ASHEBORO (February 6, 2007) – Tim Allen, instructor of history and religion at Randolph Community College in Asheboro, N.C., has been selected to participate in the 2007 Oxford Round Table in Oxford, England. The Round Table event is by invitation only. Forty scholars and leaders from around the world will gather to discuss the topic "Separation of Church and State: The Decline and Fall?" to be held at Harris Manchester College in the University of Oxford July 22-27

A paper written by Allen, titled "Separation of Church and State: Myth, Mantra, Mandate," was also accepted for presentation at the Round Table, and will be eligible for publication in "Forum on Public Policy," a journal of the Round Table proceedings.

An active scholar, Allen has written several books, including "The Language of the Heart: A Theology of God-talk" published in 2002 by Hayworth Press, numerous papers and has made a number of presentations on the topics of religion and history. He is currently working with the North Carolina History Project andhas an article scheduled to be published in the North Carolina Historical Review. He is also updating a published history of a Quaker meeting, "Spring Friends Meeting," for the North Carolina Friends Historical Association.

Allen joined Randolph Community College in fall 1999 and teaches Old Testament, New Testament, American Religious History, World Religions, American History, Western Civilization and various Humanities classes. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies from USC-Columbia in 1982, a master of divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987, a master’s degree in religious studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1990, and a doctorate from the Graduate Theological Foundation in 2004, where he won the John Macquarrie Prize for best dissertation. Allen’s dissertation, “A Man of Some Means: Ambitious Values, Evangelical Theology, and the Rev. James O’Kelly” is being considered for publication by the University Press of Kentucky.

A member of the American Academy of Religion, Allen won the Teaching Excellence Award at (more)Randolph Community College in 2004, is listed in Who’s Who in American Teachers, and will have a listing in the upcoming Contemporary Authors. His current research interests include "Myth, Heroic Quest, and the Grief Cycle," "Doubt in the Composition of Mark," "Early Southern Revivals," and "Christmas in America."

In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Allen is a musician. He plays guitar and other folk instruments and writes music. Recently, he composed and recorded music for an upcoming documentary on land use in Randolph County.

Allen lives near Liberty, N.C., with his wife, Jackie, who is chaplain at Alamance Regional Medical Center.

The purpose of the Oxford Round Table is to promote human advancement and understanding through the improvement of education. Participants are identified through several screening processes: by nomination of previous participants; from recommendations to the Round Table directors who, also, are actively involved in higher education and public school leadership; from recognized presentations and awards of state and national organizations; and to individuals in a successful university or school district. Past participants have included Ministers of Education, governors and senators from the United States, members of Parliament, executive officers of national corporations, educational administrators, attorneys, and academicians from major universities and colleges throughout the world.