Johannes Schnocks

Johannes Schnocks is a Professor of History and Religion of the Old Testament at the Catholic Theological Faculty of the University of Münster, a position he has held since March 2012. He actively participates in the Cluster of Excellence 'Religion and Politics' and serves as a Member of the General Assembly. His research focuses on Psalm studies, Books of Maccabees, divine and human violence in the Old Testament, resurrection ideas, and Job research.

His academic journey includes a 2008 Habilitation in Old Testament Studies at the University of Bonn, a 2002 doctorate under advisors H.-J. Fabry and F.-L. Hossfeld, and theological studies at the University of Bonn and Dormitio Abbey in Jerusalem from 1989-1995. He was a scholarship recipient of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation from 1990-1998.

Professor Schnocks' research interests center on the complex relationship between divine and human violence in biblical texts, particularly in the Psalms and Maccabean literature. His work explores theological responses to violence, identity construction in ancient Israel, and the reception history of biblical texts across Jewish and Christian traditions. He examines how ancient communities grappled with questions of suffering, divine justice, and human agency.

His recent scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on Psalm interpretation (particularly Psalms 35-39, 73, and 90-106), violence in scripture, and Jewish-Christian dialogue. His publications reveal an interdisciplinary approach combining textual criticism, historical analysis, and theological reflection, with increasing attention to reception history and contemporary ethical implications of ancient texts.

As an educator, Schnocks has supervised doctoral students including Katharina Viktoria Fockenbrock (2023) and Kathrin Gies (2020). He has led several significant research projects including the Cluster of Excellence project C3-18 on 'Concepts of Overcoming Violence in the Old Testament and its Reception' (2019-2025), and previously headed projects D2-10 and D1 on violence in biblical texts.

He maintains active involvement in academic organizations including the Society of Biblical Literature since 2008 and serves on the editorial board of 'Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament' since 2011. His current teaching includes lectures on Old Testament literature history, Ezekiel, and Old Testament theologies, as well as seminars on Psalms and their reception in Judaism and Christianity.