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Yaacob Dweck is the Philip and Beulah Rollins Professor of History and holds a joint appointment in the Program in Judaic Studies at Princeton University. He specializes in early modern Jewish intellectual history, focusing on messianism, mysticism, and their antagonists. His research spans 17th and 18th century Europe, with particular attention to Venice and Sephardic communities. Education: B.A. History, Columbia University (2002) M.Phil. History, University of Cambridge (2003, degree awarded 2007) Ph.D. History, University of Pennsylvania (2008) His research explores reactionary movements in Jewish thought, including studies of Leon Modena’s critique of Kabbalah and Jacob Sasportas’ opposition to Sabbateanism. Current projects include a Hebrew-English edition of Modena’s Ari Nohem , a study of the Spanish Expulsion’s impact, and translations of modern Hebrew literature. Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship Old Dominion Research Professor (2020–21) His work bridges historical scholarship and literary translation, collaborating with Nicholas de Lange on translations of seminal Hebrew novels like S. Yizhar’s Days of Ziklag .

• Intellectual History
• Jewish History
• Early Modern Europe
• +5 more

Jonathan K. Paulien is a Professor and Program Director in the School of Religion at Loma Linda University, specializing in Theological Studies. He holds a PhD from Andrews University and has been a leading figure in Adventist theological scholarship for decades. Position: Professor, Religion - Theological Studies School: School of Religion University: Loma Linda University Program Director: SR-Religion and Health, DSc Paulien earned his BA from Atlantic Union College (1972), MDiv from Andrews University (1975), and PhD from Andrews University (1987). His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to theological education within the Seventh-day Adventist tradition. His research interests center on biblical interpretation, particularly the Book of Revelation, New Testament theology, hermeneutics, and the writings of Ellen White. He explores themes such as the remnant, eschatology, Christology, and the relationship between faith and modernity. His recent publications continue to engage with contemporary theological and pastoral issues, including spirituality in healthcare. Paulien’s scholarly output includes numerous articles, book chapters, and reviews. His works often analyze apocalyptic literature through historical, literary, and theological lenses, contributing significantly to Adventist biblical scholarship. He has also engaged in public theology through presentations, sermons, and media appearances. Among his notable recognitions are active participation in major academic societies such as the Society of Biblical Literature and the Adventist Society for Religious Studies. He has served on influential committees including the Biblical Research Institute Committee of the General Conference and the North American Division Health Ministries Committee. Paulien has mentored students and chaired dissertation defenses, demonstrating his commitment to academic formation. He teaches courses such as Biblical Hermeneutics, New Testament Thought, and Dissertation Research, shaping the next generation of theologians. His service extends globally through international lectures, conferences, and interfaith dialogues, particularly in areas of Adventist-Muslim relations. He is involved in several institutional committees at Loma Linda University, including the Campus Spiritual Life Committee and the Center for Spiritual Life and Wholeness. His leadership roles have included Chair of the School of Religion Faculty and member of the Dean’s Council.

• Theological Studies
• Biblical Hermeneutics
• New Testament Thought
• +7 more

Kai Parker is an Assistant Professor of African American Religious History at the University of Virginia , affiliated with the Department of Religious Studies. His research focuses on the intersection of religion, urban inequality, and social justice movements in African American history. Education: Ph.D., History, University of Chicago M.A., History, University of Chicago A.B., History and Africana Studies, Bowdoin College Research: Parker examines messianic and apocalyptic themes in Black faith, particularly how these traditions critique racial inequality and the concept of progress. His book project, "Faith without Hope: Black Protestants, Chicago, and the Critique of Progress, 1914-1968," explores how Black Protestants in Chicago reimagined redemption amid systemic antiblackness, urban crises, and the civil rights movement. Teaching: Courses include "Religion and the Black Freedom Struggle," "Black Religion and the Criminal Justice System," and "Religion, Race, and Difference in America." His pedagogy integrates theological analysis with interdisciplinary approaches from Black studies and phenomenology. Grants & Awards: None explicitly listed, though his research reflects sustained engagement with critical social and religious themes. Labs/Teams: Not specified in the text, but his work intersects with interdisciplinary initiatives on race, religion, and urban studies at UVA.

• African American Religious History
• Urban Inequality and Religion
• Gospel Music
• +7 more

L. Michael White is Professor and Ronald Nelson Smith Chair in Classics and Religious Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, where he also serves as Director of the Institute for the Study of Antiquity and Christian Origins (ISAC), which he founded in 2001. He holds affiliate status with CMES and serves as Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Adviser in Religious Studies. White came to UT Austin in 1996-97 to found what is now the Department of Religious Studies, having previously served as Chair of the Department of Religion at Oberlin College. White earned his Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Yale University. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to understanding the historical and social contexts of early religious movements, particularly focusing on the Greco-Roman world. Dr. White specializes in the Religions of the Roman Empire, with particular focus on the social context of Jews and Christians in the Greco-Roman world. His research blends historical, literary, and sociological approaches with traditional biblical studies and archaeological field work. White's work emphasizes understanding early Christian communities within their broader cultural contexts rather than treating them as isolated religious phenomena. His approach reveals how Christianity developed from a Jewish messianic movement into a world religion through complex interactions with Greco-Roman culture. White serves as Project Director of the Ostia Synagogue Area Excavations (OSMAP), an archaeological field project examining the ancient synagogue of Ostia Antica, the port city of classical Rome. This work represents his commitment to integrating archaeological evidence with textual analysis in understanding religious history. Dr. White has received significant recognition for his scholarly contributions through media appearances and documentary work. He served as consultant and co-writer for two PBS/Frontline documentaries: 'From Jesus To Christ: The First Christians' (which became the most watched Frontline program of all time on PBS) and 'Apocalypse! Time, History, and Revolution.' These documentaries reflect his ability to translate complex academic research for broader public understanding. White is an active member of the academic community, having served as an executive officer and Head of the Finance Committee of the Society of Biblical Literature, the international professional society for biblical studies. He is also a member of the Philosophical Society of Texas.

• Religions of the Roman Empire
• Christian Origins
• Formative Judaism
• +4 more

Edith W. Clowes is the Brown-Forman Professor in the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures at the University of Virginia, within the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a PhD in Slavic from Yale University and is a leading scholar in Russian and Czech literature, culture, and intellectual history. Her work spans philosophy, religion, utopian thought, and the concept of imagined geographies in post-Soviet identity. Her research focuses on the intersection of literature and philosophical thought, particularly in revolutionary and fin-de-siècle Russia. She has pioneered interdisciplinary studies on regional identities in Russia and is currently advancing digital humanities through literary cartography, including the project Mapping Imagined Geographies of Revolutionary Russia (1914–1922) . Her scholarship explores how space, place, and identity are constructed in cultural discourse. The most recent publications reflect a sustained engagement with imagined geographies, regional identity, and digital methodologies. Her work bridges literary analysis, cultural theory, and spatial cognition, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary and multimodal approaches. She frequently publishes in both English and Russian, contributing to international scholarly dialogue. Her scientific awards include prestigious fellowships from ACLS, NEH, DAAD, Fulbright-Hays, IREX, and others, underscoring the recognition and impact of her research. Professor Clowes has served as a past director of the Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies at the University of Kansas. She mentors through editorial leadership and collaborative scholarship, though specific advisees are not listed. Her research has been supported by major institutional grants, including Title VI, US Army Research Office, DAAD, Open World Institute, and the Institute of Turkish Studies. She is actively involved in editorial work as Associate Editor of Russian Review and serves on the editorial boards of Losevskie chteniia , Region , and Beiträge zur slavistischen Philologie . She also co-founded 'Music Works' to support music education and has collaborated with university museums on art exhibits and conferences.

• Russian Literature
• Czech Literature
• Literary and Cultural Studies
• +12 more

Josiah D. Hall is an Assistant Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies at Greenville College . He teaches courses such as Introduction to the New Testament , Life and Work of Paul , and Koine Greek, alongside HUMA core classes. His academic background bridges civil engineering and theology, culminating in a Ph.D. in Religion with a New Testament emphasis.

• New Testament Studies
• Hebrew Bible
• Ancient Religions
• +5 more

Huseyin Yilmaz is an Associate Professor in History and Art History at George Mason University, specializing in Ottoman political thought and Middle Eastern history. His research examines constitutionalism, legitimacy, and cultural identity in the Ottoman Empire, with publications analyzing mystical influences on governance and freedom concepts. His seminal work 'Caliphate Redefined' explores Sufi impacts on Ottoman political ideology. Recent studies investigate ethics of governance and consultative traditions. As Research Director for the Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies, he promotes interdisciplinary research on Muslim societies. Teaching includes Ottoman Empire history and Islamic intellectual traditions. His publications reveal persistent themes: adaptation of Persianate political concepts, translation of knowledge, and premodern constitutional mechanisms.

• World History
• Ottoman History
• Middle East
• +2 more

Ronald B. Neal serves as an Associate Professor of Religion in the Department for the Study of Religions at Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC). His scholarly profile is defined by two major monographs: Democracy in 21st Century America: Race, Class, Religion, and Region (Mercer University Press) and Beyond Death and Jail: Anti-Blackness, Black Masculinity, and the Demonic Imagination (Lexington Books). His research critically interrogates intersections of race, gender, and religion through five core domains: African American Religious History and Culture Critical Theories of Religion Religion and Politics Gender Studies in Religion Religion and Popular Culture Particular emphasis falls on anti-Blackness, Black masculinity, and the demonic imagination as frameworks for understanding systemic oppression within religious contexts. Analysis of his 2021-2024 publications reveals a concentrated scholarly trajectory examining heterosexual Black masculinity and theological resistance . His work consistently engages with Black humanist thought (e.g., William R. Jones' writings) while critically reviewing foundational texts in Black theology by scholars like Anthony B. Pinn and Tommy J. Curry. The publications demonstrate methodological integration of critical race theory, gender studies, and political theology.

• African American Religious History and Culture
• Critical Theories of Religion
• Religion and Politics
• +2 more

Maria M Dakake is a Professor of Religion at George Mason University, affiliated with the Women and Gender Studies program. She holds a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton University (2000) alongside an MA from Princeton (1998) and a BA in Government from Cornell (1990). Her research focuses on Islamic intellectual history, Quranic exegesis, Shi‘ite and Sufi traditions, and gender studies in Islamic contexts. Her major publications include The Routledge Companion to the Qur'an (2022, co-edited) and The Study Quran (2015, general editor), which offer groundbreaking translations and commentaries on Islamic scripture. She is completing a monograph on Toward an Islamic Theory of Religion and working on a translation of 20th-century Iranian scholar Nusrat Amin's Quranic commentary. Dr. Dakake’s teaching spans courses such as Islamic Thought, Qur'an and Hadith studies, and Muslim Women Writers. Her work bridges academic rigor with public engagement, addressing contemporary issues like interfaith dialogue and pedagogical challenges in religious education. She has contributed to interdisciplinary projects analyzing Quranic terminology, Shi‘ite identity formation, and the role of women in Islamic spiritual traditions. Her research emphasizes textual analysis, historical contextualization, and comparative theological frameworks, reflecting her commitment to both scholarly innovation and community-focused scholarship.

• Islamic Thought
• Qur'anic Studies
• Shi'ite and Sufi Traditions
• +3 more

Ismail K. Poonawala is a Professor in the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Holding a PhD in Near Eastern Studies from UCLA (1968), he specializes in Ismaili studies, Islamic jurisprudence, and Arabic literature. PhD, Near Eastern Studies, UCLA (1968) MA with distinction, Arabic Language and Literatures, Cairo University (1964) MA, Arabic, Bombay University (1959) BA, Arabic, Bombay University (1957) His research focuses on Ismaili thought, particularly through critical editions and analyses of foundational texts like the Rasāʾil Ikhwān al-Ṣafāʾ and works of al-Qāḍī al-Nuʿmān. He has extensively studied Qur'anic exegesis, doctrinal controversies, and the historical intersection of Islamic theology and politics. Poonawala has contributed to debates on authorship attribution in Islamic manuscripts and addressed modern succession disputes within the Bohra community. His publications include critical editions of Ismaili texts and articles exploring Islamic messianism, humanism, and the translatability of the Qur'an.

• Ismaili Studies
• Islamic Jurisprudence
• Arabic Literature
• +4 more

Dr. Jeff Brannon is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Biblical Studies at Belhaven University, where he has been since 2012. He holds a B.S. from Samford University, a M.Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, and a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Edinburgh. His research focuses on Biblical Theology, Resurrection Studies, Pauline Eschatology, and the Messianic Psalms. He actively engages students through BABEL (Belhaven Association for Biblical Exploration and Learning), a weekly fellowship at the Shoe Bird Cafe. His recent publications emphasize resurrection theology and its connection to the Kingdom of God, with articles in Themelios and The Gospel Coalition . He has received the 2023 Humanities Teacher Award and the 2025 William Winter Scholar Award. Dr. Brannon’s teaching spans Gospels, Acts, Pauline Epistles, and Christian Doctrine. He also presents frequently, including at the Mississippi Humanities Council and the Society of Biblical Literature. Married to Jennifer with four children, he is active at Madison Heights Church and enjoys family time, music, and travel.

• Biblical Theology
• Resurrection Studies
• Pauline Eschatology
• +4 more

John C. Reeves is Blumenthal Professor of Judaic Studies and Professor of Religious Studies at UNC Charlotte. His research explores Jewish pseudepigrapha, gnostic traditions, and scriptural intertextuality between Bible and Quran. Reeves' work investigates the transmission of biblical lore across Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Current projects include translating the Cave of Treasures and tracing the reception of Enochic literature in medieval Near Eastern traditions. He teaches courses on Hebrew scriptures, comparative mythology, and esoteric traditions. Recent publications analyze messianic texts and methodological approaches to pseudepigrapha studies.

• Jewish Pseudepigrapha
• Scriptural Intertextuality
• Gnosticism
• +1 more

Michael Berger is currently the Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration at Yeshiva University, where he has served since 2024. He is also an Associate Professor of Jewish Studies at Emory University (1994–present), previously holding roles as Assistant Professor (1994–2000). His academic career spans teaching and leadership in Jewish ethics, theology, and rabbinic literature. Education Princeton University (B.A. in Religion, 1985) Rabbinic Ordination (1988), Yeshivat Har Etzion Columbia University (M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion, 1992) The Hebrew University (Lady Davis Post-Doctoral Fellowship, 1992–1993) Berger's research focuses on Jewish ethics, the periodization of Halakha, rabbinic authority, and interreligious discourse. He explores intersections between Jewish law and modernity, including topics like civil disobedience, messianism, and family structures. His work bridges academic analysis with practical implications for Jewish education and communal leadership. Scientific awards and honors include Phi Beta Kappa Society membership Lady Davis Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1992–1993) Kathleen Connolly-Weinert Leader-of-the-Year Award (2012) Emory University Summer Research Grants (1995, 1996) Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture fellowships (2001–2002, 2022–2023) Center for Teaching and Curriculum Award in the Humanities (2000) Woolford B. Baker Service Award (2008) Berger has advised graduate programs and doctoral applicants, served on academic committees, and contributed to Jewish educational policy through roles with the Avi Chai Foundation (2001–2019) and the Legacy Heritage Fund. His work appears in major publishers like Oxford University Press and academic journals including Journal of Religion and Modern Judaism .

• Jewish Ethics
• Rabbinic Literature
• Jewish Law (Halakha)
• +4 more

Jay Twomey is a Professor and Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Cincinnati, affiliated with the Department of English and Comparative Literature. He holds a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2001). His research focuses on the reception of biblical texts, blending literary theory, cultural studies, and American literature. Twomey has authored books like The Pastoral Epistles Through the Centuries (2008) and 2 Corinthians: Crisis and Conflict (2013), and co-edited Borges and the Bible (2015). His current work examines St. Paul’s influence in modern American contexts. Twomey has held significant administrative roles, including Department Head (2012–2017) and Interim Divisional Dean for Humanities (2022–present). He has received prestigious fellowships, including the Taft Summer Research Fellowship and University Research Council grants. His teaching spans courses like Bible and Literature and Modern and Contemporary Literature , reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. Twomey’s scholarly contributions include articles on topics like Johnny Cash’s Pauline exegesis, gender indeterminacy in biblical texts, and theological themes in modern drama. His work bridges religious studies, cultural critique, and literary analysis, offering innovative perspectives on classical texts in contemporary contexts.

• Reception Studies
• Biblical Studies
• Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Michael A. Gillespie is a Professor of Political Science and Philosophy at Duke University's Trinity College of Arts & Sciences, where he has taught since 1995 (Political Science) and 2017 (Philosophy). A scholar of modern continental philosophy and political thought, he is best known for works like The Theological Origins of Modernity and Nietzsche's Final Teaching . His research explores the intersection of theology, philosophy, and political theory. Education: Ph.D., University of Chicago (1981). Research interests include: Modern continental political philosophy Apocalyptic longing in political thought Theological origins of modernity Nietzsche and Heidegger studies Liberalism's religious foundations Scientific awards: Phi Beta Kappa - Honorary (2010) National Humanities Center Fellow (2004) Duke's Bass Fellow (2008-present) Grants and leadership roles: Multiple Jack Miller Center grants (2015-2024) for constitutional and freedom-focused programs Director, Visions of Freedom Living Learning Community (1999-present) Director, Duke Program in American Values and Institutions (2005-present)

• Political Philosophy
• Modern Continental Philosophy
• History of Political Philosophy
• +5 more