Staff profile

The overall concern in my scholarly work is the responsible understanding and use of the Bible in the life, thought, and spirituality of Christian faith today. Although I wish to read and respect the biblical texts as ancient texts I wish also to articulate the dynamics of their enduring significance as Scripture. Thus, although my primary scholarly specialism is the Old Testament, I seek to overcome conventional scholarly divisions between Old Testament, New Testament, historical theology, systematic theology, ethics and spirituality, and to articulate a frame of reference for understanding the Bible that includes, but is much broader than, that of ancient history.

Two of my books, The Bible, Theology, and Faith: A Study of Abraham and Jesus (2000) and Prophecy and Discernment (2006), have been published in the Cambridge Studies in Christian Doctrine series - as a way of symbolizing the concern to contextualize the specifics of biblical exegesis within a broader theological frame of reference. Each book offers detailed interpretation of selected texts of Old and New Testaments in relation to their enduring significance today. The first book offers an in-principle account of the why and how of situating biblical interpretation within Christian thought and practice. The second book looks at an enduring critical problem: When people claim to speak for God, are there criteria for knowing when to credit, or not credit, the claim? Together they seek to show in both theory and practice how the Bible might appropriately be used to inform contemporary thought and life. Since then, I have been working specifically on the interpretation of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. The Theology of the Book of Genesis (2009), explores how best to relate the biblical text to enduring existential issues. Both my Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture (2013) and the published version of my Hulsean Lectures, The God of the Old Testament: Encountering the Divine in Christian Scripture (2020) seek to model my approach with selected passages from across the biblical canon. My The Bible in a Disenchanted Age: The Enduring Possibility of Christian Faith (2018) sets out a way of understanding biblical authority and interpretation as a whole.

I have been involved in two projects at the Center of Theological Inquiry in Princeton, NJ, each of which has sought to articulate a renewed and robust understanding and use of the Bible for contemporary Christian life and thought. The initial Scripture Project led to the publication of Ellen Davis & Richard Hays (eds.), The Art of Reading Scripture (2003), while the fruits of the successor Identity of Jesus Project have been published as Beverly Gaventa & Richard Hays (eds.), Seeking the Identity of Jesus: A Pilgrimage (2008).

My main current project, during Covid and lockdown, is survival and the writing of various essays, prior to retirement in the not-too-distant future.

I have a steady stream of research students, all interested in the general area of theological interpretation of the Bible as Scripture. Current students are studying topics such as: Humanity in the image of God, the hiddenness of God (Isa. 45:15), the Book of Judges as Christian Scripture, Proverbs 30 as Christian Scripture, Christian spirituality in the light of Deuteronomy.

The revised and published dissertations of former doctoral students include:
Peter Harland, The Value of Human Life: A Study of the Story of the Flood (Genesis 6-9) (VTS 64; Brill: 1996); Jo Bailey Wells, God's Holy People: A Theme in Biblical Theology (JSOTSS 305; Sheffield Academic Press: 2000); Kevin Walton, Thou Traveller Unknown: The Presence and Absence of God in the Jacob Narrative (PBTM; Paternoster: 2003); Keith Grüneberg, Abraham, Blessing and the Nations: A Philological and Exegetical Study of Genesis 12:3 in its Narrative Context (BZAW 332; de Gruyter: 2003); Nathan MacDonald, Deuteronomy and the Meaning of 'Monotheism' (FAT 2nd series, no.1, Mohr Siebeck: 2003) (this monograph was given a Templeton Award for Theological Promise in Jan. 2007); Michael Widmer, Moses, God, and the Dynamics of Intercessory Prayer (FAT 2nd series, no.8, Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2004); David Bostock, A Portrayal of Trust (PBM; Paternoster: 2006); William Ford, God, Pharaoh and Moses: Explaining the Lord's Actions in the Exodus Plagues Narrative (PBM; Paternoster: 2006); Joel Lohr, Chosen and Unchosen: Conceptions of Election in the Pentateuch and Jewish-Christian Interpretation (Siphrut; Eisenbrauns: 2009) (this monograph has received the 2011 R.B.Y.Scott Award from the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies); Rob Barrett, Disloyalty and Destruction: Religion and Politics in Deuteronomy and the Modern World (LHBOTS 511; T & T Clark, 2009); Douglas Earl, Reading Joshua as Christian Scripture (JTIS 2; Eisenbrauns, 2010); Havilah Dharamraj, A Prophet Like Moses? A Narrative-Theological Reading of the Elijah Stories (PBM; Paternoster, 2011); Julie Woods, Jeremiah 48 as Christian Scripture (PTMS; Wipf & Stock, 2011); Brad Anderson, Brotherhood and Inheritance: A Canonical Reading of the Esau and Edom Traditions (LHBOTS 556; T & T Clark, 2011); Kathleen Rochester, Prophetic Ministry in Jeremiah and Ezekiel (CBET 65; Peeters, 2012); Csilla Saysell, "According to the Law": Reading Ezra 9-10 as Christian Scripture (JTIS 4; Eisenbrauns, 2012); Zoltan Schwab, Toward an Interpretation of the Book of Proverbs: Selfishness and Secularity Reconsidered (JTIS 7; Eisenbrauns, 2013); Charlie Shepherd, Theological Interpretation and Isaiah 53 (LHBOTS; T & T Clark, 2014); Vincent Ooi, Scripture and Its Readers: Readings of Israel's Story in Nehemiah 9, Ezekiel 20, and Acts 7 (JTIS 10; Eisenbrauns, 2015); Andrea Saner, "Too Much to Grasp": Exodus 3:13-15 and the Reality of God (JTIS 11; Eisenbrauns, 2015); Angela Harvey, Spiritual Reading: A Study of the Christian Practice of Reading Scripture (Wipf & Stock, 2015); Benjamin Johnson, Reading David and Goliath in Greek and Hebrew (FAT, 2nd series; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2015); Karlo Bordjadze, Darkness Visible: A Study of Isaiah 14:3-23 as Christian Scripture (PTMS; Pickwick: 2017); Josef Sykora, The Unfavored: Judah and Saul in the Narratives of Genesis and 1 Samuel (Siphrut 25; Eisenbrauns: 2018); Kumiko Takeuchi, Death and Divine Judgment in Ecclesiastes (BBRS; Eisenbrauns: 2019); Matthew Bell, Ruled Reading and Biblical Criticism (JTIS 18; Eisenbrauns, 2019); Nathan Chambers, Reconsidering Creation Ex Nihilo in Genesis 1 (JTIS 19; Eisenbrauns 2020); Stephen Campbell, Remembering the Unexperienced (BBB 191; Bonn UP: 2021).

I teach two modules in which my research interests are at the forefront: level three "Biblical Theology", which seeks to exemplify theological interpretation in relation to selected texts and topics - wisdom & theology, the nature of God and of religious language, moral and spiritual discernment; and level four (MA) "The Bible and Hermeneutics", which seeks to map modern and postmodern approaches to biblical interpretation and to explore what contemporary interpretation that takes seriously the Bible as an authoritative religious text might involve. I also teach a level two module "Hebrew Prose Texts", which is for students in their second year of Hebrew study to consolidate and develop their knowledge of Hebrew via close reading of Genesis 1-9 and Deuteronomy 5-10.

I have been at Durham for over thirty six years. I first arrived in autumn 1985, after four years in Anglican parish ministry. Durham and its environs are both beautiful and full of interest. The hills and dales of the Pennines are close at hand, and Hadrian's Wall is an hour away. Top-class cricket is seven miles up the road at Chester-le-Street, while Premiership and League One football are only twenty minutes away (at St James' Park and the Stadium of Light). Overall, the Dept. of Theology and Religion is a congenial and supportive place to work, within a wonderful environment. I recommend it!

• Biblical Theology
• biblical hermeneutics
• spirituality

Authored book

• Moberly, R. (2020). The God of the Old Testament: Encountering the Divine in Christian Scripture. Baker Academic
• Moberly, R. (2018). The Bible in a Disenchanted Age: The Enduring Possibility of Christian Faith. Baker Academic
• Moberly, R. (2013). Old Testament Theology: Reading the Hebrew Bible as Christian Scripture. Baker Academic
• Moberly, R. (2009). The Theology of the Book of Genesis. Cambridge University Press
• Moberly, R. (2006). Prophecy and discernment. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.2277/0521859921
• Moberly, R. (2000). The Bible, Theology, and Faith: A Study of Abraham and Jesus. Cambridge University Press
• Moberly, R. (1992). From Eden to Golgotha: Essays in Biblical Theology. Scholars Press
• Moberly, R. (1992). Genesis 12-50. JSOT Press
• Moberly, R. (1992). The Old Testament of the Old Testament: Patriarchal Narratives and Mosaic Yahwism. Fortress Press
• Moberly, R. (1983). At the Mountain of God: Story and Theology in Exodus 32-34. JSOT Press

Chapter in book

• Moberly, R. (2021). Toward a Future for Old Testament Theology. In S. Hildebrandt, K. Peters, & E. Ortlund (Eds.), From Words to Meaning: Studies on Old Testament Language and Theology for David J. Reimer (1-16.). Sheffield Phoenix Press
• Moberly, R. (2018). The Ecclesiology of Israel's Scriptures. In P. Avis (Ed.), The Oxford handbook of ecclesiology (33-54). Oxford University Press
• Moberly, R. (2017). Canon and Religious Truth: An Appraisal of A New New Testament. In T. H. Lim, & K. Akiyama (Eds.), When texts are canonized (108-136). Brown Judaic Studies
• Moberly, R. (2016). The Old Testament in Christianity. In S. Chapman, & M. Sweeney (Eds.), The Cambridge companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. (388-406). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511843365.020
• Moberly, R. (2016). Sacramentality and the Old Testament. In H. Boersma, & M. Levering (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of sacramental theology (7-21). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199659067.013.26
• Moberly, R. (2016). Theological Approaches to the Old Testament. In J. Barton (Ed.), The Hebrew Bible : a critical companion (480-506). Princeton University Press
• Moberly, R. (2016). The Old Testament in Christianity. In S. B. Chapman, & M. A. Sweeney (Eds.), The Cambridge Companion to the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (388-406). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511843365.020
• Moberly, R. (2015). Learning to be a Theologian. In J. Byron, & J. N. Lohr (Eds.), I (Still) Believe (201-210). Zondervan
• Moberly, R. (2015). What Will Happen to the Serpent? Unending Struggle, Hermeneutics, and the Interpretation of Genesis 3.15. In R. McLay (Ed.), The Temple in Text and Tradition: A Festschrift in Honour of Robert Hayward (13-34). Bloomsbury
• Moberly, R. (2013). Election and the Transformation of Herem. In G. A. Anderson, & J. S. Kaminsky (Eds.), The call of Abraham : essays on the election of Israel in honor of Jon D. Levenson (67-98). University of Notre Dame Press
• Moberly, R. (2013). Biblical Hermeneutics and Ecclesial Responsibility. In S. E. Porter, & M. R. Malcolm (Eds.), The Future of Biblical Interpretation: Responsible Plurality in Biblical Hermeneutics (133-156). Paternoster
• Moberly, R. (2013). 'Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?' (Job 1-2,28). In A. T. Lincoln, J. G. McConville, & L. K. Pietersen (Eds.), The Bible and spirituality : exploratory essays in reading the Bible spiritually (20-37). Cascade
• Moberly, R. (2012). Abraham and Aeneas: Genesis as Israel's Foundation Story. In N. MacDonald, M. W. Elliott, & G. Macaskill (Eds.), Genesis and Christian Theology (287-305). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (2012). Pneumatic Biblical Hermeneutics: A Response. In K. L. Spawn, & A. T. Wright (Eds.), Spirit & Scripture: Examining a Pneumatic Hermeneutic (160-165). T. & T. Clark International
• Moberly, R. (2011). Miracles in the Hebrew Bible. In G. H. Twelftree (Ed.), The Cambridge companion to miracles (57-74). Cambridge University Press
• Moberly, R. (2011). Prophecy. In I. McFarland, D. Fergusson, K. Kilby, & I. Torrance (Eds.), Cambridge Dictionary of Christian Theology (413-414). Cambridge UP
• Moberly, R. (2011). By Stone and Sling: 1 Samuel 17:50 and the Problem of Misreading David's Victory over Goliath. In J. Aitken, K. J. M. K. Dell, & A. Brian (Eds.), On Stone and Scroll: Essays in Honour of Graham Ivor Davies (329-342). De Gruyter
• Moberly, R. (2011). What is Theological Commentary? An Old Testament Perspective. In R. M. Allen (Ed.), Theological Commentary: Evangelical Perspectives (172-186). T. & T. Clark International
• Moberly, R. (2010). Is Election Bad for You?. In J. Middlemas, D. J. Clines, & E. K. Holt (Eds.), The centre and the periphery : a European tribute to Walter Brueggemann (95-111). Sheffield Phoenix Press
• Moberly, R. (2010). Preaching Christ from the Old Testament. In G. J. Kent, P. J. Kissling, & L. A. Turner (Eds.), 'He Began with Moses...': Preaching the Old Testament Today (233-250). Inter-Varsity Press
• Moberly, R. (2010). The State of the Art in Biblical Hermeneutics. In C. Hill, M. Kaiser, L. Nathaniel, & C. Schwoebel (Eds.), Communion Already Shared and Further Steps: 20 Years after the Meissen Declaration (247-264). Otto Lembeck
• Moberly, R. (2010). Abraham (in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). In D. Patte (Ed.), Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity (2-3). Cambridge UP
• Moberly, R. (2009). How Should One Read the Early Chapters of Genesis?. In S. C. Barton, & D. Wilkinson (Eds.), Reading Genesis After Darwin (5-21`). Oxford University Press
• Moberly, R. (2009). Pentateuch. In K. D. Sakenfeld (Ed.), The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible: Me-R: Volume 4 (430-438). Abingdon Press
• Moberly, R. (2009). Exemplars of Faith in Hebrews 11: Abel. In R. Bauckham, D. R. Driver, T. A. Hart, & N. MacDonald (Eds.), The Epistle to the Hebrews and Christian Theology (353-363). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (2009). The Use of the Old Testament in Pope Benedict XVI's Jesus of Nazareth. In A. Pabst, & A. Paddison (Eds.), The Pope and Jesus of Nazareth (97-108). SCM
• Moberly, R. (2008). Johannine Christology and Jewish-Christian Dialogue. In M. Bockmuehl, & A. J. Torrance (Eds.), Scripture's Doctrine and Theology's Bible: How the New Testament Shapes Christian Dogmatics (45-58). Baker Academic
• Moberly, R. (2008). Isaiah and Jesus: How Might the Old Testament Inform Contemporary Christology?. In R. Hays, & B. Gaventa (Eds.), Seeking the Identity of Jesus: A Pilgrimage (232-248). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (2008). On Interpreting the Mind of God: The Theological Significance of the Flood Narrative (Genesis 6-9). In J. Wagner, C. Rowe, & A. Grieb (Eds.), The Word Leaps the Gap: Essays on Scripture and Theology in Honor of Richard B. Hays (44-66). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (2007). On Learning Spiritual Disciplines: A Reading of Exodus 16. In J. McConville, & K. Moeller (Eds.), Reading the Law: Studies in Honour of Gordon J. Wenham (213-227). T. & T. Clark International
• Moberly, R. (2007). Is Monotheism Bad for You? Some Reflections on God, the Bible, and Life in the Light of Regina Schwartz's The Curse of Cain. In R. Gordon (Ed.), The God of Israel (94-112). Cambridge UP
• Moberly, R. (2007). Who is Jesus Christ for Us Today? Peter's Confession (Matthew 16:13-28) Reconsidered. In A. T. Lincoln, & A. Paddison (Eds.), Christology and Scripture: Interdisciplinary Perspectives (7-21). T. & T. Clark International
• Moberly, R. (2007). “Is Monotheism Bad for You? Some Reflections on God, the Bible, and Life in the light of Regina Schwartz’s The Curse of Cain”. In R. Gordon (Ed.), The God of Israel (94-112). Cambridge University Press
• Moberly, R. (2004). How appropriate is ‘monotheism’ as a category for biblical interpretation?. In L. T. Stuckenbruck, & W. E. North (Eds.), Early Jewish and Christian monotheism (216-234). T&T Clark
• Moberly, R. (2004). “The Canon of the Old Testament: Some Historical and Hermeneutical Reflections from a Western Perspective”. In I. Dimitrov, J. Dunn, U. Luz, & K. Niebuhr (Eds.), Das Alte Testament als christliche Bibel in orthodoxer and westlicher Sicht (239-257). WUNT 174; Mohr Siebeck
• Moberly, R. (2003). Jonah, God’s objectionable mercy and the way of wisdom. In D. F. Ford, & G. Stanton (Eds.), Reading texts, seeking wisdom (154-168). SCM Press
• Moberly, R. (2003). “Holy, Holy, Holy: Isaiah’s Vision of God”. In S. Barton (Ed.), Holiness Past and Present (122-140). T&T Clark
• Moberly, R. (2003). How Can We Know the Truth? A Study of John 7:14-18. In E. F. Davis, & R. B. Hays (Eds.), The Art of Reading Scripture (239-257). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (2003). Living Dangerously: Genesis 22 and the Quest for Good Biblical Interpretation. In E. F. Davis, & R. B. Hays (Eds.), The Art of Reading Scripture (181-197). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (2001). The Christ of the Old and New Testaments. In M. Bockmuehl (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Jesus (184-199). Cambridge University Press
• Moberly, R. (1999). 'Toward an Interpretation of the Shema'. In C. Seitz, & K. Greene-McCreight (Eds.), Theological Exegesis: Essays in Honor of Brevard S. Childs (124-144). Eerdmans
• Moberly, R. (1999). 'Theology of the Old Testament'. In D. W. Baker, & B. T. Arnold (Eds.), The Face of Old Testament Studies: A Survey of Contemporary Approaches (452-478). Baker Books
• Moberly, R. (1999). 'Solomon and Job: Divine Wisdom in Human Life'. In S. Barton (Ed.), Where Shall Wisdom Be Found? (3-17). T&T Clark
• Moberly, R. (1999). 'On Learning to be a True Prophet: The Story of Balaam and his Ass'. In P. J. Harland, & R. Hayward (Eds.), New Heaven and New Earth: Prophecy and the Millennium: Essays in Honour of Anthony Gelston (1-17). Brill Academic Publishers
• Moberly, R. (1998). ''God is not a Human that He Should Repent' (Numbers 23:19 & 1 Samuel 15:29)'. In T. Linafelt, & T. K. Beal (Eds.), God in the Fray: A Tribute to Walter Brueggemann (112-123). Fortress

Journal Article

• Moberly, R. W. L. (online). Anatomizing God?. The Journal of Theological Studies, https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flae063
• Moberly, R. (2021). Salvation in the Old Testament. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 15(2), 189-202
• Moberly, R. (2020). Method and Truth. Harvard Theological Review, 113(4), 528-542
• Moberly, R. (2020). Justice and the Recognition of the True God: A Reading of Psalm 82. Revue biblique (1946), 127(2), 215-236. https://doi.org/10.2143/rbi.127.2.3287570
• Moberly, R. (2019). Scriptural Impressionism: The Use of the Bible in Katherine Sonderegger's Systematic Theology. Anglican Theological Review, 101(2), 267-276
• Moberly, R. (2018). The Significance of the Church for Theological Interpretation: A Response to David Congdon. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 12(2), 274-286
• Moberly, R. (2017). Theological Interpretation, Second Naiveté, and the Rediscovery of the Old Testament. Anglican Theological Review, 99(4), 651-670
• Moberly, R. (2017). Scriptural Echoes and Gospel Interpretation: Some Questions. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 11(1), 5-20
• Moberly, R. (2016). Theological Thinking and the Reading of Scripture: An Auseinandersetzung with Susannah Ticciati. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 10(1), 103-116
• Moberly, R. (2015). Bible and Church, Bultmann and Augustine: A Response to David Congdon. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 9(1), 39-48
• Moberly, R. (2012). Theological Interpretation, Presuppositions, and the Role of the Church: Bultmann and Augustine Revisited. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 6(1), 1-22
• Moberly, R. (2012). Knowing God and Knowing About God: Martin Buber's Two Types of Faith Revisited. Scottish Journal of Theology, 65(4), 402-420
• Moberly, R. (2010). On Reading and Teaching the Old Testament
• Moberly, R. (2010). "Interpret the Bible Like Any Other Book"? Requiem for an Axiom. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 4(1), 91-110
• Moberly, R. (2009). What is Theological Interpretation of Scripture?. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 3(2), 161-178
• Moberly, R. (2008). Biblical Criticism and Religious Belief. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 2(1), 71-100
• Moberly, R. (2008). 'In God We Trust'? The Challenge of the Prophets
• Moberly, R. (2008). Did the Interpreters Get it Right? Genesis 2-3 Reconsidered. The Journal of Theological Studies, 59(1), 22-40. https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flm032
• Moberly, R. (2007). The Mark of Cain - Revealed at Last?. Harvard Theological Review, 100(1), 11-28. https://doi.org/10.1017/s001781600700140x
• Moberly, R. (2007). Christ in All the Scriptures? The Challenge of Reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture. Journal of Theological Interpretation, 1(1), 79-100
• Moberly, R. (2003). Preaching for a Response? Jonah's Message to the Ninevites Reconsidered'. Vetus Testamentum, 53(2), 156-168
• Moberly, R. (2003). Does God Lie to His Prophets? The Story of Micaiah ben Imlah As a Test Case. Harvard Theological Review, 96(1), 1-23
• Moberly, R. (2002). How may we speak of God? : a reconsideration of the nature of biblical theology. Tyndale bulletin, 53(2), 177-202
• Moberly, R. (2001). 'Whose Justice? Which Righteousness? The Interpretation of Isaiah V 16'. Vetus Testamentum, 51(1), 55-68
• Moberly, R. (2000). Why Did Noah Send Out a Raven?. Vetus Testamentum, 50(3), 345-356