Dr Jonathan Darby

Lecturer in Biblical Studies

I have taught a range of units in biblical studies at NTC since 2018, including Greek and Hebrew, Introduction to Biblical Studies, Biblical Backgrounds, Torah, Contextualising Scripture and Jesus and the Gospels. In 2023, I completed my PhD, defending a thesis entitled “Shaping Text Through Song: The Influence of Singing Upon Processes of Textual Interpretation and Variation in the Dead Scrolls,” which is soon to be published in Brill’s STDJ series. My primary research interests revolve around the textual history of the Bible, singing and liturgy in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, and the implications of Dead Sea Scrolls research for biblical studies and the interpretation of scripture.

In 2022 I spent two months at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, fulfilling the Matlow scholarship at the Orion Center for the Study of the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature. This resulted in a paper on Singing and Meditation in the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice, soon to be published as part of an International Organization for Qumran Studies conference proceedings volume. I have also published on the topic of psalms, prayer and liturgy in the Dead Sea Scrolls and biblical literature. My research interests over the years have spanned music and prophecy, Christian ethics (violence, Just War and pacifism), early church organisation, and scriptural reflection on questions of time and divine knowledge.

Prior to returning to academia full time, I spent a number of years working as a musician and in ministry in local church and inner-city contexts, working particularly in the areas of leading musical worship and theological training. I continue to write, produce and release music independently.

Dr Jonathan Darby has an extensive academic background in theology and biblical studies, with qualifications from Nazarene Theological College and the University of Manchester. Here is a summary of his educational qualifications:

  • 2019–2023: PhD in Religions and Theology from Nazarene Theological College/University of Manchester. His doctoral thesis, titled “Shaping Text Through Song: The Influence of Singing Upon Processes of Textual Interpretation and Variation in the Dead Sea Scrolls,” was supervised by Dr Svetlana Khobnya and Dr Samuel Hildebrandt, and examined by Professor Charlotte Hempel and Dr Dwight Swanson. This research focused on the role of singing in shaping textual interpretation and variation in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
  • 2013–2018: MA in Theology (Biblical Studies) from Nazarene Theological College/University of Manchester, awarded with distinction. His master’s dissertation, “Elders Re-examined: The Use of πρέσβυτερος in the New Testament and its Implications for the Re-construction of Early Church Organisation,” was supervised by Dr Dwight Swanson. This work investigated early church leadership structures through New Testament language.
  • 2001–2004: BA in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Leeds. His undergraduate dissertation, “The Role of Music in the Old Testament: With Particular Emphasis on the Relationship Between Music and Prophecy,” was supervised by Professor Hugh Pyper. This study explored the connection between music and prophecy in the Hebrew Bible.

Dr Jonathan Darby teaches the following courses at Nazarene Theological College:

  1. Intermediate Biblical Hebrew (Level 5)
  2. Introduction to New Testament Greek (Level 4)
  3. Intermediate New Testament Greek (Level 5)
  4. Biblical Backgrounds (Level 4)
  5. Introduction to Biblical Studies (Level 4)
  6. Contextualising Scripture (Level 7, co-teaching)

Dr Jonathan Darby’s research focuses on the Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the role of singing and its influence on textual interpretation and variation. His work also explores biblical languages and liturgical texts within Second Temple Judaism.

Selected Publications:

  • “Beyond Definitions of Prayer: Applying Genre Theory to Some Persisting Problems in the Categorisation of Liturgical Texts Among the Dead Sea Scrolls,” Advances in Ancient Biblical and Near Eastern Research 2, no. 2 (2022): 11–47.
  • Shaping Text Through Song: The Influence of Singing Upon Processes of Textual Interpretation and Variation in the Dead Sea Scrolls (Brill monograph, pending peer review).
  • “Singing and Meditation in the Seventh Song of the Sabbath Sacrifice: The Semantic Overlap of ר נ ן and ה ג ה in the ‘Cycle of Summons’ (4Q403 1 i 36–7),” Proceedings of the Eleventh Meeting of the International Organization of Qumran Studies (forthcoming).
  • Review of Leviticus and its Reception in the Dead Sea Scrolls from Qumran by Baesick Choi, Revue de Qumran (forthcoming).

Dr Darby has presented his research at numerous international seminars and conferences, including events at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the International Organization for Qumran Studies.

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