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Faculty |
By Saffiyah Abdullah
On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Columbia Theological Seminary celebrated the inauguration of the Rev. Dr. Mitzi J. Smith as the J. Davison Philips Professor of New Testament. The ceremony took place in Harrington Chapel, bringing together esteemed colleagues, students, and guests from Decatur, Georgia and across the country.
The ceremony was filled with words of celebration, including from Dr. Christine Roy Yoder, Senior Vice President and Dean of Faculty, who praised Dr. Smith’s profound contributions to the Columbia community and beyond: “She is a trailblazer, justice seeker, truth-teller, and survivor—a survivor whose work and witness challenge and motivate us all.”
As part of her inauguration, Dr. Smith delivered a lecture titled Rereading Luke’s Slave Parables through the Eyes of a Freedman, in which she examined the Gospel of Luke’s portrayal of Jesus as the son of Mary, a doulē (slave woman). Luke 4:16-19 served as the focal text for her exploration.
Dr. Smith’s vows were administered by Dr. Jane Fahey ’01, Chair of the Board of Trustees, and Columbia Theological Seminary President, the Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo Jr.
Her inauguration acknowledges her dedication to biblical scholarship, pedagogy and prophetic proclamation.
Dr. Smith is widely recognized as a prolific writer, scholar, and educator. She has authored, co-authored, and edited ten books, in addition to contributing numerous essays, chapters, and journal articles. She earned her Ph.D. in Religion (New Testament) from Harvard University, making history as the first African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in New Testament from the institution. Among her many publications, her memoir, Not Wanting a Thing to Be the Thing: An African American Woman Biblical Scholar’s Stroke Memoir, offers a deeply personal reflection on her journey.
Beyond her contributions as a lecturer, Dr. Smith is an influential voice in theological discourse both within the academy and for the public. She hosts the podcast Beyond the Womanist Classroom and serves on the editorial boards of New Testament Studies and The Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus.
Dr. Smith has held the J. Davison Philips Professorship of New Testament since 2019. The chair is named in honor of Dr. Phillips, who, following his tenure as president of Columbia Theological Seminary, left a lasting impact on the institution, particularly through his efforts in expanding international engagement.
