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Department of Theology and Religion

Current students

Mr. Ramone Billingsley, B.Th., M.Div., M.A.

Personal web page

Contact Mr. Ramone Billingsley

Background

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama (USA). After high school in the fall of 1995, I moved to Oberlin, Ohio to pursue an undergraduate degree in Organ Performance and Literature at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. While at Oberlin, I studied with Mr. David Boe (organ), Lisa Goode Crawford (Harpsichord), and the Late Neal Creque (jazz piano). Although I am a classically trained organist, I also play traditional and contemporary gospel music as well as jazz and some rhythm and blues.

In early 2000, I became interested in the academic study of the Hebrew Bible & Cognate Literature. This resulted in me completing a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Divinity at Temple Bible College & Seminary (Cleveland, Ohio). I later matriculated to Ashland Theological Seminary (Ashland, Ohio), where I completed a Master of Arts in Hebrew Bible & Northwest Semitic Languages. After finishing Ashland, I worked there as an administrator and adjunct instructor in biblical studies.

As a professional organist and ordained clergyperson, I have served several congregations in Alabama, Ohio, and Georgia. I am an ordained Baptist minister (National Baptist Convention Inc.), however, I have served congregations from various denominations.

Currently, I am working on a Ph.D. degree with Dr. Stuart Weeks (primary supervisor) and Prof. Robert Hayward (secondary). My research focuses on Yahweh and fire imagery in the Hebrew Bible and ancient Near East. As a part-time student, I live in the states (Avon Lake, Ohio) while working as an adjunct instructor, and professional organist.

My path to Ph.D. studies is the result of several people who nurtured and pushed me to pursue advanced studies. They are my heroes and I am forever indebted to them: Dr. Dan Hawk, Dr. David W. Baker, Dr. John Byron, Dr. David deSilva, and Rev. Dr. Sterling E. Glover. 

Teaching and General Research Interests

  • Ancient Israelite Religion
  • Ancient Near Eastern Languages, Literature & Religion
  • The Song of Songs
  • Postmodern Reading Strategies
  • Preaching from the Hebrew Bible
  • Deuteronomistic History
  • Biblical Criticism

Academic Guilds

  • Society of Biblical Literature (member)
  • Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society (member; nominations committee)
  • Catholic Biblical Association (associate member)
  • National Association of Professors of Hebrew (member)

Is supervised by