51����

• B.A. University of California Riverside, 1972
• M.A. Wheaton Graduate School, 1974
• M.Div. San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1981
• Teaching Credential, University of California Riverside, 1976
• Ph.D. Duke University, 1985.

• 51����, 1997 – Present
• 51���� Rochester Divinity School, 1992-1998
• Princeton Theological Seminary, 1985-1992
• Visiting Professor Appointments at Graduate Theological Union, New College Berkeley, United Theological  Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, New York Theological Seminary, 1985-1992

• Early Christian Origins (especially the Christian Testament); Late Antique Mediterranean (200-800 CE)
• Ethics (especially Global Bioethics and Religion, and Religion and the Ethics of Gene Technology)
• Philosophy and Religion (especially The Problem of Evil)
• Ancient and Contemporary History of Black Peoples in the African Diaspora (esp. Black Feminist and Womanist Intellectual History, Thought, Literature, Hermeneutics)

• “Hagar’s Mirror: The Cultural Construction of the Black Female Body (Aithiops) in Early and Medieval Christian Apocrypha, Patristic, and Medieval Literature 70-1300 CE.” Forthcoming in Minoritized Women Reading Race-Ethnicity. Intersectional Approaches And Early Christian (Con)Texts. Mitzi J. Smith and Jin Young Choi, eds. (Lexington Academic Press, 2019).
• “Womanist Interpretations of the New Testament: The Quest for Holistic and Inclusive Translation and Interpretation.” Reprinted as with permission in: I Found God in Me. A Womanist Biblical Hermeneutics Reader. Mitzi J. Smith, ed. (Wipf and Stock: Eugene, OR, 2015): 19-41
• “First and Second Timothy and Titus.” True to Our Native Land. An African American New Testament Commentary. Brian K. Blount, Cain Hope Felder, Clarice J. Martin, and Emerson B. Powery, eds. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007): 409-436
• “The Eyes Have it: Slaves in the Communities of Christ-Believers.” Christian Origins. Vol. 1. A People’s History of Christianity. Richard A. Horsley and Denis R. Janz, eds. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2005): 221-239
• “Womanist Interpretations of the New Testament: The Quest for Holistic and Inclusive Translation and Interpretation” (1990). Reprinted with permission in Feminism in The Study of Religion. A Reader. Darlene M. Juschka, ed. (New York: Continuum, 2001), 539-559
• "Somebody Done Hoodoo'd the Hoodoo Man: Language, Power, Resistance, and the Effective History of Pauline Texts in American Slavery." Slavery in Text and Interpretation. Semeia 83-84 (Fall, 2000). Allen Callahan, Richard Horsley, and Abraham Smith, eds. (Atlanta: The Society of Biblical Literature, 2000): 203-233
• “Womanist Biblical Interpretation.” Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Vol. 2. John H. Hayes gen. ed. (Nashville: Abingdon, 1999): 655-658
• “Normative Biblical Motifs in African American Women’s Moral Discourse: Maria Stewart’s Autobiography as a Resource for Nurturing Leadership From the Black Church Tradition.” The Stones That the Builders Rejected. The Development of Leadership From the Black Church Tradition. Walter Earl Fluker, ed. (Salem, OR: Trinity Press, International, 1998), 47-72
• Pentecost 2. Interpreting the Lessons of the Church Year. Proclamation 6. Series A (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1996)
• "Womanist Biblical Interpretation," Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation, John H. Hayes, gen. ed., Vol. 2 (Nashville: Abingdon, 1999): 655-658
• "The Acts of the Apostles," Searching the Scriptures. A Feminist Commentary. Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza, ed. (Crossroad, 1994): 763-799
• "A Chamberlain's Journey and the Challenge of Interpretation for Liberation." Reprinted with permission in: The Bible and Liberation. Political and Social Hermeneutics, Revised Edition (Orbis, 1993): 485-504
• “Womanist Interpretations of the New Testament. The Quest for Holistic and Inclusive Biblical Translation and Interpretation.” The Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion (1990). Reprinted with Permission in Black Theology. A Documentary History. Vol. 2: 1980-1992. James H. Cone and Gayraud S. Wilmore, eds. (Orbis, 1993), 225-244
• "Biblical Theodicy and Womanist Biblical Hermeneutics: 'The Miry Clay, the Horrible Pit, a New Song in My Mouth.'" Womanist Perspectives on Suffering and Evil: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Emilie Townes, ed. (New York: Orbis, 1993): 8-30
• “Mary’s Song.” Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels. Joel B. Green, Scott McKnight, and I. Howard Marshall, eds. (InterVarsity Press: Spring, 1992) 525-526
• “The Haustafeln (Household Codes) in Afro-American Biblical Interpretation: ‘Free Slaves and Subordinate Women.” Stony the Road We Trod. African-American Biblical Interpretation. Cain Hope Felder, ed. Minneapolis: (Minneapolis: Fortress,1991): 206-231
• “The Rhetorical Function of Commercial Language in Paul’s Letter to Philemon (v.18).” Persuasive Artistry: Studies in Honor of George A. Kennedy. Duane F. Watson, ed. (Sheffield Academic Press, 1991):321-337
• “Inclusive Language and the Brief Statement Statement of Faith. ‘Widening the Horizons of Our Common Common Confession.’” To Confess the Faith Today. Jack Stotts and Jane Dempsey Douglass, eds. (Westminster/John Knox Press, 1991), 107-129
• “Biblical Women, New Vision,” Christianity and Crisis 50, no. 4 (March 19, 1990):  89-92. A Review of Just a Sister Away. A Womanist Vision of Women’s Relationships in the Bible, by Renita J. Weems (Philadelphia: Innisfree Press, 1988)
• “A Chamberlain’s Journey and the Challenge of Interpretation for Liberation.” Semeia 47 (1989): 105-135

Lexington Academic Press, 2018

• Nomination for Teacher of the Year, 51���� (2000)
• Nomination for Teacher of the Year, 51���� (1999)
• Nomination as Most Influential People at 51���� (Students, Class of 2014, Center for Career Services)
• Humanities Grant for Faculty Development (1999-2000)
• Humanities Grant for Faculty Development (1998-1999)
• Olive B. O'Connor Professor of Philosophy and Religion, 51���� 1997-1998
• Associated Church Press Award for Merit for “Excellence in Biblical Exposition,” for Tongues of Fire. Power for the Church Today. Studies in the Acts of the Apostles (one of over 200 entire for the prize). (1990)
• Research Grant. Princeton Theological Seminary (1987-1988)
• Doctoral Student Fellowship. The Fund for Theological Education (1982-1984)
• Duke University Doctoral Student Fellowship (1981-1982)

• 51���� Course Endorsement. “Thirteen Cool (a.k.a. Challenging) 51���� Courses for the Lucky Year of 2013.” My RELG 331 Course,” The Problem of Evil,” included on the recommended list. 51���� Scene (January, 2013)
• 51���� Interview. “Life of the Mind.” RELG 331, “The Problem of Evil.” 51���� Scene(Autumn, 2013), 14

• The American Academy of Religion
• Society of Biblical Literature
• Society for the Study of Black Religion
• Advisory Board, Religion and Intellectual Life
• Advisory Board, Society of Biblical Literature Women in the Biblical World Section
• Steering Committee Member, The Ideological Criticism Group of the Society of Biblical Literature
• Board Member, The Fund for Theological Education

2001

Lectures. Plattsburgh State University. Plattsburgh, New York. April 8-19, 2001.

1. "Reclaiming Myself, Finding My Voice, and Harnessing My Horizon" in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God
2. "Debunking the Myths: Slavery as 'Social Death," and the Rise of Liberation Quest in Greco-Roman Antiquity."
3. ''What's Love Got to Do With It? Samson, Delilah, and the Politics of Passion (Judges 13-16)"

2000

• Panelist for Semeia 83 Slaverv in Text and Interpretation. Society of Biblical Literature, Nashville, TN November 18, 2000.

• Panelist Lecture. "Bible Church World: The Challenges of Scriptures to Changing Cultures." Auburn Theological Seminary, New York City, NY. June
• Lecture. "Ain't I A Woman: Race, Representation, and Media Images of Black Women." 51����, Hamilton, NY. February

1999

• Panelist Lecture. "Womanist and Feminist Dialogue - Who We Are and Who We Can Be Together." 51���� Symposium, Hamilton, NY. December

• Teaching Faculty (English). Office of Undergraduate Studies Summer Program. June 28 - July 30, 1999. 51����

• "Wisdom and Resistance. The Ethics of Solidarity Discourses' Revisited." Voices of Sophia. Washington, D.C. May 13-16, 1999

• Lecture. Humanities Colloquium. "Say It's Not So! Pauline Theology. Hermeneutical Jousts, and Slave Resistance in the Antebellum South." 51����. April 27, 1999

• Lecture. “Unity and Diversity in Context. A Study of Paul's Theology of Inclusion." Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Atlanta, Georgia. April 29 - March 1, 1999

• Lecture. "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Vision of the Beloved Community." Newark School of Theology. Newark, New Jersey. February 19-20, 1999

• Lecture. "Lent." University Church Study Series. 51����. February, 1999
• "Hermeneutics for An Evolving Church." The Presbytery of Utica. Utica, New York. January 19, 1999

1998–1999

• Co-Chair with Dr. Jack Dovidio. The Hewlett Foundation Program and Committee Member. Faculty Committee on Affirmative Action Oversight
   

1998

• Panelist. ''To Clone or Not to Clone? That is the Question." Science Colloquium. Family Weekend. 51����. September 26, 1998
   

1995

• "Prayer: A Biblical Perspective," The Heck Lectures, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH, April 1995
   

1994

• "Leadership: A Philosophical and Theological Reassessment of Concepts and Issues," The National Resource Center (through 51���� Rochester Divinity School), Chicago, IL, January 1994.

• "The Household Codes: A Womanist Analysis of Power Relations in the Twenty-First Century," Duke University Divinity School, March 1994.

• "Feisty Females and Kingdom Ethics: A Revisioning of Luke 18:1-8," The Greenhoe Lectures, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, October 1994.

1993

• ''New Testament Foundations for Inclusive Community: Wisdom for the Living of These Days," The Progressive National Baptist Convention Mid-Winter Board Meeting, January 1993.

• "The Uses of the New Testament in African-American Preaching," Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, February 1993.

• "The Production of Biblical-Historical Materials for Educational Curricula," United Church of Christ Educators and Writers Conference, Cleveland, OH, March 1993.

• ''Womanist and Feminist Biblical Interpretations: Hearing Our Voices in a New Key," Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA, April1993.

1992

• "Revisiting the Biblical Roots of Communal Transformation: Looking Back to Claim the Future," New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, NJ, February 1992.

• "The New Testament: Issues in Methodology and Interpretation," Continuing Education Seminar, Princeton Theological Seminary, March 1992.

1991

• Discussion Panelist, "Paving the Stony Road. A Cross-Generational Gathering of African-American Biblical Scholars" (based on my role as a contributor to the book Stony the Road We Trod, African American Biblical Interpretations, Fortress, 1991). Sponsored by the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, Collegeville, MN. Funded by the Lilly Endowment, Inc., Howard University School of Divinity, October 1991.

• "The Stony Road, the Empowering Word, Church Formation According to the Acts of the Apostles" and "The Household Codes in Theological Perspectives," Synod of the Mid-Atlantic, Baltimore, MD, August 1991.

• ''New Testament Foundations for Prisoner Reclamation," The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA, May 1991.

• ''Womanist Spirit Rising: An Ethic of Resistance and Freedom," Cleveland State College, Cleveland, OH, March 1991.

1990

• "Tongues of Fire: Power for the Church Today. Studies in the Acts of the Apostles," Lecture Series, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, August 1990.

• "The Acts of the Apostles: Insights on Authority for Effective Pastoral Leadership," Lectureship for The West Ohio School of Ministry of the United Methodist Church, August 1990.

• "Peeking Over the Shoulder of a Biblical Scholar," Lecture at the Women's Conference Center at Montreat, The Montreat Conference Center, Asheville, NC, August 1990.

• "Empowered Discipleship in the Church Today: Insights from the Gospel of Mark," Invited Lectureship, Princeton Institute of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, July 1990.

• "The Gospel of Luke," Summer Session I, Princeton Theological Seminary, June 1990.

• "Paradigms of Community in the New Testament," Lecture for the National Meeting of Black Seminarians, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, March 1990.

• "Womanist Hermeneutics: Critical Issues in Biblical Interpretation," Invited Lectureship, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, March 1990.

• "Topics in New Testament Interpretation," The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA, February 1990.

1989

• "Biblical Interpretation: A Womanist Reflection," Society of Biblical Literature, Anaheim, CA, November 1989.

• "Paul and the Law: How Complete Was the Departure?" Moderator of Session, Neumann Symposium, Princeton Theological Seminary, October 1989.

1989 "Poverty and Wealth Traditions in the New Testament," Continuing Education Seminar, Princeton Theological Seminary, Fall l989.

• "New Testament Foundations for Evangelism and Peacemaking," Continuing Education Workshop, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, June 1989.

• ''New Testament Foundations for Peacemaking," Continuing Education Seminar, Princeton Theological Seminary, June 1989.

• ''Womanist Perspectives on New Testament Narratives," Invited Lectureship, Conversations on Biblical Hermeneutics Conference, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, May 1989.

• "African-American Female Scholars in the Theological Academy," Invited Lectureship, The University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, April 1989.

• "The African Presence in the New Testament: The Half Has Not Been Told' (I Kgs. 10:7)," The McCreary Center for Theological Studies, Cleveland, OH, April 1989.

• "The Vitality of the New Age Community: Perspectives on the Acts of the Apostles," Invited Lectureship, Ashland Theological Seminary, Ashland, OH, April l989.

• "The Brief Statement of Reformed Faith: Prospects and Promise," Continuing Education Seminar, Princeton Theological Seminary, April l989.

• "Womanist Interpretations of the New Testament: Imaginative Reconstruction 'for the Sake of Our Mother's Garden,'" Invited Lectureship, The University of Southern Main, Portland, ME, March 1989.

1988

• "Interpretation for Liberation: Insights from Luke-Acts," Conference on Research and the Black Church, co-sponsored by The Lilly Endowment and the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA, February 1988.

• "The Haustafeln (Household Codes) in Afro-American Biblical Interpretation: 'Free Slaves and Subordinate Women," Lectureship, Howard University School of Divinity, Washington, DC, October 1988.

• "Language for God in the Old and New Testaments," with Dr. Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, Continuing Education Seminar, Princeton Theological Seminary.

1987

• "A Chamberlain's Journey and the Challenge of interpretation for Liberation," Society of Biblical Literature, Boston, MA, December 1987.

• "God's Pilgrim People: Effective Christian Discipleship in Luke-Acts," Invited Lecturer, Lay School of Theology, Princeton Theological Seminary, a course from October 5 - November 2, 1987.

• "The Marginalization of the Ethiopian's Provenance (Acts 8:26-40) and the 'Hermeneutics of Suspicion,"' Society for the Study of Black Religion, Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, October 1987.

• "The Challenge of Unlearning to Not Speak: A Prescription for Women in Theological Education," presented at the Annual Meeting ofWomen in Theological Education, Divine Word Retreat Center, Chicago, IL, April 1987.

• "Claiming the Power of Women's Faith: Biblical Foundations," Women's Inter-Seminary Conference, Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, April 3-5, 1987.

2000

"Lectures on the Gospel of Luke," Lay Preacher's Workshop. Syracuse Presbytery, Cazenovia, NY, October, 2000.
 

1999

"The Biblical Basis for Unity in the Midst of Our Diversity." Presbyterian Leader's Conference. Atlanta, GA. March, 1999.
 

1995

"Biblical Paradigms for an Empowered Spirituality," Spiritual Retreat Weekend, Pittsford Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY, March 1995.
 

1994

"Lenten Reflections for These Exciting and Challenging Times," The Chicago Temple, Chicago, IL, March 1994.
 

1993

''Womanist Theology: Hearing God's Voice in New Ways," Geneva Presbyterian Church, Geneva, NY, October 1993.

"Working for the Good of the City," Adult Education Class, Downtown Presbyterian Church, Rochester, NY, October 1993.
 

1992

"Tongues of Fire. Power for the Church Today. A Transforming Encounter with the Acts of the Apostles," Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL, February 1992.
 

1991

"The Presbyterian Women's Purpose: Partnership with God for a New Future," New Life Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA, July 1991.

"Power for the Church Today. Insights from the Acts of the Apostles," Providence Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, SC, March 1991.

"The Brief Statement of Faith and the Future of the Presbyterian Church (USA)," Presbytery of Riverside, San Bernardino, CA, January 1991.
 

1990

Lecturer, ''Tongues of Fire: Power for the Church Today. The Acts of the Apostles," Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton, N J, October 1990

Lecturer, "God's Witnesses in Community: Insights from the Acts of the Apostles," Hillside and Valley Presbyterian Church, Orange, NJ, October 1990.

Lecturer, "Power for the Church Today: The Acts of the Apostles," Winter Park Presbyterian Church, Orlando, FL, September 1990.

Lecturer, "Empowered Discipleship in Acts: Women as God's Witnesses Today," The Synod of the Mid Atlantic, Richmond, VA, June 1990.

Lecturer, "The Acts of the Apostles: Insights for the Church Today," Community Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, DE, June 1990.
 

1989

Preacher/Lecturer, Central United Presbyterian Church, Newark, NJ, January 1989.

Lecturer, "The Brief Statement of Faith: Its Function in Our Denominational Life," Nassau Presbyterian Church, Apri1 1989.
 

1988

Lecturer, "Male and Female Relationships in Biblical Perspective," Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, October 1988.

Keynote Speaker, Black Presbyterians of Southern California, Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, October 1988.
 

1987

Lecturer, "Biblical Images of Women: The Case for Women's Empowerment in the Church Today," Nassau Presbyterian Church Women's Association, October 19, 1987.

Steering Committee Member, National Organization of Presbyterian Women in Theological Education.

Worship Lecturer and Communion Leader, "Putting the Puzzle Together: Ecclesiological Possibilities Missiological Mandate" and "The Reunited Fellowship and Architectural Forbearance," The National Presbyterian Staff Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 1-3, 1987
 

1986

Lecturer, "The Black Family and the Black Experience," Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr, PA.

Preacher, ''Women Crossing Boundaries: Challenge and Leap of Love," Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, Women's Day Speaker, October 26, 1986.

Lecturer, "The Ethiopian Eunuch: A Model of the Diligent Inquirer," Witherspoon Street Presbyterian Church, February 9, 1986.
 

1985

Appointed to a twenty-person Special Committee on a Brief Statement of Reformed Faith ( 1985-1991), commissioned to rewrite the Brief Statement of Reformed Faith for the Presbyterian Church (USA), commissioned to complete scriptural Cross-Reference Document for the Brief Statement.

2001

"What's Love Got To Do With It? Samson, Delilah, and the Politics of Passion (Judges 13-16)." New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Cleveland, OH. March, 2001.
 

1991

"The Church's Agenda for the Twenty-First Century: Insights from Luke-Acts," Allen Temple Baptist Church, Oakland, CA, June 1991.
 

1988

Invited Lecturer, theme: "Global Feminism Begins at Home," National Organization of Women, New Jersey Statewide Conference, Trenton State College, Trenton, NJ, September 1988.

Invited Preacher/Lecturer, Union Baptist Church, Trenton, NJ, Women's Day Celebration, June 12, 1988.

Invited Preacher/Lecturer, Princeton University Chapel, February 21, 1988.

Invited Preacher/Lecturer, Fuller Theological Seminary, Chapel Service, February 10, 1988.
 

1987

Invited Preacher/Lecturer, Consultation on the Black Family, Bethany Baptist Church, Newark, NJ, September 20, 1987.

2000-2001

Consultant for The American Bible Society. The project seeks to establish a philosophical, sociological, and theological Database for the Creation of an African-American Study Bible for the Twenty-First Century.
 

1989

Newspaper Interview, The Washington Post, for my endorsement of Troubling Biblical Waters: Race, Class, Family (Orbis}, by Professor Cain H. Felder, October 1989.

Newspaper Interview, The Raleigh News and Observer, for my endorsement of Troubling Biblical Waters: Race, Class, Family (Orbis), by Professor Cain H. Felder, June 1989.

Participation in "Faces on Faith" series, a television series in which religion scholars are asked their views on faith issues (salvation, Scripture, community, Christology, worship, etc.), March 1989. Participants include: Harvey Cox, Daniel Berrigan, James Forbes, Madeleine L'Engle, Peter Berger.

Endorsement on Book Cover of Mitzi J. Smith’s book, Toward Decentering the New Testament. A Reintroduction (Cascade Books, 2018)

Endorsement on Book Cover of Shanell T. Smith’s book, The Woman Babylon and the Marks of Empire. A Postcolonial Womanist Hermeneutics of Ambiveilence (Fortress, 2014)

Review and Endorsement of Angela N. Parker’s essay, “One Womanist’s View of Racial Reconciliation in Galatians.” Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 34.2 (Scholar’s Press: Ithaca, NY, Fall, 2018), 23-40.