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.

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

The Way of Medicine: Ethics and the Healing Profession

Farr Curlin, with Christopher Tollefsen

Prescribing Together: A Relational Guide to Psychopharmacology

Warren Kinghorn, with Abraham Nussbaum

Embodied God cover depicting artwork of God, Jesus, and holy dove

The Embodied God

Brittany Wilson

What’s Right with Preaching Today? The Enduring Influence of Fred B. Craddock

Luke A. Powery (contributor)

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

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.

Strawn Named Distinguished Professor

Brent Strawn has been named Moody Smith Distinguished Professor of Old Testament, effective July 1.

Duke Divinity faculty during Closing Convocation

Faculty Garner Awards and Recognition

Duke Divinity faculty have been recognized in 2021–22 with awards, grants, and media influence.

Patrick Smith receives the medal during the event

Patrick Smith Receives the 2022 Pellegrino Award

Patrick Smith received the award at Samford University's 2022 Healthcare Ethics and Law Conference, which aims to encourage dialogue about pressing health care and law issues.

More Faculty News