Tim Mackie is a prominent American theologian, pastor, and scholar best known as the co-founder of BibleProject. His work focuses on making complex biblical narrative, ancient languages, and literary artistry accessible to audiences worldwide. Through engaging visual storytelling and rigorous academic research, he has helped transform digital religious education.
Early Life and Academic Background
Tim Mackie discovered his Christian faith as a teenager in Portland, Oregon, through an urban outreach ministry to skateboarders called Skate Church. This experience sparked a deep fascination with the historical and literary context of the Bible. He decided to pursue higher education focused on biblical theology.
He earned his bachelor's degree in Bible and Theology from Multnomah University, where he met his future co-founder Jon Collins. He later completed a theology degree at Western Seminary and earned a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His doctoral research centered on the manuscript history of Ezekiel, the Septuagint, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Pastoral Ministry and Academic Career
Before launching his digital media ventures, Dr. Mackie built extensive practical experience as a local church pastor and academic instructor. He served as a teaching pastor at Blackhawk Church in Madison, Wisconsin, and later at Door of Hope Church in Portland, Oregon. Additionally, he taught as an adjunct professor of Old Testament at Western Seminary.
His ministry focused heavily on helping believers understand the ancient historical setting of Scripture. He consistently emphasized the interconnected narrative of the biblical books and their fulfillment in Jesus. These pastoral experiences eventually laid the groundwork for his accessible teaching philosophy.
Co-Founding BibleProject and Visual Storytelling
In 2014, Tim Mackie partnered with his friend Jon Collins to launch BibleProject in Portland, Oregon. Their goal was to merge deep academic scholarship with creative, high-quality animated videos. The non-profit studio creates free resources that trace major biblical themes and explain the literary structure of every book.
Under his guidance as lead research scholar, the crowdfunded studio expanded into an international platform with hundreds of videos, podcasts, and digital classes. Millions of viewers across more than 200 countries regularly engage with their content. Mackie continues to serve as a primary scholar and creative director, driving the theological foundation of the platform.
Personal Life and Legacy
Tim Mackie lives in Portland, Oregon, with his wife Jessica and their two sons. He remains passionate about biblical literature, ancient Hebrew, and modern educational media. His commitment to free, accessible education has inspired millions of lifelong students of Scripture worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tim Mackie? Tim Mackie is an American theologian, scholar, and pastor best known as the co-founder and lead research scholar of BibleProject.
What is Tim Mackie's educational background? He holds a bachelor's degree from Multnomah University, a theology degree from Western Seminary, and a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
What is BibleProject? BibleProject is a non-profit, crowdfunded studio that creates free animated videos, podcasts, and study tools explaining the Bible as a unified story leading to Jesus.