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
PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
2016-Present Program Manager & Lecturer, Center for Judaic Studies, University of Denver
2013-Present Visiting Lecturer, Department of Religion, Colorado College
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 (TBA August, 2019)
Refereed Journal Articles
2019 (forthcoming) “The Mesopotamian Mis-Pi Ceremony & Clifford Geertz’s ‘Thick Description’: Principles for Studying the Cultural Webs of the Deceased,” Distant Worlds Journal, Special Issue: Cultural Anthropology and the Study of the Ancient World
Chapters in Edited Volumes
2020 (forthcoming) “Reading Ritual with Rappaport: The Mesopotamian Mis Pi Ceremony in Ecological Perspective” in Antropologia religiosa della Mesopotamia, Anthropologia religiosa, edited by Claus Ambos and Gioele Zisa, Edizioni Museo Pasqualino
2019 (forthcoming) “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, Lexham Press
“Social Scientific Criticism” co-authored with Coleman Baker in Lexham Methods Series, Vol. 3: Social & Historical Approaches, Lexham Press
“Source Criticism” co-authored with Dan Cole and Wendy Widder in Lexham Methods Series, Vol. 3: Social & Historical Approaches, Lexham Press
Commentaries & Guides
2020 (forthcoming) Julius Wellhausen’s Prolegomena to the History of Israel, The Macat Library: Great Works for Critical Thinking, Routledge
2020 (forthcoming) Ruth, Lexham Research Commentaries, Lexham Press
Translation
2012 “Book of Proverbs,” Lexham English Bible, Lexham Press (available on all major Bible websites and apps)
Conservation Reports
2012 “Grouting for Caesar: The Vault Complex and High Level Aqueduct at Caesarea After 20 Years” capstone project for the International Conservation Center, Città di Roma
Encyclopedia Entries
2018 “Shabbat” in Women in World Religions: Faith and Culture Across History, Volume 2, edited by Susan de-Gaia, ABC-CLIO
2015 10 articles authored for 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
Editorial Work
2019 (forthcoming) Developmental Editor, Nehemiah: A Commentary Guide for Teaching & Preaching, 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
Invited & Popular
2019 (forthcoming) “Moses—Yahweh’s Idol?” The Ancient Near East Today: Current News About the Ancient Past (e-newsletter of the American Schools of Oriental Research)
2018 “Teaching Outside of Your Tradition: 4 Suggestions Toward Transformational Pedagogy,” Didaktikos: Journal of Theological Education 2:1
Book Reviews
2019 (forthcoming) 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 & Projects in Submission
Revise & Resubmit – “Negotiating Moses’s Divine-Human Identity in LXX Exodus” Journal for Septuagint and Cognate Studies
Under Review – “Israel’s Raging Bulls: A Natural History Approach to Bull Imagery, Righteous Anger & the Episode of the Golden Calf (Exod 32-34)” Journal of Biblical Literature
NEH Fellowship Application – Human Ecology in Ancient Near Eastern Religions: A New Theory of Origins
Manuscripts in Preparation
Book Human Ecology in Ancient Near Eastern Religions: A New Theory of Origins (working title)
Articles “From Lebanon to the Amazon: Deforestation in the ancient Near East and Its Implications for Modern Eco-Crises” Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature & Culture
“Sacrifice: Engaging the Wild Within and Without” Journal of Religion
“To Compare or Not to Compare — Is That Still a Question?” Journal of Cultural & Religious Theory
HONORS AND AWARDS
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
Conferences & Symposia Organized
2018 “Inscribing the Sacred: Reading, Writing & the Origins of the Bible as a Book,” 2-day symposia 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 symposia 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
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 Tammi J. Schneider (Claremont Graduate University) & Mark George (Iliff School of Theology) at University of Denver
In Progress
2019 Chair, Comparative Method in Biblical Studies, SBL Annual Meeting
Papers Presented
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
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
TEACHING EXPERIENCE (See “Teaching” for course descriptions)
Regis University, College of Professional Studies, 2018-Present
Judaism: Faith, History, Culture (8-week 1, Fall 2018; Online)
World Religious Traditions I (5-week 1, Summer 2019; Online)
University of Denver, Dept. of Religious Studies & Center for Judaic Studies, 2017-Present
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)
The Moses Traditions (Winter Quarter 2019)
+ advisor on BA & MA thesis projects
Colorado College, Department of Religious Studies, 2013-Present
Creation & Humanity (Block-6 2016)
Creation & Humanity in Antiquity (Block-5 2014)
Judaism (Block-4 2014, 2017, 2018; Block-7 2014, 2016)
Hebrew Bible (Block-3, 2013)
Iliff School of Theology
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
Hebrew Bible & Its Context (Fall Semester 2013)
Women & Religion (Spring Semester 2014)
Private Instructor & Tutor
Aramaic & Biblical Hebrew (Fall 2011-Spring 14)
University of Denver & Iliff School of Theology, Teaching Assistant
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
Introduction to the Study of Religion
Biblical Studies
New Testament & Early Christianity
Origins & Transmission of the Bible
Ancient Near East / Archaeology
Ancient Near Eastern Religions
Archaeology of the Ancient Near East
The Bible & the Pickaxe
Mesopotamia: Fact & Fiction
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
2019 “On Parashat Tazria (Lev 12:1-13:28)” and “The Problem & Solution of Moses’ Mouth” Library Shabbat at B’nai Havurah – Denver, April 2019
“Nature & the Bible” 5-Week Series, Montview Blvd. Presbyterian Church, dates TBA
“Abundance & Scarcity: A Framework for Understanding the Biblical Perspective on Material Wealth” Podcast, Iliff School of Theology, ReSource, coming early 2019
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
