Dr. Mathew started teaching in the Graduate Counseling Program at CIU in the Fall of 2023. With degrees in Counseling, Psychology and Theology, Ben enjoys the integration and collaboration of various academic disciplines. For the past two decades, Ben has been involved in higher education helping to develop students and others think critically and holistically about their faith, profession and care for others.

He is a member of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). Ben is also a Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) and maintains a private practice as a licensed therapist in the community. 

When he’s not teaching or providing therapy, Ben enjoys being with his wife and four kids while grilling the perfect steak and enjoying a good night with friends in the backyard.

Education

• PhD, General Psychology, Northcentral University
• MA, Counseling, Dallas Theological Seminary
• BS, Biblical Studies, Emmaus Bible College

Selected Publications

Professional Publications

• Mathew, B. (2023). Loving the Aliens: Building from a Strong Foundation (Part Three of a Three Part Series). Christian Scholars Review: Christ Animating Learning Blog.
• Mathew, B. (2023). Loving the Aliens: A Biblical Theology of Multiculturalism (Part Two of a Three Part Series). Christian Scholars Review: Christ Animating Learning Blog.
• Mathew, B. (2023). Loving the Aliens: Immigration, Undocumented Workers and the Gospel (Part One of a Three Part Series). Christian Scholars Review: Christ Animating Learning Blog.
• Mathew, B (2022). Loving the Stranger: Immigration, Undocumented Workers, and the Gospel. Concerning Him: An Emmaus Blog.
• Mathew, B. (2022). A Biblical Theology of Sex. Concerning Him: An Emmaus Blog.
• Mathew, B. (2021). Experiences of racial animosity among interracial married couples in the United States (Order No. 28543656). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (2566474130).
• Mathew, B. (2010). A Theology of the Body: Encouraging Men to Develop a Biblical Model of the Temple. Transformation: A Publication of the American Association of Christian Counselors and the Biblical Counseling & Spiritual Formation Network, 4(1), 4–5.
• Mathew, B. (2010). The 7 Churches of Revelation: Ephesus (Rev. 2:1–7). The Emmaus Journey Magazine, 8(2), 10–11.
• Mathew, B. (2010). Stepping into the Shack. The Emmaus Journey Magazine, 7(3), 31–35.
• Mathew, B. (2004). Authenticity and Community in the Local Church. The Emmaus Journey Magazine, 2(3), 18–21.
• Mathew, B. (2010). After the Honeymoon is Over: Conflict in the Church. The Emmaus Journey Magazine, 2(3), 40–41.

Book Reviews

• Justin Lee. Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays vs. Christians Debate. Jericho Books, 2012. In The Emmaus Journal, XXI (2), 2012, 196–199.
• John Piper. Bloodlines: Race, Cross and the Christian. Crossway Publishers, 2011. In The Emmaus Journal, XX (19–20), 2011, 232–236.
• Rob Bell. Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith. Zondervan Publishers, 2005. In The Emmaus Journal, XV (1), 2006, 131–135.
• Armand M. Nicholi Jr. The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex and the Meaning of Life. Free Press, 2002. In The Emmaus Journal, XIV (1), 2005, 123–124.
• John Eldridge. Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001. In The Emmaus Journal, XIII (1), 2004, 112–113.
• Ajith Fernando. Jesus Driven Ministry. Crossway Books, 2002. In The Emmaus Journal, XII (2), 2002, 323–325.

Professional Presentations

• “Transgenderism: Confusion in Culture, Clarity in Christ/Welcoming the Stranger/Red & Yellow, Black & White”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Harvest New Beginnings Church, Oswego, IL, April 2023.
• “Transgenderism: Confusion in Culture, Clarity in Christ/Welcoming the Stranger/Red &Yellow, Black & White”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Rocky Mountain Calvary, Colorado Springs, CO, March 2023.
• “Transgenderism: Confusion in Culture, Clarity in Christ/Welcoming the Stranger/Red &Yellow, Black & White”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2023.
• “Principles and Practices of Pastoral Care”, Workers & Elders Conference, San Francisco, October 2022.
• “Public Faith Issues: Gender”, Seminar Workshop, Brethren Training Network, Dubuque, IA, June 2022.
• “A Biblical Theology of Race”, Plenary Speaker, Brethren Training Network, Dubuque, IA, June 2022.
• “How to Help When You Don’t Know How to Help/How to be a ‘Wise Guy/Gal’/Show Yourself a Man”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Harvest New Beginnings Church, Oswego, IL, April 2022.
• “Experiences of Racial Animosity Among Interracial Married Couples in the United States”, Empowered, Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Online Conference, March 2022.
• “How to Help When You Don’t Know How to Help/How to be a ‘Wise Guy/Gal’/Show Yourself a Man”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2022.
• “Racial Animosity Among Interracial Married Couples”, Bible & Theology Colloquium, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, November 2021.
• “Raising Resilient Teens: A Mental Health Seminar”, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, November 2021.
• “A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2020.
• “Fight Like a Man”, No Regrets Men’s Conference, Galena Bible Chapel, Galena, IL, February 2020.
• “A Pastoral Response to Sexual Confusion”, EEE Camp Workers Conference, Horton Haven Christian Camp, Nashville, TN, January 2020.
• “The Faith of Stephen: Acts 6:8–7:60”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2019.
• “Rejoice in Suffering: Acts 5:12–42”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2019.
• “Welcoming a Stranger: A Biblical Theology of Immigrants”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2019.
• “A Biblical Theology of Youth Ministry, and Beyond”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2019.
• “Gender Issues Across the Globe: Transgenderism”, Brethren Training Network, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2018.
• “Transgenderism: Confusion in Culture, Clarity in Christ”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2018.
• “Transgenderism: Confusion in Culture, Clarity in Christ”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2018.
• “The Gospel & Racial Reconciliation”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2017.
• “The Gospel & Racial Reconciliation”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2017.
• “Homosexuality & the Gospel”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2016.
• “Fight Like a Man: How to Battle Sexual Temptation”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2016.
• “God & the Gay Christian”, by Matthew Vines: A Response”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2015.
• “Homosexuality: A Pastoral Response”, Biblical Eldership Resources, Rochester, NY, October 2015.
• “Homosexuality & the Gospel”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2015.
• “The Connected Christian: Social Media & a Christian Response”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2015.
• “Homosexuality & the Gospel”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2015.
• “Counseling & the Gospel”, Brethren Training Network, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2014.
• “Homosexuality & the Gospel”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2014.
• “Red & Yellow, Black & White: Race and the Glory of God”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2014.
• “Fight Like a Man: How to Battle Sexual Temptation”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2014.
• “Sex, Life & the Glory of God”, Moral Ethical Recovery Program, Des Moines Area Youth Group Conference, Des Moines, IA, November 2013.
• “Sex, Life & the Glory of God”, Korean Youth Fellowship, Online Simulcast, November 2013.
• “Leadership and the Glory of God”, Leadership Training, Haven of Rest Ministries, Akron, OH, June 2013.
• “Counseling & the Glory of God”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2013.
• “Sex, Life & the Glory of God”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2013.
• “False Doctrines & Current Trends”, St. Louis Area Believers Conference, St. Louis, MO, March 2012.
• “Men & the Majesty of God”, Galena Bible Church Men’s Conference, Galena Bible Church, Galena, IL, April 2011.
• “The Nature & Sexuality of Man”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2010.
• “Discerning Media & Culture”, Ignite Youth Leadership Conference, Grace Church, Des Moines, IA, March 2010.
• “The Shack”, by William P. Young: A Review”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2009.
• “Effective Small Group Ministries”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2008.
• “Created to Worship”, Men’s Conference, Willowbrook Camp, Des Moines, IA, November 2008.
• “Blue … Like a Velvet Elvis: A Book Review of Emergent Movement Literature”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, EBC, Dubuque, IA, May 2006.
• “Wrestling with Anger”, Man Camp Men’s Conference, Camp Berea, Hebron, NH, November 2005.
• “The Joy of Personal Bible Study”, Indian Brethren Fellowship Conference, Indiana Wesleyan University, Anderson, IN, July 2005.
• “Such Were Some of You: Homosexuality and the Gospel”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2005.
• “Conflict & Marriage”, Men of Bethany Men’s Conference, Bethany Bible Chapel, Cedar Falls, IA, February 2005.
• “Biblical Fellowship: More than Just Coffee and Donuts”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2004.
• “Coffeeshop Counseling: Counseling in a Post-Modern Context”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2003.
• “Authenticity and Community in the Local Church”, Iron Sharpens Iron Leadership Conference, Emmaus Bible College, Dubuque, IA, May 2003.