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Biography
Clay Smith comes to Pepperdine after completing a PhD in religious studies at Baylor University with a focus upon the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. His dissertation looks at the relationship between Deuteronomy’s legal reasoning and Assyrian loyalty oaths. Among other outcomes, this project provides a venue for considering how ritual contributes to identity formation, which is a primary interest informing his larger research agenda. Clay has previously taught a variety of courses related to the Christian Scriptures at Baylor University, Harding School of Theology, and Harding University, and he is excited to continue sharing his love for the Christian Scriptures with students at Pepperdine.
Education
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PhD, Religion, Concentration in Biblical Studies (Hebrew Bible), Baylor University, 2024
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MDiv, Harding School of Theology, 2017
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BA, Biblical Languages, Harding University, 2010
Topics
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History and Religion of Ancient Israel
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The Book of Deuteronomy
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Covenants and Oaths
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Ritual Studies
Courses
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REL 200: The Story of the Christian Scriptures