Dr. Anthony D. Baker, Southwest's Clinton S. Quin Professor of Systematic Theology, holds theology degrees from Olivet Nazarene University (M.A) and The University of Virginia (Ph.D.). He joined the Seminary of the Southwest faculty in 2004. He is the author of Leaving Emmaus: A New Departure in Christian Theology (Baylor University Press, 2021), Shakespeare, Theology, and the Unstaged God (Routledge, 2020), Diagonal Advance: Perfection in Christian Theology (SCM, 2011), and many other essays and articles. He is currently working on an eschatology monograph, with the working title “The Eternal Gospel.”

Professor Baker has lectured or preached at various institutions around the world, from the Sorbonne, to Cambridge University, to various campuses and churches throughout the U.S. At Southwest he offers classes in Constructive Theology, Theology in the Classical Era, Trinity, Christology, and Ecotheology. He also works with other members of the community on green initiatives around campus.

Professor Baker is the theologian in residence at Saint Julian of Norwich Episcopal Church in north Austin where he and his family worship.

He graduated from the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction in 2024, and since then has maintained a small practice as a spiritual director.

He is a three-time Polity Bowl champion, catching the winning touchdown in 2025.

You can stay updated on his popular writings on Substack ( https://throughaglassdiagonally.substack.com/ ), and find out more about his various professional projects on his website ( https://www.anthonydbaker.com/ ).

BA, MA, Olivet Nazarene University
PhD, University of Virginia