Until his retirement at the end of 2018, Tim Meadowcroft was a fulltime member of the faculty of Laidlaw College. During his 25 years on the College staff he was a lecturer and senior lecturer in biblical interpretation with a focus on hermeneutics and Old Testament studies. In his current role as a Senior Research Fellow, Tim continues to research in Old Testament texts, theological interpretation, broader issues of hermeneutics, and interdisciplinary conversations between biblical studies and other disciplines. He also continues to mentor and supervise, and is involved in a number of editorial activities. Among these, he is editor in chief of the Journal of Theological Interpretation (Penn State University Press).
Tim is also priest assistant in the parish of St Michaels and St Marks, Henderson and Swanson, in West Auckland. He lives out West with his wife Sue. They have four children and ten grandchildren. He is interested in most sport, with a particular focus on basketball at the moment.
PUBLICATIONS
Research Interests
Hermeneutics, Theological Interpretation of Scripture, Contextualisation, Wisdom literature, Apocalyptic literature, Literary readings of the text of Scripture, Scripture and Science
Current Research Projects
- Contextualisation and Participation in the book of Daniel
- Theological and contemporary readings of Ecclesiastes
- A reading of Psalm 104
Current and Recent Postgraduate Research Supervision
PhD
2017
Supervision of University of Otago candidate on the Septuagint of Isaiah
2015
Supervision of Auckland University of Technology PhD candidate on a Korean reading of John 14.6
2013-2017
Supervision of Auckland University of Technology PhD candidate on the Old Testament use of the concept of chesed in the New Testament.
2011-2015
Supervision of Auckland University of Technology PhD candidate on the metaphorical theology of James McClendon
2010-2015
Supervision of Auckland University of Technology PhD candidate on Zephaniah and intertextuality
2009-2013
Supervision of University of Otago PhD candidate on realistic empathy and a reading of Exodus
Supervision of Auckland University of Technology PhD candidate on Song of Songs and post-critical readings
2008-2012
Supervision of University of Otago PhD candidate on Lamentations
2006-2010
Supervision of University of Otago PhD candidate on the second temple priesthood
DMin
2010-12
Supervision of Australian College of Theology DMin dissertation on the Churches of Christ and hermeneutics
MTh
2016
Supervison of Laidlaw Graduate School of Theology MTh dissertation on contemporary prophecy and the Old Testament prophetic tradition
2015
Supervision of Laidlaw Graduate School of Theology MTh thesis on Amos 9
2014-2016
Supervision of Laidlaw Graduate School MTh thesis on Ecological reading of the book of Revelation
2012-13
Supervision of Laidlaw Graduate School of Theology MTh thesis on Habakkuk
2011
Supervision of Laidlaw-Carey Graduate School MTh dissertation on divine and divinely sanctioned violence
2011-13
Supervision of Laidlaw-Carey Graduate School MTh thesis on the book of Jonah and relevance theory
2010
Supervision of Laidlaw-Carey Graduate School MTh dissertation on Daniel 9.24-27
2007
Supervision of Bible College of New Zealand MTh thesis on Song of Songs and relevance theory
Recent Books
2022
Co-editor (with Lisa Spriggens), Practicing Faith: Theology and Social Vocation in Conversation (Eugene: Pickwick, 2022)
2020
Like the Stars Forever: Narrative and Theology in the Book of Daniel (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2020)
2016
Co-editor (with William Longgar), Living in the Family of Jesus: Critical Contextualization in Melanesia and Beyond (Auckland: Archer, 2016)
2015
Co-editor (with Caroline Blyth), Spirituality and Cancer: Christian Encounters (Auckland: Accent, 2015)
2013
Co-editor (with Joel B. Green), Ears that Hear: Explorations in Theological Interpretation of the Bible (Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2013)
Co-editor (with Andrew T. Abernethy, Mark G. Brett and Tim Bulkeley), Isaiah and Imperial Context: The Book of Isaiah in the Times of Empire (Eugene: Pickwick, 2013)
2011
The Message of the Word of God (Bible Speaks Today Biblical Themes; Leicester: IVP, 2011)
Co-editor (with P. Church, P. Walker and T. Bukleley), The Gospel and the Land of Promise: Christian Approaches to the Land of the Bible (Eugene: Pickwick, 2011)
Co-editor (with M. Habets), Gospel, Truth, & Interpretation: Evangelical Identity in Aotearoa New Zealand (Auckland: Archer, 2011)
2006
Haggai (Readings: Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2006)
Recent Essays, Articles and Electronic Resources (peer reviewed)
2022
“Creation and Social Practice: The Wisdom of Psalm 104 as Prequel to Theology and Social Practice,” in Practicing Faith: Theology and Social Vocation in Conversation (ed. Lisa Spriggens and Tim Meadowcroft; Eugene: Pickwick, 2022), 238-47
2021
“Wisdom and Theological Interpretation: A Biblical Studies Response to Myk Habets on Theological Theological Interpretation of Scripture,” International Journal of Systematic Theology 23 (2021): 259-78, 1-20, doi:10.1111/ijst.12472
“Commentary 2: Connecting the Reading with the World,” Proper 14, 1 Kings 19:4-8 and 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33; Proper 15, Proverbs 9:1-6 and 1 Kings 2:10-12; 3:3-14; Proper 16, Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 and 1 Kings 8: 1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43, in Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, Year B, Volume 3, Season after Pentecost (eds Joel B. Green, Thomas G. Long, Luke A. Powery, Cynthia L. Rigby, and Carolyn J. Sharp; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2021), 217-218, 232-234, 249-250
2020
“Daniel,” in T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism Volume II (eds Daniel M. Gurtner and Loren T. Stuckenbruck; London: T&T Clark, 2020), 187-88.
“Daniel, Additions to,” in T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Second Temple Judaism Volume I (eds Daniel M. Gurtner and Loren T. Stuckenbruck; London: T&T Clark, 2020), 146-49.
2019
“Commentary 1: Connecting the Reading with Scripture,” Proper 24, Jeremiah 31:27-34 and Genesis 32:22-31; Proper 25, Joel 2:23-32 and Jeremiah 14:7-10, 19-22; All Saints, Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18, in Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship, Year C, Volume 3, Season after Pentecost (eds Joel B. Green, Thomas G. Long, Luke A. Powery, and Cynthia L. Rigby; Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2019), 391-393, 407-410, 426-428.
2018
“Wise Participation in the Divine Life: Lessons from the Life of Daniel,” in The Old Testament in Theology and Teaching: Essays in Honor of Kay Fountain (eds Teresa Chai and Dave Johnson; Baguio: APTS Press, 2018), 156-173. Reprinted from “Wise Participation in the Divine Life: Lessons from the Life of Daniel,” Melanesian Journal of Theology 33 (2017): 33-49.
2017
Daniel’s Visionary Participation in the Divine Life: Dynamics of Participation in Daniel 8–12, Journal of Theological Interpretation 11 (2017): 217-38
2016
“Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians” (NRSV Daniel 4:9): Explorations in Identity and Context from the Career of Daniel,” Mission Studies 33 (2016): 26-48. Online: http://booksandjournals.brillonline.com/content/journals/10.1163/15733831-12341432;jsessionid=181yds7aou0a7.x-brill-live-03
“‘One Like a Son of Man’ in the Court of the Foreign King: Daniel 7 as Pointer to Wise Participation in the Divine Life,” Journal of Theological Interpretation 10 (2016): 245-63.
2015
“Speculations towards Change,” Thought Matters 4 (2015): 151-169
2014
“Eternity and Dust? Cancer and the Creative God,” Pacifica 27 (2014): 294-314. Online: http://paa.sagepub.com/content/27/3/294.full.pdf?i...
“Building an Old Testament Library: Psalms-Daniel,” Catalyst 40, no 3 (March 2014): 6-8. Online: http://www.catalystresources.org/building-an-old-t...
2013
“Theological Commentary: A Diversifying Enterprise,” Journal of Theological Interpretation 7 (2013): 133-51.
“Introduction: An Interpretive Conversation,” in Ears that Hear: Explorations in Theological Interpretation of the Bible (eds Joel B. Green and T.J. Meadowcroft: Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2013), 1-10.
“‘Exegesis as Love’: Encountering Truth in John 14.15-26,” in Ears that Hear: Explorations in Theological Interpretation of the Bible (eds Joel B. Green and T.J. Meadowcroft: Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix, 2013), 191-203.
“Spirit, Interpretation and Scripture: A Study on 2 Peter 1:19-21,” in Light for Our Path: The Authority, Inspiration, Meaning and Mission of Scripture (eds Bruce Nicholls, Julie Belding and Joseph Shao; Manila: Asia Theological Association, 2013), 24-33.
“Is the God of the Old Testament a Tyrant?” in Taking Rational Trouble Over the Mysteries: Reactions to Atheism (eds Nicola Hoggard Creegan and Andrew Shepherd; Eugene: Pickwick, 2013), 192-204.
“Transforming Word and Empire: Isaiah 55:10-11 Considered,” in Isaiah and Imperial Context: The Book of Isaiah in the Times of Empire (eds Andrew T. Abernethy, Mark G. Brett, Tim Bulkeley and Tim Meadowcroft; Eugene: Pickwick, 2013), 137-50.
2012
(co-authored with William Messenger), “The Twelve Prophets and Work,” Theology of Work Project. Online: http://www.theologyofwork.org/old-testament/the-tw...
2011
“Pascal’s Bus: A Conversation between Blaise Pascal and the British Humanist Association Buses,” Omega: Indian Journal of Science and Religion 10/2 (2011): 101-12
“The Gospel and the Land of Promise: A Response,” in The Gospel and the Land of Promise: Christian Approaches to the Land of the Bible (eds P. Church, P. Walker, T. Bukleley and T. Meadowcroft; Eugene: Pickwick, 2011), 158-65.
“Hermeneutics and Evangelical Identity: A Literary Critical Appreciation,” in Gospel, Truth, & Interpretation: Evangelical Identity in Aotearoa New Zealand (eds T. Meadowcroft and M. Habets; Auckland: Archer, 2011), 266-88.
2010
“Spirit, Interpretation and Scripture: Exegetical Thoughts on 2 Peter 1:19-21,” in The Spirit of Truth: Reading Scripture and Constructing Theology with the Holy Spirit (ed. M. Habets; Eugene: Pickwick, 2010), 57-72.
“In Whose Interests Do We Read? A Response to Miriam Bier,” in Reconsidering Gender: Evangelical Perspectives (eds M. Habets and B. Wood; Eugene: Pickwick, 2010), 161-70.
2009
“Prince,” in The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible, Me-R, Volume 4 (ed. K.D. Sakenfeld; Nashville: Abingdon, 2009), 614.
2008
‘A Desolate Land, People and Temple: Haggai and the Environment,’ Colloquium 40 (2008), 54-74
2007
‘The Subtle Temptations of State Sponsored Theological Education: A New Zealand Perspective,’ Teaching Theology and Religion 10 (2007), 25-33
2006
‘Method and Old Testament Theology: Barr, Brueggemann and Goldingay Considered,’ Tyndale Bulletin 57/1 (2006), 35-56
2005
‘Between Authorial Intent and Indeterminacy: The Incarnation as an Invitation to Human-Divine Discourse’, in Scottish Journal of Theology 58 (2005), 199-218
2004
‘Who are the Princes of Persia and Greece (Daniel 10)? Pointers towards the Danielic Vision of Earth and Heaven’, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 29 (2004), 99-113
‘History and Eschatology in Tension: A Literary Response to Daniel 11:40-45 as Test Case,’ Pacifica 17 (2004), 243-50
Recent and Current Editorial Responsibilities
2013-present
Editorial Consultant, The Bible Translator
2012-present
Editorial Board Member, Journal of Theological Interpretation Supplement Series
Editorial Board Member, Stimulus
2007-13
Editorial Board Member, Interface
2006-12
Editorial Consultant, The Bible Translator – Practical Papers
2006-10
Joint Editor, Colloquium Journal
2006-12
Editorial Board Member, Colloquium Journal
2005-present
Old Testament Editor, Asia Bible Commentary series
Recent Conference and Seminar Papers
2016
“Making Space for Hope: Qohelet’s הֶבֶל and the Life of Faith,” presented as keynote address to New Zealand Association of Theological Schools Combined Conference, Auckland, June 2016
2015
“‘One Like a Son of Man’ in the Court of the Foreign King,’ presented to SBL Annual Meeting, Atlanta, November 2015
2014
‘Eternity and Dust?’ presented to conference on Theology, Spirituality and Cancer, Auckland, February 2014
“Speculations towards Change,” presented to Salvation Army “Thought Matters” conference, Auckland, August 2014
“‘Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians’ (NRSV Dan 4.9): Explorations in Identity and Context from Daniel 1,” presented to Laidlaw Graduate School Thesis Writers Conference, October 2014
“Explorations in Identity and Context from the Court Tales of Daniel,” presented to ANZABS, Dunedin, December 2014
2013
‘Theological Commentary: A Diversifying Enterprise: A Consideration of Three Recent “Theological” Commentaries on the Book of Genesis,’ presented to University of Otago Department of Theology and Religion Postgraduate Seminar, April 2013
2012
‘Hebrews 1.1-4: In these Last Days God Has Spoken,’ presented to the Meeting of the Society of Asian Biblical Studies, Kota Kinabalu, June 2012
‘Spirit, Interpretation and Scripture: A study on 2 Peter 1:19-21,’ presented to the Asia Theological Association Consultation on Scripture, Kuang (Kuala Lumpur), June 2012
‘Theological Interpretation of the Bible as Interpretive Conversation’, presented to Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies, Auckland, December 2012.
2011
‘God’s Word Goes Forth: Transformation within the Empire,’ presented to Colloquium on Isaiah and Empire, Laidlaw College, Auckland, February 2011
‘Exegesis as Love: Reflections on John 14:15-26,’ presented to Colloquium on Theological Interpretation of Scripture, Laidlaw College, Auckland, August 2011
2010
‘Waiting for Godot: Eschatology and Scripture in Revelation 5,’ presented to Australia New Zealand Association of Theological Schools Conference, Melbourne, July 2010
‘“Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect”: An Exploration of Word and Word in Matthew 5.17-48,’ presented to Australian Catholic Biblical Association Meeting, Melbourne, July 2010
2009
‘Spirit, Interpretation and Scripture: Exegetical Thoughts on 2 Peter 1.19-21,’ presented to ANZATS Conference, Adelaide, July 2009
‘Speech, Act and Covenant Transformation in Isaiah 55,’ presented to Australian Catholic Biblical Association Meeting, Sydney, July 2009
2008
‘A Response to Chris Wright’s The Mission of God,” presented to a meeting of Tyndale-Carey Graduate School faculty meeting with Chris Wright, March 2008
‘Spirit, Interpretation and Scripture: Exegetical Thoughts on 2 Peter 1:19-21,’ presented to Tyndale-Carey Graduate School Colloquium on the Holy Spirit, April 2008
‘The Lineage of Haggai: Intertextuality in the Haggai Narrative,’ presented to Society of Biblical Literature International Meeting, Auckland, July 2008
2007
‘Hermeneutics and Evangelical Identity: A Literary Perspective’, presented to Tyndale Carey Graduate School Evangelical Identities Conference, Auckland, March 2007
‘Hermeneutics: A Personal and Literary Critical Perspective,’ presented to Australasian Theological Forum Conference, Canberra, November 2007
‘The Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies, Ten Meetings On,’ presented to Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies, Auckland, December 2007
2006
‘Haggai and the “Myth of the Empty Land”’, presented to Aotearoa New Zealand Association for Biblical Studies, Auckland, December 2006
‘A Desolate Land, People and Temple: Haggai and the Environment’, presented to Faith in a Hyphen Conference, Sydney, December 2006
Recent Reviews
2013
H. Morrison, M. Rae, L. Paterson and B. Knowles (eds), Mana Maori and Christianity (Wellington: Huia, 2012), in Taonga 43 (2013), 41.
2011
N. Habel, An Inconvenient Text: Is a Green Reading of the Bible Possible? (Adelaide: ATF, 2009), in Colloquium 43 (2011), 264-66.
2010
W. Brueggemann, Divine Presence amid Violence: Contextualising the Book of Joshua (Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2009), in Colloquium 42 (2010), 102-103
2009
K.J. Vanhoozer, C.G. Bartholomew and D.J. Treier (eds), Theological Interpretation of the Old Testament: A Book-By-Book Survey (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008), in Colloquium 41 (2009), 223-25
2008
N.B. MacDonald, Metaphysics and the God of Israel: Systematic Theology of the Old and the New Testaments (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006), in Colloquium 40 (2008), 206-10
B.G. Curtis, Up the Steep and Stony Road: The Book of Zechariah in Social Location Trajectory Analysis (Academia Biblica 25; Atlanta: SBL, 2006), in Journal of the American Oriental Society 128 (2008), 165-66
2007
E. Howe, Friendship House, The Early Years (Auckland: Friendship House, 2006), in Anglican Taonga 24 (2007), 53
T.A. Perry, The Honeymoon is Over: Jonah’s Argument with God (Peabody: Hendrickson, 2006), in Colloquium 39 (2007), 106-108
S.E. Porter (ed), Hearing the Old Testament in the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2006), in Colloquium 39 (2007), 108-11
J.A. Fitzmyer, The One Who Is To Come (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007), in Colloquium 39 (2007), 226-28
2006
K.A. Kitchen, On the Reliability of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003), in Stimulus 14/2 (2006), 44-45
M. Christine Tetley, The Reconstructed Chronology of the Divided Kingdom (Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2005), in Stimulus 14/4 (2006), 46-47
D. Friedmann, To Kill and Take Possession: Law, Morality, and Society in Biblical Stories (Peabody: Hendrickson, 2002), in Stimulus 14/4 (2006), 47-48
Other Recent Writing
2015
‘Faced with Daniel’s Choice,’ Anglican Taonga (Pentecost 2015), 18-19
2012
‘When Hope’s Gone Down the River,’ Anglican Taonga (Spring 2012), 26-27
‘Holy Mary, Meek and Wild’, Anglican Taonga (Advent 2012), 28-29
2011
‘My God, My God, Why?’ Anglican Taonga (Advent 2011), 23-24
2010
‘Waiting and Hoping,’ Anglican Taonga (Winter 2010), 28
‘Jeremiah 21-29,’ Encounter with God (July-September 2010), 65-80
‘When Hermeneutics is Not Enough,’ Anglican Taonga (Spring 2010), 30
‘Word and Spirit,’ Anglican Taonga (Advent 2010), 32
2009
‘Jonah and Zephaniah,’ Encounter with God (July-September 2009), 58-71
‘Where Was God in the Tsunami,’ Anglican Taonga (Advent 2009), 40
2007
‘Daniel 7-12,’ Encounter with God (January-March 2007), 21-25, 27-31
‘Song of Songs,’ Encounter with God (July-September 2007), 24-31, 33
2006
‘Proverbs 28-31,’ and ‘Featured Writer, Tim Meadowcroft,’ Encounter with God (April-June 2006), 12-17
‘The Holy Land, Irony, Paradox – and Beacons for Reconciliation,’ Anglican Taonga 19 (Easter 2006), 28-30
‘A Difficult Blessing,’ Anglican Taonga 23 (Advent 2006), 20-22