encouraged me to pursue my own research interests and empowered me to find my own voice as a scholar. His quiet encouragement in these areas, as well as his relentless commitment to academic rigor, contributed significantly to my growth as a scholar. Eileen Schuller, a scholar of early Judaism at McMaster University, also had a vital role in my academic training and formation. Her commitment to excellence alongside her humility and concern for others continues to serve as an important example for me. What are the most pressing issues or concerns you have related to the broader field of biblical studies? I am especially concerned that there are so few publications which integrate faith and serious study of the Bible. While I am not opposed to studies that have a purely academic focus—indeed, most of my work falls into this category—many churches could benefit from books that address faith concerns with a more intellectually rigorous approach. Even as the church needs to be challenged to think more carefully about the scriptures, so academics need to find ways to make their work more accessible to those outside of their academic circles. Why study the scriptures/biblical text? For as long as I can remember, the scriptures have had a profound impact upon the way I see and interact with the world. In short, no other collection of texts has transformed my life and practices like the scriptures have. This is not surprising since the biblical authors themselves assumed that their message communicated the “Word of God” to His people. To receive these ancient texts in a manner that respects their intended purpose thus involves embracing the way God can and does speak through them. Because the biblical texts have such an influential role in the life of God’s people, I want to study them for myself and to help others learn to study them. What do you like to do for fun? As a mother of four energetic children, I developed a deep appreciation for watching athletic activities. When my children began to play varsity sports, my enthusiasm for sports grew. Although I expect that I will continue to enjoy these activities, now that my children are finished university, I will probably return to a more quiet life of reading novels and going on camping trips with my husband. 14 A big thanks to Women Biblical Scholars for letting us reshare their interview with Prof. Wendel. Visit their website here to read about more women who are in biblical scholarship.