EDUCATION
2016 Ph.D., Religious & Theological Studies – concentration in Biblical Interpretation/Hebrew Bible, Joint Doctoral Program, University of Denver & Iliff School of Theology
2012 Certificate, Historical & Archaeological Conservation, International Conservation Center Città di Roma in Akko, Israel
2008 M.A., Bible & Ancient Semitic Languages, Jewish Theological Seminary
2005 B.A., Biblical Studies, Patten University
FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2019-Present Lead Lecturer of Religious Studies, Department of Liberal Arts, Regis University College of Contemporary Liberal Studies
2016-2019 Program Manager, Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver
PUBLICATIONS
Books
2018 Moses among the Idols: Mediators of the Divine in the Ancient Near East, Fortress Academic Monographs, Fortress Academic Press / Lexington Books
Nominated for the 2019 AAR Best First Book in the History of Religions Award
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2020 “The Mesopotamian Mis Pi Ceremony & Clifford Geertz’s ‘Thick Description’: Principles for Studying the Cultural Webs of the Deceased,” Distant Worlds Journal, Vol. 4, Special Issue: Cultural Anthropology and the Study of the Ancient World
2019 “Negotiating Moses’ Divine-Human Identity in LXX Exodus” Journal of Septuagint and Cognate Studies, Vol. 52
2018 “Teaching Outside of Your Tradition: 4 Suggestions Toward Transformational Pedagogy,” Didaktikos: Journal of Theological Education 2:1
Editor-Reviewed Articles
2020 “Theophany (Exodus 19)” The Visual Commentary on Scripture (www.thevcs.org)
2019 “Moses—Yahweh’s Idol?” The Ancient Near East Today: Current News About the Ancient Past, Vol. 7, No.6
Chapters in Edited Volumes
2021 “Living Agrarian Principles in the Urban Age: Jewish Principles of Animal Conservation in the Torah and Today” in Religion & Animal Extinction, edited by Janet Rumfelt, Claremont Press
2020 “Leggere il rituale con Rappaport. La cerimonia mesopotamica del mīs pî da una prospettiva ecologica” (“Reading Ritual with Rappaport: The Mesopotamian Mis Pi Ceremony in Ecological Perspective”) translated from English by Gioele Zisa in Antropologia religiosa della Mesopotamia antica, edited by Claus Ambos and Gioele Zisa, Edizioni Museo Pasqualino
2020 “The Tree of Life in Ancient Near Eastern Iconography” in The Tree of Life, Themes in Biblical Narrative Series, edited by Douglas Estes, Brill Publishing
2016 “Introduction” co-authored with Douglas Mangum in Lexham Methods Series, Vol. 3: Social & Historical Approaches, edited by Amy Balogh and Douglas Mangum, Lexham Press
Encyclopedia Entries
2018 “Shabbat” in Women in World Religions: Faith and Culture Across History, Volume 2, edited by Susan de-Gaia, ABC-CLIO
2015 Various articles, Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited by John Barry, Lexham Press:
Baal Cycle; Critical Issues: Israel – History of; Critical Issues: Kings – 1st & 2nd Books of; Deir All Inscription; Elijah the Prophet; Elisha the Prophet; Ezra – Book of; Moses; Sefire Treaties; Shechem – City of; Tel Dan Stele
Select Freelance Work
2020 Author, Lexham Research Commentary: Ruth, Lexham Press
2016 Associate Editor, Lexham Methods Series, Vol. 3: Social & Historical Approaches, Lexham Press
2016 Contributing Editor (Exodus, Numbers, Kings), Faithlife Study Bible, Lexham Press
2015 6 articles edited for Lexham Bible Dictionary, edited by John Barry, Lexham Press:
Ahasuerus the King; Ezra – leader of the exiles; Jeshua – ancient name; Judges – Book of; Redeemer; Seir – Hill country of
2014 Contributing Editor (Pentateuch, Historical Books, Minor Prophets), DIY Bible Study, Lexham Press
2012 Translator, “Book of Proverbs,” Lexham English Bible, Lexham Press
Book Reviews
2019 Paul K.-K.-Cho, Myth, History and Metaphor in the Hebrew Bible, Review of Biblical Literature
2018 Herbert R. Broderick, Moses the Egyptian in the Illustrated Old English Hexateuch, AAR Reading Religion
2017 Philip R. Davies, The History of Ancient Israel: A Guide for the Perplexed, AAR Reading Religion
2016 Theodore Ziolkowski, Uses and Abuses of Moses: Literary Representations Since the Enlightenment. AAR Reading Religion
2012 John F.A. Sawyer, Sacred Texts and Sacred Meanings: Studies in Biblical Language and Literature. Theological Book Review 24 (2012): 8-9.
2011 Genesis: Texts @ Contexts. Edited by Athalya Brenner, Archie Chi Chung Lee, and Gale A. Yee. Theological Book Review 23 (2011): 19-20.
Manuscripts in Submission
2020 “Reading Ritual with Rappaport: The Mesopotamian Mis Pi Ceremony in Ecological Perspective” Critical Research on Religion
Manuscripts in Preparation
Book Human Ecology in Ancient Near Eastern Religions: A New Theory of Origins
Articles “The Epic of Gilgamesh, Eco-Guilt, and the Way Forward” JAAR
“Sacrifice: Engaging the Wild Within and Without” Target journal TBD
“To Compare or Not to Compare — Is That Still a Question?” Target journal TBD
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (See “Teaching” for course descriptions)
Regis University, College of Professional Studies, 2018-Present
Christianity: An Evolving Movement (8-weeks, Spring 2020; Online)
Introduction to Religious Studies (7-weeks, Summer 2020; Online)
Judaism: Faith, History, Culture (8-weeks, Fall 2018, 2019; Online) – redesign Fall 2019
Myth, Symbols, and Cultures (5-weeks, Spring 2020 x2, Summer 2020; Online) – redesign Spring 2020
World Religious Traditions I: Eastern (5-weeks, Summer 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020; Online)
World Religious Traditions II: Western (5-weeks, Spring 2019 x2, Summer 2020; Online)
University of Denver, Dept. of Religious Studies & Center for Judaic Studies, 2017-2019
Comparative Method in the Study of Religion (Graduate Independent Study; Spring Quarter 2018)
Creation & Humanity (Spring Quarter 2017, 2018)
Emergence of Monotheism (Winter Quarter 2018; Spring Quarter 2019; + 4-week Enrichment Course version)
Justice: A Biblical Perspective (Community Engagement Course; Fall Quarter 2019)
The Moses Traditions (Winter Quarter 2019)
+ advisor on BA & MA thesis projects
Colorado College, Department of Religious Studies, 2013-17
Creation & Humanity (Block-6 2016)
Creation & Humanity in Antiquity (Block-5 2014)
Judaism (Block-4 2014, 2017; Block-7 2014, 2016)
Hebrew Bible (Block-3, 2013)
Iliff School of Theology, 2012-13 & Winter 2017
Biblical Hebrew I (Fall Quarter 2012)
Biblical Hebrew II (Winter Quarter 2013)
Hebrew Bible (Winter Quarter 2017; Hybrid format)
Hebrew Bible Exegesis (Spring Quarter 2013)
Volunteer Tutoring at Biblical Languages Help Desk (Fall Quarter 2010-Spring Quarter 2011)
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs, Department of Philosophy, 2013-14
Hebrew Bible & Its Context (Fall Semester 2013)
Women & Religion (Spring Semester 2014)
Private Instructor & Tutor, 2011-14
Aramaic & Biblical Hebrew (Fall 2011-Spring 14)
University of Denver & Iliff School of Theology, Teaching Assistant, 2010-11
Hebrew Bible, University of Denver, Dr. Alison Schofield (Winter Quarter 2011)
Hebrew Bible, Iliff School of Theology, Dr. Amy Erickson (Fall Quarter 2010, Winter 2011)
Jewish Philosophy, University of Denver, Dr. Sarah Pessin (Winter Quarter 2011)
ADDITIONAL COURSES PREPARED TO TEACH
Religious Studies
Early Judaism
Theories & Methods in the Study of Religion
Biblical Studies
Bible & Pop-Culture
Courses on Individual Sections/Books of the Bible
New Testament & Early Christianity
Origins & Transmission of the Bible
Travel Course in Israel
Ancient Near East / Archaeology
Ancient Near Eastern Religions
Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
The Bible & the Pickaxe
HONORS AND AWARDS
2020 Nominee, Ruth Murray Underhill Teaching Award, University of Denver
2019 Nominee, ASOR Frank Moore Cross Book Award
2019 Nominee, AAR Best First Book in the History of Religions Award
2008 Edith and Stuart Marks Prize in Semitics, Jewish Theological Seminary
2005 Senior Thesis Award, Patten University
Baker Book Award, Patten University
2004 Biblical and Theological Studies Award, Patten University
GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS
2015 Joint Doctoral Program Dissertation Research Fellowship, University of Denver & Iliff School of Theology, Joint Doctoral Program
1st Bank Conference Travel Grant, University of Denver, Center for Judaic Studies
2014 University Library Association – Collection Development Project Grant, University of Denver
The Center for the Study of Government and the Individual Scholarship, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Knapsack Institute, Social Justice Pedagogy Training and Course Development
2012 Conservation Training Fellowship, International Conservation Center Città di Roma
2011 Humanities Institute Student Travel and Research Grant, University of Denver, Division of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellowship for Advanced Study in Israel, University of Denver, Center for Judaic Studies
1st Bank Conference Travel Grant, University of Denver, Center for Judaic Studies
2010 Dr. Irwin E. Vinnik Fellowship for Advanced Study in Israel, University of Denver, Center for Judaic Studies
1st Bank Conference Travel Grant, University of Denver, Center for Judaic Studies
CONFERENCE ACTIVITY
Founder & Co-Chair, SBL Program Unit “Comparative Method in Biblical Studies”
Co-chair: Tammi J. Schneider (Claremont Graduate University)
Steering Committee: Kristin De Troyer (University of Salzburg), Christopher B. Hays (Fuller Theological Seminary), David Frankfurter (Boston University), Benjamin Snyder (Asbury Theological Seminary)
Conferences & Symposia Organized
2018 “Inscribing the Sacred: Reading, Writing & the Origins of the Bible as a Book,” 2-day symposium of 10 scholars in connection with the visiting exhibit The Dead Sea Scrolls at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Annual “Week of Jewish Philosophy,” a Project of DU & CU Boulder, 3-day symposium organized in connection with position as Program Manager at the University of Denver Center for Judaic Studies
Biennial “Seminar in Hebrew Pedagogy,” 3-day conference organized in connection with position as Program Manager at the University of Denver Center for Judaic Studies
Conference Sessions & Panels Organized
2019 “Bible & Pop-Culture Workshop,” Co-Presented with Elizabeth Coody and Dan Clanton, Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
“Method & Hebrew Bible,” Panel Discussion with Amy Erickson, Mark George, Tammi J. Schneider & myself at the University of Denver
Papers Presented
2020 “From Lebanon to the Amazon: Religious Responses to Deforestation in Eco-Psychological & Comparative Perspective” Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
2019 Bible & Pop-Culture Workshop, Co-Presented with Elizabeth Coody and Dan Clayton, Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
2018 “The Ambiguity of Idol Worlds” American Schools of Oriental Research, Annual Meeting
“The Mesopotamian Mis-Pi Ceremony & Clifford Geertz’s ‘Thick Description’: A Case Study in the Symbolic Webs of the Deceased” Society of Biblical Literature, Annual Meeting
“Sacrifice & the Art of Domestication” Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
2017 “The Paradox of Materiality in Ancient Mesopotamian Divine Images” Society of Biblical Literature, Annual Meeting
“Agents of Order in a World of Mud: Flood, Architecture, and the New Year Festival in Ancient Babylon” College Art Association Annual Meeting
2016 “The Domestication of the Aurochs and the ‘Heat of His Nostrils’: Rereading the Wrath of Yahweh and Moses in Light of Natural History (Exod 32-34)” Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
2015 “Circumcising the Mouth of Moses: A New Comparative Method for the Fields of Assyriology and Biblical Studies” Society of Biblical Literature, Annual Meeting
“Idolizing Moses, the Embodiment of God” Duke University, Material Religion: Embodiment, Materiality, Technology Conference
2013 “Grouting for Caesar: The High Level Aqueduct and Vault Complex at Caesarea After 20 Years” American Schools of Oriental Research, Annual Meeting
2011 “‘He is Our Brother’: Shechem’s Covenant History and the Story of Abimelech (Judges 8:30-9:57)” Society of Biblical Literature, Annual Meeting
“Forsaking the Original: Multiformity of Memory and the Cry of Dereliction in Textual History (Matt 27:46; Mark 15:34)” Society of Biblical Literature, Annual Meeting
“Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Papyrus Amherst 63, Psalm 20, and the Future of Comparison” Society of Biblical Literature, International Meeting
“The Economics of Intellect: Trade and the Exchange of Ideas in the Ancient Near East” Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
2010 “Obligation or Hesed? Rereading the Legal Situation in the Book of Ruth” Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
Panels Moderated
2018 Philosophers & Theory, Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
2017 Hebrew Bible, Rocky Mountains-Great Plains Regional AAR/SBL Meeting
CAMPUS & DEPARTMENTAL TALKS
2020 “Moses – Yahweh’s Idol?” Book Talk, Regis University – Date TBA
2015 “Citations of the Hebrew Bible in the Gospel of Matthew” Panel Discussion, Iliff School of Theology
2013 “Tools for Advanced Study of Hebrew: How to Use Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar” Workshop, University of Denver & Iliff School of Theology
“Who is a Samaritan?” Lecture and Panel Discussion with Dr. Menahem Mor and Dr. Pamela Eisenbaum, Center for Judaic Studies – University of Denver
RESEARCH LANGUAGES
Ancient
Akkadian, Aramaic, Biblical Hebrew, Koine Greek, Ugaritic
Modern
French (Intermediate Reading; some conversational)
German (Can read with dictionary; no conversational)
Hebrew (Can read with dictionary; some conversational)
ARCHAEOLOGICAL FIELD WORK
2011 Khirbet Qeiyafa Archaeological Project, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2010 Megiddo Expedition, Tel Aviv University & George Washington University
2009 Tel Dor Excavation, Hebrew University of Jerusalem & University of Haifa
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
2020 “Are We the Third Wheel? Biblical Perspectives on the Relationship Between God, Nature, and Humankind” Montview Presbyterian Church, April 2020
2019 “On Parashat Tazria (Lev 12:1-13:28)” and “The Problem & Solution of Moses’ Mouth” Library Shabbat at B’nai Havurah – Denver
Podcast, “Scriptural Perspectives on Abundance & Scarcity” Iliff School of Theology ReSource
2018 “The Bible & Money” Lecture, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church
“The Dead Sea Scrolls, Then and Now” Lecture, various locations, In connection with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science exhibit The Dead Sea Scrolls
2017 “Moses: Yahweh’s Mediator” Study Group, Temple Sinai – Denver
2015 “Humanity in the World: Genesis 1” 2-Day Class, Father Dyer United Methodist Church
“Reading the Old Testament Today” 5-Week Series, Hope United Methodist Church
“Moses and God, Face to Face” 2-Day Class, Father Dyer United Methodist Church
“Connecting the Testaments” 5-Week Series, Hope United Methodist Church
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
2007-Present, Society of Biblical Literature
2008-Present, American Academy of Religion
2012-Present, American Schools of Oriental Research
2016-Present, College Art Association
2016-Present, International Association of Word and Image Studies
2018-Present, International Association for Assyriology
