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Carl F. Ellis Jr.

American theological anthropologist and pastor

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Carl F. Ellis Jr. (born 1946) is an American theological anthropologist who has been a pastor and faculty member at Westminster Seminary and Redeemer Seminary. He is Provost's Professor of Theology and Culture at Reformed Theological Seminary. He has authored books on African American theology and the church's global mission.^[1]

Ellis was born in 1946. He grew up in Gary Indiana and attended Hampton University in the late 1960s. He wanted to join the Air Force like his father, a WWII veteran and Tuskegee airman.^[2][3] But mix-ups with his draft papers made the government think he was dodging service. Even though he didn't have to go to Vietnam, he lost faith in the system.^[3]

Ellis holds a BA from Hampton University, a Master of Arts in religion from Westminster Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Oxford Graduate School.^[4] He studied under Francis SchaefferatL'AbriinOllon, Switzerland.^[1]

In 1969, Ellis became Senior Campus Minister in New York. From 1979 to 1989, he served as Assistant Pastor of Forest Park Community Church in Baltimore. He also was a faculty member at Chesapeake Theological Seminary and seminar instructor for Prison Fellowship. From 1986 to 2009, Ellis was an adjunct instructor at the Center for Urban Theological Studies and Dean of Intercultural Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary.^{[citation needed]}

Ellis is assistant professor of practical theology at Redeemer Seminary in Dallas, Texas, and the associate pastor for cultural apologetics at New City Fellowship.^[1] He is the academic dean of The Makazi Institute, which he cofounded to train cultural analysts.^[5][6]

Ellis has authored several books promoting intercultural understanding and engagement within theological education. His work seeks to apply biblical theology to the concerns of different cultures, particularly minority groups.^[6][7]

Ellis married his first wife in 1969, they had two children and were married for seventeen years. In 2011, Ellis married his former student, Karen Bishop.^[8]

• Ellis, C.F. (1995). Free at Last?: The Gospel in the African-American Experience. InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0-8308-1687-3. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
• Ellis, C. (2005). Go Global: Beyond the Boundaries. UMI (Urban Ministries, Incorporated). ISBN 978-0-940955-94-3. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
• Ellis, C.F. (1983). Beyond Liberation: The Gospel in the Black American Experience. InterVarsity Press. ISBN 978-0-87784-914-8. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
• Poston, L.; Ellis, C.F. (2000). The Changing Face of Islam in America: Understanding and Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor. Horizon Books. ISBN 978-0-88965-168-5. Retrieved 10 May 2024.