Research Professor of Biblical Interpretation and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Loma Linda University.

He completed a B.A. in theology at Middle East College, Beirut, Lebanon, and Andrews University, received his MD from Loma Linda University and a PhD in New Testament Studies at the University of St. Andrews. He is married to Serena Hasso Tonstad, who grew up in Baghdad as the daughter of a Swiss mother and an Iraqi father. They were classmates in medical school. Serena has a Ph.D. in Lipid Research and has done pioneering work in preventive medicine.