James R. Payton Jr.

Dr. Payton joined the faculty of McMaster Divinity College in 2021. He is Professor Emeritus of History at Redeemer University, where he taught Eastern European history and Church history. Before that, he served eight years as a pastor. Jim has also taught at Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia), St. Stephen’s College (University of Alberta), Evangelical Theological Seminary (Osijek, Croatia), and Matthias Flacius Illyricus Faculty of Theology (Zagreb, Croatia).

He has been extensively involved in ecumenical and interfaith activities in both Eastern Europe and North America. He served as Executive Secretary (1998–2006) and as President (2006–2011) of CAREE (Christians Associated for Relationships with Eastern Europe), a UN-endorsed NGO which worked for peace, justice, and reconciliation in and for the region for more than forty years. He served as member (2006–2021) and Christian chair (2008–2011) of the National Muslim-Christian Liaison Committee. He has a wide range of academic specializations in history and historical theology, including the history of Eastern Europe, the intellectual history of Eastern Orthodoxy, the Reformation era, and a long-standing special interest in Patristics.

Accreditations

PhD

University of Waterloo

Waterloo, ON

ThM

Westminster Theological Seminary

Philadelphia, PA

MDiv

Westminster Theological Seminary

Philadelphia, PA

MA

Bob Jones University

Greenville, SC

BA

Bob Jones University

Greenville, SC

Professor of Patristics and Historical Theology

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Current Course List

CH 6R1080

Nicea and its Legacy

Instructor icon James R. Payton Jr.

Fall

2025

In-Person Class

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