- Forgive Us Our Debts (Two Parts). Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead Blog, October 22 and 29, 2019. Featured Faculty: Katherine Shaner
- Podcast: Ep. 09 Religious freedom, church-state law and Christian nationalism. BJC Podcast. September 25, 2019. Featured Faculty: Melissa Rogers
- A video recording of this conversation is available on YouTube.
- Podcast: Ep. 03: Were we founded as a Christian nation? Part of The Dangers of Christian Nationalism Series. BJC Podcast. August 14, 2019. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- This Memphis pastor helped chart the conservative course of the Southern Baptist Convention, Commercial Appeal (USA Today Network), July 9, 2019. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Artists Unite: Arts, Inspiration, Innovation coming to The Ramkat in Downtown Winston-Salem, Yes! Weekly, June 6, 2019. Featured Faculty: Melva Sampson
- Halki Summit III on Ecological Awareness to be Hosted by Ecumenical Patriarch, Greek Reporter Europe, May 20, 2019. Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- Faith comes to force in Democratic 2020 field. Why now?, The Christian Science Monitor, May 6, 2019. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Experts address if the Bible has been doctored over various editions, translations, FOX8 WGHP’s The Buckley Report, April 17, 2019. Featured Faculty: John Senior and Katherine Shaner
- Blog: Addressing the Divide Between Biblical Studies and Classics, by Sarah E. Bond for Society for Classical Studies, April 13, 2019. Featured Faculty: Katherine Shaner
- An economy that works for everyone, Winston-Salem Journal Opinion Column, March 30, 2019. Featured Faculty: John Senior
- Religion and Polarized Politics: An Interview with Melissa Rogers and Peter Wehner, Religion & Politics, March 12, 2019. Featured Faculty: Melissa Rogers
- Trump signed Bibles. Heresy? Many religious leaders say no, Associate Press, March 9, 2019. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- After strengthening of LGBTQ ban, church speaks out on policy, Winston-Salem Journal, March 2, 2019. Featured Faculty: Thomas Frank
- On the Road with Thomas Merton, Emergence Magazine, February 7, 2019. Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- King Week celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Emory University News Center, January 9, 2019. Featured Faculty: Melva Sampson
- Academics
- Our Faculty
- Faculty in the News
Faculty in the News
School of Divinity faculty are renowned leaders, ministers, activistis, practitioners, and educators working within the front lines of critical issues in the U.S. and around the world.
They are often called upon by the media to discuss their work and to comment on vital issues and events of our day. View our archives below.

-
2019
-
2018
- ‘Call to Conversation’ participants put differences aside, pursue meaningful discussion at Wake Forest, The Winston-Salem Journal, October 28, 2018. Featured Faculty: Neal Walls
- Why Americans are talking less and less about ‘love’ and ‘kindness’, The Christian Science Monitor, October 24, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Why evangelical Christians support Trump, Alabama Living, August 29, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- The troubling historic parallels of ‘infestations’, Winston-Salem Journal Opinion Column, June 30, 2018. Featured Faculty: Joshua Canzona
- How an Earthier Christianity Might Save Us, Spirituality & Health, June 28, 2018. Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- About 60 people demonstrate against U.S. immigration policy in downtown Winston-Salem, The Winston-Salem Journal, June 14, 2018. Featured Faculty: Melva Sampson
- Southern Baptists mull what’s next on confronting abuse, Religion News Service, June 14, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Southern Baptist leader apologize for sermon example about teenage girl’s physical appearance, The Washington Post, May 10, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- ‘God Talks’ speaker series returns to First Presbyterian on Sunday, News & Record, April 27, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Black network’s farm-to-church movement brings fresh food to Baltimore, Religion News Service, April 20, 2018. Featured Faculty: Derek Hicks / Featured Practitioner-in-Residence: Heber Brown
- The Life and Legacy of Billy Graham, Wisconsin Public Radio, February 22, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Billy Graham’s influence on Christian unity still felt, say many who remember his preaching, Baptist News Global. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Billy Graham dies: ‘America’s Pastor,’ adviser to presidents, The Washington Post, February 21, 2018. Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Farminaries: from souls to stomachs, seminaries are looking to expand their reach, Christianity Today, January 25, 2018. Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
-
2017
- The Ecology of Prayer, Orion Magazine (December 2017). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- Barton plans lecture on Luther’s Reformation, The Wilson Times (24 October 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Slavery, Paul, and Luther’s Legacy for the Bible, Luther College Headlines (25 September 2017). Featured Faculty: Katherine Shaner
- Forsyth residents urged to take the locavore challenge, Winston-Salem Journal (16 August 2017). Featured Faculty: Mark Jensen
- Faced with declining numbers, Southern Baptists focus on evangelism, Religion News Service (13 June 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Food and Faith, Johns Hopkins Health Review, Spring/Summer 2017 (Volume 4, Issue 1). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- American Values Religious Voices Letter: Day 86, Values and Voices (15 April 2017). Featured Faculty: Katherine Shaner
- Church revival? More liberals are filling Protestant pews, The Christian Science Monitor (14 April 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- This conservative religious leader dared question Trump’s morality. Now he’s at risk of losing his job, Queerty (9 April 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Towards a New Economy: Justice, Culture, and the Social Market, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs, Georgetown University (7 April 2017). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- Churches should drop Easter, Christmas extravaganzas and get out more, experts urge, Baptist News Global (3 April 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Annual Symposium Highlights Student Research, WFU Old Gold & Black (23 March 2017). Featured Faculty: Michelle Voss Roberts
- VIDEO: Eco-Public Leadership Webinar, Green Seminary Initiative (22 March 2017). Featured Faculty: Gail O’Day
- Does the church have a place in politics? Three theologians weigh in, Winston-Salem Journal (19 March 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Treat Muslims as the neighbors they are, Winston-Salem Journal (26 February 2017). Featured Faculty: Michelle Voss Roberts
- 2017 MLK ‘Building the Dream’ award winners named, Winston-Salem Chronicle (9 February 2017). Featured Faculty: Derek Hicks
- American Values Religious Voices Letter: Day 10, Values and Voices (29 January 2017). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Wake Forest University’s 2017 MLK ‘Building the Dream’ award winners named, Wake Forest University News (17 January 2017). Featured Faculty: Derek Hicks
- Wake Forest Students write ‘Dear Donald Trump supporters’ letters, Fox 8 (16 January 2017). Featured Faculty: Byron Williams, Adjunct
-
2016
- AAAS reaches out to theology students, Science (354, 22 December 2016). Featured Faculty: Kevin Jung
- School of Divinity expands key program, Winston-Salem Chronile (8 December 2016). Featured Program: Food, Health, and Ecological Well-Being Program
- The Priest in the Trees: Feral faith in the age of climate change, Harper’s Magazine (2016 December, Volume 333, No. 1999). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- ‘Rigged election’ claims: What they say about the culture of grievance, Christian Science Monitor (21 October 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Analys: For evangelicals, presidential race is about ‘lesser of two evils,’ Greensboro News and Record (2 October 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Winston-Salem Police official: Measures in place to help curb social unrest, Winston-Salem Journal (28 September 2016). Featured Faculty: Derek Hicks
- Rev. Franklin Graham: State being bullied by hypocritical NCAA, ACC, Winston-Salem Journal (16 September 2016). Featured Faculty: John Senior
- Looking for the origin of decline in the U.S. church? Baptist historian thinks he may know the answer, Baptist News Global (12 August 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Faith Remains a Key Factor for Republicans in Upcoming Election, TWC News (19 July 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Mood, Emotion, and Affect in Hindu and Christian Theologies, AAR Religious Studies News (11 July 2016). Featrued Faculty: Michelle Voss Roberts
- Dear Whites: The Myth of a Post-Racial America, Huffington Post (10 July 2016). Featured Faculty: Clinton Moyer
- Pastor says being black a ‘burdernsome joy’, Baptist news Global (24 June 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Historian says it’s ‘too late in the denominational game’ for segregated ministry, Baptist News Global (23 June 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Interfaith Dialogue and the Need for Resemblance, @theTable: Intersecting Islamophobia Blog Series, Feminist Studies in Religion (20 April 2016). Featured Faculty: Michelle Voss Roberts
- Interfaith On the Menu: The Shared Value of Food, Common Knowledge: Podcast About Interfaith Literacy, Interfaith Youth Core. Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- Commentary: Why excluding people makes bad church law, The United Methodist Reporter (14 April 2016). Featured Faculty: Tom Frank
- What’s driving religious freedom debate in the U.S.? Fear say some., Baptist News Global (1 April 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Radio Spot: Segment on Wake Forest Univeristy’s Moment of Solidarity in Response to HB2, WFDD (24 March 2016). Featured Faculty: Gail R. O’Day
- Having Legalized Discrimination, NC Fails to Prohibit Love, Huffington Post (24 March 2016). Featured Faculty: Clinton Moyer
- Loal churches adapting to changes in attendance, Winston-Salem Journal (23 March 2016). Featured Faculty: John Senior
- Radio Spot: Tastes of the Divine: Michelle Voss Roberts, Things Not Seen: Conversations about Culture and Faith with David Dault (13 March 2016). Featured Faculty: Michelle Voss Roberts
- The Death of Christian America?, Symposium Ethics (4 March 2016). Featured Faculty: John Senior
- Is Trump a moderate or a maniac? Divinity school professor isn’t sure, Baptist News Global (4 March 2016). Featured Faculty: John Senior
- Religion, food, race intersect: Duke speaker discusses African-American foodways, The Herald-Sun (25 February 2016). Featured Faculty: Derek Hicks
- Professor to speak on balance between people and ecology, Smoky Mountain News (20 January 2016). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- Among the not-yet-housed, Baptist News Global (13 January 2016). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
-
2015
- Jesus: Links Between Divinity and Food, from Episode 9 of the radio show The Secret Ingredient in Austin, Texas (25 December 2015). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- God in weakness (Book Review), The Christian Century (31 December 2015). Featured Faculty: Elizabeth O’Donnell Gandolfo
- Fear of Insecurity Harms American Politics, Symposium Ethics (29 December 2015). Featured Faculty: John Senior
- Advent Four: Do You Hear What I Hear?, Patheos (20 December 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Advent Three: Rejoice?, Patheos (13 December 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Advent Two: Longing for Sunlight and Song, Patheos (6 December 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Advent story filled with drama and stress, says minister, Baptist News Global (2 December 2015). Featured Faculty: Christopher Copeland
- Advent One: Longing, Patheos (29 November 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Unabashed church pastors put politics front and center, TribeLive (28 November 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Black and white Baptist presidents lead racial unity event, Desert News National (3 November 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Gay marriage issue roiling Protestant denominations, San Antonio Express-News (30 October 2015). Featured Faculty: Thomas Frank
- Why Evangelicals have flocked to Donald Trump, Christian Science Monitor (4 September 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Civil rights groups, Baptists creating ‘incredible moment’ in U.S. Politics, Baptist News Global (12 August 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Religiously unaffiliated on the rise in the South and across the U.S., WBTV and Charlotte Observer (19 July 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Be Ye Kind One to Another, Patheos.com (1 July 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Religious leaders split over ruling, Winston-Salem Journal (27 June 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Sons of Noah, Image: Art, Faith, Mystery (Summer 2015: “Evolution and Imago Dei,” sponsored by BioLogos Foundation). Featured Faculty: Fred Bahnson
- Will Southern Baptists Back Russell Moore’s Call To Take The Confederate Flag Down?, Huffington Post Religion (22 June 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- 2nd Opinion: Learning to pray, again—6 ‘prayer-full’ lessons, The Baptist Standard (15 June 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Churchgoer Sees Jesus in Mocha, Patheos.com (8 June 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Southern Baptists to open their ranks to missionaries who speak in tongues, Washington Post (14 May 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Baptists struggle to sell or share sacred space, Baptist News Global (8 May 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Shoe Polish, Gospel Gratitude, and Teacher Appreciation Week, Patheos.com (4 May 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Prayer and community antidotes to fear, Baptist leaders say, The Baptist Standard (23 April 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
- Last year’s nest, Patheos.com (15 April 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Protestant churches find Easter renewal in older rituals, The News & Observer (4 April 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Creeks and the power of place, The Winston-Salem Journal (26 March 2015). Featured Faculty: Jill Crainshaw
- Tasting the Kingdom, Baptist News Global (14 January 2015). Featured Faculty: Bill Leonard
Media Requests
The School of Divinity Office of Communications is responsible for communicating information regarding faculty research, programs, and other news to appropriate media sources. Faculty are available to provide comment for a story or be interviewed (recorded and/or live). To request, contact C. Mark Batten, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Strategic Communications.