Jesse Peterson, PhD

Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies

Teaching and research interests

  • Biblical literature, languages, and interpretation
  • Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth and wisdom literature
  • Philosophy in dialogue with biblical texts
Jesse Peterson

The university welcomed Jesse Peterson as an assistant professor of biblical studies in theology and the honors program in 2022. He arrived from Purdue University, where he was a visiting faculty member in the institution’s Cornerstone Integrated Liberal Arts program the previous year.

Previously, he lived in New York City and taught as an adjunct faculty member at Fordham University and St. John’s University. His academic research brings biblical texts and traditions into dialogue with philosophy, both ancient and modern.

His work on the book of Ecclesiastes/Qoheleth has been published in Harvard Theological Review, Vetus Testamentum, and the Journal of Theological Studies. Dr. Peterson earned a PhD in Hebrew Bible from the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University in Durham, UK, in 2021, and also holds an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in music and Jewish studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Outside of teaching and writing, Dr. Peterson enjoys good conversations, music, movies, and popcorn.


PhD, Durham University
MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
BA, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities