Our Faculty

At Duke Divinity, we’re not divided by rigid disciplinary boundaries between biblical studies, theology, and church history. We have people who move back and forth between these divides. Theologians here recognize the value of engaging the historic Christian tradition.

J. Warren Smith, Associate Professor of Historical Theology

Meet Our Faculty

Our faculty are engaged in research and active in the life of the church.

Alma Tinoco Ruiz’s Journey from Mathematics to Ministry Leadership

Brent Strawn on Why the Old Testament Still Matters

Edgardo Colón-Emeric: Called to Much More than Just Saving Souls

Patrick Smith: Theological Ethics for the Public Good

Xi Lian: Learning from History about Changing the World

Douglas Campbell: Connecting Prison Ministry and Pauline Scholarship

More Faculty Profiles

Faculty Books

Our faculty members publish extensively on scholarly and social issues that matter today. Their work influences academic thinking and ministerial practice, from biblical studies to theology to preaching to social justice. The worldwide community of scholars and ministry practitioners has been enriched by the innovative work of Duke Divinity School faculty—always through profound engagement with Scripture and tradition with an understanding of how this transforms our world.

Just Tell the Truth: A Call to Faith, Hope, and Courage

Richard Lischer

Cover image with hand holding an apple for Brent Strawn new book

Lies My Preacher Told Me: An Honest Look at the Old Testament

Brent A. Strawn

Cover image of Curtis Freeman's new book

Pilgrim Letters: Instruction in the Basic Teaching of Christ

Curtis W. Freeman

Cover image of book co-edited by Brent Strawn

The Oxford Handbook of the Historical Books of the Hebrew Bible

Brent A. Strawn (Co-editor)

Cover of Jones' new book, Navigating the Future: Traditioned Innovation for Wilder

Navigating the Future: Traditioned Innovation for Wilder Seas

L. Gregory Jones

book cover for "The Whole is Greater than the Parts" with bees on honeycomb

The Whole is Greater than its Parts: Encountering the Interreligious and Ecumenical Other in the Age of Pope Francis

Peter J. Casarella

Reading with the Grain of Scripture

Richard B. Hays

Cover image of Will Willimon's new book "Preachers Dare" of someone walking a tightrope

Preachers Dare: Speaking for God

William H. Willimon

Anchored in the Current: Discovering Howard Thurman as Educator, Activist, Guide & Prophet

Luke A. Powery (Contributor)

Cover of Will Willimon's reissued book The Gospel for the Person Who Has Everything

The Gospel for the Person Who Has Everything (Reissued)

William H. Willimon

Christianity's Surprise: A Sure and Certain Hope

C. Kavin Rowe

The Overshadowed Preacher: Mary, the Spirit, and the Labor of Proclamation

Jerusha Matsen Neal

Cover image of Professor Stephen Chapman's new book

The Law and the Prophets: A Study in Old Testament Canon Formation (New Edition)

Stephen B. Chapman

Leading with the Sermon: Preaching as Leadership

William H. Willimon

Aging: Growing Old in the Church

William H. Willimon

Image of universe on cover of The Poetic Aprior book

The Poetic Apriori: Philosophical Imagination in a Meaningful Universe

Raymond C. Barfield

Flow: The Ancient Way to Do Contemporary Worship

Lester Ruth; Th.D. Student Contributors

Essays on the History of Contemporary Praise and Worship

Lester Ruth (Editor); Th.D.Student Contributors

More Faculty Books

Faculty Research

Intellectual Rigor in Service to the Church

At Duke Divinity School, students are exposed to a large and diverse community of some of the finest teachers and researchers in theological education. Their interests vary widely, but they share a commitment to the life of the Christian church. Through engagement with our faculty inside and outside of the classroom, our students are challenged to consider differing points of view and many avenues of theological thought and Christian ministry.

Luke Bretherton: Christ and the Common Life

Xi Lian on Lin Zhao

Jerusha Neal: The Spirit & Body

Douglas Campbell: Uniting Paul's Life & Theology

Curtis Freeman: Religious Nonconformity

Will Willimon: Preaching to Confront Racism

Amy Laura Hall on Julian of Norwich

Faculty Experts

Details for media and scholars

Our faculty experts list, organized by subject matter, is available to help media outlets, researchers, and others connect with Duke Divinity scholars who can share information on the topics they study.

Scholarship That Matters

Faculty Dedicated to the Church

Professor Jerusha Neal talks about why she wanted to join the faculty at Duke Divinity School to work with colleagues on scholarship that matters to the life of the church.