Dr. Ron Tappy is the G. Albert Shoemaker* professor of Bible and archaeology; he also serves as director of the James L. Kelso Bible Lands Museum. Specializing in the life and literature of the Old Testament period, biblical archaeology, and the history of Israel, he focuses his teaching on how these areas can enliven our reading of the Bible today. He began excavating at various sites throughout Israel more than 20 years ago and currently directs a  field project at Tel Zayit in the lowlands of Judah. In addition to completing graduate work at the Jerusalem University-College and the University of Chicago, Tappy received his  MATS from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and his AM and doctorate from Harvard University. He has written articles on a variety of topics, including biblical archaeology, ancient Israelite beliefs about the afterlife, the 23rd Psalm, and the Ten Commandments. He is a leading authority on the archaeology of Israelite Samaria and has published two books on the subject in the Harvard Semitic Studies. Prior to accepting his current position at PTS, Tappy taught at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif., and in the Near Eastern Studies Department at the University of Michigan.

Tappy is married to Connie Gundry Tappy and has one daughter, Madeleine Rose Tappy.

*Established in 1990, the G. Albert Shoemaker chair is named in honor of a wise donor and friend. Shoemaker was first and foremost a committed Christian, an industrialist well respected among his business peers, a philanthropist par excellence, and a man of vision. The Seminary could not have had a dearer friend who strongly believed in Christian education and through his Socratic style of leadership challenged us all to give our utmost to the Glory of God. Shoemaker's widow, Mercedes, Board member emeritus, continues to support the Seminary's mission to provide Christian theological education distinctive in our region and beyond.