Benjamin R. Merkle, D.Phil. (ABD) Fellow of Theology and Director of Student Affairs

D.Phil. in Oriental Studies (ABD), Oxford University, anticipated 2012 M.St. in Jewish Studies, Oxford University, 2007 M.A. in English Literature, University of Idaho, 2005 Additional Graduate Studies in Theology, Greyfriars Hall, 1998-2000 B.S. in Education (Secondary Education-Chemistry), University of Idaho, 1996

Ben Merkle is the College's Director of Student Affairs and a Fellow of Theology.

He holds an M.St. in Jewish Studies from Oxford University, England, a Master’s degree in English Literature, and a B.S. in Education (Secondary Education-Chemistry, with a minor in History) both from the University of Idaho. He also studied theology at Greyfriars Hall from 1998 to 2000. He is completing his doctoral dissertation in the Oriental Studies program at Oxford University.

Mr. Merkle served as a Lecturer at New Saint Andrews from 2000 until 2005, when he was promoted to Fellow of Theology. He has taught the freshman introductory theology course, Lordship Colloquium, and Hebrew. He has also team-taught Anglo-Saxon.

He serves as a minister at Christ Church, Moscow. He previously served as a part-time campus minister with Collegiate Reformed Fellowship, a campus ministry of Christ Church.

Mr. Merkle is the author of The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009). He is a contributing editor and former managing editor of the periodical Credenda/Agenda. He contributed a chapter on process theology, "Liberals in Drag," in Bound Only Once: The Failure of Open Theism (Canon Press, 2001).

He and wife Bekah (B.A., 1998), the first graduate of New Saint Andrews, have five children.

Contact Information: (208) 882-1566 | E-mail

Selected Publications

The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009)