Collegiate Affiliation
Classical & Near Eastern Religions & Cultures
Religious Studies
Jewish Studies

I am interested in the development of Christianity in its earliest stages and in the literature of the New Testament. I am currently writing A Chord of Gods, which is a book on the initial reception of Paul's preaching among Greeks in Achaea and Macedonia. I am arguing for a plausible cultural context for Paul's preaching situated within the common practice of interaction with small groups of gods. I am also editing The Oxford Handbook on the Synoptic Gospels and recently published a short commentary on the Gospel of Mark and an article on the South African film "Son of Man." I am also writing a commentary on 1 Corinthians that focuses on gender and social class for the Oxford Bible Commentary series. My teaching areas include: New Testament studies (both Paul and the Gospels), Jesus in culture, Greek and Hellenistic religions, gender in ancient religion, Second Temple Judaism, ancient and modern hermeneutical theory, religious studies generally.

Educational Background & Specialties
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Educational Background

  • Ph.D.: Biblical Studies (New Testament), University of Chicago, 2005
  • MDiv: , Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, 1996 -
  • B.S.: Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, 1990

Specialties

  • Intersection of Greek and Roman culture with Early Christinaity
  • Development of Early Christianity
  • New Testament
  • Greek Religion and Ritual
  • Religion in Popular Culture
  • Study of Judaism and Christianity in antiquity
  • Ancient constructions of gender
  • Intertextuality and the New Testament