: A Sermon on Hebrews 6:18-20,” Kerusson (Sermons by TCC Alumni, 2002), 10-17.
  • “The Legacy of Dr. W. A. Criswell in Preaching,” The Criswell College Shophar, Special edition, Dr. W. A. Criswell: A Tribute, (2002) 5-6.
  • “Preaching and Postmodernism: An Evangelical Comes to the Dance,” The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, vol. 5, no. 2 (Summer 2001), 62-78.
  • "The Authorship of Hebrews: The Case for Luke,” Faith and Mission, Vol. 18, No. 2 Fall, 2001. 27-40.
  • “A Tale of Two Roads: Homiletics and Biblical Authority” – Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 43:3 (September 2000), 489-515.
  • “A Tale of Two Roads: Homiletics and Biblical Authority” – Inaugural Lecture for the W.A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, The Criswell College, November 3, 1999.
  • Contributing Translator for the Holman Christian Standard Bible.
  • Contributing Author, Holman Concise Bible Commentary, David Dockery, General Editor, Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1998.
  • "The Lukan Authorship of Hebrews: A Proposal," Journal of Translation and Textlinguistics, 1-22, Vol. 8, Fall 1996.
  • Contributing Editor, Journal of Translation and Textlinguistics, 1989 - 2000.
  • “New Testament Use of the Old Testament,” Holman Bible Handbook (Broadman/Holman, 1993)
  • "The Discourse Structure of Philemon: A Study in Textlinguistics," in Scribes and Scripture: New Testament Essays in Honor of J. Harold Greenlee, ed. David A. Black, (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 1992), 77-96.
  • Study Notes Contributor, Believer's Study Bible, Thomas Nelson, 1991.
  • "Acts Studies in the 1990's: Unity and Diversity", Criswell Theological Review, 5.1 (1990), 3-13.
  • "The Purposes of Luke-Acts and Hebrews Compared: An Argument for the Lukan Authorship of Hebrews," The Church at the Dawn of the 21st Century, ed. by Paige Patterson, et. al. (Dallas: Criswell Publications, 1989), 221-35.
  • Jerry Vines and David Allen, "Hermeneutics, Exegesis and Proclamation," Criswell Theological Review, 1.2 (Spring 1987), 309-34.
  • David Allen and Jerry Vines, "Biblical Authority and Homiletics," in Authority and Interpretation: A Baptist Perspective, eds. Garrett & Melick, (Grand Rapid: Baker, 1987), 157-73.
    Publications in Process
  • 1-3 John, Preaching the Word series, ed. Kent Hughes (Wheaton, IL: Crossway), forthcoming Fall/Winter 2012.
    Personal
  • Married to Sherri E. Greene (1978)
  • Children: Jeremy (1982), Jared (1985), Melody (1988), Kali (1990)
  • Daughter in law: Joelle Allen
  • Grandchildren: Judah Jared Allen, Lydia Allen