Meet James R. White

James White, an accomplished scholar, Greek professor, and crusader for reformed theological orthodoxy—has been called every name in the book. A Mormon leader says he’s a "desperado" with an "anti-Mormon cookie cutter." A Roman Catholic critic calls him a "cocky fundamentalist." A "King James Only" theologian says he’s a "rude, crude heretic." His students call him "Professor White." His two children, Joshua and Summer, just call him "Dad."

So just who is James White? And what has made him such a lightning rod for controversy?

It all started back when James was a young, married student majoring in Bible and Biology at Grand Canyon College in Phoenix. James, his wife, Kelli, and her sister (all Christians) spent a long Monday evening debating two 19-year-old Mormon missionaries who’d come to their door to proselytize. The conversation was friendly and civilized, and they covered all kinds of subjects—grace, works, baptism, salvation. However, as the evening wore on, neither side was convinced of the others’ point of view. In retrospect, James concludes, "We were speaking two different languages. They were speaking Mormonese and I was speaking Christianese—-using the same terms, but meaning very different things." When the Mormon missionaries left that night, James realized he needed to know more about the Mormon Church. More importantly, he needed to know more about his own faith—so he could defend it clearly and articulately.

James’s desire to know, and share, the gospel better served as a catalyst to launch a full-fledged ministry: Alpha and Omega Ministries. One thing led to another, and before long he was writing books and debating other matters of theological orthodoxy, including the doctrine of sola scriptura, and Protestant versus Catholic views of the Bible. His book The King James Only Controversy has generated widespread debate and received support from leading evangelical scholars including Norman Geisler, Bruce Metzger, and D.A. Carson.

In addition to directing Alpha and Omega Ministries, White is a professor of New Testament Greek at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary and Columbia Evangelical Seminary, where he received his doctorate. He’s also a graduate of Fuller Seminary and the author of ten books, including Letters to a Mormon Elder, The Roman Catholic Controversy, and What’s with the Dudes at the Door?. His recent works include The Potter's Freedom: A Defense of the Reformation and a Rebuttal of Norman Geisler's Chosen but Free, Same Sex Controversy (written with Jeffrey D. Niell), and The God Who Justifies.

James and his wife make their home in sunny Arizona with their two children. James is an avid bicyclist and was recently made an elder of the Reformed Phoenix Baptist church—a calling he prizes far above any academic title.