iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

We (@divinitysta) are hiring in systematic theology! The role is at .8 FTE for two years, covering for a staff member during a grant. (Since it is .8 FTE, only those with the right to work in the UK should apply.)

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Just finished my first lecture of the year in "Bible through the Ages." Grateful to be starting my second year at @divinitysta and my ninth (!) year of full-time teaching.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

This may be my favourite start to an article that I've ever seen. (The first paragraph is also the abstract!)

J. A. T. Robinson's "ELIJAH, JOHN AND JESUS"
Opening lines (and abstract!)I have called this an essay in detection. That means it is a tale of some mystery and still more imagination. It must be left to the reader to decide whether it should properly be classed as detective fiction.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Saturday marked one year since my ordination (and about one year since we left Michigan). It is such a privilege to serve God through my role at St Andrews. I am hopeful that this year also will hold more preaching and teaching as we continue to settle into our new context.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Well, at present my two SBL papers are literally 35 minutes apart. 🫠 Perhaps I should be grateful since I almost always have absolutely no voice by Monday and Tuesday... But this might be a little too snug.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Today I'm writing about Elijah and the Prophet in the Gospels. I started this paper for the upcoming #BNTS meeting with a few pieces of evidence in hand. But I've found way more than I expected (partly because I'm way less conversant with Gospels scholarship). I'm having so much fun. 😊

From Wikimedia: The Saviour's Transfiguration, icon. Ab. 1403, State Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Author unknown (until recently it was believed that the icon was painted by Theophanes the Greek).

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

It was very exciting to receive proofs back on this essay – the first I'm publishing related to my work on messiahs. The volume is available for pre-order and should be out early 2027. (Link below.)

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I am at the train station on my way back to Scotland. SNTS in Durham has been wonderful. I love the city and felt right at home, and all the more with lots of loved ones around. Beyond time with them, I really enjoyed presenting another paper from my messiah book.

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Alexiana Fry @alexianafry.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Thankful to have joined the good folks over at The Two Cities podcast (@madisonpierce.bsky.social, @brandonhurlbert.bsky.social, and John Anthony Dunne) to talk about Esther Keeps the Score. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Today marks one year since we found out we were moving to Scotland. We experienced this as God's gracious redemption of an unjust situation, and we remain so grateful.

Me standing on the Isle of May looking out at the Firth

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

People say: 1. Hebrews finds Ps 110:4 to prove the "innovative" idea that Jesus is a high priest. 2. Hebrews' use of Psalm 110 (broadly) is derivative of other early Christian authors. These are competing claims if Jewish interpreters take contexts of verses quoted seriously.

A photo of a Mosaic of Melchizedek from our recent trip to Ravenna

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Planned a library day at a crucial point in my research. Every biblical studies book is blocked off… The best laid plans of mice and Madison oft go awry.

A sign in the library that says “area closed”

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

I’ve been asked a lot how I feel about the SBC decision. In short, I’m not surprised. But our houses are not in order. What worries me is: my lack of surprise isn’t because it’s the SBC. It’s because it’s *everywhere* that women are losing the ground that took decades to gain.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

I tried really hard to get this allusion into the commentary. Alas, the tweet will have to do…

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Aspects of commentary writing are tough for me. (I often feel constrained by the genre.) But I am so grateful for the chance to think carefully about how every verse in Hebrews hangs together. I notice things that I've never noticed before.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Spent yesterday talking REF with my lovely colleagues at St Mary's I'm really grateful that I so often (perhaps always) walk away from them feeling valued and yet inspired to continue to grow as a teacher and scholar. That's precisely what I want from a School/Department.

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Yale Classics Library @yaleclassicslib.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Journal for the Study of the New Testament Vol. 48, No. 4 (2026) journals.sagepub.com/toc/jnta/48/4 @lcbmphd.bsky.social @madisonpierce.bsky.social

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

When writing on the double-edged weapon of Hebrews 4:12, my current projects (my commentary & messiah book) converged. I was looking at the similar weapon in Revelation & identified a likely allusion – substantiated through verbal parallels & other allusions in the context.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Yesterday I wrapped up my first of (D.v.) many, many years teaching here at St Andrews! We're still so thankful to be here and eager to enjoy a summer full of hikes, camping, bike rides, and visits from loved ones.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Last night I dreamed that SBL (in getting smaller) became a catered conference. Dinner and lunch was provided at one place and inexpensive. But then in Dreamland some very random people from high school etc. were suddenly SBL people and ate with me.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

It's wild to think about how much scholarship on Hebrews has changed in the 60 years since George Caird (my Doktorgroßvater) wrote this. (The opening always makes me smile a bit.)

"I have chosen my theme in the face of a formidable display of learned discouragement. For whatever the commentators may think to be the permanent contribution of the author of Hebrews to Christian theology, most of them have been agreed about one thing—that it is not to be found in his exegesis of the Old Testament" (Caird, p. 44).

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

I'm very excited that this article is on its way into the world. It represents years of wrestling with the author of Hebrews' relationship to the law. (I'll post again when it's available. Today I'm editing proofs.)

Proofs for my forthcoming article: 'Relapsing, Reverting, or Rejecting?' with JSNT

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Something bringing me a lot of (unexpected) joy this semester is leading a German reading group with PhD students. Our NT Seminar is reading some "classic" works, and so we've been translating the originals in preparation. Today is Schweitzer's *Die Mystik des Apostels Paulus*.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Call for Papers: "Paul's Letter to the Romans and Christian Theology" Conference We (St Andrews and our friends at Princeton) are hosting a conference in Princeton on 23–25 October. You can propose a paper (until 31 March) and/or register at this link: ptsem.edu/event/pauls-...

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I am on my way to Durham! A sentence that always makes me smile. I’m looking forward to presenting on ‘messianism’ in the NT Seminar (or now Biblical Studies and Patristics Seminar?). (Photo from our last trip.)

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

Fun to see my book appear in this survey of "Der Hebräerbrief in der neueren Forschung." It's been a good couple of decades for scholarship on Hebrews – here's to many more! (HT: Michael Lyons) St Andrews is a great place to work on Hebrews right now. www.uni-muenster.de/Ejournals/in...

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

This month I was promoted and received as a permanent faculty member here at St Mary's. I am so grateful for the welcome and support that I have received over the last several months. Our family is very excited about our future here. www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/new...

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Today’s video posted by POTUS of the Obamas is evil. It is not a subtle slight, but clearly employs classic racist tropes. How could one possibly think this is okay? For all that some speak of “slippery slopes,” they slide further and further…

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Googled this article. I'm glad that the search terms that I chose took me to the right place... As soon as I hit enter, I realised what I had done! markgoodacre.org/peribolaionJ...

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

As of today, I am able to accept PhD students at the University of St Andrews. If you or one of your students is interested, this is a wonderful place to study. All potential supervisors (including me!) are listed here with topics of interest: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/divinity/pro...

st-andrews.ac.uk

PhD supervision - School of Divinity - University of St Andrews

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

One thing I'm still working on is the later lunchtime. In TX, 12:00 is standard lunch time; in the UK, 13:00 is the standard lunch time. This term I'm frequently lecturing at noon... which shouldn't be allowed.

media.tenor.com

a man is eating a hot dog and saying " i don t know if you 're allowed to do that "

ALT: a man is eating a hot dog and saying " i don t know if you 're allowed to do that "

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Today is the first day of Semester 2 here at St Andrews. I’m excited to be able to teach a Greek readings/exegesis class for the 1st time in several years. We’re working through early chs of Luke along with the sources of quotations (OG/LXX) & receptions of the material in Early Christianity.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

This is so important. I’m grateful to Rev Dr Thomas for having these conversations. I hope others take this up, especially those leading institutions. (I’m going to start pointing my students to this article.) wabashcenter.wabash.edu/resources/bl...

wabashcenter.wabash.edu

Why I Talk to My Students Every Semester About Gender Bias in Teaching Evaluations

Seeks to strengthen and enhance education in North American theological schools, colleges and universities.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

From time to time, I post with the hope of correcting some widespread misunderstandings about Hebrews. Here's a big one: YOM KIPPUR IS NOT THE ONLY JEWISH RITUAL*. Sooo references to sacrifice don't necessarily evoke Leviticus 16.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

FWIW, I would highly recommend engaging the work of the people that you ask for feedback. It's always a little surprising when someone says, "I'd really value your thoughts," when many of the thoughts I would provide are in print (more carefully articulated). (Is this just me?)

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

My first semester at St Andrews is in the books. 😮‍💨 At times, getting to know the system has been challenging, but I’ve loved my time here. I have bright and interested students; fun and lovely colleagues; and space to write and enjoy beautiful Scotland.

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Arthur Urbano 🌍📷🏛️🛫🇮🇹🤌😷 @arturoviaggia.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

My year in review: 1. Wondering where this year went.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

Today I presented a paper from my project on messianism at our biblical studies seminar at St Mary’s. It was fun, stimulating, and representative of all the things I’ve loved about my first semester in St Andrews. But I’m also grateful to have some space to rest now!

Me in front of a slide with the title of my paper: “The Texts Make the Man: Scriptural Interpretation and ‘Messianism’ in the NT”

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

After a bus to Edinburgh and a flight to London, I’m *almost* on the way to Boston! So eager to see some of you soon. #aarsbl25

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Shaily Patel @vox-magica.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

okay, friends, let's do something community-oriented and helpful. #sblaar25 veterans, drop your best conference advice for first-time attendees. be sure to signal boost so folks across bluesky can add on/peruse.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

So pleased to receive my copy of this resource. I am grateful to be included among the amazing women – many of whom have contributed to my own discernment through the years.

Book cover of We Follow Christ showing women worshipping.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

So pleased to see that our forthcoming book on the "Later New Testament" (Hebrews-Revelation) is available for pre-order. I also love this cover, which my daughter said was "creepy." (I'm taking it as a compliment.) bakeracademic.com/products/978...

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Soon I'm heading down to Cambridge to present a paper in their NT seminar. The paper is "The Body Prepared and Offered in the Heavens: Divine Bodies, Sacrifice, and Hebrews," a chapter from the book I'm co-authoring (with Bryan Dyer) on the humanity of Jesus in Hebrews.

A poster with a blue background and an image of a person ascending into the clouds. The poster also has the details of the seminar.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

When writing, I always use $ as a placeholder for footnotes and textual references (etc.) that I need to find and fix. Today has a day of getting rid of $ in one of the least fun ways.

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Off to a tremendous start today. Opened my draft from a couple of days ago, reread the last paragraph, and added the comment, "Why did I think this was important?"

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

I submitted this week. I argue that the author of Hebrews holds the law in high esteem and that several points in the argument suggest the author thinks the law governs the heavens and earth and still obligates people.*

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Although our move has compressed its composition, I’m enjoying writing about “The Law in Hebrews” for a collection on the Law in the NT. But wow, there’s a lot of bad arguments floating around related to this…

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Next week is a big week! I have my first lectures of the term along with a presentation/discussion with the Enoch Seminar. I'll be talking about whether and how we might read Hebrews "within Judaism."

y title slide with a green background and a mosaic with images representing Jewish history and customs.

My slide says: "Hebrews within Judaism? Dr. Madison N. Pierce, University of St Andrews"

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

I only have one book in my new office (so far), but I’m making it count.

A picture of the book *Jesus and the Law of Moses.*

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Madison N Pierce @madisonpierce.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

I had a wonderful time at #BNTS2025 in Manchester. It was great to see dear friends and colleagues. I also had the privilege of offering a response to the book *Open Sanctuary* by Nick Moore alongside Phillip Alexander.

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