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J. Albert Harrill

Photo of Albert Harrill

J. Albert Harrill

Professor

harrill.5@osu.edu

(614) 292-2744

238 Dulles Hall
230 Annie and John Glenn Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210

Google Map

Areas of Expertise

  • Early Christian social history
  • Ancient Mediterranean religions
  • Early Judaism
  • New Testament studies

Education

  • Ph.D. at University of Chicago, 1993

Affiliated Faculty member of the Department of History

J. Albert Harrill examines early Christianity in its Greco-Roman context, which includes ancient Judaism. His primary research interests have been on social and cultural history. He holds a Ph.D. in New Testament and early Christian literature from the University of Chicago.

As a research scholar, he has published widely in academic journals and has authored three books: Paul the Apostle: His Life and Legacy in Their Roman Context (Cambridge University Press, 2012), Slaves in the New Testament: Literary, Social, and Moral Dimensions (Fortress Press, 2006), and The Manumission of Slaves in Early Christianity (Mohr Siebeck, 1995).

As a teacher, he has introduced students to the exciting world of the apostle Paul and his influence in early Christianity, the historical Jesus and the gospel traditions, Greek and Roman slavery, literary forgery in the early Christian tradition, the interpretation of dreams in antiquity, and ancient Roman religion. Harrill’s teaching career spans nearly 35 years and has received recognition by peers and students alike.

Selected Awards

  • Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship. Münster, Germany (2002-2003)
  • National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Stipend (1999)

Courses Recently Taught

  • History 2221: Introduction to the New Testament: History and Literature
  • History 3213H: Ancient Slavery (Honors)
  • Classics 3408: Ancient Roman Religion
  • History 3218: Paul and His Influence in Early Christianity
  • History 3219: The Historical Jesus
  • Greek 2110: The Greek New Testament

Publication Highlights

Books

Paul the Apostle: His Life and Legacy in Their Roman Context    

 

Slaves In The New Testament: Literary, Social And Moral Dimensions. Minneapolis Fortress Press, 2006.

 

 

The Manumission of Slaves in Early Christianity. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1995. Reprinted in paperback edition, 1998.

 

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