Dr. Amy L. Peeler is Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College (IL). She earned her MDiv and PhD in Biblical Studies from Princeton Theological Seminary. Peeler is also Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, Illinois. Follow Dr. Peeler on Twitter @albpeeler.

How did you decide to become a biblical scholar? Share your autobiographical journey.

I began college, at Oklahoma Baptist University, as a psychology major and thought I was headed for a career in counseling. I took a few electives in Biblical studies the fall of my junior year, and within the first week I had decided that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My faith had always been very important to me, and I had always loved school. When I realized one could combine academic and Scriptural study, I was hooked. My professors and mentors at my college supported my passion for the subject and help me navigate the logistics of the guild.

Tell us about your work (past and current). What are you most excited about right now? What do you hope your work will contribute?

I attended Princeton Theological Seminary for both my Masters and Doctoral degrees. I was trained there in the breadth of Biblical and Theological studies  so that I would be well prepared to teach in the church and the academy. As I moved toward specialization, I knew I had great interest in the Epistles, but had a hard time deciding if I should focus on the Pauline corpus or Hebrews. For my dissertation, it seemed that the field of Hebrews offered more space for new scholars to make a contribution. A class on Greco-Roman rhetoric caused me to consider closely the way the author of Hebrews introduced the many Scriptural citations in his letter. As that which was spoken, God, as the speaker of these texts, did a great deal of speaking in Hebrews. Those speeches shaped the character of God presented in this letter. God’s character as a Father, appearing first in the letter, most captured my attention and my dissertation focused on the familial elements in the letter and the way in which they shaped its theology and exhortation.

Since then, I have continued to write on both Hebrews and familial themes. I have a co-authored commentary on Hebrews coming out soon, and a larger commentary on Hebrews will appear in the next few years.

Currently, I am most excited about a book I am writing on the fatherhood of God as understood through the lens of the Incarnation. I acknowledge the ways the language for God in text and tradition makes God seem male but suggest that God’s partnering with a woman to send a son should reshape every assumption about the gendering of theology.

What or who has most influenced you as a scholar? Tell us a bit about it.

Initially it was my professors and mentors at college who have shaped the direction of my career. They saw talent in me and helped me to cultivate it. They gave solid advice on the steps to take to move toward graduate school, employment, and publishing.

My professors at Princeton shaped the way I think about history, canon, and theology. Without their challenge, I would have remained immature in my thinking and therefore, inadequate in my teaching.

In my first teaching position at Indiana Wesleyan University, my Dean and colleagues made a deep and lasting impact on the way I function as a scholar. It was there I became even more acquainted with the wisdom of previous generations of theologians. In this community of scholar-teachers, I begin to practice the art of and shaping not just the intellect of the student but the whole person. 

Now, my students and parishioners articulate the questions I want to answer in my scholarship. They help me to see where the answers I have already arrived at are helpful or come up short.

What are the most pressing issues or concerns you have related to the broader field of biblical studies?

There are many important issues that should be in dialogue with biblical studies, but the one I am most passionate about and have been best prepared to address is the issue of gender. In the time in which we live, Christian theologians must engage the conversation.  Do women and men and those who do not fit neatly into those categories know their value as bearers of the image of God? If not, we, as Biblical scholars, have a wonderful opportunity to illuminate it.

Why study the scriptures/biblical text?

The scriptures are worthy of studying because they are the revelation of the God of the universe, who loves humanity beyond measure. They show the complexity of a God who enters fully into the human situation. As such, they give a fascinating picture of many ancient peoples as well as insight into the enduring human situation.

What do you like to do for fun?

I most enjoy time with my husband (my high school sweetheart!) and our three children, time with other family and friends. I truly love the work I do at my church along with running, CrossFit, reading, travel to the UK, and film.