Who is Rev. Dr. Matthew Elliott?
“If you want to be truly spiritual, you have to get some time alone with God and outpour what you’re feeling.“
Journey
Matthew’s love for Africa began as a young man when accompanying his father, Ed Elliott, to visit booksellers across the continent. Now having traveled to Africa about 50 times in the last 25 years, and forming deep relationships across the continent, his love for Africa and its beautiful landscapes, cultures, and people has grown deeper and more passionate.
His journey toward the intense study of emotions started early in his teens, listening to the music of Keith Green. Green’s energy for God made him question what it really meant to love God and to hate evil. This deep desire to understand what God means when he tells us to love him led him to studies in philosophy, sociology, and the science of emotion; and finally a PhD in New Testament. He has written extensively on the role of emotions in the Bible and the Christian life.
Out of a natural and sometimes prophetic vision, curiosity, and intensity, new movements have been birthed. Many are now teaching about how Christians should feel very differently with greater impact as a result of his books and teaching.
As project founder, leader, and publisher, the Africa Study Bible was envisioned, created, and birthed under Dr. Elliott’s leadership. With notes written in five languages by 350 authors from fifty countries, it is the most ethnically diverse single volume biblical resource ever developed. This revolutionary book is changing how pastors and leaders across Africa apply the Bible to life in their own culture and context.
Matthew enjoys thinking deeply and considering all kinds of angles and perspectives around an idea, problem, or current event. But in this, he is fully and totally committed to the Lordship of Jesus and biblical orthodoxy first. He just likes to question if the things we think we know from our church dogma and the Bible really are … in the Bible.
With the completion of the Africa Study Bible and the growing maturity of Oasis International, which he leads as President, Matthew is spending a little more time studying, speaking, and writing on discipleship and other topics of interest.
Family
Dr. Elliott is most at home when he is with his wife of over twenty-five years, Laura, and their three children. After living in several different countries, they now reside in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Georgia.
The Elliotts enjoy biking, camping, and cheering on their kids in sports, school and life. They are active members of their church where they are leaders in the small group ministry.
Education
-
A Bachelor’s degree in economics and Master’s degree in New Testament from Wheaton College in Illinois.
-
A Masters of Theology and a Doctorate of Philosophy in New Testament Studies from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
-
Was ordained at College Church in Wheaton, Illinois under Dr. Kent Hughes.