Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Practical Theology
Dr. Abjar Bahkou is associate professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
Bahkou joined the faculty in June 2018. Previously, Bahkou served in several capacities at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, including most recently as senior lecturer of Arabic literature, culture and language (2015-18), and resident research fellow for the Institute for Studies of Religion, Program on Global Studies of Religion (2009-18). His previous teaching experience includes as an adjunct professor of Muslim-Christian dialogue at Concordia Seminary (2014); adjunct professor of Arabic literature, culture and language at the University of North Texas (2009); and instructor in Islamic studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2006-08). He also completed teaching assistantships at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (2006-07); St. Ephraim Theological Seminary in Damascus, Syria (1998-99); and Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, Italy (1996-98).
Bahkou holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies in Rome, Italy (2011), and a Ph.D. from Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, Italy (1998). He received a Master of Arts (M.A.) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Islamic Studies (2009) and an M.A. from Salesian Pontifical University in Education (1996). He received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from Salesian Pontifical University (1995) and a Diploma in Theology from St. Ephraim Theological Seminary (1993).
He is the author of Shining the Gospel Light on the Quran: Understanding and Engaging Muslims (2021), The Monk Encounters the Prophet, The Story of the Encounter between Monk Bahīra and Muhammad as it is Recorded in the Syriac Manuscript of Mardin 259/2 (2017); Life with God (in Arabic) a Discipleship Program based on Luther Catechism (2017); Defending Christian Faith, The Fifth Part of the Christian Apology of Gerasimus (2014); Kitāb al-Kāfī Fī al-Maʽnā al-Shāfī (The Complete Book of the Healing Meaning) (2012); On the Road to Emmaus: Youth Devotional Journey through Christian Faith (2010); and Ipotesi di Education Religiosa Cristiana Nel Contesto Giovanile Arabo Siriano, (A Proposal for the Religious Education of Young People in the Arabo-Syrian Context) (1998).
He has written numerous articles and has done translation work from English into Arabic.
Bahkou and his wife, Phylan, have three children. His hobbies include spending time with his family, physical fitness and traveling.
Arabic and Islamic Studies
Patristics
Muslim-Christian dialogue