Daniel J. Treier

Daniel J. Treier, age 53, beloved husband, father, son, professor, and friend, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 22, 2025, after a brief battle with metastatic lung cancer.

Dan was born on September 29, 1972, in Findlay, Ohio, and grew up on a farm in Bloomdale, OH surrounded by close family. He participated in Grace Brethren Bible quiz competitions from 7th to 12th grades; through that, he memorized 12 books of the Bible.

A gifted intellectual, Dan earned a B.A. from Cedarville University in 1993 and then moved to Grand Rapids, MI for studies at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He earned an M.Div. in Christian Education in 1996, followed by a Th.M. in New Testament in 1998. He completed his academic training at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, earning a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology under the direction of Kevin Vanhoozer.

Dan spent most of his academic career at Wheaton College, teaching more than 20 different classes across the B.A., M.A., Ph.D., and D.Min. programs. At the time of his death, he was serving as the Gunther H. Knoedler Professor of Theology and Director of the Ph.D. Program at Wheaton College. A prolific author and editor of reference works, his books include Introducing Theological Interpretation of Scripture: Recovering a Christian Practice (Baker Academic, 2008), Proverbs & Ecclesiastes (Brazos, 2011), Theology and the Mirror of Scripture: A Mere Evangelical Account (IVP Academic, 2015) Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (3rd edition) (Baker Academic, 2017), Introducing Evangelical Theology (Baker Academic, 2019), and Lord Jesus Christ (Zondervan Academic, 2023). At the time of his death, he was working on a project exploring the theology of technology and its effect on human lives.

When Dan arrived at Wheaton College, he met Amy Black, a political science professor, in new faculty orientation. Over time, the two became good friends and eventually started dating. They married on January 1, 2005. In 2008, they welcomed their daughter, Anna. Dan was a central part of Amy and Anna's lives; they greatly enjoyed family time together, including meals that all too often ventured into intellectual discussions.

Although he loved academic research and helping others understand the Triune God more deeply, his most lasting professional legacy will be the students he served, especially the Ph.D. students he mentored. Dan cared deeply about the quality of their intellectual arguments and prepared them well for academic and pastoral careers, but he cared most that they grew in wisdom and knowledge of Christ. It was a great joy for him to train students to serve around the globe. He lived out what he taught and wanted his students to do the same. He helped shape evangelical theology with his own writing and editing, and his legacy will live on in the teaching and writing of the many students he trained.

Dan is survived by his wife, Amy; his daughter, Anna; his parents, Dean and Rebecca (Becky) Treier of Bloomdale, OH; his brother, David Treier of Los Angeles, CA. His family gives thanks for the gift of his life and the enduring mark he has left on so many people.

Dan will be deeply missed by all who knew him, including hundreds of former students and his Immanuel Presbyterian Church family. He taught Adult Education at Immanuel for many years, and he was always willing to answer questions with insight, depth, and good humor. When he wasn't writing or teaching, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, reading, playing board games, playing golf, and keeping up with the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Lions.

A celebration of life will be held at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A visitation will precede the memorial service, beginning at 10:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed here: Memorial Service for Dan Treier. A private burial was held at Wheaton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to Scholar Leaders, 5680 Kraft Ave, Suite C, Grand Rapids, MI 49512, or Wheaton College, PhD Student Excellence Endowed Fund. Donations by check may be made out to Wheaton College and sent to Advancement Services, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187. Please kindly indicate the gift is in memory of Dr. Daniel Treier on the post-payment online giving form or on the check memo line. (Scholar Leaders provides financial assistance to theology graduate students from the Majority World, including some of Dan's students. The Wheaton College PhD Student Excellence Fund assists Bible and Theology students with professional development and conference attendance.)

Family and friends are welcome to sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.