William Bowes

Thesis title: John's Interpretation of Mark: Composition as Exegesis in the Fourth Gospel

Biography

Background

William Bowes successfully defended his dissertation (for the PhD in New Testament and Christian Origins) in 2025. His research interests include reception and source use in antiquity, with a specific focus on the interaction between early Christian Gospels. His dissertation project focused on viewing Gospel writing alongside other ancient Jewish analogues and their source reuse practices. William has published widely, with peer-reviewed articles in major journals such as Early Christianity and Bibliotheca Sacra. 

Responsibilities & affiliations

Memberships: 

  • Society of Biblical Literature
  • Institute for Biblical Research

Undergraduate teaching

William was a tutor for Bible in Literature for the academic year 2024-2025.

Research summary

William's research interests include ancient compositional practices and intertextuality, as well as social-science-based hermeneutics (such as trauma readings). His specialty is in the Gospels in the New Testament. 

Conference details

  • The Presbyterian Scholar’s Conference, Wheaton, IL, 19-20 October 2021 (Invited speaker on Pauline Studies)
  • The Pastoral Implications of Pseudepigraphy in the New Testament, Houston, TX, 19-21 May 2022 (Invited Speaker on 2 Peter)
  • Scottish Biblical Studies Conference, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK, 3 June 2024
  • Institute for Biblical Research Graduate Symposium, 14 September 2024

Papers delivered

  • Delivered paper entitled “Life and Death in the Gospel of Thomas: Existence and Esotericism in Early Non-Canonical Groups,” Presented at a Themed Session: “Modeling Traditions from the Margins: Non-Canonical Writings in Religious Systems,” at The Eleventh International Conference on Religion and Spirituality in Society, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain, 3-4 June 2021.
  • Delivered paper entitled “Machen’s The Origin of Paul’s Religion After 100 Years: Paul’s Gospel and the Shape of Pauline Studies Since 1921,”  for The Presbyterian Scholar’s Conference, Wheaton, IL, 19-20 October 2021.
  • Delivered paper entitled, "Can We Teach What Peter Did Not Write? Authority, Inspiration, and the Problem of 2 Peter," for the PIPAINT Conference at the Lanier Theological Library in Houston, TX, 19-21 May 2022. 
  • Delivered paper entitled, “John’s Gospel, Jewish Literature, and the Art of the Farewell Discourse,” at the Scottish Biblical Studies Day Conference, Edinburgh, UK, 3 June 2024
  • Delivered paper entitled “John for Readers of Numbers,” at the IBR Graduate Symposium, 9 September 2024.
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