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

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Meet Our Faculty

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

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

Jerusha Neal poses in front of Duke Chapel

Jerusha Neal: Preaching and the Global Church

Brittany Wilson: The Importance of Context

Norman Wirzba: Connecting Theological Education with Ecology

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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 of opening Israel's scripture

Opening Israel’s Scriptures

Ellen F. Davis

Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy

Luke Bretherton

Minding the Web: Making Theological Connections

Stanley Hauerwas

Augustus H. Strong and the Dilemma of Historical Consciousness

Grant Wacker

Scripture and Social Justice: Catholic and Ecumenical Essays

Anathea E. Portier-Young (Co-editor)

Cover image of a a feature for “Living Gently in a Violent World: The Prophetic Witness of Weakness” book

Living Gently in a Violent World: The Prophetic Witness of Weakness (Expanded Edition)

Stanley Hauerwas and Jean Vanier

Cover image of new book on Spirituality and Religion Within the Culture of Medicine

Spirituality and Religion Within the Culture of Medicine: From Evidence to Practice

Ray Barfield, Farr Curlin, Warren Kinghorn, Sarah Barton, and Brett McCarty (Contributors)

Were You There? Lenten Reflections on the Spirituals

Luke A. Powery

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Religion in America

Kate Bowler and Russell E. Richey (Contributors)

John the Baptist in History and Theology

Joel Marcus

The Ways That Often Parted: Essays in Honor of Joel Marcus

Lori Baron, Jill Hicks-Keeton, and Matthew Thiessen (Editors)

Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating (second edition)

Norman Wirzba

The Dangers of Christian Practice: On Wayward Gifts, Characteristic Damage, and Sin

Lauren F. Winner

Óscar Romero’s Theological Vision: Liberation and the Transfiguration of the Poor

Edgardo A. Colón-Emeric

Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship

Luke A. Powery

A Peculiar Orthodoxy: Reflections on Theology and the Arts

Jeremy Begbie

Making Disciples: Mentor Guide

William H. Willimon

Image of Emperor Leo VI praying to Christ

Leo VI and the Transformation of Byzantine Christian Identity: Writings of an Unexpected Emperor

Meredith L.D. Riedel

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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

Unexpected Intersections: Arts, Medicine, and Theology

Interdisciplinary Connections

Our faculty are at the forefront of interdisciplinary scholarship. Professors Ray Barfield and Jeremy Begbie are part of landmark initiatives based in Duke Divinity School that bring together students and faculty across the humanities, medicine, and theology.

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.

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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.

Theologian Mary McClintock Fulkerson Retires

Theologian Mary McClintock Fulkerson retires from Duke Divinity School. Her scholarship and teaching leave a lasting influence on feminist theology.

Kate Bowler Gives TEDMED Talk

Duke Divinity School professor and New York Times best-selling author Kate Bowler discusses how to keep on living in life’s toughest moments.

Jeremy Begbie speaks during event in Goodson Chapel

“Performing Faithfully” Event Honors Legacies of Martyrs

Duke Initiatives in Theology in the Arts hosted an evening of music and conversation reflecting on the legacies of martyrs, focusing on the a Chinese dissident during the Mao era and the sole survivor of the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador.

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