Spent yesterday talking REF with my lovely colleagues at St Mary's I'm really grateful that I so often (perhaps always) walk away from them feeling valued and yet inspired to continue to grow as a teacher and scholar. That's precisely what I want from a School/Department.

Journal for the Study of the New Testament Vol. 48, No. 4 (2026) journals.sagepub.com/toc/jnta/48/4 @lcbmphd.bsky.social @madisonpierce.bsky.social

When writing on the double-edged weapon of Hebrews 4:12, my current projects (my commentary & messiah book) converged. I was looking at the similar weapon in Revelation & identified a likely allusion – substantiated through verbal parallels & other allusions in the context.

Yesterday I wrapped up my first of (D.v.) many, many years teaching here at St Andrews! We're still so thankful to be here and eager to enjoy a summer full of hikes, camping, bike rides, and visits from loved ones.

Last night I dreamed that SBL (in getting smaller) became a catered conference. Dinner and lunch was provided at one place and inexpensive. But then in Dreamland some very random people from high school etc. were suddenly SBL people and ate with me.

It's wild to think about how much scholarship on Hebrews has changed in the 60 years since George Caird (my Doktorgroßvater) wrote this. (The opening always makes me smile a bit.)

I'm very excited that this article is on its way into the world. It represents years of wrestling with the author of Hebrews' relationship to the law. (I'll post again when it's available. Today I'm editing proofs.)

Something bringing me a lot of (unexpected) joy this semester is leading a German reading group with PhD students. Our NT Seminar is reading some "classic" works, and so we've been translating the originals in preparation. Today is Schweitzer's *Die Mystik des Apostels Paulus*.

Call for Papers: "Paul's Letter to the Romans and Christian Theology" Conference We (St Andrews and our friends at Princeton) are hosting a conference in Princeton on 23–25 October. You can propose a paper (until 31 March) and/or register at this link: ptsem.edu/event/pauls-...

I am on my way to Durham! A sentence that always makes me smile. I’m looking forward to presenting on ‘messianism’ in the NT Seminar (or now Biblical Studies and Patristics Seminar?). (Photo from our last trip.)

Fun to see my book appear in this survey of "Der Hebräerbrief in der neueren Forschung." It's been a good couple of decades for scholarship on Hebrews – here's to many more! (HT: Michael Lyons) St Andrews is a great place to work on Hebrews right now. www.uni-muenster.de/Ejournals/in...

This month I was promoted and received as a permanent faculty member here at St Mary's. I am so grateful for the welcome and support that I have received over the last several months. Our family is very excited about our future here. www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/new...

Today’s video posted by POTUS of the Obamas is evil. It is not a subtle slight, but clearly employs classic racist tropes. How could one possibly think this is okay? For all that some speak of “slippery slopes,” they slide further and further…

Googled this article. I'm glad that the search terms that I chose took me to the right place... As soon as I hit enter, I realised what I had done! markgoodacre.org/peribolaionJ...

As of today, I am able to accept PhD students at the University of St Andrews. If you or one of your students is interested, this is a wonderful place to study. All potential supervisors (including me!) are listed here with topics of interest: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/pro...

One thing I'm still working on is the later lunchtime. In TX, 12:00 is standard lunch time; in the UK, 13:00 is the standard lunch time. This term I'm frequently lecturing at noon... which shouldn't be allowed.

Today is the first day of Semester 2 here at St Andrews. I’m excited to be able to teach a Greek readings/exegesis class for the 1st time in several years. We’re working through early chs of Luke along with the sources of quotations (OG/LXX) & receptions of the material in Early Christianity.

This is so important. I’m grateful to Rev Dr Thomas for having these conversations. I hope others take this up, especially those leading institutions. (I’m going to start pointing my students to this article.) wabashcenter.wabash.edu/resources/bl...

From time to time, I post with the hope of correcting some widespread misunderstandings about Hebrews. Here's a big one: YOM KIPPUR IS NOT THE ONLY JEWISH RITUAL*. Sooo references to sacrifice don't necessarily evoke Leviticus 16.

FWIW, I would highly recommend engaging the work of the people that you ask for feedback. It's always a little surprising when someone says, "I'd really value your thoughts," when many of the thoughts I would provide are in print (more carefully articulated). (Is this just me?)

My first semester at St Andrews is in the books. 😮‍💨 At times, getting to know the system has been challenging, but I’ve loved my time here. I have bright and interested students; fun and lovely colleagues; and space to write and enjoy beautiful Scotland.

My year in review: 1. Wondering where this year went.

Today I presented a paper from my project on messianism at our biblical studies seminar at St Mary’s. It was fun, stimulating, and representative of all the things I’ve loved about my first semester in St Andrews. But I’m also grateful to have some space to rest now!

After a bus to Edinburgh and a flight to London, I’m *almost* on the way to Boston! So eager to see some of you soon. #aarsbl25

okay, friends, let's do something community-oriented and helpful. #sblaar25 veterans, drop your best conference advice for first-time attendees. be sure to signal boost so folks across bluesky can add on/peruse.

So pleased to receive my copy of this resource. I am grateful to be included among the amazing women – many of whom have contributed to my own discernment through the years.

So pleased to see that our forthcoming book on the "Later New Testament" (Hebrews-Revelation) is available for pre-order. I also love this cover, which my daughter said was "creepy." (I'm taking it as a compliment.) bakeracademic.com/products/978...

Soon I'm heading down to Cambridge to present a paper in their NT seminar. The paper is "The Body Prepared and Offered in the Heavens: Divine Bodies, Sacrifice, and Hebrews," a chapter from the book I'm co-authoring (with Bryan Dyer) on the humanity of Jesus in Hebrews.

When writing, I always use $ as a placeholder for footnotes and textual references (etc.) that I need to find and fix. Today has a day of getting rid of $ in one of the least fun ways.

Off to a tremendous start today. Opened my draft from a couple of days ago, reread the last paragraph, and added the comment, "Why did I think this was important?"

I submitted this week. I argue that the author of Hebrews holds the law in high esteem and that several points in the argument suggest the author thinks the law governs the heavens and earth and still obligates people.*

Although our move has compressed its composition, I’m enjoying writing about “The Law in Hebrews” for a collection on the Law in the NT. But wow, there’s a lot of bad arguments floating around related to this…

Next week is a big week! I have my first lectures of the term along with a presentation/discussion with the Enoch Seminar. I'll be talking about whether and how we might read Hebrews "within Judaism."

I only have one book in my new office (so far), but I’m making it count.

I had a wonderful time at #BNTS2025 in Manchester. It was great to see dear friends and colleagues. I also had the privilege of offering a response to the book *Open Sanctuary* by Nick Moore alongside Phillip Alexander.

Yesterday I was ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the RCA, commissioned into my new role at St Andrews. I am so grateful to my loved ones who supported me through this and immensely grateful for this calling upon my life.

I’m really looking forward to my first BNTC in far too long! Fun Fact: My first BNTC ever was also at Manchester. So excited to see dear friends and kick off our return to the UK!

Something that I notice a lot in theses/dissertations in particular (but lots of other books too...) is "background" literature being presented but not integrated. WHY am I reading 100 pages about Second Temple texts? How does this contribute to your main idea?

University admins need to be more afraid of losing the confidence of their faculty than they are of missing out on the next tech fad

I'm very excited to begin work on this with my coeditors and the great team at IVP Academic!

Working on the copyedits for our forthcoming Baker Academic textbook. I'm excited that it's on its way into the world (though this certainly fits the trope of edits arriving at the worst possible time!).

UPDATE: At the end of the month our family is moving to Scotland. I’ve been offered the post of Associate Lecturer in New Testament, and we are thrilled to have more time in the UK, especially with our daughter.

UPDATE: As some have noticed, my WTS email address is no longer active (and not forwarding). Near the end of the fall semester, I was informed that my contract would not be renewed at WTS due to “current institutional realities.”

On the train really thankful for a great week teaching and spending time with really dear friends. Now I’m heading down to WA to see some dear Durham people. ☺️

Y’all. Due to my chronic health issues, I usually sit when I teach to conserve energy. But this week, I’ve been standing. Today *while teaching* my Watch clocked that I walked a mile. 😵‍💫 No wonder I get so tired! 🤣 I’m having a lot of fun. ☺️

This 🧵. One hundred percent applicable to higher ed. The point about transparency - I want to scream: yes! One of the most exhaustion-producing, morale-destroying things admins do to those under them is to operate in realms of secrecy & mystery esp where pay (but other decisions too) is concerned.

This morning I am settling in at Regent College and looking forward to my first day of my summer class. Today's lovely surprise is my office for the week is usually occupied by my friend and fellow Hebrews scholar Dr. George Guthrie!

It has been almost 6 months since I preached (!), but I'm making up for it by preaching 3 times in 2 weeks... 🫠 (But seriously, I'm delighted.) First up: a sermon today on John 6 at FBC Vancouver.

I am on my way to Regent College! Here's hoping my poor use of slang and references to hip hop work. If not, then that offers its own lesson for this class on the use of traditions...

My exams were sustained. I’m a licensed candidate in the RCA.