Associate Professor of Systematic Theology
Dr. Pickard was born and raised in Texas and later earned a BS from Texas A&M University. After completing an MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia) in 2010, he earned a PhD in Systematic Theology from the University of Otago in New Zealand. His doctoral dissertation examined John Owen and T.F. Torrance on Christ’s mediation. His research interests include the doctrine of God, metaphysics, ecclesiology, Owen, Torrance, and Stephen Charnock.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. Pickard is a faithful churchman. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), he has served various churches and Christian groups, including six years as campus minister with Reformed University Fellowship International at Texas A&M University. More recently, Dr. Pickard served as Associate Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church of Ashburton, New Zealand.
Dr. Pickard began at WSC in the Fall of 2023; previously he taught systematic theology at Grace Theological College in Auckland, New Zealand (2021–22) and, since 2018, various courses in systematic theology, church history, and apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia).
Dr. Pickard and his wife, Sarah, have three children.
Education BS from Texas A&M University MDiv at Westminster Theological Seminary PhD in Systematic Theology at the University of Otago in New Zealand
What do you want to instill in your students?
My hope for students studying at WSCAL is that they would know and understand the truth, goodness, and beauty of Reformed theology – not for its own sake – but for the care of souls. To that end, I hope to instill in my students a deep understanding of the goodness, truth, and beauty of God. It is this God that creates and redeems and loves his people, the Church. And I pray that this would lead to two things: a desire to catechize and equip Christ’s church and a passion to proclaim the good, true, and beautiful Gospel to those outside of the church. Therefore, my constant prayer is God, through his Holy Spirit, would constantly direct our hearts to the love of God and the steadfastness of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
