Rachel Wrenn

Rachel Wrenn

Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies

Department

  • Trinity Lutheran Seminary

Contact Information

Biography

The Rev. Dr. Rachel Wrenn teaches biblical studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Her research interests include the Psalms, biblical bodies and emotions, divine-human relationships, and Old Testament roots of the New Testament. Dr. Wrenn has published multiple articles on anger in the Psalms and in liturgies.

Dr. Wrenn is an ordained Lutheran (ELCA) pastor. A sought-after presenter, she often speaks at pastoral gatherings and lay church conferences. Dr. Wrenn has also written multiple articles on biblical commentary and preaching for WorkingPreacher.org. She is the co-host of the podcast First Reading, an Old Testament lectionary podcast for preachers and teachers of the Bible (http://firstreadingpodcast.com/). Dr. Wrenn invites and challenges her students to experience both the delights and the difficulties of the biblical text.


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, http://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. http://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?m=4377&post=5329