Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95053-0335
(408) 554-4763
jpleins@scu.edu

J. David Pleins, Ph.D.

Professor

Pleins earned his Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of Michigan in 1987. Having done archaeological work in Jordan, Pleins' research and teaching interests include mythology, biblical social ethics, the sapiential traditions in Job and Psalms, and theodicy. He latest book analyzes flood traditions, comparing the story of Noah to the traditions of the ancient Near East. His current research concerns the debates over the book of Genesis in the 19th century and the creationist debate.

Teaching:
SCTR 11 Origins of Western Religions
SCTR 35 Science vs. the Bible: The Genesis Debates
SCTR 100 Biblical Poetry and Ancient Myth
PMIN 205 Studying the Hebrew Bible: Issues and Methods
PMIN 209 Social Ethics of the Hebrew Bible

Selected Publications: (for a complete list, access CV here)
When the Great Abyss Opened: Classic and Contemporary Readings of Noah's Flood. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
The Social Visions of the Hebrew Bible: A Theological Introduction. Nashville, TN: Westminster John Knox, 2001.
Psalms: Songs of Tragedy, Hope and Justice. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1993.