Matthew J.M. Coomber

Dr. Coomber teaches both on the texts of the Bible and also on the varied ways that its ancient texts have been interpreted by the cultures and societies into which they have been absorbed. He has also served at the St. Ambrose Center for International Education Regional Expert: United Kingdom and Japan. Dr. Coomber has also served on the board of directors for the Center & Library for the Bible & Social Justice (www.clbsj.org).

Education and Training

University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Biblical Studies Ph.D., 2010

University of Toronto,
Trinity College, M.Div., 2005

Naropa University, Boulder, Colorado
Graduate Study in Buddhist Studies and Sanskrit, 1998-2000

Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota
Religion and Philosophy double major, 1998

 

Academic Affiliations

Society of Biblical Literature
Society for Old Testament Study
European Association of Biblical Studies

 

Courses Taught

THEO 130 Introduction to the Old Testament
THEO 360 The Bible in Culture and Society
THEO 360 Bible and Social Justice

 

Areas of Professional Interest

The Bible/Old Testament
Use of The Bible in social-justice movements.
How The Bible is adopted/used in different cultures.

 

Recent Publications

Books:

Bible and Justice: Ancient Texts, Modern Challenges. Edited by Matthew J.M. Coomber. BibleWorld, London: Equinox Publishing, 2011.
Re-Reading the Prophets through Corporate Globalization: A Cultural-Evolutionary Approach to Understanding Economic Injustice in the Hebrew Bible. Biblical Intersections 4. Piscataway, NJ: Gorgias Press, 2010.
Fortress Commentary on the Old Testament.  Edited by Matthew J.M. Coomber, Hugh R. Page, Jr., and Gale A. Yee.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, forthcoming.

Journal Articles and Book Chapters:

"Caught in the Crossfire? Economic Injustice and Prophetic Motivation in Eighth-Century Judah" Biblical Interpretation 19, No. 4-5 (2011): 396-432.
"Prophets to Profits: Ancient Judah and Corporate Globalization." Pages 212-237 in Bible and Justice: Ancient Texts, Modern Challenges. BibleWorld. Edited by Matthew J.M. Coomber. Oakville, CT: Equinox Publishing, 2011.
"Subsistence and Greed: Revisiting the Eighth-Century Prophets in an Age of Globalization."  Masihi Sevak 24, No. 3 (2009): 14-30.
"Before Crossing the Jordan: The Telling and Retelling of the Exodus Narrative in African-American History," in Exodus and Deuteronomy: Texts @ Contexts. Edited by Athalya Brenner and Gale A. Yee.  Minneapolis: Fortress Press, forthcoming.
"From Joshua to Abu Ghraib: Understanding Hatred in Times of Terror," in Joshua and Judges: Texts@Contexts. Edited by Athalya Brenner and Gale A. Yee.  Minneapolis: Fortress press, forthcoming.