News

By Britain Miethe

Dr. Michael Fuller, professor of Biblical studies at Lee, was recently awarded the status of “Visiting Fellow” at Sewanee, the University of the South, in conjunction with his sabbatical. While there, Fuller will be working on his book tentatively titled, “An Introduction and Reader to Early Jewish and Christian Apocalypses in the Greco-Roman Period.”

“The word ‘apocalypse’ is often misunderstood in modern and popular contexts, being associated with ‘catastrophe’ or ‘doomsday,’” said Fuller. “However, the word in Greek and Hebrew simply refers to revealing or disclosure.”

Fuller will aim to use his research and book to demonstrate the speculations of ancient Jews and Christians in regards to heavenly and earthly mysteries.

“In describing heavenly events, Jews and Christians often gave varied characterizations,” said Fuller. “This book will introduce the reader to the diverse world of apocalyptic and provide a sampling of a wide range of Jewish and Christian texts that appeared in the Second Temple period.”

In addition to residential accommodations, Fuller will be assigned on-campus office space in order to facilitate his term of study, research, and writing.

“I love teaching and the daily experience of engagement with students in a classroom, however, I also love research, which is an invigorating adventure of question and discovery,” said Fuller. “For me there is no disjunction between good teaching and research. The latter allows me not only to contribute to the academic guild to which I belong, but also to bring the excitement of these discoveries back into the Lee classroom to enhance my teaching and to impassion students.”

At Lee, Fuller teaches introductory courses in both the Old Testament and New Testament and upper level courses such as Book of Revelation, Early Judaism and the Synoptic Gospels. He also teaches in the graduate program in religion as well, such courses as Contemporary Hermeneutics, the Historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and Early Jewish and Christian Apocalypticism.

Fuller earned his PhD at the University of Durham, his MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and his BA from Lee College.

Fuller is an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) and the American Academy of Religion (AAR). He is also the co-chair of the Judaism Section for the Southeastern Regional body of SBL/AAR.