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Susan Eastman

Associate Research Professor Emerita of New Testament
Divinity School
Duke Box 90967, Durham, NC 27708-0967
046 New Divinity, Divinity School, Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Susan Grove Eastman’s scholarly focus is on Paul’s letters in relationship to the formation and transformation of Christian identity. Her first book explored Paul’s use of relational imagery to proclaim the gospel’s transforming and sustaining power in the life of Christian communities. More recent work has focused on Paul’s understanding of Israel, in Galatians and Romans, and on the theme of the incarnation, in Philippians. Her current research investigates questions of participation, imitation and identity formation, through a close reading of key Pauline texts in their first century context, and in conversation with contemporary work in the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience. With appointments in both the biblical and ministerial divisions, Dr. Eastman teaches courses on the New Testament, the Bible in the church, and preaching Paul, and directs the Doctor of Theology program.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Research Professor Emerita of New Testament · 2022 - Present Divinity School
Affiliate of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society · 2014 - Present Duke Science & Society, University Initiatives & Academic Support Units

In the News


Published October 26, 2023
Good Reads for the Fall: New Books From Duke Authors
Published September 27, 2023
A Role for Theology in the Cancer Patient Experience

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Recent Publications


Galatians 2:15–21

Journal Article Interpretation (United Kingdom) · October 1, 2022 Full text Cite

Christian Experience and Paul’s Logic of Solidarity: The Spiral Structure of Romans 5–8

Journal Article Biblical Annals · January 1, 2022 This essay investigates key aspects of the rhetorical structure of Romans 5–8 in relationship to Paul’s depictions of Christian experience. Taking Romans 5:1–5 as a blueprint for a trajectory of hope in chapters 5–8, I discuss three textual “detours” where ... Full text Cite

Communication, Agency, and the Relational Self in ASD and the Letters of Paul

Journal Article Journal of Disability and Religion · January 1, 2021 The experience and reflections of people on the autism spectrum act as a “context of discovery” about human communication and agency, in conversation with a robust theological account drawn from Paul’s depiction of personhood in relationship to sin and sal ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Graduate Program Teaching Initiative

Institutional SupportPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Wabash Center · 2013 - 2015

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University · 2003 Ph.D.