Rubel Shelly has been on staff with the Woodmont Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, Tennessee since 1978. During that time, he has also taught at David Lipscomb University, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and Tennessee State University. He has filled adjunct positions at Pepperdine University, Abilene Christian University, Emmanuel Seminary, and Kentucky Christian College. He became Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Rochester College, located in Rochester Hills, Michigan, in 2005.

Shelly is a community leader in Nashville and has worked with Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, From Nashville With Love, Metro Public Schools, Faith Family Medical Clinics, and Operation Andrew Ministries.

He is the author or co-author of more than 30 books, including several which have been translated into languages such as Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, French, and Russian. He has published widely in religious journals.

Shelly has done short-term work in such places as Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Brazil, Honduras, Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and Czech Republic.

He holds degrees from Harding University (B.A.), Harding Graduate School of Religion (M.A., M.Th.), and Vanderbilt University (M.A., Ph.D.).

He is married to the former Myra Shappley, and they are the parents of three children: Mrs. David (Michelle) Arms, Tim, and Tom.