Jennifer S. Wyant

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer S. Wyant is a New Testament Research Fellow at Candler, where her work explores the intersection of biblical scholarship and local church ministry. As an ordained United Methodist pastor, she has served a number of churches in the metro Atlanta area. She also teaches in Emory’s Course of Study program, equipping licensed local pastors for ministry across the connection.

Wyant focuses on how New Testament texts—especially the Gospels—can inform and transform contemporary Christian life. She received a PhD in New Testament from Emory University in 2018, with a particular focus on the Synoptic Gospels and reception history. Her first book examines the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, and her current research explores Jesus’s parables and their reception and strategies for cultivating critical and faithful biblical engagement within congregations navigating rapidly changing cultural contexts.

BOOKS

Beyond Mary or Martha: Reclaiming Ancient Models of Discipleship, SBL Press, 2019

CHAPTERS AND ARTICLES

“On Dogs and Difficult Texts” in Reading Scripture in Wesleyan Ways, Abingdon Press, 2025

Contributing author to The Abingdon Preaching Annual 2025: A Guide for Planning, Preaching, and Worship, Abingdon Press, 2024

“Giving Martha Back Her House: Analyzing the Textual Variant in Luke 10:38b” in TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism, Vol 24. Fall 2019: 1-11

“Hand, Hands (Film)” in Encyclopedia of the Bible and its Reception, vol. 11, Walter de Gruyter, 2015

Laney Graduate Fellowship, 2013-2018

Woodruff Fellowship, 2010-2013

Chad Davis Memorial Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies, 2013

University of Evansville Class of 1922’s Award in Arts and Sciences, 2010

Mabel Dillingham Nenneker Award, Finalist, 2010