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, Professor of Historical Theology

Meet Our Faculty

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

Quinton Dixie stands in front of Hayti Heritage Center in Durham NC

Quinton Dixie Understands the Value of a Cultural Legacy

Jan Holton: Preparing Pastors to Accompany People Who Are Suffering

Wylin Wilson: Helping the Church Pursue Justice

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

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.

The Lives We Actually Have

Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie

Book cover for "Our Hearts Are Restless" featuring books formed into the shape of a heart

Our Hearts Are Restless: The Art of Spiritual Memoir

Richard Lischer

Becoming Human: The Holy Spirit and the Rhetoric of Race

Luke A. Powery

Don't Look Back: Methodist Hope for What Comes Next

William H. Willimon

Book cover for "The People Called Metodista" pictures many colorful buildings and homes surrounding a small church

The People Called Metodista: Renewing Doctrine, Worship, and Missions from the Margins

Edgardo Colón-Emeric

Book cover for "Becoming the Baptized Body" - artistic rendering of the dove after Jesus' baptism

Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability and the Practice of Christian Community

Sarah Jean Barton

Agrarian Spirit book cover displays a tree trunk and roots

Agrarian Spirit: Cultivating Faith, Community, and the Land

Norman Wirzba

Book cover for Listeners Dare. Picture is of a man standing next to a burning bush, trying to listen.

Listeners Dare: Hearing God in the Sermon

William H. Willimon

Flame of Love book cover, with orange and yellow dove graphic

Flame of Love: A Theology of the Holy Spirit (Second Edition)

Clark H. Pinnock with Daniel Castelo

Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection

Kate Bowler, Co-author

Fully Alive: The Apocalyptic Humanism of Karl Barth

Stanley Hauerwas

Honest to God Preaching: Talking Sin, Suffering, and Violence

Brent Strawn

A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship book cover

A History of Contemporary Praise & Worship: Understanding the Ideas That Reshaped the Protestant Church

Lester Ruth, Co-Author

This Sacred Life: Humanity's Place in a Wounded World

Norman Wirzba

Cover image of "Pope Francis and the Search for God in America"

Pope Francis and the Search for God in América

Peter Casarella, Co-editor

Touchstone Text series image showing first two books

Touchstone Texts Commentary Series

Stephen B. Chapman, Editor

No Cure for Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear)

Kate Bowler

A Widower’s Lament: The “Pious Meditations” of Johann Christoph Oelhafen

Ronald K. Rittgers

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.

Faculty News

Read the latest news about our faculty members and their research.

Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric stands in front of the Pentecost Window at Duke Divinity School.

Christian Ecumenism and Extravagant Mercy

The case for Christian unity and dreaming in line with Pentecost, writes Duke Divinity School Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric.

Patrick Smith Named 2023 Fellow in the ACC Academic Leadership Network

Fellows from all ACC institutions will meet throughout the year to engage with peers across the ACC and discuss academic leadership and issues in higher education.