FERRUM, VA, October 27, 2025 — Ferrum College will host Dr. Dan McClellan, biblical scholar, social media influencer, and New York Times best-selling author of The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues, for an engaging evening lecture on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Vaughn Chapel on the Ferrum College campus. The event is free and open to the public.
McClellan’s presentation will examine the ways misinformation about the Bible circulates in contemporary culture and how rigorous, evidence-based scholarship can help correct it. His work centers on bridging the gap between academic research and public understanding, translating complex ideas into accessible insights. Through his widely followed TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube channels, as well as his award-winning podcast, Data Over Dogma, McClellan engages diverse audiences in informed dialogue about scripture and religious traditions.
McClellan received the Society of Biblical Literature’s Richards Award for Public Scholarship in 2023. The society created it “to recognize the powerful role of sacred texts in society and how those texts shape culture.” McClellan’s 2025 book The Bible Says So further establishes him as a leading voice in promoting critical, research-driven approaches to understanding sacred texts. He has also written a number of articles and book chapters on biblical studies and religious history.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dan McClellan to campus in November,” said Dr. Eric Vanden Eykel, dean of faculty and associate professor of religion. “In addition to being a world-class biblical scholar, he represents a new generation of public-facing scholarship in religious studies. His work shows how rigorous academic expertise can meet the public where they are—clarifying misconceptions, addressing misinformation, and helping audiences think critically about sacred texts and traditions. Dan’s visit will offer our students and faculty a powerful example of scholarship in action—stepping out of the classroom and into the public square.”
Vanden Eykel noted that McClellan’s approach to open, accessible scholarship mirrors Ferrum College’s broader educational mission—a sentiment echoed by President Mirta M. Martin.
“Ferrum College is dedicated to helping students think deeply and engage meaningfully with the world around them,” said President Martin. “Hosting a scholar like Dan McClellan reflects our mission to connect faith, reason, and critical inquiry. His ability to bridge academic research with public understanding aligns perfectly with our commitment to preparing students to be thoughtful, informed citizen leaders.”
For additional information, contact Dr. Vanden Eykel at evandeneykel@ferrum.edu.
