Dr. Richard Floyd

In 2017, Dr. Mark Meyer (’93), director of LBC | Capital’s PhD in Biblical Studies Program, attended the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) annual conference where he met Richard Floyd (’24), a pastor from Idaho Falls, Idaho. That interaction led to Floyd enrolling in the college’s doctoral program, and he has now completed what Meyer calls “one of the best-produced dissertations in America this year in biblical studies.”

Roughly a five-year process, doctoral studies and research can be rigorous, so it’s significant that Meyer calls Floyd’s dissertation one of the best on the subject.

“It’s a monumental work and a major contribution to biblical studies,” Meyer said. “Richard gave the topic a robust treatment. I think the entire Evangelical Church will be interested in his research, and many will want to build on his research and complement it.”

The journey to Floyd’s dissertation and doctoral degree was long and varied. While studying at the undergraduate level at a Bible college in Iowa, Floyd became interested in ministering to those serving in the military during a career week interaction with a chaplain.

From there, Floyd enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and “wanted to do a job in the Air Force that would give me some kind of credibility (with) the airmen and soldiers I might minister to in the future. So I joined special operations and was a Combat Controller for four and a half years.”

During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2009, for which he received a Bronze Star, Floyd was known as one of the more “spiritual” soldiers in the attachment and, therefore, took on the unofficial role of chaplain that he was ultimately working toward.

“Before every mission, all the guys on the team would say, ‘Hey, chaplain, pray for us,’” Floyd recalled. “Fast-forward a few years, and I felt very strongly that the Lord was calling me out of the military and to go back to Bible college,” whether that would mean serving in the chaplaincy or in pastoral work.

By the time 2017 and the ETS conference rolled around, “I felt strongly drawn to LBC | Capital,” Floyd said. “Dr. Meyer presented a compelling case for entering the program, which sounded solid academically as well as biblically and theologically.” Even though Floyd was somewhat concerned about learning about research methods and other languages, he was encouraged that he could start the program right away. Now, several years later, Floyd marvels at the evidence of God’s hand throughout the process.

“My dissertation has been a journey, of course, as most dissertations are,” Floyd said. “I knew that I wanted to study discipleship in the Old Testament. That topic is incredibly unique within biblical studies, hardly touched on at all, and the literature on that topic is very sparse. The question I encountered in my pursuit of my topic was, ‘How do we discern a concept of discipleship from the Old Testament?’ It’s very difficult to answer.”

Meyer added that dissertation research like Floyd’s is an example of how knowledge and expertise are being shared with a greater audience of church leaders.

“We want to do things that really equip the Church for ministry,” Meyer said. “The Great Commission is, ‘as you go, make disciples of all the nations.’ That’s not new in the New Testament but has a rich foundation in the First Testament. But Richard Floyd is the one who has really given us that gift of research.”

Dr. Richard Floyd stands with some of his doctoral peers on graduation day, May 4, 2024.	Dr. Richard Floyd receives his diploma from LBC President Dr. Tommy Kiedis.

Get to know a bit more about this May 2024 doctoral graduate.

My military service: U.S. Air Force, 2005-2010; Afghanistan, 2009

My dissertation focus: “Discipleship in Hosea”

The best thing about LBC | Capital: The focus on the centrality of the Word of God and the integration of our faith into every aspect of what we do.

When I have 30 minutes of free time, I like to: Play games with my children.

My life’s Bible verse: 1 Corinthians 2:2—“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”