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Rachel Wrenn

Rachel Wrenn

Interim Dean of the Seminary and Associate Professor of Biblical Studies

Department

  • Trinity Lutheran Seminary

Contact Information

Biography

The Rev. Dr. Rachel Wrenn is the Interim Dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, as well as an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies. Wrenn is an ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor. Her research interests include the Psalms, biblical bodies and emotions, divine-human relationships, and the Old Testament roots of the New Testament. Wrenn has written biblical commentary and preaching reflections for WorkingPreacher.org, as well as multiple articles on anger in the Psalms and in liturgies. Her dissertation is forthcoming with Brill Academic Publishing, titled Anger at God in the Heart of the Psalms: Burning with Fury while Keeping the Faith. A sought-after presenter, she often speaks at pastoral gatherings and lay conferences. Wrenn invites and challenges her students to experience both the delights and the difficulties of the biblical text. She lives in Columbus with her wonderful husband and their two marvelous children.

Degrees Earned
  • Ph.D. in Religion (Hebrew Bible), Emory University
  • M.Div., Luther Seminary (St. Paul, Minnesota)
  • B.A. in French Language and Literature, Pacific Lutheran University (Tacoma, Washington)
Teaches
  • Introduction to the Old Testament I and II
  • Introduction to the New Testament I and II
  • Biblical Hebrew for Ministry
  • Upper-level Bible courses such as Theology of the Prophets, The Apocalypse of John, Feminist Biblical Interpretation, Pauline Theology
Publications

“The Potential of the Psalmist’s Anger,” in The Psalms: Song, Prayer, Scripture, edited by Lena-Sofia Tiemeyer and David Davage (LHBOTS. London: Bloomsbury, forthcoming).

“Commentary on the Book of Leviticus,” Commentary and Footnotes for the Lutheran Study Bible (Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, forthcoming).

“Commentary on Genesis 32:22-31,” Working Preacher, October 16, 2022, https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-29-3/commentary-on-genesis-3222-31-10

“Worshiping in Anger: Anger at God in Psalms and Liturgies,” Liturgy 36 (2021): 19-26.

“Is the Psalmist Angry at God? Psalm 88 and the Absent Nose,” Word and World 40 (Fall 2020): 236-245.

“Emotion and Anger in the Psalms” Liturgy (2020) (forthcoming).

“Is the Psalmist Angry at God? Psalm 88 and the Absent Nose” Word and World 40 (2020): 236-245.

Review of Hearing John’s Voice: Insights for Teaching and Preaching, by M. Eugene Boring. In Word and World (forthcoming).

“Isaiah 9:2-7” WorkingPreacher.org. December 24, 2019.

“Preaching While White.” WorkingPreacher.org. May 7, 2019. https://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?m=4377&post=5329