About the Author

The Common English Bible is a translation completed in 2011. One hundred and twenty biblical scholars from twenty-two faith traditions worked as translators. These women and men balanced rigorous accuracy in translation of the ancient texts with an equally passionate commitment to clarity of expression in contemporary English. The result is a clear, direct, and powerful English version of the scriptures for use in Bible study, devotional reading, and worship. Vice President of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Old Testament, Virginia Theological Seminary, Alexandria, VA Professor of Theology, Methodist Theological School in Ohio Associate Pastor, Belmont United Methodist Church, Nashville, TN Elizabeth Caldwell teaches as Adjunct Faculty in Religious Education at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, TN. She recently retired as Harold Blake Walker Professor of Pastoral Theology and Associate Dean of Students and Academics at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. She is ordained as Minister of Word and Sacrament by the Presbytery of Chicago. She was also the Common English Bible Readability Editor and wrote the "Life Preserver Notes" in the Deep Blue Kids Bible. Cynthia Ruchti tells stories hemmed in hope. She's the award-winning author of 16 books and a frequent speaker for women's ministry events. She serves as the Professional Relations Liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers, where she helps retailers, libraries, and book clubs connect with the authors and books they love. She lives with her husband in Central Wisconsin. Visit her online at CynthiaRuchti.com. Rachel Baughman is the Executive Pastor, Discipleship, at University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas. Professor of Biblical Studies, Director of Free Methodist Center, Graduate School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University. Michelle Morris is associate pastor of First United Methodist Church, Conway, Arkansas. Previously she was Lead Equipper for the United Methodist Arkansas Conference Center for Vitality, as well as serving as pastor to United Methodist churches in West Memphis and Fort Smith. She has a B.A. in English and French and an M.A. in Comparative Literature from the University of Arkansas. She graduated with her M.Div. from Perkins School of Theology in 2009 and her Ph.D. from the Graduate Program in Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University in 2014. She also graduated with a certificate in Women's and Gender Studies. Her dissertation examined the subject of infertility in the New Testament. She was a contributor to the CEB Womens Bible, and she periodically writes for the Adult Bible Studies Curriculum for Abingdon/Cokesbury. Michelle and her husband, Travis, have a son, Soren (not named for Kierkegaard). Pheme Perkins is a professor in the Theology Department at Boston College, specializing Johannine materials, Paulline Epistles and Gnosticism. She is a member of and leader in several professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Bible Association, the Society of New Testament Studies, and the Association of Theological Schools. Recent publications include: Gnosticism and the New Testament (Fortress Press), Peter: Apostle for the Whole Church (Fortress Press), Ephesians: Abingdon New Testament Commentary (Abingdon Press), Abraham's Divided Children: Galatians and the Politics of Faith (Trinity Press International). Suzanne Watts Henderson is Professor of Philosophy and Religion and Dean of the Belk Chapel at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. She teaches courses in Bible and world religions and is the director for the Center of Ethics and Religion. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Henderson has published widely in the field of New Testament studies and is a frequent presenter both in academic settings and in the wider community. She received her MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and her PhD from Duke University. Adjunct Professor of New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Chicago, IL Kathi Macias is an Angel-award winning writer who has authored or co-authored thirty books, including the bestselling devotional A Moment A Day, the popular Matthews mystery novels, and the Extreme Devotion series scheduled for 2010-2011 release. She is a popular speaker at churches, women s clubs and retreats, and writers conferences, and has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs. She also hosts the international blogtalkradio program Write the Vision for The International Christian Network (www.THEICN.com) and is a regular online contributor to Crosswalk.com, The Christian Pulse, and Churchmouse. Visit her on the web at KathiMacias.com