Dr Joshua D. A. Bloor, FHEA

Lecturer in New Testament and Church History

Meet Joshua

I first fell in love with NTC during an open day in the spring of 2012. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of completing both a Master’s and a PhD in New Testament (Biblical Studies). My decade-long journey at NTC has shaped much of who I am today. Through my studies and experiences here, I’ve grown in understanding and appreciation (and perhaps even a little envy!) for the rich tapestry of diversity across various Church traditions. This journey has led me to exchange ‘certainty’ for a pilgrimage of nuance and discovery.

Before joining the faculty, I served on the staff team at NTC, where I helped to oversee our social media platforms, open days, recruitment, and alumni relations.

My academic specialism is the Epistle to the Hebrews (although I remain unconvinced it’s truly an epistle!), alongside a longstanding passion for Church History—rooted in my background as a historian. My research interests include disability theology, verbal aspect, and biblical hermeneutics, areas that reflect my curiosity and love for a wide range of topics.

When I’m not teaching or marking essays, I’m often preaching and co-pastoring a local church alongside my wife, Charlotte (I’m also the Leadership Programme Director for the Pioneer Network!). More importantly, I’m a proud dad to Iris, who keeps life joyful and full. In my downtime, I enjoy cooking, decorating, cycling, reading, sipping Yorkshire tea, and cheering on the mighty Reds (LFC).

Email Josh

Education, teaching and research

Publications

Bloor, Joshua D. A. “Supersessionism and Christian Scripture,” in the T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Theology (Forthcoming).

––––––. “Historical-Critical Hermeneutics,” in the T&T Clark Encyclopedia of Theology (Forthcoming).

––––––. “‘Yet Without Apostasy’?: Rethinking Hebrews 4.15 and the Testing of Jesus.’ New Testament Studies (2026/forthcoming).

––––––. Purifying the Consciousness in Hebrews: Cult, Defilement and the Perpetual Heavenly Blood of Jesus. The Library of New Testament Studies 675 (London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2023).

––––––. “New Directions in Western Soteriology.” Theology 118 (May-June 2015): 179–87.
––––––. “Revisiting Wesley’s Ethics and his Ministry to the Poor: Social, Economical, and Medical Solutions.” Wesleyan Theological Journal 50:2 (Autumn: 2015): 80–95.

Magazines and online publications

––––––. “Created to Represent God.” The Preacher (May, 2026)

––––––. “Grok and the quiet violence of turning people into pixels.” Seen and Unseen (Jan, 2026).

––––––. “Pluribus and the problem with ‘Good Vibes Only’: When only misery can save the world.”Seen and Unseen (Nov, 2025).

––––––. “Lucas Cranach: A Hidden Face of the Reformation.” Seedbed (Nov, 2017).

Published reviews

Bloor, Joshua D. A. “Review of The Vision of Ephesians, by Tom Wright.” Premier Christianity (Feb, 2026).

––––––. “Review of God’s Homecoming, by Tom Wright.” Premier Christianity (Jan, 2026).

––––––. “Review of The Spirit of Christmas, by Cynthia Ruchti.” Premier Christianity (Dec, 2025).

––––––. ‘Review of The Great Return, by Jamie Franklin.’ Premier Christianity (July, 2025).

––––––. ‘Review of Embracing God in your Suffering, by Dave Furman.’ Premier Christianity (July, 2025): 60.

––––––. ‘Review of Gospel Stories, by Andrew Wilson.’ Premier Christianity (April, 2025).

––––––. ‘Review of The Letter to the Hebrews, by Sigurd Grindheim.’ Journal of Evangelical Theological Society 67.3 (2024): 596–99.

––––––. ‘Review of Intercession of Jesus in Hebrews: The Background and Nature of Jesus’ Heavenly Intercession in the Epistle to the Hebrews by A.G. Urga.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 46.5 (2024): 77.

––––––. ‘Review of Death, The End of History, and Beyond: Eschatology in the Bible by Greg Carey.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 46.5 (2024): 4.

––––––. ‘Review of The Cambridge History of Ancient Christianity, edited by Bruce W. Longenecker & David E. Wilhite.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 46.5 (2024): 96.

––––––. ‘Review of The Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, edited by Tremper Longmann III & Mark L. Strauss. Journal for the Study of the New Testament 46.5 (2024): 102.

––––––. ‘Review of The Second Testament: A New Translation, by Scot McKnight. Journal for the Study of the New Testament 46.5 (2024): 107.

––––––. ‘Review of The Cambridge Companion to the Gospels, 2nd edn, edited by Stephen C. Barton & Todd Brewer. Journal for the Study of the New Testament 45.5 (2023): 17.

––––––. ‘Review of What Can Love Hope for? Questions for Faith Seeking Understanding, by William Loader.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 44.3 (2022): 102–103.

––––––. ‘Review of The Evil Inclination in Early Judaism and Christianity, by James Aitken, Hector M. Patmore & Ishay Rosen-Zvi.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 44.3 (2022): 78–79.

––––––. ‘Review of Pain and Paradox in 2 Corinthians: The Transformative Function of Strength in Weakness, by B.G. White.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 44.3 (2022): 56–57.

––––––. ‘Review of Handbook on the Gospels, by Benjamin L. Gladd.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 44.3 (2022): 21–22.

––––––. ‘Review of Passions of the Christ: The Emotional Life of Jesus in the Gospels, by F. Scott Spencer.’ Journal for the Study of the New Testament 44.3 (2022): 16–17.

SELECTED CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

· “‘Yet Without Apostasy’?: Reassessing Hebrews 4.15 and the Sinlessness of Jesus.” Presented at the Postgraduate Research Seminar (Manchester, Dec, 2023).

· “Jesus’ Heavenly Blood Offering in Hebrews: Metonymy, Substance, or Neither?” Presented at the Postgraduate Research Seminar (Manchester, Dec, 2021).

· “Jesus’ Earthly and Heavenly Offerings?” Presented at the One Day Theology Conference (NTC, Manchester, June, 2019).

· “Purifying the Heavenly Tabernacle: Yom Kippur and Cosmic Defilement in Hebrews 9:23.” Presented at the Ehrhardt Seminar (University of Manchester, May, 2018).

· “Does Christ’s sacrifice forgive sins?”: A discussion regarding Hebrews’ appropriation of ἄφεσιςwithin the context of sacrifice and impurity.” Presented at the British New Testament Conference (Maynooth University, Republic of Ireland, Sep, 2017).

· “Sin and Impurity in Hebrews’ Cultic Logic.” Presented at the “Forum Forschung” an der Theologischen Hochschule Reutlingen (Reutlingen, Germany, July, 2017).

· “Resting in the Heavenly Sanctuary: reconciling 3:7–4:11 with the rest of Hebrews.” Presented at the Manchester–Durham Northern Postgraduate Conference (Manchester, UK, May, 2017).

· “The Story of Cleansing in Hebrews: The Finality of Purification in 9:13–14.” Presented at the NTC Doctoral Research Seminars (Didsbury, UK, June, 2016).

· “The Bloody Conscience: Exploring the Connection Between αἷμα and συνείδησις in Hebrews (10:22).” Presented at the British New Testament Conference (University of Edinburgh, Sep, 2014).