Final Exam: A Few Questions for David L. Petersen

In this online Candler Connection exclusive, David L. Petersen reflects on his career, his editing style, and—of course—fishing.

Tell us about a particularly meaningful experience from your time at Candler.
The most meaningful piece of my story at Candler was probably teaching the introductory Old Testament course. Students often enter Candler presuming that the Old Testament is either boring or theologically irrelevant. My favorite comments on Candler’s teaching evaluation form were of this sort: “I thought I would hate OT, but now love it,” or “Honestly, I used to be bored by the Hebrew Bible, but I have such an appreciation for it now.” (And, yes, Moses was a fly fisherman just as Jeremiah was a bullfrog.) At the other end of the pedagogical spectrum, it has been gratifying to advise a number of Old Testament dissertations in Emory’s PhD program.

Looking back over your 40-year career, what do you consider your most significant accomplishment?
My most significant professional accomplishment is having been elected president of the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), an honor I share with two other Candler Old Testament faculty members: Gene Tucker [emeritus] and Carol Newsom. Other noteworthy accomplishments include publishing commentaries in the Old Testament Library series and helping the SBL develop its publication program when I served as chair of its Research and Publication Committee.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?
I am looking forward to scheduling my own life (Robyn Pollette, the administrative assistant to the academic dean, has run my life for the last two years), spending more time outdoors (e.g., fly-fishing, hiking, and skiing), and being closer to family. Our two children and three grandchildren live in or near Fort Collins, Colo., which is where my wife, Sara, and I will reside much of the time in retirement.

You’ve described yourself as an “intrusive editor.” What motivates you to take such care and time in editing?
I have been described, both by myself and others, as an “intrusive” or “invasive” editor. To explain that phrase I need to explain why I have invested so much time in editorial work (e.g., Common English Bible, New Interpreter’s Bible, and Access Bible). Everyone needs an editor. Good editors, like good voice coaches, help what is already a strong talent become even better. Assisting graduate students or one’s professional colleagues express themselves in optimal ways is really a form of teaching. And in that vein, everyone, including me, continues to need to learn.