1
J. DAVID PLEINS, Ph.D.
Department of Religious Studies
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA 95053
Career History:
Professor of Religious Studies Santa Clara University, 2001-present.
Associate ProfessorSanta Clara University, 1993-2001.
Visiting Professor Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Fall 1997. Assistant Professor Santa Clara University, 1987-1993.
Adjunct Lecturer The University of Michigan, 1986-87.
Adjunct Professor The University of Detroit, 1983-85.
Administrative Experience:
Acting ChairDepartment of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University, Summer 1999.
Acting Director Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, SCU, Winter 2001, Spring 2002.
Acting ChairDepartment of Religious Studies, Santa Clara University, Spring 2005
Interim DirectorGraduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, SCU, 2010-2011.
Education:
Ph.D.1986The University of Michigan, Near Eastern Studies (Ancient and Biblical).
M.A.1983TheUniversity of Michigan, Near Eastern Studies.
A.B.1980The University of Michigan-Flint, Philosophy, with Honors.
Books:
Psalms: Songs of Tragedy, Hope and Justice (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1993).
The Social Visions of the Hebrew Bible: A Theological Introduction (Nashville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001).
When the Great Abyss Opened: Classic and Contemporary Readings of Noah’s Flood (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003).
The Evolving God: Charles Darwin on the Naturalness of Religion (Bloomsbury, 2013).
In Praise of Darwin: George Romanes and the Evolution of a Darwinian Believer (Bloomsbury, 2014).
Edited works:
The Anchor Bible Dictionary, 6 volumes (New York: Doubleday, 1992). Editor-in-chief, David Noel Freedman. Associate editors: David F. Graf, Gary A. Herion, J. D. Pleins.
Scholarly Articles:
“From the Stump of Jesse: The Image of King David as a Social Force in the Writings of the Hebrew Prophets,” Proceedings of the Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society 6 (1986) 161-169.
“Poverty in the Social World of the Wise,” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 37 (1987) 61-78.
“Is a Palestinian Theology of Liberation Possible?,” Anglican Theological Review 74/2 (1992) 133-43.
“Son-Slayers and their Sons,” The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 54 (1992) 1-10.
“Poor/Poverty (Old Testament),” The Anchor Bible Dictionary (New York: Doubleday, 1992), vol. 5, pp. 402-14.
“'Why do you hide your face?': Divine Silence and Speech in the Book of Job,” Interpretation 48/3 (July, 1994) 229-238.
“How Ought We to Think About Poverty?: Rethinking the Diversity of the Hebrew Bible,” Irish Theological Quarterly 60/4 (1994) 280-286.
“Murderous Fathers, Manipulative Mothers, and Rivalrous Siblings: Rethinking the Architecture of Genesis-Kings” in Fortunate the Eyes that See, festschrift in honor of David Noel Freedman (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995).
“Death and Endurance: Reassessing the Literary Structure and Theology of Psalm 49,” Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 69 (1996): 19-27.
“Poverty in the Social World of the Wise.” Pp. 283-300 in D. J. Chalcraft, ed., Social-Scientific Old Testament Criticism: A Sheffield Reader (Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1997). (Reprint of earlier article.)
“When Myths Go Wrong: Deconstructing the Drunkenness of Noah,” Culture and Religion 5/2 (July 2004), pp. 219-27.
“Wine, Women, and Song (of Songs): Gender Politics and Identity Construction in Post-Exilic Israel,” in Character Ethics and the Old Testament: Moral Dimensions of Scripture, edited by M. Daniel Carroll and Jacqueline E. Lapsley (Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007), pp. 153-65.
“Flood,” The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, vol 2 (Nashville: Abingdon, 2007), pp. 464-468.
Sample Book Reviews
Review of Leslie J. Hoppe, There Shall Be No Poor Among You: Poverty in the Bible (Abingdon) and L. Juliana M. Claassens, The God Who Provides: Biblical Images of Divine Nourishment (Abingdon) for The Christian Century 122/8 (April 19, 2005).
Review of Keith Thomson, Before Darwin: Reconciling God and Nature (Yale University Press) for The Christian Century 123/8 (April 18, 2006), pp. 37-38.
Review of Arthur McCalla, The Creationist Debate: The Encounter Between the Bible and the Historical Mind (T & T Clark International) for the Reports of the National Center for Science Education 27/1-2 (Jan-Apr, 2007), p. 42-43.
Review of David N. Livingstone, Adam’s Ancestors: Race, Religion, and the Politics of Human Origins (Johns Hopkins) for the Reports of the National Center for Science Education 29/3 (May-June, 2009), p. 43.
Scholarly Papers and Professional Workshops:
“Women in the Cult of YHWH,” American Academy of Religion, New England regional meeting; Newton, Massachusetts; April, 1984.
“Poverty in the Hebrew Prophets: The Social Criticism of Amos, Isaiah, and Jeremiah,” Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting; Chicago, Illinois; December, 1984.
“Traditions in Conflict: The Prophetic Uses of the Past,” Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting; Anaheim, California; November, 1985.
“From the Stump of Jesse: The Image of King David as a Social Force in the Writings of the Hebrew Prophets,” Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society (SBL/CBA/ASOR) annual meeting; Columbus, Ohio; April, 1986.
“Poverty in the Social World of the Wise,” Midwest Region SBL/AOS/ASOR annual meeting; Chicago, Illinois; February 1987.
“Towards an Understanding of the Macro-Structure of the Genesis-Kings Narrative,” Pacific Coast Region SBL annual meeting; San Jose, California; March, 1988.
“Son-Slayers and Their Sons: Genesis 22 as the Structuring Paradigm for the Saul-Jonathan-David Narrative,” Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting; Chicago, Illinois; November, 1988.
“Rhetorics of Opposition: Exploring the Diverging Social Visions of the Hebrew Bible,” International Meeting, Society of Biblical Literature; Vienna, Austria; August 1990.
“Social Justice in Scripture and Liturgy,” Bay Area Liturgical Conference; San Francisco, California; October 1991.
“The Psalms,” School for Cantors and Lectors, workshop in 7 sessions, National Association for Pastoral Musicians; held at Boston College; June 1992.
“The Psalms,” Advanced School for Cantors and Lectors, workshop in 7 sessions, National Association for Pastoral Musicians; held at Rockford, Illinois; July 1992.
“The Psalms,” School for Cantors and Lectors, workshop in 7 sessions, National Association for Pastoral Musicians; held at Riverside, California; June 1993.
“Wisdom Influence in the Psalms: The Question of Wealth in Wisdom and Torah Psalms.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, Washington, D.C., November 1993.
“The Psalms,” Advanced School for Cantors and Lectors, workshop in 7 sessions, National Association for Pastoral Musicians, held at Chicago, Illinois, August, 1994.
“Wealth, Poverty, and Death: The Literary Structure and Theology of Psalm 49.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 1995.
“Mythic Strategies for Resolving Succession Anxiety: Ugarit in Structuralist Perspective.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 1996.
“The Psalms,” School for Cantors and Lectors, workshop in 7 sessions, National Association for Pastoral Musicians; Las Vegas, NV; August 1997.
“Deconstructing the Drunkenness of Noah: When Myths Go Wrong,” Queer Visions Conference on Gender and Religion; Santa Barbara, CA; May 2002.
“Wine, Women, and Song (of Songs): Gender Politics and Identity Construction in Post-Exilic Israel.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta, GA, November 2003.
“Darwin’s Natural Theology: Rethinking the Role of the Bible and Natural Theology in Darwin’s Grand Narrative.” WECSOR (AAR/SBL regional) meeting, Berkeley, CA, March 2007.
“Darwin on Genesis: Rethinking Darwin’s Impact on the Interpretation of the Creation Story.” Accepted for presentation at the annual meeting for the Society of Biblical Literature, San Diego, CA, November 2007.
“In Praise of Darwin: George Romanes and the Theistic Struggles of the 19th Century.” Religions in Conversation Conference, Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA, October 2010.
“In Memory of Darwin: George Romanes and the Poetic Sacralization of Science." WECSOR (AAR/SBL regional) meeting, Whittier, CA, March 2011.
“Discordant Harmonies: The Traditioning of the Hebrew Bible’s Justice Vision.” SBL National Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 2011.
“Lamentations: Biblical Poetry as Social Safety Net.” SBL National Meeting, Atlanta, GA, November 2015.
Recent Community Presentations
“The Genesis Debates: Then and Now,” Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), Sunnyvale, CA, November 15 and 22, 2012.
“When the Great Abyss Opened: Interpretations of Noah’s Flood,” Stone Church of Willow Glen (Presbyterian USA), San Jose, CA, February 19 and 26, 2012.
“The Way of Justice: The Hebrew Scriptures and God’s Prophetic Call,” Newman Nights Presentation, Catholic Community at Stanford, Stanford University, October 9, 2012.
“Is God a Democrat, Republican or Independent?: Social Justice in the Bible.” Newman Nights Presentation, Catholic Community at Stanford, Stanford University, November 11, 2014.
“Genesis: Themes and History.” Stanford University Structured Liberal Education Program, September, 2015.
Teaching:
Graduate Courses (at SCU unless otherwise noted):
The Bible and Social Ethics.
Hebrew Bible in its Cultural Context.
Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible (Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley).
The Psalms.
Studying the Hebrew Bible: Issues and Methods.
Advanced Undergraduate Courses (at SCU unless otherwise noted):
Darwin and God (Religious Studies Seminar)
Human Suffering: The Book of Job
Ancient Mythology and Biblical Poetry (Third Writing Course).
England and the Holy Land (Durham Summer Program).
Law and Justice in the Old Testament.
Reading the Bible Today (Third Writing Course).
Biblical Criticism Seminar: Hebrew Bible.
The Psalms.
Theology of Liberation, assisting Gustavo Gutiérrez (University of Michigan).
Studies in the Hebrew Bible: The Primary History (University of Michigan).
Intermediate Undergraduate Courses (at SCU):
Science vs. The Bible: The Genesis Debates.
Faith and Politics in the Middle East.
The Old Testament as Literature.
Introductory Undergraduate Courses (at SCU):
Controversies in Religion: Ancient and Modern
Origins of Western Religion.
Introduction to the Religions of the Book.
The Old Testament and Its World.
Introduction to Religious Studies.
The Dead Sea Scrolls.
Language Courses:
Biblical Hebrew I.
Biblical Hebrew II.
Biblical Hebrew III.
Second Year Biblical Hebrew I (Advanced Grammar and Text Survey).
Second Year Biblical Hebrew II (Advanced Text Reading and Exegesis).
Second Year Biblical Hebrew III (Advanced Text Reading and Inscriptions).
Biblical Aramaic.
Consultant and Interview:
National Geographic Society video, The Quest for Noah’s Flood (2001).
Archaeological experience:
Arabia Petraea Survey Project, southern Jordan, season 2. Director, David F. Graf (University of Miami). June, 1987.
Abila Excavation Project, northern Jordan, July 1988. Square supervisor.
Arabia Petraea Survey Project, southern Jordan, season 3. Director, David F. Graf (University of Miami). July-August, 1988.
Arabia Petraea Excavation and Regional Survey, southern Jordan. Director, David F. Graf (University of Miami). June, 1989.
Via Militaris in Arabia, Survey, central and southern Jordan. Director, David F. Graf (University of Miami). Summer 1994.
Grants:
Presidential Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for Arabia Petraea Archaeological Survey Project, season 3. Summer 1988 (6 weeks), $3100.00.
Presidential Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for Arabia Petraea Excavation and Regional Survey. Summer 1989 (3 weeks), $2317.00.
American Council of Learned Societies, travel grant for participation in the International Society of Biblical Literature meeting, Vienna, Austria. August 1990. $500.00.
Thomas Terry Research Award (Santa Clara University) for Via Militaris in Arabia, Survey. Summer 1994 (4 weeks), $2650.00.
Technology Steering Committee Funds (Santa Clara University): Biblical Studies CD-ROM and Software, $700.00. May 1995.
Technology Steering Committee Funds (Santa Clara University): Course Innovation, $650.00. Joint grant with Fr. James Reites. June 1995.
Thomas Terry Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for Social Ethics and the Hebrew Bible: Book Research and Writing (1995-1996), $750.00.
Thomas Terry Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible: Book Research and Writing,” (April 1996) $585.00.
Thomas Terry Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible: Book Research and Writing,” (December 1996) $540.00.
Thomas Terry Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible: Book Research and Writing,” (December 1997) $350.00.
Joint Bannan Institute for Jesuit Education Research Grant and Thomas Terry Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible: Manuscript Editing and Research,” (December 1997) $510.00.
Bannan Institute for Jesuit Education Research Grant for “Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible: Manuscript Editing and Research,” (April 1999) $1550.00.
Presidential Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible: Index Work” (May 2000) $1400.
Presidential Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “The Genesis Flood: Science,
Myth, and Faith,” (April 2001) $1950.00.
Presidential Research Grant (Santa Clara University) for “Science and the Bible: Debates Before and After Darwin,” (May 2003) $2051.00.
Faculty-Student Assistant Research Program (Santa Clara University) for “Darwin and Creation’s Design,” (2003-2004 Academic Year).
Bannan Center, Dialogue and Design (Santa Clara University) for “The Book of Job in a World of Suffering,” (2004-2005 Academic Year), $6,225.00.
Bannan Center, Discover Grant for “Mentoring Project” in Connection with Book of Job Project, (2004-2005 Academic Year), $1000.00.
Thomas Terry Research Grant, “Charles Darwin and the Question of Cruelty in Nature,” (2004-2006), $4410.00.
Thomas Terry Research Grant for “Charles Darwin: Devil’s Chaplain,” (2008-2009),
$1986.56.
Hackworth Research Grant for "Charles Darwin and the Golden Rule: Evolution,
Creation, and the Moral Sense." Santa Clara University, (Summer 2009),$2,335.00.
Thomas Terry Research Grant for “George Romanes Correspondence Research,” (2012),
$2,400.00.
Religion and Science Symposium, Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, Santa Clara University (for winter 2014), $5,700.00.
The Provost's Publication Subvention Fund and the College of Arts and Sciences, Santa Clara University (2014), for Index to In Praise of Darwin, $1,347.00.
Teaching and Scholarship Awards:
Award for Innovative Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Technology at the Eighth National Conference on College Teaching and Learning, Jacksonville, FL (April 1997)
President’s Special Recognition Award for Faculty, Santa Clara University, for RS 011, Origins of Western Religion Internet-Based Course (April 1998).
Award for Recent Excellence in Scholarship, Santa Clara University (September 2003)
Department Committees:
Chair, Department Grants Committee
Chair, Endowed Chair Search Committee, Chair.
Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.
Activities and Faculty Colloquia.
Excellence Through Diversity Committee.
Planning Committee.
Teaching Committee.
Faculty Senate Council representative.
Department Ad Hoc Committee on Department Senior Thesis.
Department Annual Review Committee.
Travel Committee.
Chair, Area I: Scripture and Tradition Committee.
Reading of Graduate Comprehensive Exams
Pastoral Ministries Committee.
Department Chair’s Advisory Committee.
Minors Advising Committee.
Chair, Personnel Committee.
Chair, Department Search Committee (Theology and Contemporary Culture).
College of Arts and Sciences Committees:
Pre-Law Advising.
Dean's Assessment Task Force.
University-Wide Committees:
Sabbatical Review Committee
Student Affairs Committee.
University Institute: “Voice of the Voiceless: Institute on Human Rights and Social Justice in the Middle East.”
University Teaching and Learning Committee.
Co-Chair, University Core Requirement Subcommittee on Religious Studies.
Peer Education Program.
University Relations Committee.
University ADA Compliance Committee.
Chair, Student Affairs University Policy Committee.
Ignatian Faculty Forum.
Jesuit School of Theology-SCU Integration Task Force.
Conference Planning:
Steering Committee Member, “Science, Religion, and Public Policy,” International Conference, sponsored by the Center for Science, Technology, and Society, Santa Clara University (April 2009).
Science and Seeking: Rethinking the God Question in the Lab, Cosmos, and Classroom, Bannan Institute Symposium (February/March 2014).
Memberships:
American Academy of Religion.
Society of Biblical Literature.
History of Science Society.