Roger S. Nam

Roger S. Nam is a Professor of Hebrew Bible and Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. Previously, he served as Dean and Professor of Biblical Studies at Portland Seminary. He holds a PhD from UCLA (2008) and degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Presbyterian seminary in Seoul, and UCLA (BA, 1992). His research focuses on ancient Near Eastern economies, particularly the books of Ezra-Nehemiah, employing social-scientific frameworks alongside historical-critical methods.

Dr. Nam’s expertise bridges biblical studies and economic history. He is the author of Portrayals of Exchange in the Book of Kings (2012) and The Theology of Ezra-Nehemiah (2024), with a commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah forthcoming. He co-edits The Oxford Handbook on Wealth and Poverty in the Biblical World and chairs the Society of Biblical Literature’s Economics in the Biblical World committee. He collaborates with the Wabash Center and contributes to Working Preacher.

His media engagements include discussions on biblical economies, immigration policy, and theological education. Before academia, he worked as a financial analyst and served as a pastor in Seoul, Korea.