Biographical Text
Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion Charles T. Davis, III (July 25, 1939-), was born in Marion, Alabama. Dr. Davis is married to Mary Holland, and they have one son, Eric R. Davis. Davis received his A.S. degree from Marion Military Institute in 1958. While at Marion Military Institute he received the Conduct Medal in 1958, was an honor graduate, belonged to the school newspaper, Cotillion Club, and was president of the Wesley Foundation. He received his B.S. degree in education from the University of Alabama in 1960, and his B.D. degree in theology from Emory University, Chandler School of Theology, in 1963. From 1964 to1965 Davis attended the University of Heidelberg (Germany), special graduate study, as a Dempster Fellow. In 1967 he received his Ph.D. degree in the Division of Religion, Department of Biblical Studies, with New Testament concentration from Emory University. Dr. Davis was the pastor with the Alabama West Florida Conference, the United Methodist Church, from 1958 until June 1963. In 1964 he was the ministerial assistant at Martha Brown United Methodist Church, Atlanta, Georgia. Davis joined the faculty at Appalachian State University in 1967 as an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion; he was promoted to associate professor in 1971, received tenure in 1971, and was promoted to professor in 1974. He regularly taught Old Testament Literature, and New Testament Literature. He occasionally taught classes on the Life and Letters of Paul and on Islam. He was chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religion from 1970 to l972. During his career, Davis was active in several professional, university, and departmental committees. He was on the Committee for Business Affairs; Committee for Finance, Southern Association Self-Study (co-chair); Committee for Educational Development, Academic Policies and Procedures Committee; Bi-Centennial Committee; Committee for Cultural Affairs; ad hoc Committee for Evaluating Faculty Use of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning; College of Arts and Sciences Re-admissions Committee; Appalachian Studies Review Committee; Assessment Committee (chair); Personnel Committee; Peer Review Committee; Religion Faculty Sub-Committee on Curriculum; Welfare and Morale Committee (chair); Department Chair Search Committee (chair); and Core Curriculum Committee (chair). Dr Davis was also Appalachian State's representative at the Teaching and Learning Technology Retreat. Dr. Davis was a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and Exegesis; American Academy of Religion; North Carolina Religious Studies Association; American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature Session, session chair; North Carolina Teachers of Religion, nominations chairman and executive council member; North Carolina Religious Studies Association, president, acting vice president and program chairman; Southeastern Regional American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature joint section, section chair; Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society; University Scholars; Who's Who in Biblical Studies and Archeology; Who's Who in the South and Southwest; and Who's Who in Religion in America. In 1982, Dr. Davis was invited to join the Q Project of the Society of Biblical Literature by Dr. James Robinson. He also was invited by Dr. James Wiggens to join the Citizen Ambassador Program of People to People delegation of religious educators to Russia during October, 1992. Dr. Davis has done extensive research and was a prolific writer. He was invited to present his findings and speak at international, national, state and local meetings and workshops. His publications include: • "Journey Through the Bible: An Interactive Program for the Study of Biblical Literature," Thinking About Religion 1, (2000) (Electronic Media). "Chapter Six: The Historical Jesus as a Justification for Terror," The Destructive Power of Religion, vol. 2, (Greenwood Press, 2004), 111-129. "Chapter Eleven: The Qur'an, Islamic Theology and Jihad," The Destructive Power of Religion, vol. 1, (Greenwood Press), 2004, 233-254. "Chapter Three: The Seeds of Violence in Biblical Hermeneutics", The Destructive Power of Religion, vol. 1, (Greenwood Press, 2004), 35-53. "Chapter Nine: The Evolution of a Pauline Toxic Text," reprinted in The Destructive Power of Religion, vol. 1, (Greenwood Press, 2004), 191-206. • "The Evolution of a Pauline Toxic Text," Pastoral Psychology, 51, nr. 2, (November 2002). • "The Literary Structure of Luke 1-2," Art and Meaning: Rhetoric in Biblical Literature, JSOT, (1982). • "A Multidimensional Biblical Criticism," Orientation By Disorientation, (Pickwick Press, 1980). Dr. Davis retired in December 2004, and received emeritus status the same year. His hobbies include tandem biking, kayaking, gardening, textile arts, woodworking, juggling, hiking, and photography. He and his wife Mary, reside in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Sources: Appalachian State University files and personal correspondence. -Dr. Richard D. Howe
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