The Institute for the Study of Ancient Texts

The RTS Institute for the Study of Ancient Texts (ISAT) is a new study center dedicated to the texts and artifacts from the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world. We have three aims:

 

  • Equip students through advanced coursework and research opportunities, including annual fellowships
  • Support research through academic resource acquisitions, stipends, seminars, and colloquia
  • Engage the public (churches, schools, etc.) through hands-on workshops and other teaching events

Watch this video to find out more about what the Institute is all about.

Follow our dedicated YouTube channel for more content

 

Team

ISAT is led by faculty from multiple RTS campuses. The director is Dr. Greg Lanier, and the steering committee consists of Dr. Zach Cole, Dr. Michael Kruger, Dr. Nicholas Reid, and Dr. Will Ross. The institute is overseen by provost Bob Cara and Orlando academic dean Michael Allen. It is funded fully by generous outside donors.

 

Activities and events

  • April 14, 2026: Jacob Matulia (Ph.D. cand., Yeshiva University), lecture on Hebrew diachrony and meeting with students afterwards to discuss life as a PhD student and local minister
  • April 25, 2026: Greg Lanier, lecture on the formation of Old and New Testament canon at River Oaks Church (Lake Mary, FL)
  • June 10, 2026: Will Ross, paper presentation on the Septuagint at Oxford University as part of the new Septuagint Seminar at Christ Church college
  • June 2026: Nicholas Reid, cuneiform tablet research at Oxford University and the British Museum as part of the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative

 

Student Fellowships

 

Our inaugural cohort of ISAT fellows are the following:

  • Nathan Carter (MDiv cand. 2027) specializes in Semitic languages and serves as Hebrew TA and student ministry director at Christ United Fellowship.
  • Susanna McConnell (MDiv cand. 2029) specializes in Greek and textual criticism, works in academic administration at RTS, and serves as women’s/children’s ministry intern at River Oaks Church.
  • Dean Williamson (ThM cand. 2028) specializes in Semitic languages and ancient Near Eastern studies; he holds a DMin and MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Cocoa.

Residential MABS, MDiv, or ThM students are invited to inquire about our ISAT fellowships, which include opportunities for advanced coursework, research projects, and funding of up to $4,000 per year. If interested in starting a conversation with the team about becoming a fellow, fill out this application.

 

 

Publications

Members of the ISAT team have published several recent (or upcoming) works in the various fields covered by the Institute. The following is a brief sample:

 

Biblical Languages at RTS

 

Contact

If your school, church, or ministry is interested in learning more about how ISAT can serve you (e.g., workshops, lectures, other kinds of teaching events), please contact Greg Lanier.

 

 

About our logo

The ISAT logo features a stylized reproduction of Papyrus 52—housed in the Rylands Library—which is generally considered to be the oldest fragment of the New Testament (dated to the back half of the second century).