Education:
- PhD in Syriac Studies (Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago,
1999) - Masters of Theology in New Testament Studies (Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, 1995)
- Masters of Arts in Church History (Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, 1993)
- Masters of Arts in Theology (Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago, 1992)
Tertiary teaching experience:
- Lecturer in Syriac Language and Patrology, Nisibis Assyrian Theological College (2022-)
- Associate Professor in Syriac and Arabic, Baylor University (2011-)
- Assistant Professor in Arabic, Baylor University (2013-2019)
- Teaching Professor in Arabic and Syriac, University of Notre Dame, IN (2002-2010)
- Dean, Administrator, and Instructor in Arabic, Syriac, and Christian Studies, St. Ephrem Theological Seminary, Damascus, Syria (1994-1990)
Publications:
Books
- Mardin Arapçasının Süryanice Kökenleri [The Syriac Origin of the Mardini (Arabic) Dialect] Istanbul: Süryani Dili-Kültürü ve Edebiyatı Derneği, 2024.
- Moshe Bar Kepha’s Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2020.
- Moshe Bar Kepha’s Cause of the Celebration of the Nativity. Piscataway: Gorgias Press, 2017.
Journal articles
- “The Syriac Language and the Unique Aspects of the Syriac Surviving Heritage.” Kalamoon, The Syrian Journal for Human Sciences 18 (2022): 33-60 (in Arabic).
- “Moshe Bar-Kepha’s Christological Harmony and Apology in the Adapted Cause of Nativity.” Journal of the Canadian Society for Syriac Studies 20 (2020): 71-77.
- “Ninth Century Syriac Exegete and Apologist: Moshe Bar Kepha’s Commentary on Luke.” Hugoye Journal for Syriac Studies. Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies 20.1 (2017): 231-256.
- “An Innovative Orthography as a Bridge between Classical Syriac and Modern Suryoyo, Part Five, A Weak Verb at Final Letter.” Ashlay Nissaba for Syriac Language Studies 2.3 (2017): 20-41 (in Syriac).
Book chapters
- “Yuhanon Dolabani’s Heritage: Local and Global Effect.” In M. Doru, Z. Duygu, M Akyuz, eds. Hikmet’in Izinde Bir Omur: Metropolit Hanna Dolabani. Mardin: Birinci Baski, 2020, 13-23.
- “Interdependence of Classical Syriac and Suryoyo of Tur Abdin (STA): The Future of the Syriac Language.” In Dorothea Weltecke, ed. Neue Aramäische Studien: Geschichte und Gegenwart. Frankfurt: Scola Nisibina Bd1, 2018, 169-191.
- “Orthography for Modern Syriac that Enlivens Classical Syriac,” In Dorothea Weltecke, ed. Neue Aramäische Studien: Geschichte und Gegenwart. Frankfurt: Scola Nisibina Bd1, 2018, 193-201 (in Syriac).
Translation projects:
- Freewill and Predestination: 9th Century Moshe Bar Kepha’s Responding to Islamic Thought
- The Commentary of Moshe Bar Kepha on Matthew
- (Ongoing) Bible Translation: Since my publication of the New Testament in both modern Aramaic (Suryoyo) and Classical Syriac (2013), and my publication of the New Testament in both formal Arabic and Mardini (Mesopotamina) dialect (2012), I have completed the translation of the first 30 books of the Old Testament from Classical Syriac (Peshitta).
Other projects:
- 2004-2010 Cataloguer for the Syriac and Arabic Manuscript Project, Hill Monastic Manuscript Library, Collegeville, MN
- Since 2003 Research Associate, Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
- Since 2002 Exegetical Consultant, Wycliffe Bible Translators (Aramaic Bible Translation)
- Since 1998 Bible translator, Wycliffe Bible Translators (Aramaic Bible Translation)
- 1998-2004 Cataloguer of the Vööbus Syriac Manuscripts Collection, hosted by the Oriental Institute, University of Chicago
