Houston, Texas, Dec. 9, 2025 – 聽Dr. Paul T. Sloan, Associate Professor of Early Christianity and Chair of the Department of Theology in the聽School of Christian Thought听补迟听抖阴入口聽(HCU), has been named the 2025鈥�2026 Winner in the Biblical Studies category of the Christianity Today Book Awards for his work 鈥�.鈥�
The annual聽聽honor outstanding publications that advance theological understanding and serve to shape evangelical life, thought and culture. Sloan鈥檚 work was selected as the top title in Biblical Studies for its groundbreaking contribution to the field.
For the HCU faculty member, this award affirms the significance of his research within both academic and church communities.
“I was very honored and grateful to receive this award. This book was the fruit of lots of labor and encouragement, and I’m so grateful for the support I’ve received from my family and my HCU students and colleagues. Couldn’t have done it without them,” said Dr. Sloan.
Dr. Phil Tallon, Dean of the School of Christian Thought, was pleased to hear news of Dr. Sloan’s award though not surprised. “He recently was honored with a panel on his book at the Society of Biblical Literature, and the top-notch scholars there were all glowing with praise for 鈥淛esus and the Law of Moses. This book is the product of many years of good and focused work. It deserves much praise,” said Dr. Tallon.
In this groundbreaking study of Jesus and the Law in the Synoptic Gospels, Dr. Sloan suggests that the proper framework for understanding Jesus’s legal instruction is through the lens of Israel’s anticipated restoration.
While some scholars have interpreted his teaching as criticizing legalism, nationalism or external piety, many biblical scholars have praised the book for its clarity, rigor and paradigm-shifting implications,聽and consider Dr. Sloan’s book a major contribution to contemporary New Testament scholarship.
Jason A. Staples of North Carolina State University described 鈥淛esus and the Law of Moses鈥� as 鈥渙ne of the best and most important books on Jesus and the Gospels in decades, and Cecilia Wassen of Uppsala University called Sloan’s book 鈥渁 significant and nuanced contribution to the complex question of the Gospels鈥� portrayal of Jesus鈥檚 teaching on the Law.鈥�
For additional details on the 2025鈥�2026 book award selections, visit the聽 website.
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抖阴入口
For more than 60 years,聽抖阴入口 has equipped students to lead, collaborate and embody a deep sense of spiritual purpose. The University offers a wide range of majors, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, as well as NCAA Division I athletics in the Southland Conference. Located in the heart of one of the nation鈥檚 largest metropolitan centers, HCU鈥檚 culture of excellence molds the next generation of educated disciples to be pillars in their communities, preparing them to think critically and biblically as they impact the world.