Derek Bruns
Ph.D. student, Religious Studies, Systematic Theology
Research Interests:
Derek’s interests lie at the intersection of the Christian doctrines of the Trinity, creation, and revelation. Pursuing these interests in dialogue with Medieval and Modern theologians, Derek aims to understand how traditional accounts of the divine missions speak to contemporary debates on the relationship between nature and grace.
Road to the Moody School:
After receiving his B.A. in Music from the University of Wisconsin颅–Eau Claire, Derek served as a contemporary music director at a church in his home state of Minnesota. While working in this capacity, Derek felt the need to pursue theological education, so he decided to move to Louisville, KY, to attend the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned his M.Div. in Biblical Exegesis and his Th.M. in Systematic Theology. Derek’s academic interests developed in seminary and, through encouragement to pursue further studies, Derek engaged in advanced studies at Australian Catholic University in Melbourne, Australia, prior to joining SMU in the fall of 2024. When he is not studying, Derek enjoys and stays busy with his young family.