Dr. Hurley joined the faculty of RTS Jackson in 1985 and became the longest-serving residential faculty member in the seminary’s history. Throughout nearly four decades of teaching, he faithfully prepared students for ministry by helping them think deeply about the integration of theology, Scripture, and counseling.

JACKSON, Miss. — Reformed Theological Seminary mourns the passing of Dr. James “Jim” Hurley, Professor of Counseling Emeritus, who passed away on July 16, 2026. His decades of faithful service shaped generations of students and established a lasting legacy in Christian counseling and theological education.

Dr. Hurley joined the faculty of RTS Jackson in 1985 and became the longest-serving residential faculty member in the seminary’s history. Throughout nearly four decades of teaching, he faithfully prepared students for ministry by helping them think deeply about the integration of theology, Scripture, and counseling. He also played a foundational role in the development of the Master of Arts in Counseling program, later serving as its director and helping establish the program’s enduring commitment to biblical fidelity and clinical excellence.

His academic preparation reflected the breadth of his interests and expertise. Dr. Hurley earned a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College, a Master of Divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, a Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Marriage and the Family from Florida State University. A respected scholar, he authored Man and Woman in Biblical Perspective, a work that continues to be widely read and cited for its careful treatment of biblical manhood and womanhood. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, he brought together careful biblical scholarship, thoughtful engagement with the behavioral sciences, and years of counseling experience to equip students for faithful service.

“Jim Hurley served Reformed Theological Seminary with extraordinary faithfulness for nearly four decades,” said Dr. J. Ligon Duncan III, Chancellor and CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary. “His careful scholarship, deep pastoral concern, and commitment to integrating God’s Word with wise counseling practice shaped not only our Master of Arts in Counseling program but countless students who now serve the church around the world. We are profoundly grateful for his life and ministry, and we rejoice that he is now with the Savior whom he served so faithfully. Our love and prayers are with his family and all who were blessed to know him.”

Dr. Mike Hillerman, Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling program at RTS Jackson, also reflected on Dr. Hurley’s enduring influence.

“Dr. Hurley’s vision and steady leadership helped lay the foundation for the MAC program as we know it today,” Hillerman said. “Generations of counselors have been influenced by his thoughtful integration of theology and clinical wisdom. His influence extended well beyond our counseling students to pastors serving in ministry through his teaching in the M.Div. counseling emphasis and the Doctor of Ministry program. His commitment to preparing students to care for others faithfully and biblically continues to shape our program and the broader ministry of RTS, and his legacy will endure for years to come.”

In 2022, upon his retirement from full-time teaching, the RTS Board of Trustees named Dr. Hurley Professor of Counseling Emeritus in recognition of his extraordinary service to the seminary and the church.

The influence of Dr. Hurley’s ministry extends far beyond the RTS campus through the pastors, counselors, ministry leaders, educators, and clients he faithfully taught, mentored, and served over the course of his career. His work helped strengthen the church by preparing men and women to care for God’s people with biblical truth, theological depth, and Christlike compassion.

Reformed Theological Seminary gives thanks to God for the life and ministry of Dr. Hurley and prays for comfort for his family, friends, colleagues, former students, former clients, and all who mourn his passing. Memorial service information will be shared as it becomes available.

Source