Paul P. Enns

Paul P. Enns (born June 17, 1937) is an evangelical Christian pastor, biblical scholar and writer who serves as a full-time minister at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, Florida, and as adjunct professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is notable as one of the translators of the updated New American Standard Bible and as the author of The Moody Handbook of Theology.

Early life and education

Enns was born in Morris, Manitoba, where he graduated from Morris Collegiate Institute. Both he and his wife Helen (née Klassen) have a "Russian" Mennonite background. He went on to earn a diploma in architectural drafting from Manitoba Institute of Technology (1964), and then his B.R.E. from Winnipeg Bible College. He completed his graduate work, both his Th.M. (1973) and Th.D. (1979) at Dallas Theological Seminary. He was ordained at Grace Bible Church in Dallas, Texas on May 27, 1973.

Academic career

Enns began his teaching career at Winnipeg Bible College (1973–74). He taught Bible exposition at Dallas Theological seminary for one year (1976–77), and then became assistant professor of Bible at Northwestern College (1977–80). Following this, Enns moved to Jacksonville, Florida, to serve as chairman of Bible and theology and dean at Luther Rice Seminary (1980–84), and then associate professor of biblical studies at Talbot Theological Seminary (1984–87). Upon moving back to Florida, he took on the role of provost and dean, organizing the seminary program in the graduate school of Trinity College of Florida, which in 1994 became the Tampa Bay Extension of Dallas Theological Seminary. At that time, Enns went on to develop a similar seminary program at his church, which was soon converted to an extension of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.