James Strange received the Charles Jackson Granade and Elizabeth Donald Granade Chair in New Testament in the fall of 2017. He is a 2015 recipient of the Dean’s Award for Research, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Strange is Director of the Shikhin Excavation Project in Israel and researches archaeology of Palestine in the Hellenistic through Byzantine periods, early Christianity and post-biblical Judaisms. He teaches courses in New Testament, ancient Greco-Roman Religions, and the archaeology of Palestine. 

Strange received his BA in Classics from Furman University, an MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, an MA in Formative Christianity and Judaism from the University of South Florida, and his PhD in New Testament and Formative Christianity from Emory University. Publications include: (with David A. Fiensy) Galilee in the Late Second Temple and Mishnaic Periods, Volumes 1 and 2  (Augsburg Fortress Press 2014 and 2015),The Moral World of James  (Peter Lang, 2010), The Emergence of the Christian Basilica in the Fourth Century  (Global Publications, 2000), and articles for journals, volumes of essays, and dictionaries and encyclopedias. He is a member of Shades Crest Baptist Church and enjoys speaking to a variety of community groups about the New Testament and the archaeology of ancient Galilee. During his free time, he enjoys cooking, singing, karate, and a good mystery novel, rarely all at once.

Degrees and Certifications

• BA, Classics, Furman University
• MDiv, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
• MA, Formative Christianity and Judaism, University of South Florida
• PhD, New Testament and Formative Christianity, Emory University

Expertise

• Archaeology of Palestine in the Hellenistic through Byzantine periods
• Early Christianity and Judaism

Responsibilities

• New Testament
• Archaeology

Awards and Honors

• Dean’s Award for Research, Howard College of Arts and Sciences, 2015
• Samford University Innovative Technology Grant (with Jennifer Rahn), 2014
• Samford University Faculty Development Grant, 2013
• Samford University Innovative Technology Grant (with Jennifer Rahn), 2012
• Samford University Innovative Technology Grant, 2011
• Samford University Faculty Development Grant, 2011

Publications

• Galilee in the Late Second Temple and Mishnaic Periods (co-editor with David Fiensy; Fortress, 2015)
• The Moral World of James (Peter Lang, 2010)
• The Emergence of the Christian Basilica (Global Publications, 2000)

Involvement

• American Society of Overseas Research
• Society of Biblical Literature
• Israel Exploration Society