Education
- PhD, General Psychology, JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences, National University
- MA, Counseling, Dallas Theological Seminary
- BS, Biblical Studies, Emmaus University
Biography
Dr. Ben Mathew is a professor of counseling in the School of Counseling who is passionate about preparing wise, compassionate, and clinically competent counselors to serve Christ in a broken world. He teaches graduate and doctoral courses in counselor education, such as group counseling, multicultural counseling, and the integration of faith and clinical practice. Students can expect an engaging learning environment that combines academic rigor, practical application, and meaningful mentorship.
As a licensed professional counselor and supervisor (LPC-S), Dr. Mathew continues to serve clients in SC while investing in the next generation of counselors and counselor educators. His experience as both a clinician and educator helps students bridge the gap between theory and practice while developing the knowledge, skills, and character needed for faithful ministry and professional service. His academic interests include counselor formation, biblical worldview immersion, multicultural counseling, sexuality counseling, and innovative approaches to counselor education.
For Dr. Mathew, the classroom is more than a place to transfer knowledge…it is a place to make disciples. He believes counselor education advances God’s Kingdom by preparing men and women to counsel with compassion, teach with wisdom, supervise with integrity, and lead with humility. His desire is to cultivate graduates whose clinical excellence is matched by Christlike character and whose lives faithfully point others to Christ.
Outside the classroom, Dr. Mathew enjoys spending time with his wife and their four children. He is actively involved in his local church and enjoys encouraging pastors, ministry leaders, and counseling professionals. His greatest hope is that every student leaves CIU equipped to faithfully serve Christ and make a lasting Kingdom impact through counseling, teaching, supervision, and leadership.
Selected Publications & Presentations
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). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/experiences-racial-animosity-among-interracial/docview/2566474130/se-2?accountid=28180
- 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
- “The Numbing Trap: From Ozempic to “Biohacking” our Way Out of Reality”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, May 2026.
- “The Limits of Therapy: Why a Counselor Can’t Replace Your Community”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, May 2026.
- “The Loneliness Epidemic: Why Modern Life is a Structural Trap (and How the Church Breaks It)”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, May 2026.
- “Beyond the Screen: Why Your Physical Presence is the Secret to Mental Health”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, April 2026.
- “Beyond the Quick Fix: Embracing Sadness as a Rational Response to a Broken World”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, April 2026.
- “Navigating Existential Dread and Finding Meaning Together”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, April 2026.
- “The Digital Paradox: Why More Connection is Making Us More Alone”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, April 2026.
- “Why Your Mental Health is an “Embodied” Experience”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, April 2026.
- “Incarnational Counseling: Moving Care from the Clinical to the Community”, The Care Institute, May 2026.
- “Cultivating Christlike Clinicians: A Panel Discussion”, Seminar Workshop, Convergence, Christian Association for Psychological Studies National Conference, Columbus, OH, March 2026.
- “Teaching for Biblical Integration”, ABHE Leadership Academy, March 2026.
- “Red & Yellow, Black & White: Examining Racial Identity Models through Biblical Theology”, Continuing Education Event, CareCola, Columbia, SC, March 2026.
- “Cultural Competence in Faith-Based Clinical Work”, The Care Institute, March 2026.
- “Group Process & Lay Counseling”, The Care Institute, March 2026
- “Multiculturalism in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Unity Without Uniformity”, Podcast, Thinking Christian with Dr. James Spencer, February 2026.
