About Carmen Joy Imes

Bio

Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is associate professor of Old Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, in Southern California. She is the author of Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters, Being God’s Image: Why Creation Still Matters, and Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters. Her primary areas of expertise are Exodus and the Psalms. Carmen has a YouTube channel where she releases weekly Torah Tuesday videos and you can find her writing on various websites, including Christianity Today, Substack, The Well, and The Politics of Scripture blog. Carmen has appeared on over 150 podcasts and radio outlets. She enjoys traveling to speak at churches, schools, conferences, and retreats. Carmen is passionate about equipping the church to engage the Old Testament well and to see its relevance for the Christian life.

The Rest of the Story

I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. My mom tells me that as a toddler I liked to carefully page through books, treating them with utmost respect. When I was older, I loved reading so much that my mom had to shoo me outside to play. I also loved to write. Every fresh journal was sparkling with new possibilities. I’m thankful to have had many pastors, teachers, and professors over the course of my life who were not afraid of difficult questions and who encouraged me to keep learning. I’m delighted to have found a career that keeps me in school for the rest of my life!

I met my husband, Daniel, at Multnomah University and together we’ve served in church ministry and with SIM International as missionaries. We lived in the Philippines reaching out to ethnic minorities with SIM before transferring to our mission’s international office. While living in North Carolina, I earned an MA in Biblical Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Charlotte campus). Then we moved to Wheaton, Illinois where I completed a PhD in Biblical Theology with a concentration in Old Testament. Before teaching at Biola University, I taught at Prairie College in Three Hills, Alberta, and as an adjunct at George Fox University and Multnomah University.

Together Daniel and I have raised three children who are now emerging adults. We’ve moved 16 times together, but we’re happily settled in Southern California in our (almost) empty nest. We enjoy hiking, playing pickleball, and going for walks in the neighborhood. We built this website together (aw, how romantic!).

Degrees

B.A. in Biblical Studies, Multnomah University

M.A. in Biblical Studies, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Ph.D. in Biblical Theology (Old Testament), Wheaton College

Affiliations

Evangelical Theological Society

Institute for Biblical Research

Society of Biblical Literature

Every Voice Kingdom Diversity Fellow

Holy Post Media Pundit

Carmen’s Newsletter

Logo for Carmen's Newsletter: The Open Book.

THE OPEN BOOK is my free newsletter on Substack.

It’s the best way to keep up with current speaking engagements, podcast interviews, new books, video courses, and other content. Plus, it’s a great community, and I’d love to have you join us.

Come gather around an open Bible with others who are seeking to understand it better and respond faithfully!

Looking for More?

COME STUDY AT BIOLA!

Biola University offers dozens of majors for undergraduates, including Bible, Theology, & Ministry. Regardless of major, most of our undergraduate students earn a Bible minor. We also offer graduate programs in Bible, Theology, Spiritual Formation, Apologetics, and Philosophy.

CARMEN’S CURRICULUM VITAE

For more details on publications, speaking engagements, or awards.

MAILING ADDRESS

Talbot School of Theology
13301 University Drive, La Mirada, CA 90639

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