David A. deSilva, Ph.D.
Curriculum Vitae
DAVID A. deSILVA, Ph.D.
Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek
Ashland Theological Seminary ●ddesilva@ashland.edu
Education:
Ph.D. (Religion/New Testament), Emory University, 1995. Dissertation: “Despising Shame: The Social Function of the Rhetoric of Honor and Dishonor in the Epistle to the Hebrews” (advisor: Luke T. Johnson).
M. Div., Princeton Theological Seminary, 1990. Thesis: “Paul’s Defense of His Apostolate In 2 Corinthians: Conflicting Understandings of Apostolic Legitimation and Their Implications for the Gospel” (advisor: J. Christiaan Beker).
A. B. (English), Princeton University, 1987. Thesis: “Old Wine, New Wineskins: The Reform of Anglican Homiletics during the Seventeenth Century” (advisor: Seth Lerer).
Academic Employment:
Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH
Trustees’ Distinguished Professor, 2006-present; Professor, 2002-2006; Associate Professor, 1998-2002; Assistant Professor, 1995-1998.
Courses taught: New Testament Introduction; Biblical Greek; Exegetical Greek; Latin; Engaging Texts and Contexts (= Biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics); Encountering Scripture Beyond Translations; Specialized Exegetical Courses (Galatians; 2 Corinthians; 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Hebrews; James & Jude; 1 Peter; the Revelation of John); Judaism in the Second Temple Period; The Apocrypha and the Christian Church; Apocalyptic Literature; Dead Sea Scrolls; New Testament Backgrounds; Social-Scientific and Rhetorical Approaches to Biblical Interpretation; Senior Seminar in Biblical Studies; Methodist Doctrine/Theology of John Wesley; Biblical Foundations of Formational Counseling (D. Min.); The World of the New Testament (D. Min.); The Bible on the Ground (D. Min.)
Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL
Adjunct Faculty (Exegesis of Revelation, Spring 2015; Exegesis of Galatians, Fall 2018)
Colombo Theological Seminary, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Visiting Professor of New Testament (Exegesis of Galatians, August 2010; Exegesis of Revelation, September 2010; Hebrews, July 2013; 2 Corinthians, July 2013; Second Temple Period, January 2017; Hebrews, January 2022)
Trinity School for Ministry, Pittsburgh, PA
Visiting Professor of New Testament (The Apocrypha and the Christian Church, June 2010; June 2022)
Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Visiting Professor of New Testament (Exegesis of 1 Peter, Summer 2004)
Regent College, Vancouver, BC
Visiting Professor of New Testament (Exegesis of 1 Peter, Summer 2021; Exegesis of Galatians, Summer 2025)
Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, GA
Assistant Instructor, 1994-1995; Adjunct Faculty, 1992-1994
Publications
1. Academic Books
Archaeology and the World of Jesus (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2025).
Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2025).
Judea under Greek and Roman Rule (Essentials of Biblical Studies; New York: Oxford University Press, 2024).
Ephesians (New Cambridge Bible Commentary; Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2022).
Discovering Revelation: Content, Interpretation, Reception (London: SPCK and Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2021).
Fourth Maccabees and the Promotion of the Jewish Philosophy: Rhetoric, Intertexture, and Reception (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2020).
The Letter to the Galatians (New International Commentary on the New Testament; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018). Translated into Korean (Seoul: Revival and Reformation Press, 2022).
Galatians (Baylor Handbooks on the Greek New Testament; Waco: Baylor University Press, 2014).
The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude: What Earliest Christianity Learned from the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2012).
The Letter to the Hebrews in Social-Scientific Perspective (Cascade Companions; Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2012).
Jude, in James and Jude, with John Painter (Paideia Commentaries; Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012).
The Apocrypha (Core Biblical Studies; Nashville: Abingdon, 2012).
Global Readings: A Sri Lankan Commentary on the Letter to the Galatians (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2011). Sinhalese translation (Kohuwala, Sri Lanka: CTS Publishing, 2015).
Seeing Things John’s Way: The Rhetoric of the Book of Revelation (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009). Korean translation (tr. Kyusung Jang; Seoul, Korea: Christian Literature Center, 2023).
Despising Shame: Honor Discourse and Community Maintenance in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Revised Edition) (Studia Biblica 21; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2008).
4 Maccabees: Introduction and Commentary on the Greek Text of Codex Sinaiticus (LXX Commentary Series; Leiden: Brill, 2006).
An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2004; 2nd ed., 2018). Chinese translation (Taiwan: Campus Evangelical Fellowship Press, 2013). Korean translation (Seoul: Christian Literature Crusade, 2013). Arabic translation (Beirut: Dar Manhal al Hayat, 2014). Vietnamese translation (Ho Chi Minh City: Institute for Bible and Theology, 2019).
Introducing the Apocrypha: Message, Context, and Significance (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002; 2nd ed., 2018). Chinese translation, 2010.
New Testament Themes (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2001).
Honor, Patronage, Kinship and Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000; 2nd ed., 2022). Published in Armenian as Պատիվ, հովանավորչությունը, ազգակցություն և մաքրության: Բացահայտելով նորկտակարանյան մշակույթը (Springfield, MO: Assemblies of God World Missions, 2016). Korean translation (Seoul: Holy Wave Plus Publishing, 2019). Chinese translation in process.
Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000). Published in Spanish as Hebreos: Un commentario socio-retórico (Salem, OR: Publicaciones Kerigma, 2023).
The Hope of Glory: Honor Discourse and the New Testament (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999; repr. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2009). Published in Portuguese as A Esperança da Glória (Säo Paulo, Brazil: Paulinas, 2005).
4 Maccabees (Guides to the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha; Sheffield: SAP, 1998).
Despising Shame: Honor Discourse and Community Maintenance in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Society of Biblical Literature Dissertation Series 152; Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1995).
2. Books for Ecclesiastical or other non-academic Audiences
How to Read Galatians (Cambridge: Grove Books, Ltd., 2025).
Christian Faith and Doctrine: An Annotated Catechism for the Global Methodist Church (Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2024).
One Another: The New Testament Prescription for Transformation (Franklin, TN: Seedbed, 2021). With accompanying DVD containing eight session videos.
A Week in the Life of Ephesus (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2020). Korean translation (Gyong-si, Korea: Jireh Publishing House, 2021).
Hebrews: Grace and Gratitude (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020). With accompanying DVD containing six session videos.
Galatians (OneBook Daily/Weekly Series; Franklin, TN: Seedbed Publishing, 2019). With accompanying DVD containing six session videos.
In Season and Out: Sermons for the Church Year (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019). Korean translation (Seoul, Korea: GoodSeed Publishing, 2023).
Day of Atonement. A Novel of the Maccabean Revolt (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2015).
Transformation: The Heart of Paul’s Gospel (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). Korean translation (Gyong-si: Jireh Publishing House, 2019).
Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation’s Warning (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2013). Published in revised form, with an additional chapter, as Reading Revelation: From Ancient Asia Minor to Modern South Asia (Kohuwela: Columbo Theological Seminary Publishing, 2017; Sinhalese translation, 2019; Tamil translation, in process).
Apocrypha (Immersion Bible Studies; Nashville: Abingdon, 2013).
Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation through the Book of Common Prayer (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2008).
Paul and the Macedonians (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2001).
Praying with John Wesley (Nashville, TN: Discipleship Resources, 2001).
Bearing Christ’s Reproach: The Challenge of Hebrews in an Honor Culture (N. Richland Hills, TX: Berkeley Institute for Biblical Archaeology and Literature Press, 1999).
The Credentials of An Apostle: Paul’s Gospel in 2 Corinthians 1 through 7 (N. Richland Hills, TX: Berkeley Institute for Biblical Archaeology and Literature Press, 1998).
Untold Stories of the Bible (co-authored with Dr. Victor Matthews; Lincolnwood, IL: Publications International Ltd., 1998). Republished as Missing Stories of the Old Testament and Missing Stories of the New Testament (Lincolnwood, IL: Publications International Ltd., 2013).
3a. Books in Press
Archaeology and the Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, forthcoming Fall 2026).
Living in an Unholy Empire: Revelation’s Call to a Higher Allegiance (revised and expanded edition of Unholy Allegiances: Heeding Revelation’s Warning; Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, forthcoming in 2026).
3b. Books under Contract
Revelation (Word Biblical Themes; Grand Rapids: Zondervan).
The Biblical World in 100 Objects (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books).
The Revelation of John (NICNT; Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).
The New Testament and Christian Formation (Downers Grove: InterVarsity).
The World of the First Christians (London: SPCK).
Hebrews (Word Biblical Commentary; Grand Rapids: Zondervan).
4 Maccabees (Hermeneia; Minneapolis: Fortress).
4. Selected Articles in Journals and Collections of Essays:
Second Temple Judaism
“The Noble Contest: Honor, Shame, and the Rhetorical Strategy of 4 Maccabees,” Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha 13 (1995) 31-57.
“The Wisdom of Ben Sira: Honor, Shame, and the Maintenance of the Values of a Minority Culture,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 58 (1996) 433-455.
“The Dead Sea Scrolls and Early Christianity,” Sewanee Theological Review 39 (1996) 285-302.
“Fourth Ezra: Maintaining Jewish Cultural Values Through Apocalyptic Rhetoric,” in L. G. Bloomquist and Greg Carey, eds., Vision and Persuasion: Rhetorical Dimensions of Apocalyptic Discourse (St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 1999), 123-139.
“Why Did God Choose Abraham?” Bible Review 16.3 (June 2000) 16-21, 42-44.
“The Sinaiticus Text of 4 Maccabees,” Catholic Biblical Quarterly 68 (2006) 47-62.
“Seven Papyrus Fragments of a Greek Manuscript of Exodus,” Vetus Testamentum 56 (2006) 143-70.
“The Perfection of ‘Love for Offspring’: Greek Representations of Maternal Affection and the Achievement of the Heroine of 4 Maccabees,” New Testament Studies 52 (2006) 251-268.
“Judith the Heroine? Lies, Seduction, and Murder in Cultural Perspective, Biblical Theology Bulletin 36 (2006) 55-61.
“‘And Not a Drop to Drink’: The Story of David’s Thirst in the Jewish Scriptures, Josephus, and 4 Maccabees,” Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha 16 (2006) 15-40.
“Never Without a Witness: The Apocrypha and Spiritual Formation,” Ashland Theological Journal 38 (2006) 77-89.
“Five More Papyrus Fragments from a Greek Codex of Exodus,” Bulletin of the International Organization of Septuagint and Cognate Studies 40 (2007) 1-29.
“Using the Master’s Tools to Shore Up Our House: A Postcolonial Analysis of 4 Maccabees,” Journal of Biblical Literature 127.1 (2007) 99-127.
“Jesus and James in the School of Ben Sira: The impact of an extracanonical sage on the first founders of Christianity,” Theologie für die Praxis 33 (2007) 84-97.
“Jewish Martytology and the Death of Jesus,” in Gerbern Oegema and James H. Charlesworth, eds., The Pseudepigrapha and Christian Origins: Essays from the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (London: T. & T. Clark, 2008), 51-67.
“‘An Example of How to Die Nobly for Religion’: The Influence of 4 Maccabees on Origen’s Exhortatio ad Martyrium,” Journal of Early Christian Studies 17 (2009) 337-355.
“Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha” in Christopher Matthews, ed., Oxford Bibliographies in Biblical Studies (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010; rev., 2015; 2020).
“The Human Ideal, the Problem of Evil, and Moral Responsibility in 4 Maccabees,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 23 (2013) 57-78.
“Jews in the Diaspora,” pp. 272-290 in Joel B. Green and Lee M. McDonald, eds. The World of the New Testament: Cultural, Social, and Historical Contexts (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013).
“The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs as Witnesses to Pre-Christian Judaism: A Re-Assessment,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 22 (2013) 21-68.
“The Hellenistic Period,” pp. 426-459 in Rick Hess and Bill Arnold, eds., Ancient Israel’s History: An Introduction to Issues and Sources (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014).
“Ambrose’s Use of 4 Maccabees in De Jacob et Vita Beata: Some Correctives,” Journal of Early Christian Studies 22 (2014) 287-293.
“The Author of 4 Maccabees and Greek Paideia: Facets of the Formation of a Hellenistic Jewish Rhetor,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 26.4 (2016) 501-531.
“4 Maccabees,” forthcoming in Randall Chesnutt, ed., Blackwell Companion to the Old Testament Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell).
“The Apocrypha and the Earliest Christian Movement, Interpretation 72 (2018) 396-407.
“Biblical Theology and the Apocrypha,” pp. 534-549 in Gerbern Oegema, ed., The Oxford Handbook of the Apocrypha (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2021).
Letter to the Hebrews
“Despising Shame: A Cultural-Anthropological Investigation of the Epistle to the Hebrews,” Journal of Biblical Literature 113 (1994) 459-481.
“Exchanging Favor for Wrath: Apostasy in Hebrews and Patron-Client Relations,” Journal of Biblical Literature 115 (1996) 91-116.
“The Epistle to the Hebrews in Social-Scientific Perspective,” Restoration Quarterly 36 (1994) 1-21.
“Hebrews 6:4-8: A Socio-Rhetorical Investigation,” Tyndale Bulletin 50 (1999) 33-57, 225-235.
“Eschatology, Rest, and the Rhetorical Strategy of Hebrews,” Trinity Journal 21NS (2000) 25-43.
“The Invention and Argumentative Function of Priestly Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 16 (2006) 295-323.
“How Greek Was the Author of ‘Hebrews’?” pp. 629-650 in Stanley Porter and Andrew Pitts (eds.), Christian Origins and Greco-Roman Culture. Early Christianity in Its Hellenistic Context. Volume 1 (Leiden: Brill, 2012).
“Rhetorical Argument and Artistry in Hebrews,” forthcoming in Mark D. Given, ed., The Oxford Handbook of New Testament Rhetoric (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press).
The Revelation of John
“The Social Setting of the Apocalypse of John: Conflicts Within, Fears Without,” Westminster Theological Journal 54 (1992) 273-302.
“The Revelation to John: A Case Study in Apocalyptic Propaganda and the Maintenance of Sectarian Identity,” Sociological Analysis (now Sociology of Religion) 53 (1992) 375-395.
“The Image of the Beast and the Christians in Asia Minor,” Trinity Journal 12NS (1991) 185-206.
“The Construction and Social Function of a Counter-Cosmos in the Revelation of John,” Forum 9:1-2 (1993) 47-61.
“Honor Discourse and the Rhetorical Strategy of the Apocalypse of John,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 71 (1998) 79-110.
“The Persuasive Strategy of the Apocalypse: A Socio-Rhetorical Investigation of Revelation 14:6-13,” Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers 37 (1998) 785-806.
“A Socio-Rhetorical Investigation of Revelation 14:6-13: A Call to Act Justly toward the Just and Judging God,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 9 (1999) 65-117.
“Final Topics: The Rhetorical Functions of Intertexture in Revelation 14:14— 16:21,” pp. 215-241 in D. F. Watson, ed., The Intertexture of Apocalyptic Discourse in the New Testament (Symposium Series; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2002).
“Toward a Socio-Rhetorical Taxonomy of Divine Intervention: Miracle Discourse in the Revelation to John,” in D. B. Gowler, L. G. Bloomquist, and D. F. Watson (eds.), Fabrics of Discourse: Essays in Honor of Vernon K. Robbins (Harrisburg, PA: Trinity Press International, 2003), 303-316.
“The Revelation to John and the Practice of Christian Counseling,” Asbury Theological Journal, 60/1 (2006) 67-87.
“What Has Athens To Do with Patmos? Rhetorical Criticism of the Revelation of John (1980-2005),” Currents in Biblical Research 6.2 (2008) 256-289.
“X Marks the Spot? A Critique of the Use of Chiasm in Macro-Structural Analyses of Revelation to John,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 30 (2008) 343-371.
“The Strategic Arousal of Emotions in the Apocalypse of John: A Rhetorical-critical Investigation of the Oracles to the Seven Churches,” New Testament Studies 54 (2008) 90-114.
“Seeing Things John’s Way: Rhetography and Conceptual Blending in Revelation 14:6-13,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 18 (2008) 271-298.
“The Strategic Arousal of Emotions in John’s Visions of Roman Imperialism: A Rhetorical-Critical Investigation of Revelation 4-22,” Neotestamentica 42 (2008) 1-34.
“Out of Our Minds? Appeals to Reason (Logos) in the Seven Oracles of Revelation 2-3,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 31 (2008) 123-155.
“On the Sidelines of the πίστις Χριστοῦ debate: The View from Revelation,” pp. 259-274 in Michael Bird and Preston Sprinkle (eds.), The Faith of Jesus Christ” Exegetical, Biblical, and Theological Studies (Carlisle: Paternoster and Peabody: Hendrickson, 2009).
“Reading Revelation in Sri Lanka,” Asia Journal of Theology 27 (2013) 21-37.
“Rhetorical Features of the Book of Revelation,” pp. 69-84 in The Oxford Handbook of the Book of Revelation (ed. Craig Koester; New York: Oxford University Press, 2020).
“Testament of Levi and Revelation 4: Ascent to the Heavenly Throne,” pp. 52-58 in Ben C. Blackwell, John K. Goodrich, and Jason Maston, eds., Reading Revelation in Context: John’s Apocalypse and Second Temple Judaism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2019).
“The Seven Spirits of God: The Holy Spirit or the Angels of the Presence,” Biblical Theology Bulletin 55 (2025) 115-123.
Paul
“Measuring Penultimate Against Ultimate Reality: An Investigation of the Integrity and Argumentation of 2 Corinthians,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament 52 (1993) 41-70.
“Recasting the Moment of Decision: 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 In Its Literary Context,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 31 (1993) 3-16.
“No Confidence in the Flesh: The Meaning and Function of Phil 3:2-21,” Trinity Journal 15NS (1994) 27-54.
“Meeting the Exigency of a Complex Rhetorical Situation: Paul’s Strategy in 2 Corinthians 1 through 7,” Andrews University Seminary Studies 34 (1996) 5-22.
“Worthy of His Kingdom: Honor Discourse and Social Engineering in 1 Thessalonians,” Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 64 (1996) 49-79.
“‘Let the One Who Claims Honor Establish that Claim in the Lord’: Honor Discourse in the Corinthian Correspondence,” Biblical Theology Bulletin 28 (1998) 61-74.
“Neither Tamil Nor Sinhalese: Reading Galatians with Sri Lankan Christians,” pp. 39-55 in Craig Keener and M. Daniel Carroll R. (eds.), Global Voices: Reading the Bible in the Majority World (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2013).
“Grace, the Law, and Justification in 4 Ezra and the Pauline Letters: A Dialogue,” JSNT 37 (2014) 25-49.
“Appeals to Logos, Ethos, and Pathos in Galatians 5.1-12: An Investigation of Paul’s Inventio,” pp. 246-64 in Stanley Porter and Brian Dyer, eds., Paul and Ancient Rhetoric (Cambridge: Cambridge University, 2015).
“Honor, Shame, and the Letters of Paul,” pp. 26-47 in J. Paul Sampley, ed., Paul in the Greco-Roman World. Volume 2 (2nd edition; Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 2016).
“‘We Are Debtors’: Grace and Obligation in Paul and Seneca,” pp. 150-178 in Joseph Dodson and David Briones, eds., Paul and Seneca in Dialogue (Leiden: Brill, 2017).
“Sin, Slavery, Sacrifice, and the Spirit: The Human Problem and Divine Solution in Galatians,” pp. 99-113 in Nijay K. Gupta and John K. Goodrich, eds., Sin and its Remedy in Paul (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2020).
“The Spirit, Sanctification, and Salvation: What Paul Has Joined, Let No Theologian Rend Asunder,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 33 (2023) 304-323.
Other
“The Feast in the Text: The Sermons of Lancelot Andrewes,” Anglican Theological Review 76 (1994) 9-26.
“At the Threshold of Heaven: The Preaching of John Donne as Sacrament of the Word,” Anglican & Episcopal History, 43 (1994) 5-34.
“Investigating Honor Discourse: Guidelines from Classical Rhetoricians,” Society of Biblical Literature Seminar Papers 36 (1997) 491-525.
“1 Peter: Strategies for Counseling Individuals on the Way to a New Heritage,” Ashland Theological Journal 32 (2000) 33-52.
“Embodying the Word: Sociological Exegesis of the New Testament,” pp. 118-129 in S. McKnight and G. Osborne (eds.), The Face of New Testament Studies (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004).
“The Pattern for Preachers: Archbishop John Tillotson and the Reform of Ecclesiastical Oratory in the Seventeenth Century,” Anglican & Episcopal History 75 (2006) 368-400.
“Turning Shame into Honor: The Pastoral Strategy of 1 Peter,” pp. 159-186 in Robert Jewett, Wayne Alloway, Jr., and John G. Lacey (eds.), The Shame Factor: How Shame Shapes Society (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2010). Published with a new section (“Embodying 1 Peter Among Sri Lanka’s ‘Elect Resident Aliens’”) in Journal of the Colombo Theological Seminary 7 (2011) 21-56.
“Attentive to the Word: Biblical Scholarship and the Devotional Life,” Ashland Theological Journal 45 (2013) 29-52.
“Faith’s All-Star” (Hebrews 12:1-2) and “Advice to Christian Husbands” (1 Peter 3:7), pp. 129-130, 134-36 in Paul N. Jackson, ed., Devotions on the Greek New Testament, vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2017).
“The Social and Geographical World of Pisidian Antioch,” “The Social and Geographical World of Rome,” “The Social and Geographical World of Roman Corinth,” “The Social and Geographical World of Ephesus,” “The Social and Geographical World of Smyrna,” “The Social and Geographical World of Pergamum,” and “The Social and Geographical World of Sardis” in Barry Beitzel, ed., Lexham Geographic Commentary on Acts through Revelation (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2019), 323-31, 430-49, 464-82, 537-53, 629-54, 665-73.
“The Story and Mission of God in Luke-Acts,” pp. 93-106 in Todd Still and Jason Myers, eds., Rhetoric, History, and Theology: Interpreting the New Testament (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2022).
“The Wesleyan Gospel,” pp. 107-130 in Michael Bird and Jason Maston, eds., Five Views on the Gospel (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2025).
“Reading 1 Peter among the Elect Resident Aliens in Sri Lanka,” pp. 247-257 in Mariam Kamell Kovalishyn, ed., The New Testament around the World: Exploring Key Texts from Different Contexts (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2025).
5. Contributions to Reference Works, etc.:
Introductions and Annotations to 4 Maccabees and Hebrews, New Oxford Annotated Bible, 6th edition (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, forthcoming).
Introductions and Annotations to Esther (Greek) and 1 Peter in Emerson Powery, et al., eds., The Westminster Study Bible (Louisville: WJKP, 2024), 1382-1398, 2085-2093.
“4 Maccabees” in Katharine Dell and David Lincicum, eds., The New Oxford Commentary on the Bible (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, forthcoming).
“Honor/Shame” in Scot McKnight, et al., eds., Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd edition; Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2023), 443-446.
“Galatians” in Kenneth Collins and Robert W. Wall, eds., Wesley One Volume Commentary (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020), 772-82.
“Apocrypha, ‘Old Testament’,” in Daniel Gurtner and Loren Stuckenbruck, eds., T. & T. Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism. Volume 2 (London: T. & T. Clark, 2020), 43-45.
Introductions and Annotations to 4 Maccabees and Hebrews, New Oxford Annotated Bible, 5th edition (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2018), 1751-1773, 2147-2164.
“Jason, 4. The High Priest,” cols. 783-84 in Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Volume 13 (edited by Dale C. Allison, Jr., et al.; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2016).
“Exodus, The. II. New Testament,” cols. 467-71 in Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Volume 8 (edited by Dale C. Allison, Jr., et al.; Berlin: de Gruyter, 2014).
“Revelation,” pp. 215-220 in Oxford Encyclopedia of Bible and Ethics. Volume 2 (gen. ed. Robert Brawley; New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014).
“Hebrews,” pp. 625-653 in Fortress Commentary on the Bible: New Testament (ed. Margaret Aymer, Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, and David A. Sanchez; Minneapolis: Fortress, 2014).
“Clean and Unclean,” pp. 142-149 in Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels, 2nd edition (Joel B. Green, gen. ed.; Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2013).
“Rhetorical Criticism,” pp. 273-283 in Oxford Encyclopedia of Biblical Interpretation (gen. ed. Stephen McKenzie; New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013).
Introductions and Annotations to “Wisdom of Ben Sira,” “2 Esdras,” “4 Maccabees,” and “Additions to Daniel,” in The Common English Bible Study Bible (ed. Joel B. Green; Nashville: Abingdon, 2013).
Introduction and Annotations to 4 Maccabees, Outside the Bible (3 vols.; ed. James Kugel, Lawrence Schiffman, and Emmanuel Tov; Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society, 2013), 2362-2398.
“The Apocrypha and the Old Testament Scriptures” and “The Apocrypha and the New Testament,” pp. 265-268 in Edward A. Engelbrecht (gen. ed.), The Apocrypha: Lutheran Study Edition with Notes. English Standard Version (St. Louis, MO: Concordia, 2012).
“Pseudepigrapha,” Oxford Encyclopedia of the Books of the Bible (ed. Michael Coogan; Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2011), 212-28.
“Apocrypha,” in Cambridge Dictionary of Judaism (ed. Judith Baskin; Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011), 19-21.
“Circumcision” in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (ed. Joel B. Green; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), 139-40.
“Clean and Unclean in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (ed. Joel B. Green; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), 145-47.
“Deuterocanonicals/Apocrypha” in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (ed. Joel B. Green; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), 221-24.
“Hebrews” in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics (ed. Joel B. Green; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011), 360-61.
“Nations, Peoples, and Empires, Part II,” in Gordon D. Fee and Robert Hubbard (eds.), Eerdmans Companion to the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2011), 492-95.
Introduction and Annotations to 4 Maccabees, New Oxford Annotated Bible, 4th edition (Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press, 2010) 359-380.
Introduction and Annotations to Hebrews, The Wesley Study Bible (ed. Joel Green and William Willimon; Nashville: Abingdon, 2008), 1483-1497.
“Honor and Shame,” in Tremper Longman and Peter Enns (eds.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom and Poetical Books (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008), 287-300.
“Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha,” in Craig A. Evans (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus (New York and London: Routledge, 2008), 15-22.
“Martyr and Martyrdom in Jewish Late Antiquity,” in Craig A. Evans (ed.), The Encyclopedia of the Historical Jesus (New York and London: Routledge, 2008), 386-393.
“Maccabees, Fourth Book of” in Katherine Doob Sakenfeld (gen. ed.), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2008), 746-750.
“Social Scientific Criticism, NT” in Katherine Doob Sakenfeld (gen. ed.), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2009), 311.
“Hebrews, Epistle to the” in Katherine Doob Sakenfeld (gen. ed.), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Volume 2 (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2007), 779-786.
“Gratitude,” in Katherine Doob Sakenfeld (gen. ed.), The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Volume 2 (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2007), 662-663.
“Apocrypha/Deuterocanonicals,” in Katherine D. Sakenfeld (ed.), New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. Volume 1 (Nashville: Abingdon, 2006), 195-200.
“Cultural Relationships in the World of the New Testament,” in Stanley Porter (ed.), Dictionary of Biblical Criticism and Interpretation (London: Routledge, 2006), 67-69.
“Hebrews,” “1 & 2 Peter,” and “Jude” in C. A. Evans (ed.), Bible Knowledge Background Commentary, vol. 3, pp. 199-256 and 289-340 (Elgin, IL: Cook Communications/ Chariot Victor Publishing, 2005).
Introductions and Notes on 1-4 Maccabees and 1-2 Esdras, pp.1405-1470, 1493-1611 in Richard Foster, Dallas Willard, Walter Brueggemann, and Eugene Peterson (eds.), The Renovaré Spiritual Formation Bible (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2005).
“Apocrypha,” pp. 53-57 in K. J. Vanhoozer (gen. ed.), Dictionary for Theological Interpretation of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2005).
“4 Maccabees,” pp. 888-901 in J. D. G. Dunn and J. W. Rogerson, eds., Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003).
“Honor and Shame,” pp. 431-436 in D. W. Baker (ed.), Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002).
“Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha,” pp. 58-64 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000). Repr. in D. G. Reid, ed., Dictionary of the New Testament (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2004).
“Honor and Shame,” pp. 518-522 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).
“Patronage in the Greco-Roman World,” pp. 766-771 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000).
“Ruler Cult,” pp. 1026-1030 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove. IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).
“Sirach,” pp. 1116-1124 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).
“Testament of Moses,” pp. 1192-1199 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).
“3 and 4 Maccabees,” pp. 661-666 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of NewTestament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).
“Wisdom of Solomon,” pp. 1268-1276 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000).
“Writing and Literature — Jewish,” pp. 1289-1299 in C. A. Evans and S. Porter, eds., Dictionary of New Testament Backgrounds (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2000).
“Grace,” pp. 524-526 in D. N. Freedman, ed., Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000).
“Maccabees, Third and Fourth Books of,” pp. 839-841 in D. N. Freedman, ed., Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000).
“Exaltation, Enthronement,” pp. 359-63 in P. H. Davids and R. P. Martin, eds., Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997).
“Heaven, New Heavens,” pp. 439-43 in P. H. Davids and R. P. Martin, eds., Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1997).
“Repentance, Second Repentance,” pp. 1011-15 in P. H. Davids and R. P. Martin, eds., Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997).
“Visions, Ecstatic Experience,” pp. 1194-98 in the Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1997).
6. Bible Translation and Editorial Work
Apocrypha Editor, The Common English Bible, Abingdon Press (2007-2011). Recruited translation teams for each book of the Apocrypha; edited their work after receiving reports from readability consultants and reading groups. Also served as first translator for Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151, and 4 Maccabees; consulting translator for the Epistle to the Hebrews; and editor for Revelation. Published in The Common English Bible with the Apocrypha (Nashville: Abingdon, 2011).
Translator/Reviser, The Apocrypha: English Standard Version, Oxford University Press. Responsible for the translation/revision of Sirach 1-26, Letter of Jeremiah, Prayer of Manasseh, Psalm 151, 3 Maccabees, 2 Esdras, and 4 Maccabees. Published in The English Standard Version Bible with the Apocrypha (New York: Oxford University Press, 2009), pp. 1237-64, 1299-1301, 1378-1438. Further translated Tobit (following GII) for the Catholic Edition of the ESV (to replace the first ESV Tobit, which followed the GI recension, as did the RSV).
Contributing Editor, Lexham Septuagint Project, Logos Research Systems (2005-2007). Developed prospectus for project and guidelines for the work of contributors and recruited scholars to work on each book.
Revision Consultant, New Revised Standard Version (Updated Edition), Society of Biblical Literature (2022-2023). Reviewed and suggested emendations to translations and textual notes for 4 Maccabees and Hebrews.
7. Scholarly Presentations
“The Seven Spirits of God: The Holy Spirit or the Angels of the Presence,” Revelation and Apocalyptic Literature Group, Institute for Biblical Research, Novembe 22, 2024 (San Diego, CA).
“Reading Hebrews in a Sri Lankan Context,” Asian American Biblical Interpretation Group, Institute for Biblical Research, Novembe 22, 2024 (San Diego, CA).
“The Spirit, Sanctification, and Salvation: What Paul Has Joined, Let No Theologian Rend Asunder,” Annual Lecture, Institute for Biblical Research, November 18, 2022 (Denver, CO).
“Sin and Its Remedy in Galatians,” Annual Meeting of the Institute for Biblical Research, November 16-17, 2018 (Denver, CO).
“Reading 1 Peter with the Elect Resident Aliens in Sri Lanka,” Annual Meeting of the Society for Biblical Literature, November 17-20, 2018 (Denver, CO).
“Father Knew Best: Intertextuality and Argumentation in 4 Macc 18:10-18.” Greek Bible Section, 2016 National SBL Meeting (San Antonio, TX).
“The Author of 4 Maccabees and Greek Paideia: Facets of the Formation of a Hellenistic Jewish Rhetor,” Fifth Enoch Seminar Nangeroni Meeting, July 1-5, 2015 (Naples, Italy).
“Grace, the Law, and Justification in 4 Ezra and the Pauline Letters: A Dialogue,” Third Enoch Seminar Nangeroni Meeting, June 22-26, 2014 (Rome, Italy).
“Reading Revelation in Sri Lanka,” John’s Apocalypse and Cultural Contexts Ancient and Modern Section, 2012 National SBL Meeting (Chicago, IL).
“Progymnastic Training and the Rhetorical Composition of Hebrews,” Rhetoric and New Testament Section, 2012 National SBL Meeting (Chicago, IL).
“The Contribution of 4 Maccabees to Ambrose’s De Jacob et vita beata,” Function of Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha in Early Judaism and Early Christianity Section, 2012 National SBL Meeting (Chicago, IL).
“Neither Tamil Nor Sinhalese: Reading Galatians in Sri Lanka,” 2011 Annual Meeting of the Institute for Biblical Research (San Francisco, CA).
Panelist, Review of The Common English Bible, 2011 Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature (San Francisco, CA).
“James and the Testament of Job: The Evidence for Intertextuality,” Letters of James, Peter, and Jude Section, 2010 National SBL Meeting (Atlanta, GA).
Panel Review of Seeing Things John’s Way, Rhetoric and New Testament Section, 2009 National SBL Meeting (New Orleans, LA).
“How Greek Is the Author of the Letter to the Hebrews: A Study of the Author’s Location in Regard to Greek Paideia,” Hebrews Group, 2008 National SBL Meeting (Boston, MA).
“Out of Our Minds? Appeals to Reason (Logos) in the Seven Oracles of Revelation 2-3,” Rhetoric and the New Testament Section, 2008 National SBL Meeting (Boston, MA).
“‘An Example of How to Die Nobly For Religion’: The Influence of 4 Maccabees on Origen’s Exhortatio ad Martyrium,” Non-canonical Literature Section, 2007 National SBL Meeting (San Diego, CA).
“Five Fragments of a Greek Codex of Exodus,” International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, 2006 National SBL Meeting (Washington, DC).
“Seeing the World Through John’s Eyes: Rhetography in Revelation,” Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity Seminar, 2006 National SBL Meeting (Washington, DC).
“Seven Fragments of a Greek Manuscript of Exodus,” International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies, 2005 National SBL Meeting (Philadelphia, PA).
Panelist for discussion on “The Strategic Evocation and Shaping of ‘Story’ in the New Testament,” Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity Seminar, 2005 National SBL Meeting (Philadelphia, PA).
“The Sinaiticus Text of 4 Maccabees,” Short Paper, 2005 SNTS Meeting (Halle, Germany).
Panelist for discussion on “Priestly Discourse in the New Testament,” Rhetoric and New Testament Section of the 2004 National SBL Meeting (San Antonio, TX).
Panelist for discussion on “Miracle Discourse in the New Testament,” Rhetoric and New Testament Section of the 2001 National SBL Meeting (Denver, CO).
“Final Topics: The Rhetorical Functions of Intertexture in Revelation 14:14— 16:21,” presented as part of panel discussion on “The Intertexture of Apocalyptic Discourse,” Rhetoric and New Testament Section of the 1999 National SBL Meeting (Boston, MA).
“The Persuasive Strategy of the Apocalypse: A Socio-Rhetorical Investigation of Revelation 14:6-13,” 1998 National Meeting of the SBL (Orlando, FL).
“Investigating Honor Discourse: Guidelines from Classical Rhetoricians,” 1997 National SBL Meeting (San Francisco, CA).
“Honor Discourse and the Socio-Rhetorical Strategy of Matthew’s Gospel,” 1997 Midwest Regional Meeting of the SBL (Chicago, IL).
“Worthy of God’s Kingdom: Honor Discourse and Social Engineering in 1 Thessalonians,” 1996 National SBL Meeting (New Orleans, LA).
“The Wisdom of Ben Sira: Honor, Shame, and the Maintenance of Minority Cultural Values,” 1995 National SBL Meeting (Philadelphia, PA) and Regional Meeting of SECSOR (Gainesville, FL).
“Despising Shame: A Cultural-Anthropological Investigation of the Epistle to the Hebrews,” 1994 National SBL Meeting (Chicago, IL); 1994 Southeastern Regional Meeting (Atlanta, GA).
“Meeting the Exigencies of a Complex Rhetorical Situation: An Investigation of the Integrity of 2 Corinthians 1-7,” 1993 Southeastern Regional Meeting of the SBL, Charleston, SC.
8. Invited Lectures & Presentations:
“Recovering a Scripture-Shaped Ethos in a Polarizing Age,” New Room Pastors’ Retreat, Black Mountain, NC, February 25-27, 2026.
“The Spirit, Sanctification, and Salvation: What Paul Has Joined, Let No Theologian Rend Asunder,” Graduate Forum, ACTS University International Graduate School, Gyeonggi-do, Korea, November 2, 2023.
“Reading Revelation with John’s Congregations: Developing a Culture of Discernment and Resistance” and “God’s Grace, The Free Gift That Costs Us Everything: Grace and Obligation in Paul and his World,” Korean Evangelical Society of New Testament Studies, Seoul, Korea, November 4, 2023.
“The Social and Cultural Context of the Early Christians: What Difference Does It Make for Theology and Mission?” and “A Case Study in Social and Cultural Context: Living Together as God’s Family in a Greco-Roman Household,” Institute for Missional Studies, Samil Christian Church, Seoul, Korea, November 6, 2023.
“Listening to the Book of Revelation: From Roman Asia to Modern Egypt,” a series of nine presentations for the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Synod of the Nile Pastors Conference, Alexandria, Egypt, June 27-29, 2023.
“Does Your Bible Have the Apocrypha,” Museum of the Bible Speaker Series, March 14, 2023 (Washington, DC).
“Living our Baptismal Covenant” and “A Rule of Life,” Christ Episcopal Church, San Antonio, TX (December 2-3, 2022).
“The Letter to the Hebrews and Christian Formation,” Christian Union Student Retreat, Princeton University (virtual, May 18, 2022).
“The Apocrypha: What Every Christian Should Know,” South Africa Theological Seminary, September 21, 2020.
“Grace: The Free Gift That Costs Us Everything,” Life Enrichment Series, Florida College, October 24, 2019.
“Revelation and the Gospel of Rome: Empires in Conflict (or, Two Tales of One City),” Bergdall Endowed Lectureship in Biblical Studies, Huntington University, March 26, 2019 (Huntington, Indiana).
“Patronage and Stewardship in the Early Church,” Patronage Symposium, Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, October 3-5, 2018 (Beirut, Lebanon).
“Reciprocity and Patronage in the New Testament: What Does It Mean for the Gospel Today?” Honor-Shame Conference, Wheaton College, June 19-21, 2017.
“Reading Revelation as If John’s Churches Mattered,” Winter Pastors’ School, Stetson University, January 31-February 2, 2017.
“The Book of Revelation,” continuing education event, Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon, September 5-9, 2016.
“A Political Reading of the Revelation of John: Creating a Culture of Critique and Resistance,” Arab Baptist Theological Seminary, Beirut, Lebanon, February 26, 2015.
“Reading Revelation in the (2)1st Century,” Second Presbyterian Church, Louisville, KY, January 17, 2015.
“Transformation: The Heart of Paul’s Gospel,” Educational Opportunities Tours “Journeys of Paul” tour, November 1-12, 2013 and October 11-24, 2014.
“The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude,” 2013 Spring Ecumenical Lecture, Mount Aloysius College, April 11, 2013.
“Attentive to the Word: Biblical Scholarship and the Devotional Life,” The Fire of the Word (Renovare Conference, Denver, CO), May 4-5, 2012.
“Revelation and Roman Imperial Ideology: Apocalypse as Call to Resistance,” New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, April 12, 2012.
“The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and Jude: The impact of Ben Sira, Tobit, and 1 Enoch,” Florida Southern College, April 2, 2012.
“Heeding the Book of Revelation Without Playing End-games,” Educational Opportunities Tours “Sixth Celebration Cruise,” January 15-24, 2012.
“Menschenbild, the Problem of Evil, and the Problem of Theodicy in 4 Maccabees,” Institut für Evangelische Theologie, Universität Osnabrück, August 23, 2011.
“The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs: Jewish or Christian? A Re-assessment,” English-German Colloquium, Institute for the Study of Early Christianity and the Evangelische-theologisches Seminar, Universität Tübingen, July 18, 2011.
“Turning Shame into Honor: The Pastoral Strategy of 1 Peter,” St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Lincoln, NE, October 25, 2010.
“Is Your Bible Thick Enough? Challenging the New Testament Canon,” Colombo Theological Seminary, Colombo, Sri Lanka, October 1, 2010.
“The Apocrypha and Evangelical Christians,” Colombo Theological Seminary, Colombo, Sri Lanka, September 17, 2010.
“The Challenge of Revelation for Christian Formation,” Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church, Naples, FL, March 20, 2010.
“Preaching Through Hebrews,” Pastors’ Clinic, Sandberg Leadership Center, Ashland Theological Seminary, August 2009.
“The Heart of the New Testament Message: Toward a Biblical Theology,” 2008 Fall Lecture Series, Ashland Theological Seminary.
“Preaching Through Revelation,” Pastors’ Clinic, Sandberg Leadership Center, Ashland Theological Seminary, February 2009.
“Jesus and James in the School of Ben Sira,” Theologisches Seminar Reutlingen, Germany, June 13, 2007.
“Honor, Shame, and Paul,” McManis Lecture, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, April 2006.
“The Jewish Teachers of Jesus and James: What the Leaders of Judean Christianity Learned from the Apocrypha” Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, February 22, 2006.
“The Jewish Teachers of Jesus, James, and the author of Hebrews: What early Christian Leaders learned from the Apocrypha,” Hampden-Sydney College, October 27, 2005.
“Never Without a Witness: The ‘With-God’ Life in the Intertestamental Period,” Renovaré 2005 International Conference (Denver, CO).
“Living Like You’ll Live Forever,” Ashland University Convocation, March 23, 2005.
“Reading the Bible at Qumran, Alexandria, and Ephesus,” public lecture given on April 4, 2004, “From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Forbidden Book” exhibit, John S. Knight Center, Akron, Ohio.
“Across this Threshold,” Ashland University Baccalaureate Service, May 11, 2001.
9. Selected Book Reviews
Jewish and Greco-Roman Environments
J. J. Collins, The Scepter and the Star, Interpretation 50 (1996) 426-428.
Alan K. Bowman, et al, eds., The Cambridge Ancient History: Volume X, The Augustan Empire, 43 B.C.-A.D. 69, Asbury Theological Journal 52 (1997) 91-92.
J. J. Collins, Jewish Wisdom in the Hellenistic Age, Ash T J 33 (2001) 114-115.
J. W. van Henten, The Maccabean Martyrs as Saviours of the Jewish People, Ash T J 33 (2001) 115-116.
Peter Enns, Exodus Retold: Ancient Exegesis of the Departure from Egypt in Wis 10:15-21 and 19:1-9, Ash T J 33 (2001) 115.
Social World of the New Testament
Bruce J. Malina, The New Testament World and Windows on the World of Jesus; Pheme Perkins, Gnosticism and the New Testament, Perspectives in Religious Studies, 22 (1995) 79-82.
L. Michael White and O. Larry Yarbrough, eds., The Social World of the First Christians:
Essays in Honor of Wayne A. Meeks, Christian Century 113 (1996) 237-239.
Halvor Moxnes (ed.), Constructing Early Christian Families: Family as Social Reality and Metaphor, Andrews University Seminary Studies 37 (1999) 327-329.
Gospels and Acts
David Bauer and Mark Powell (eds.), Treasures Old and New: Contributions to Matthean Studies, Ash Th J 30 (1998) 115-16.
Jerome Neyrey, Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew, AUSS 38 (2000) 166-168.
Paul
Jürgen Becker, Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, Christian Century, 111 (1994) 504.
Daniel Boyarin, A Radical Jew: Paul and the Politics of Identity, Christian Century, 112 (1995) 581-82.
Don Garlington, Faith, Obedience and Perseverance: Aspects of Paul’s Letter to the Romans, Critical Review of Books in Religion 9 (1996).
Ben Witherington, III, Conflict and Community in Corinth: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on 1 and 2 Corinthians, Andrews University Seminary Studies 35 (1997) 156-158.
Gordon Fee, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, CBQ 59 (1997) 577-78.
Michael Gorman, Participating in Christ: Explorations in Paul’s Theology and Spirituality, JTS, forthcoming.
Hebrews and General Epistles
George H. Guthrie, The Structure of Hebrews: A Text-Linguistic Analysis, CBQ 57 (1995) 395-97.
Thomas Long, Hebrews, Theology Today 54/4 (1998) 576-77.
Victor Pfitzner, Hebrews, CBQ 61 (1999) 163-64.
N. C. Croy, Endurance in Suffering: Hebrews 12.1-13 in its Rhetorical, Religious, and Philosophical Context, RBL 2 (2000) 452-54.
Barth Campbell, Honor, Shame, and the Rhetoric of 1 Peter, RBL 2 (2000) 459-62.
Luke T. Johnson, Hebrews, Interpretation 62/2 (2008) 198-200.
Revelation and Apocalyptic Literature
Philip E. Hughes, The Book of Revelation, Trinity Journal, 13NS (1992) 106-108.
Jürgen Roloff, The Revelation of John, Princeton Seminary Bulletin, 15 NS (1994) 207-209.
Jean-Pierre Prévost, How to Read the Apocalypse, Biblical Theology Bulletin 25 (1995) 94.
Bruce Malina, On the Genre and Message of Revelation: Star Visions and Sky Journeys, JBL 116 (1997) 763-65.
Sverre Bøe, Gog and Magog: Ezekiel 38 — 39 as pre-text for Revelation 19,17-21 and 20,7-10, JSNT 26 (2003) 127-128.
Stephen Smalley, The Revelation to John, Biblical Theology Bulletin, forthcoming.
Edmondo F. Lupieri, A Commentary on the Apocalypse of John, CBQ 71 (2009) 409-411.
Richard Hays and Stefan Alkier, eds., Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation, CBQ 76 (2014) 793-795.
New Testament Introduction, Biblical Interpretation and Theology
John Carroll and Joel Green, The Death of Jesus in Early Christianity, TrinJ 18NS (1997) 102-105.
D. A. Carson, D. J. Moo, and Leon Morris, An Introduction to the New Testament, Christian Century, 109 (1992) 497-98.
Vernon Robbins, Exploring the Texture of Texts and The Tapestry of Early Christian Discourse, Ash Th J 30 (1998) 123-26.
Ian G. Wallis, The Faith of Jesus Christ in Early Christian Traditions, CBQ 58 (1996) 568-569.
10. Published Sermons
“What On Earth Are Good Protestants To Do With Saints?” Ashland Theological Journal 44 (2012) 35-39.
“A Summons to Sobriety,” Preaching 19/3 (Nov/Dec 2003) 53-54.
“Keeping God’s Sabbath,” Preaching 18/1 (July-August 2002) 39-42.
“What’s Wrong With a Little Murder,” Preaching On-line, July 2001.
“Our Wake-Up Call,” Preaching 16/3 (2000) 29-32.
“Giving Rebirth for Immortality,” Preaching 14/6 (1999) 32-37.
“Convictions,” Pulpit Digest, January/February 1995, 64-70.
“Scribes Trained for the Kingdom,” Ashland Theological Journal 29 (1997) 1-6.
(See also In Season and Out, listed above under #2.)
11. Publications for Devotional Use and Church-based Curriculum:
Revised and updated edition of, and new companion DVD for, Bruce M. Metzger, Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation (Nashville: Abingdon, 2019).
Contributor (Week 2: Biblical Foundations) to Canvas: A Portrait of God, Canvas: A Portrait of Grace, Canvas: A Portrait of the Holy Spirit, Canvas: A Portrait of Jesus, and Canvas: A Portrait of Humanity (Nashville: Abingdon, 2018).
“Commentary 1: Connecting the Reading with Scripture” on Galatians 1:1-12 (Ninth Sunday after the Epiphany) and 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 (Transfiguration Sunday) in Joel B. Green, et al., eds, Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship: Year C, Volume 1, Advent through Epiphany (Louisville: WJKP, 2018), 292-294, 307-309.
Introductions to Matthew, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Philemon, Hebrews, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude, The CEB Student Bible (gen. ed. Elizabeth W. Corrie; Nashville: Abingdon, 2015).
“Episode 6: Hebrews,” pp. 63-70 in Participant Guide 1: Creating the Covenant and accompanying video, Covenant Bible Study (Nashville: Abingdon, 2014).
Invitation to the New Testament: Participant Guide (co-authored with Emerson Powery; Disciple Short-Term Studies; Nashville: Abingdon, 2005).
Invitation to the New Testament: Digital Video Disk (with Emerson Powery and guests Amy-Jill Levine, K. K. Yeo, and William Willimon; Disciple Short-Term Studies; Nashville: Abingdon, 2005).
Afterlife: Finding Hope in the Face of Death (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2003).
“Remember Your Baptism: Living Out the Christian Rite of Transformation,” Conversations 8.1 (2010) 86-91.
“Before Baptism: John the Baptizer and Jewish Purification Rites,” Adult Bible Studies Illustrated 2/1 (2009) 19-22.
“Philippians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians,” in New International Lesson Annual 2009-2010 (ed. Nan Duerling; Nashville: Abingdon, 2009).
“1 John and Revelation: God’s Community Now and in the Future,” in New International Lesson Annual 2006-2007 (ed. Nan Duerling; Nashville: Abingdon, 2006).
“1 and 2 Corinthians: Called to Community,” in New International Lesson Annual 2005-2006 (ed. Nan Duerling; Nashville: Abingdon, 2005), 345-454.
“Introduction to Hebrews,” video segment for Disciple I: Revised Videos (Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 2005).
“Hebrews: Living in Faith,” Adult Bible Studies June-July-August 2004 (Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 2004).
“An Advent Sonnet,” Trinity Seminary Review 25.1 (2004) 67.
“A Sure Foundation,” pp. 327-333 in The Upper Room Disciplines 2003: A Book of Daily Devotions (Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2002).
“Link-tionary” (Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House), November 1999, March 2000, July 2000, December 2000, April 2001, and August 2001 issues. This material has been re-issued in three annuals edited by Douglas Wingeier, Keeping Holy Time: Year A, Year B, and Year C (Nashville: Abingdon, 2001-2003).
“Introduction to Daniel,” video segment for Disciple IV (Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 2001).
“The Sermon on the Mount,” Adult Bible Studies Teacher (United Methodist Publishing House) 9/1 (September-November 2001) 8-10.
“The Churches at Philippi, Ephesus, and Colossae,” Adult Bible Studies Teacher (United Methodist Publishing House) 8/4 (June-August 2000) 2-5.
“The Uniqueness of the Gospel of Mark,” Adult Bible Studies Teacher (United Methodist Publishing House) 6/3 (March-May 1998) 2-4.
“Clement of Alexandria,” “William Tyndale,” and “John Donne,” in For All the Saints (ed. Clifton Guthrie; Akron, OH: Order of Saint Luke Publications, 1995).
12. Music Publications:
“Johannine Benediction,” SATB anthem, Folio Vol. 2.3, pp.30-31, Abingdon Press, 1992; re-release, World Library Publications, 2010.
“Behold the Lamb,” SATB anthem, Abingdon Press, 1995.
“Ring We Now of Christmas,” handbell arrangement, Abingdon Press, 1998.
“O Clap Your Hands,” SATB anthem, Abingdon Press, 2001.
“Comfort, Comfort Ye, My People,” SATB anthem with ensemble, Abingdon Press, 2001; re-release, Concordia Publishing House, 2010.
“Transfiguration Prayer,” SATB a capella anthem, World Library Publications, 2008.
“Renaissance Suite” (organ arrangements of five dances by Tielman Susato), Church Music Workshop vol. 11, nos. 1 (Jan-Apr), 2 (May-Aug), and 3 (Sep-Dec), Abingdon Press, 2001.
“O Clap Your Hands,” TTBB anthem (re-arrangement of SATB anthem), Abingdon Press, 2009.
Two Renaissance Suites (organ arrangements of ten dances from Tielman Susato’s Danserye [1551]), Concordia Publishing House, 2011.
Chorale Prelude on Allein Gott in der Höh (“All Glory Be to God on High”), pp. 54-57 in Hymn Prelude Library, volume 1, edited by Kevin Hildebrand, Concordia Publishing House, 2012.
Chorale Prelude on Die güldne Sonne (“The Golden Sun”), in Hymn Prelude Library, volume 3, edited by Kevin Hildebrand (Concordia Publishing House, 2013).
A Time to Dance: Baroque Gigues for Organ (arrangements of gigues by Handel, Pachelbel, and Bach), Beckenhorst, 2014.
“The Lord at First Did Adam Make,” SATB anthem, Concordia Publishing House, 2014.
Chorale Prelude on Herzlich tut mir verlangen (“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded”), in Hymn Prelude Library. Vol. 5, edited by Kevin Hildebrand (Concordia Publishing House, 2014).
Chorale Prelude on King’s Weston (“At the Name of Jesus”), in Hymn Prelude Library. Vol. 6, edited by Kevin Hildebrand (Concordia Publishing House, 2014).
Chorale Prelude on Nicaea (“Holy, Holy, Holy”) pp. 26-29 in Hymn Prelude Library, volume 7. Edited by Kevin Hildebrand. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2016.
Seven Renaissance Dances (organ arrangements of seven additional dances by Tielman Susato), Concordia, 2015.
“One Thing Have I Desired,” SATB anthem, Concordia Publishing House, 2015.
“Them Bones,” SATB anthem, Concordia Publishing House, 2016.
Chorale Prelude on Song 13 (“Holy Spirit, Truth Divine”) pp. 143-145 in Hymn Prelude Library, volume 9. Edited by Kevin Hildebrand. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2016.
Chorale Prelude on Veni Emmanuel (“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”), pp. 68-69 in Hymn Prelude Library. Vol. 11, edited by Kevin Hildebrand (Concordia Publishing House, 2017).
13. Instructional Media
The Apocrypha: Witness Between the Testaments (BI 291), Mobile Ed Courseware, Logos Bible Systems, Faithlife Corporation, 2015.
The Cultural World of the New Testament (NT 201), Mobile Ed Courseware, Logos Bible Systems, Faithlife Corporation, 2015.
Introducing the Epistles and Revelation: Their Setting and Message (NT222), Mobile Ed Courseware, Logos Bible Systems, Faithlife Corporation, 2017.
Exegetical Study: Letter to the Hebrews (NT 362), Mobile Ed Courseware, Logos Bible Systems, Faithlife Corporation, 2017.
The Seven Cities of Revelation (AR 271). Mobile Ed Courseware, Logos Bible Systems, Faithlife Corporation, 2018.
“Artemis of the Ephesians”; “Ephesus: Commerce and Community”; “Satan’s Throne: Religion in Roman Pergamum”; “Corinth: Business and Order”; “Miletus: City of Paul’s Farewell”; “Sardis: City of the Living Dead“; “Rome: Center of the Empire”; “Qumran: Monastic Center for the Truly Strictest Sect of Judaism”; “Alexander and his Successors”; “Paphos: An Early Pauline Mission Field”; “Rhodes: Paul’s Rest Stop on the Way to Jerusalem”; “Roman Corinth: Many Gods and Many Lords“; “I Have Finished the Race: The World Behind Athletic Images in the New Testament”; “Imperial Cult in Ephesus: ‘Those Who Worship the Beast and Its Image”; “Caesar Augustus: Imperial Ideology and Luke’s Infancy Narrative”; “Athens: ‘In Every Way a Religious People’”; “Colossae and Hierapolis: Epaphras’s Mission Field”; “The Flavian Dynasty: ‘When You See Jerusalem Surrounded By Armies’”; “Capernaum: Jesus’ Base of Operations in Galilee”; “Puteoli: Paul’s Rest Stop on the Way to Rome”; “Tyre, Merchant to the Nations”; “Smyrna, Faithful Devotee of Rome”; “Laodicea: City of the Lukewarm”; “Gebal: Survivor of Empires,” “Seeing Things on Patmos,” “Antioch in Pisidia,” “Herod’s Temple: ‘See What Huge Stones’,” “Herod the Great: Building a Legacy,” “‘Not One Stone Left Upon Another’: Jerusalem’s Destruction and Its Aftermath,” “Caesarea Philippi: City of the Gods,” “Jerusalem’s Water Supply and Pools,” “Jerusalem Between the Testaments,” “Bethsaida and Chorazin: Centers of Jesus’ Galilean Ministry,” “Tel Dan: Sacred City of the Northern Kingdom,” “Magdala: Mary’s Hometown,” “Machaerus: Where John the Baptizer Was Martyred,” “Beth Shean: Gentile Stronghold in the Heart of Israel,” “The Cities of the Decapolis: Gadara, Gerasa, and Hippos,” “Cenchreae: Port of Corinth,” “Beroea: Receptive Soil for Paul’s Gospel,” “Caesarea Maritima: Herod’s Great Port City,” “Thessalonica: First City of Macedonia,” “Philippi: Founding a Church in a Roman Colony,” and “Malta: Paul’s Safe Haven en Route to Rome” in the Cultural Context of the Bible video collection. Logos Bible Systems, Faithlife Corporation, 2014-2020.
“The General Epistles,” Seminary Now (https://seminarynow.com/pages/introduction-to-the-general-epistles), filmed February 27-28, 2023.
Academic Honors, Awards, Fellowships:
CBA Visiting Professorship, École Biblique et Archéologique Française, Jerusalem (Spring Semester, 2024).
Passing the Torch Renewal Leave Grant, Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church (2019; 2022).
Lilly Faculty Fellows Grant (2010-2011).
Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow (2006-2007; renewals in Summer 2011 and 2022).
Appointed the sixth Trustees’ Distinguished Professor of Ashland University (2005).
ECPA Gold Medallion Award Finalist, Reference and Academic Books, 2005 (An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods & Ministry Formation [InterVarsity, 2004]).
Elected to the Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (2001).
SBL Regional Scholar (1995).
SBL (SECSOR) Graduate Student Paper Award (1994).
Emory University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Tuition Fellowship (1990-1991; 1991-1992); Graduate Fellowship (1990-1994); Assistant Instructorship (1994-1995).
Professional Memberships Maintained
Catholic Biblical Association
Society of Biblical Literature
Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas (SNTS)
Ordination as an Elder in Full Connection in the Florida Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church.
Academic Service:
Society of Biblical Literature
Co-chair (with Loren Johns), Function of Non-Canonical Literature Section (2009-2015).
Founding Chair, Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity Seminar (2005-2010).
Steering Committee, Rhetoric and the New Testament Section (2004-2010).
Steering Committee, Best Teaching Practices Consultation (2004-2010).
Ashland Theological Seminary
Department Chair, Biblical Studies (2005-2006; 2007-2010; 2011-2014)
Academic Affairs Committee (2005-2006; 2007-2010; 2011-2014)
Personal and Professional Development Committee (2001-2005; chair, 2004-2005).
Recruitment Committee, Ashland Theological Seminary (2002-2003).
Spiritual Formation, Chapel, and Student Life Committee (2003-2004, ex-officio as interim Director of the Chapel; 2010-2011).
Library Committee (1995-2001; chair, 1997-2001).
Other
Editorial Board, Biblical Theology Review (2020-present); Bulletin for Biblical Research (2015-2018); Common English Bible Review Committee (2011-2016); Rhetoric of Religious Antiquity Project (1999-2014); Emory Studies in Early Christianity (1999-2014); Journal for the Study of New Testament (1997-2003).
External Dissertation Examiner, Fuller Theological Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary
External Reviewer, Andrews University Seminary Studies; InterVarsity Press
Consultant, United Methodist Publishing House (Disciple Series)
Employment in Pastoral Ministry
Interim Pastor, Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, Port Charlotte, FL (October 2, 2017-June 30, 2018).
One unit of Clinical Pastoral Education at Akron General Medical Center, Akron, Ohio (Summer 2003).
Substitute Preacher at various churches (primarily those where I have also been employed as Minister of Music [see below]).
Intern at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Helmetta, NJ (Fall 1989 to Spring 1990).
Campus Minister for Westminster Choir College, Nassau Christian Center, Princeton, NJ (September 1987 to 1989).
Employment in Music Ministry
Director of Traditional Worship and Organist, Port Charlotte Global Methodist Church, Port Charlotte, FL (July 2014-present).
Organist/Director of Music, Christ United Methodist Church, Ashland, OH (1998-2014).
Conference Organist, United Methodist Church Ohio East Area, 2009 and 2010.
Guest Organist, Friedenskirche (Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche), Tübingen, Germany (2006-2007).
Interim Chapel Co-ordinator, Organist, and Director of the Seminary Chapel Choir, Ashland Theological Seminary (2003-2004; Spring 1997).
Director of Choirs, First United Methodist Church, Ashland, OH (August 1995 to June 1998).
Organist/Choirmaster, Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, Riverdale, GA (August 1990 to July 1995).
Accompanist, Candler Choraliers, Emory University, Atlanta, GA (1991-1992).
Organist/Choirmaster, St. George’s Episcopal Church, Helmetta, NJ (September 1985 to June 1990).
Tenor soloist with Candler Choraliers, Atlanta Bach Choir, Princeton University Glee Club, Princeton Singers, and Musica Alta.