Brief Bio
Jim Wilhoit taught at Wheaton College for four decades, focusing primarily on courses related to spiritual practices, including biblical meditation. Wilhoit has written over a dozen books, including Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered (Baker), co-authored with Evan B. Howard, *Discovering Lectio Divina: Bringing Scripture into Ordinary Life* (IVP) and Wilhoit, James C. Abide: Putting Down Roots into the Word of Life. Kindle Direct Publishing, 2023. He is an ordained Presbyterian minister (EPC) and also serves as a spiritual director.
Current Work
The incredible good news of the gospel is that Christians are “in Christ”—united with Him in a deep and life-giving relationship. Through this mutual indwelling, Christ is in us, and we are in him, receiving the spiritual blessings God pours out on His children. Reformed theologian John Murray captured this beautifully when he wrote, “Union with Christ is really the central truth of the whole doctrine of salvation, not only in its application but also in its once-for-all accomplishment in the finished work of Christ.”
I am particularly focused on cultivating a lifestyle that heightens my awareness of the profound relationship I share with Christ. Throughout history, Christians have been encouraged to recognize Christ’s presence within themselves; however, each generation faces the ongoing challenge of inattention. Our modern world, in particular, seems designed to keep us distracted, making it difficult to be fully present—to one another and to God.
Recently, I have been exploring how mindfulness can help me become more attuned to Christ’s presence within me. This awareness allows me to more fully respond to His invitation: “Abide in me, and I in you” (John 15:4). My hope is to learn to live as Paul described: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). The call in the New Testament to pray without ceasing has caught my attention and I am seeking to grow in constant prayer.
A bit about myself
After completing my graduate studies, which included an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a PhD from Northwestern University, I taught at Wheaton College from 1981 to 2019. During my time there, I held the Scripture Press Chair in Christian Education. For the first thirty-five years, I was part of the Christian Formation and Ministry Department, where I initially taught courses on teaching the Bible, as well as the History and Philosophy of Christian Education. Over the years, my teaching shifted to focus more on Christian Formation and Spirituality. In 2016, my appointment was changed to Core Studies.
I have been married to my delightful and talented wife, Carol, for forty-eight years. Together, we are the proud parents of two daughters, and we have been blessed with two wonderful sons-in-law and three grandchildren.
Contact me. I invite you to reach out to me using the form below.
