Michael Barram

Economic Justice and Economic Discipleship in the Bible: I am interested in biblical and theological perspectives on economic justice, wealth, poverty, and inequality, and their implications for Christian behavior and decision making. I enjoy exploring these topics with students in my "Wealth and Poverty in the Bible" course, and I spent 2007-08 on sabbatical in Nicaragua researching such issues. In 2014-15, I am on sabbatical again, writing a book linking missional hermeneutics and the subject of biblical economic values (working title: "Choose Life!: Missionally Located Reflections on Biblical Justice and Economic Discipleship").

Missional Hermeneutics and the Bible: I am interested in readings of the Bible that explore the hermeneutical dynamics and implications of the missional vocation and location of the interpreting community. My initial work in this area culminated in my dissertation (published as Mission and Moral Reflection in Paul), and I have continued to work on these issues over the past several years as steering committee chair of the Gospel and Our Culture Network's "GOCN Forum on Missional Hermeneutics" at the Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meetings.

Paul's Letters and Theology: My graduate training and dissertation focused on the ministry, letters, and thought of Paul the Apostle. I still enjoy engaging this fascinating and controversial figure and the texts attributed to him.

Having finished a recent book project, Missional Economics: Biblical Justice and Christian Formation (slated to appear in May, 2018), I will continue to be engaged in ongoing research and writing on issues pertaining to both missional hermeneutics and economic justice in the Bible. Planning a co-written book on missional hermeneutics in the near future.

Office: Dante Hall - 335

Mail: P.O. Box 4297