Lipscomb's College of Bible & Ministry Podcast: Dr. Alden Bass
January 28, 2025
Dr. Alden Bass, Professor, Terry Koonce Distinguished Chair of Bible and Ministry
In this latest Lipscomb University College of Bible and Ministry Podcast, Dr. Alden Bass joined the conversation as the newest faculty member. Dr. Bass shared his journey from his early days as a preacher’s kid to his career in theology and church history. His academic path has taken him from Yale to Vanderbilt to Oklahoma Christian University. He expressed his excitement to bring his experience to Lipscomb, noting, “Our tradition, the Christian tradition, is just chock full, 2,000 years of resources, to deal with almost every conceivable situation in the human experience.”
Dr. Bass also reflected on his time living with others in a new monastic community in St. Louis. Together, they practiced hospitality, daily prayer, and service to one another. This experience deeply shaped his understanding of Christian community and how many monastic practices remain relevant today. He also highlighted the importance of handling conflict within such a close-knit group, observing, “The processes you have in place to deal with that conflict are really going to be a measure of the success of your community or your enterprise.” These lessons continue to influence his approach to fostering meaningful fellowship within the church body.
Dr. Bass shared how urban and suburban living can create barriers to community, making intentional organization of life essential. He emphasized the value of arranging our lives so that being together is natural and joyful. This approach, he believes, allows Christians to experience deeper relationships and stronger faith. Dr. Bass’s reflections challenge us to think about how small changes in their daily routines can lead to a more connected way of life.
As he prepares to teach church history at Hazelip, Dr. Bass is eager to help students uncover the richness of the Christian tradition. He hopes to “make the familiar strange and the strange familiar” by introducing students to the diversity of beliefs and practices in church history. This exploration, he says, can help students rethink their faith and view other traditions with a sense of kinship. Dr. Bass’s combination of academic rigor and lived experience promises to offer a unique and inspiring perspective to the Lipscomb community.
You may read more about Dr. Bass’s Terry Koonce Distinguished Chair position on a prior blog. More engaging conversations like this one are released every other Thursday through both Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Stay tuned to hear and read our next conversation with Dr. Kate Watkins!
“Our tradition, the Christian tradition, is just chock full, 2,000 years of resources, to deal with almost every conceivable situation in the human experience.” — Dr. Alden Bass
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