by Jen Konkle
Grebel faculty are experts in Theological Studies, Music, Church Music and Worship, Peace and Conflict Studies, History, Mennonite Studies and Religion, Culture, and Spirituality. Not only are they dedicated professors, but they are esteemed scholars in their respective fields, working on a wide variety of research projects. This page details TS Faculty's recent and current projects.
Alicia Batten
Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies
Research areas: Christian origins, especially the Letter of James; Religion and Material Culture, especially Dress; Satire and early Christianity
Recent publication: “Courtroom Theatrics in the Letter of James,” Journal of Biblical Literature 143 (2024): 697-715
Current project: I am writing a commentary on the Letter of James that engages the text in its ancient context, but also includes attention to the Letter’s reception throughout history. I am also developing a book proposal that examines the ways in which ancient Christian writers engaged in satirical descriptions of their opponents. How did they use satire and why?
Music suggestion: East Meets East by Nigel Kennedy and the Kroke Band
Jeremy Bergen
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies
Research areas: Contemporary Christian theology; Anabaptist/Mennonite theology; church apologies for historical wrongs; martyrdom; ecumenism; Holy Spirit
Recent publication: “Papal Apologies for Residential Schools and the Stories They Tell,” Journal of Moral Theology 12.2 (2023): 48-62
Current project: I am completing a book for Baylor University Press tentatively titled Christian Martyrdom and the Unity of the Church. From a theological perspective, I examine how the stories Christians tell about various martyrs might advance unity among Christians, and how those stories might undermine unity. My scope is broad though one chapter considers the complicated legacy of Anabaptist martyrs in light of ecumenical reconciliation.
Book suggestion: Resurrection: Interpreting the Easter Gospel by Rowan Williams
Jane Kuepfer
Schlegel Specialist in Spirituality and Aging
Research areas: Spirituality; aging; spiritual care in long-term care; dementia and autonomy; moral distress in long-term care work; spousal bereavement
Recent publication: “Exploring Intersections of Meaning and Service in Late Life,” in Spiritual, Philosophical, and Psychotherapeutic Engagements of Meaning and Service, ed. K. Harper, T. S. O’Connor, and D. Maoz (Newcastle upon Tyne: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2024), 365–78.
Current project: I am creating four resources/toolkits that will be available both online and in print to support the provision of spiritual care in long-term care homes: Strategies and considerations for inclusive spiritual care; Spirituality and dementia; Spiritual care at end-of-life; and Providing spiritual care: Guidance for LTC Leaders.
Book suggestion: Loving later life: An ethics of aging by Frits de Lange
Music suggestion: On a mangé le soleil by Cephaz
Troy Osborne
Dean, Associate Professor of History
Research areas: Early Modern Europe; Anabaptist and Mennonite history
Recent publication: Radicals and Reformers: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History (Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2024).
Current project: I’m working on a translation of the earliest Anabaptist martyrology Het Offer des Heeren into English. I’m also contributing to a special issue commemorating the 100th anniversary of The Mennonite Quarterly Review.
Book suggestion: Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelicalism
by Molly Worthen
eil by Cephaz
Carol Penner
Director and Assistant Professor, Theological Studies; Chaplain
Research areas: Feminist theology; abuse; Mennonite worship
Recent publication: “Prayers about War.” Vision 26, no. 1 (2025), 91-95. She recently presented a paper at the Believers’ Church Conference in Amsterdam titled “A Witness to the World: Congregations Where We Don’t Abuse Each Other.”
Current project: I have a popular blog of worship resources (leadinginworship.com). In my work as chaplain, I will have more opportunities to post prayers and litanies this year.
Book suggestion: My Peace I Give You by the Poor Clare Sisters of Arundel
Derek Suderman
Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theological Studies
Research areas: Psalms; lament; minor prophets; violence and the Bible; history of interpretation
Recent publication: Psalms, “Introduction” and “Biblical Context Notes,” Anabaptist Community Bible (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2025).
Current project: I am finalizing edits for my book The Social Audience of Prayer: A Rhetorical and Canonical Study of Individual Lament Psalms (in Siphrut: Literature and Theology of the Hebrew Scriptures, Eisenbrauns and Penn State). I am also writing a commentary on Nahum-Zephaniah for the Believers’ Church Bible Commentary series, a collaboration among several Mennonite/Anabaptist denominations; I have represented Mennonite Church Canada on the BCBC Editorial Council for 20+ years.
Book suggestion: The Spirituality of the Psalms by Walter Brueggemann; The Luck of Nineveh by Arnold Brackman
