David G. Garber Jr

Rev. Dr. David G. Garber Jr. serves as Associate Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew and Director of Distance Learning at Mercer University's McAfee School of Theology, where he integrates trauma theory with biblical interpretation and digital education leadership.

His academic credentials include:

• B.A. in Religion from Baylor University (1995)
• M.Div. and Th.M. from Princeton Theological Seminary (1998-99)
• Ph.D. in Religion from Emory University (2005)

Dr. Garber pioneers trauma theory applications to prophetic texts (Ezekiel, Nahum, Jeremiah, Isaiah), examining societal collapse and resilience through frameworks like empire-induced psychological injury. His research bridges biblical scholarship with contemporary social justice movements and popular culture analysis, currently culminating in the monograph Prophets and the Trauma of Empire. Teaching emphasizes creative engagement with theological challenges in courses such as Social Justice and the Old Testament and The Bible and Popular Culture, where students develop ministerial voices through artistic projects.

As co-chair of the Society of Biblical Literature's Hermeneutics of Trauma program unit, he shapes scholarly discourse on trauma-informed exegesis. His educational leadership extends to designing fully online degree programs requiring specialized technology infrastructure, reflecting Mercer's commitment to accessible theological education. Personal pursuits include competitive dog sports with Brittany spaniels, nature photography, and creation theology-inspired gardening.