American scholar (born 1949)
Kent Phillips Jackson (born 1949) is an American scholar who was a professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University (BYU). He has written on Joseph Smith's translation of and commentary on the Bible.
Early life and education
Jackson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on August 9, 1949.[1] He received his bachelor's degree in ancient studies from Brigham Young University (BYU). Jackson holds a master's degree and a PhD in Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan.[2]
Career
Jackson was a professor of religion at BYU from 1980 to June 2017 and taught courses on ancient scripture.[3] The courses he taught include the Old Testament, New Testament, and The Pearl of Great Price. He was interested in the common ground between the Bible and the beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also focused on the Middle East.[4]
Jackson was the associate dean of religious education at BYU. He was also the associate director of the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.[2] He was the chair of Near Eastern studies at BYU's David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.[4] Jackson was the regional president of the Society of Biblical Literature as well as the American Academy of Religion.[5]
He is the author and editor of many publications. He has edited works including A Witness for the Restoration and Joseph Smith, the Prophet and Seer. Jackson was also the editor of the 1996 publications of Solomon Spaulding's Manuscript Found.[2]
