Tutor in New Testament – New Appointment
Westcott House is pleased to announce that Dr Julia Snyder has been appointed their new Tutor in New Testament with effect from September 2021.
The Revd Dr Helen Dawes, Principal of Westcott House said: ‘We are thrilled that Julia will be joining our community and our staff team at Westcott House this September. Julia is a creative and inspiring teacher with a compelling vision for New Testament study as a resource for transformative grassroots ministry. Julia brings a wealth of gifts to Westcott House – from her considerable New Testament scholarship to her international experience in theological education and her commitment to interfaith relations. We very much look forward to Julia joining us as a colleague and to the contribution she will make to the life of Westcott House.’
Originally from the US, Julia studied Classics and Maths as an undergraduate, followed by theological studies leading to a Master of Divinity degree. She later completed a PhD in New Testament at the University of Edinburgh. After finishing her doctoral work, Julia spent five years teaching and researching at universities in Germany, including the University of Tübingen and University of Regensburg, where she provided New Testament instruction for ordinands and students training to teach religion and theology in secondary schools.
Dr Julia Snyder
Throughout her life, Julia has been actively involved in the life of the local church, regularly preaching, leading services, and providing instrumental music, among other activities. She has also spearheaded a number of initiatives to promote understanding among people of different faiths. Julia is currently a Research Associate in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, where she also provides New Testament and Greek supervisions for students at Cambridge colleges.
Speaking on her appointment, Julia said: ‘I am thrilled to be joining the Westcott community. With its integrated approach to ministerial formation, Westcott offers an ideal environment for theological education, situating academic studies alongside practical training and opportunities for personal and spiritual development. In my role as New Testament Tutor, I especially look forward to watching students discover how fun and rewarding it can be to engage with the Bible. The Bible shows us how God’s people in previous generations understood God’s work in their own contexts, and it can be a great resource for thinking about what God is doing in our world today, and how we can join in. I am excited to help Westcott students gain the skills and confidence they will need to get the most out of these fascinating texts for years to come, in whatever ministry contexts they may find themselves.’