Ken Ristau, PhD, MA, BA

Area of Study / Keywords

Biblical Studies Chronicles-Ezra-Nehemiah Ancient Historiography Jerusalem

About

My primary research area is Hebrew Bible, with a specialization in the literature and history of the Judean restoration in the Achaemenid Persian Period, 539–333 BCE. I completed my Ph.D. in 2013 at The Pennsylvania State University under the direction of the late Dr. Gary Knoppers. I have experience in archaeological fieldwork (Tel Dor and Ramat Rachel) and undergraduate teaching experience in Religious and Jewish Studies, Classics, and History. I recently spent a semester as a Visiting Professor teaching a graduate seminar on the Book of Chronicles at Bar Ilan University in Israel. I have professional experience in the social sector and in administration in higher education, and enjoy coaching competitive youth soccer.

Research

AREAS OF FOCUS

• Book of Chronicles
• Persian-period Prophetic Literature (Isaiah 40-66, Haggai-Zechariah-Malachi)
• Persian-period Judean history (539-333 BCE)
• History and Archaeology of Jerusalem, especially in the Persian and early Hellenistic periods

HIGHLIGHTS

• Founded and chaired a successful six-year seminar on Ancient Historiography (Canadian Society of Biblical Studies), the genesis of multiple edited volumes on the topics studied
• First comprehensive analysis of the archaeological evidence for the Persian-period recovery of Jerusalem after its destruction by the Babylonians
• Significant contributions to understanding the social and religious function of biblical literature to promote Jerusalem’s centrality and the importance of this function to the historical development of Yahwism and Judean identity
• Co-chair of the Literature and History of the Persian Period Group (Society of Biblical Literature)
• Active research projects on the Book of Chronicles and on the history and archaeology of Jerusalem

RELIG 202 - Introduction to Old Testament/Hebrew Bible

An introduction to the critical study of the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible.

RELIG 404 - Literary Studies in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible

Prerequisite: One course in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible or consent of Program Coordinator.

RELIG 504 - Literary Studies in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible

Browse more courses taught by Ken Ristau

Kenneth A. Ristau

Winona Lake. 2016 January;

Gary N. Knoppers; Kenneth A. Ristau (editors)

Winona Lake. 2009 January;