W. Derek Suderman

Phone: 519-885-0220 x24212

Email: dsuderma@uwaterloo.ca

Derek Suderman has received Bachelor degrees in theology (BTh, Canadian Mennonite Bible College, 1993), history (BA, Hons., Peace and Conflict Studies option, University of Waterloo, 1996), and education (BEd, Brock University, 1997), a master’s degree in theology (MTS, Conrad Grebel University College, 2000), and a doctorate in Bible (PhD, University of St. Michael’s College, 2007). Derek's dissertation demonstrated that most individual lament psalms directly address people as well as God, and focused on the implications of such 'social address' for our understanding of prayer. Before coming to Grebel Derek taught courses in Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Emmanuel College (TST). He also continues to lead studies and workshops on various topics in congregational, regional, and conference settings. Derek has translated a book (Calloused Hands and Courageous Souls by R. J. Suderman), published articles in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly and the Canadian Mennonite, and served as project coordinator and writer for the Canadian Mennonite Encyclopedia On-Line. He currently sits on the Editorial Council of the Believer's Church Bible Commentary Series and was formerly a member of the Executive of the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies. Derek has worked as a conflict resolution trainer in Bogota, Colombia and Waterloo, ON, and as a community service worker in Provincial and Federal Penitentiaries with the John Howard Society in Manitoba.

Research area

Psalms, Prayer and Lament in the OT, Wisdom, Biblical Methodology, and History of Interpretation.

Selected activities

• Upcoming, Fall 2009. “Exile and Restoration,” 13 ‘Bible Background’ essays in the Gather ‘Round Sunday School curriculum.
• Upcoming, Spring 2009. “Prayer” and “Psalm/Psalmist/Book of Psalms” in Mary Ann Beavis and Michael Gilmour (ed.), Dictionary of the Bible and Western Culture: A Handbook for Students (Baylor University Press).
• “Are Individual Complaint Psalms Prayers? Prospects and Problems,” Paper presentation, Society of Biblical Literature, Boston MA, Nov. 22, 2008.
• “Vengeful Psalms Witness to the Gospel?!” Sermon at Rockway Mennonite Church, Kitchener ON, Oct. 5, 2008.
• “Overhearing Prayer,” Sermon at Rockway Mennonite Church, Kitchener ON, Sept. 28, 2008.
• “Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Challenges: Hearing Deuteronomy’s Call,” Four-session Bible Study workshop at the Mennonite Church Canada/Mennonite Church USA People’s Summit, Winnipeg MB, July 9-10, 2008.
• “There and Back Again: Describing the Place of Form Criticism within ‘the Biblical Exegetical Method,’” Paper presentation, Canadian Society of Biblical Studies, Vancouver BC, June 2, 2008.
• “Promise or Peril? Studies in Deuteronomy,” four-session regional Bible Study, St. Jacob’s Mennonite Church, St. Jacob’s ON, June, 2008.
• “Internet and the Bible: Oil and Water or Bosom Buddies?” Workshop at the School for Ministers Conference, MCEC and Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo ON, Feb.19, 2008.
• “Does God Change?” Sermon at St. Jacob’s Mennonite Church, St. Jacob’s ON, Oct. 21, 2007.
• “Remembering the Gospel of the Exodus,” Sermon at Wanner Mennonite Church, Oct. 14, 2007.