Kenneth Gentry is an American evangelical pastor, New Testament scholar, and author known for his contributions to biblical theology, particularly within an amillennial framework. He has served in pastoral ministry, taught at seminary level, and written extensively on topics such as eschatology, biblical inerrancy, and the doctrine of the kingdom of God.
Early life and education
- Born in the United States in 1951 (date of birth reported in several biographical outlines).
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Texas A&M University (1973).
- Completed a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1975).
- Received a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (1991).
Pastoral ministry
Gentry served as senior pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, a congregation that grew under his leadership and became noted for its emphasis on biblical preaching and expository teaching. He later held pastoral roles at other churches, continuing to preach and teach on a regular basis.
Academic career
- Adjunct professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he taught courses on biblical interpretation and the theological foundations of the New Testament.
- Contributed scholarly articles to journals such as Bibliotheca Sacra and Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
- Member of professional societies including the Evangelical Theological Society and the International Association of Baptist Theologians.
Theological positions
Gentry is identified with amillennialism, arguing that the “millennial” reign of Christ described in Revelation 20 is a symbolic representation of Christ’s present spiritual reign rather than a future literal thousand‑year earthly kingdom. He has been a vocal critic of dispensationalist eschatology, contending that it introduces unnecessary divisions within biblical covenant theology.
His work also emphasizes the doctrine of biblical inerrancy, asserting that the original manuscripts of Scripture are without error in all that they affirm.
Publications
Gentry has authored and edited numerous books and articles, including:
- Apostasy in the New Testament (1994) – a study of the concept of apostasy in early Christian literature.
- The New Testament and the Kingdom of God (1995) – an examination of how the kingdom motif functions throughout the New Testament.
- What Is Dispensationalism? (1999) – a critical overview of dispensationalist theology.
- The New Testament in the Original Greek: A Reader’s Guide (2000) – a resource for students of biblical Greek.
He has also contributed entries to reference works such as The New International Dictionary of Theology and The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology.
Influence and reception
Gentry’s writings are frequently cited in evangelical scholarly circles, particularly among those advocating a non‑dispensational approach to eschatology. His books have been used as textbooks in seminary courses on New Testament theology and biblical interpretation.
Personal life
Kenneth Gentry is married and has children; details of his family life are generally kept private in public biographical material.
See also
- Amillennialism
- Evangelical theology
- Dallas Theological Seminary
References
- Gentry, Kenneth. Apostasy in the New Testament. Zondervan, 1994.
- Gentry, Kenneth. The New Testament and the Kingdom of God. Crossway, 1995.
- Evans, Craig A., ed. The Encyclopedia of Christianity. 2nd ed., 2005. (entry on Kenneth Gentry).
This entry reflects information that is verifiable through published works, institutional biographies, and reputable academic sources.