Author

Ellen F. Davis

Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor, Duke Divinity School

Ellen F. Davis is the Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology at Duke Divinity School. She is interested in theological interpretation of the Old Testament, with particular concern for how the Bible is used to address urgent public issues. Her current work focuses on developing an exegetically based response to the ecological crisis.

A lay Episcopalian, she has been involved in interfaith dialogue for 40 years. Her previous teaching appointments were at Union Theological Seminary (New York City), Yale Divinity School and the Virginia Theological Seminary. She also served as the interim dean of Duke Divinity School from 2015 to 2016.

Learning to believe

By Ellen F. Davis Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor, Duke Divinity School

For many of us, there is a huge gap between the Easter proclamation of joy and the felt reality of guilt, chaos and hopelessness. But practicing the forgiveness of sins is practicing resurrection; that is how we may come to believe that in the crucified and risen Lord, everything has changed, says Ellen F. Davis.

Leadership in a time of war

By Ellen F. Davis Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor, Duke Divinity School

One of the hallmarks of the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul Yak’s remarkable leadership in southern Sudan is a commitment to education, both his own and others’, says Duke Divinity professor Ellen F. Davis.

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Lilly Endowment Inc. announces Exploring Christian Practices Initiative

The Exploring Christian Practices Initiative aims to multiply opportunities and increase access to settings that help individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds explore and engage in Christian practices to address their spiritual interests and questions, find and build community with others, nourish their religious lives and grow in faith. 

In this open and competitive initiative, the Endowment invites charitable organizations to submit proposals for grants of up to $2.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new and/or enhance existing programs that present promising strategies for advancing the aim of the initiative and provide compelling and thoughtful responses to its guiding questions. The Endowment anticipates awarding approximately 60 grants and announcing grant awards in December 2026.

The Endowment will host four virtual information sessions (February 17, 19, 24, and 25) to discuss the Exploring Christian Practices guidelines for submitting a proposal. An Interest Form and Letter of Interest are due March 25, 2026. Complete proposals are due May 18, 2026.

Learn More and register for information sessions