Leslie Virnelson
PhD Candidate, Biblical Studies
Interim Director of the Center for Theology, Women, and Gender
Leslie.virnelson@ptsem.edu
Leslie Virnelson is a PhD Candidate at Princeton Theological Seminary and interim director for the Center for Theology, Women, and Gender. She holds an M.Div from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her dissertation focuses on specialized roles for women in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament – specifically midwives, prostitutes, diviners, and weavers. Her central interest in these roles is how they are presented in texts, as well as the symbolic value of these feminine roles. Leslie’s research and teaching interests include gender, prophecy, and materiality in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. She is also interested in Syriac literature. Leslie offers adult education classes at local churches focused on intersectional feminist biblical interpretation.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was how to be charitable to views other than my own. Christian charity was shown to me, not just in the readings for class, but from the professors, and the Seminary community.”