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Richard H. Hiers

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Contact Information

Office: 109 Anderson Hall (mail only)

Professor Emeritus

  • Biblical Studies, Social Ethics, Law, Ethics, & Social Policy

B.D., M.A., Ph.D., Yale University; J.D., University of Florida College of Law

Professor of Religion & Affiliate Professor of Law

Recent Books & Chapters

  • A Nation of Immigrants: Sojourners in Biblical Tradition and Law.  Foreword by David P Gushee.  (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2021)
  • Women’s Rights and the Bible: Implications for Christian Ethics and Social Policy (Wipf and Stock / Pickwick, 2012)
  • Justice and Compassion in Biblical Law (T & T Clark / Continuum International, 2009)
  • Trinity Guide to the Bible with Apocrypha  (Trinity Press International, 2001).
  • "Pivotal Reactions to the Eschatological Interpretations: Rudolf Bultmann and C. H. Dodd," in Wendell Willis, ed., The Kingdom of God in 20th Century Interpretation (Hendrickson, 1987)
  • "Jesus, Ethics and the Present Situation," in Charles E. Curran and Richard A. McCormack, eds., The Use of Scripture in Moral Theology, Readings in Moral Theology No. 4 (Paulist Press, 1984).

Recent Articles

  • “The Bible and Rugged Individualism,” Reflections (Yale Divinity School), 99, no. 2, 67 (Fall, 2012)
  • “Ancient Laws, Yet Strangely Modern: Biblical Contract and Tort Jurisprudence,” 88 Univ. of Detroit Mercy Law Review 473-96 (2011)
  • “The Death Penalty and Due Process in Biblical Law,” 81 Univ. of Detroit Mercy Law Review 751-843 (2004)
  • “Biblical Social Welfare Legislation, 17 Journal of Law & Religion 49-96 (2002).

Also more than 50 articles in religion journals, law journals, and Bible dictionaries.  Other religion journals in which articles have been published are: Convergence (Eckerd College), Dialog, Forum on Religion and Ecology, Journal of the American Academy of Religion, Journal of Biblical Literature, Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, New Testament Studies, Newsletter of the American Oriental Society, Perspectives in Religious Studies, Presbyterian Outlook, Scottish Journal of Theology, Theology and Life, Ugarit Forschungen, Zygon: Journal of Science and Religion. Other law journals: Cumberland Law Review, Fifth Circuit Reporter, Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy, George Mason Civil Rights Law Review, Journal of College and University Law, Legal Studies Forum, Southwestern Law Review, and Wayne Law Review. Bible dictionaries:  Anchor Bible Dictionary, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, HarperCollins Bible Dictionary, Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, and the New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible.

Over 30 book reviews and review articles have appeared in other journals: Horizons in Biblical Theology, Interpretation, Journal of Religion, Religion in Life, Religion in Public Education, Religious Studies Review, and Washington University Global Studies Law Review.

Professor Hiers has presented 19 papers at national or annual meetings, mainly at the American Academy of Religion, the Society of Biblical Literature, and the Society of Christian Ethics; and 18 papers at regional meetings, primarily the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature.

He is currently a member of the Advisory Committee for the Journal of Law and Religion (Chaired 2005-2010); a member of the Board of Directors for the Florida Free Speech Forum; and a member of the Society of Christian Ethics.  Other current memberships: Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, the Florida Bar, the League of Women Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Save the Redwoods League, Sierra Club, the Society of Phi Beta Kappa, the United Nations Association, and the Yale Whiffenpoofs Alumni Association.

Among previous professional service and recognitions: Former Acting Chair, Department of Religion; President UF Chapters of the American Association of University Professors, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and the UF American Civilization Seminar; and President pro tempore, CLAS Assembly.  Also, former President of the American Academy of Religion, SE Region, former President of the Society of Biblical Literature, SE Region; member, Danforth Associates in Teaching; recipient of Florida Blue Key Distinguished Faculty Award; and numerous listings in Who’s Whos.  He has served on national committees of the American Association of University Professors, the Society of Christian Ethics, and the United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa.  Prior to retirement, Hiers was an affiliate professor in the Levin College of Law, the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and the Jewish Studies program.  He served as “Distinguished Fellow,” at the Center for Spiritual Life, Eckerd College, 2003-06.

Previous community service includes: President, Alachua County Citizens’ Housing Association; President, Gainesville Council on Human Relations; Chair, Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the Workable Program for Gainesville, Florida; and member, Donor Advisory Committee, Civitan Regional Blood Center.

Current research focuses on biblical law and contemporary American jurisprudence and social policy.  The book now in progress is tentatively entitled: The Bible and Nature: Appreciation and Care for the Creation in Biblical Law and Literature.