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Seven Questions for Beth M. Stovell
We asked the new Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOTC) editor, Beth M. Stovell, a few questions about her, and her hopes for the ministry of the AOTC series.
Hi! Who are you and what do you do day to day?
I’m Dr. Beth Stovell. I sometimes refer to myself as an “EK,” an “Evangelist’s Kid.” My dad, Steve Moskowitz, dedicated his life to sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. This shaped me as someone who cares deeply about God’s word and sharing it through teaching, speaking, writing, and editing. Born in Italy and raised in Texas, I moved to Canada in my early 20s. I have spent half of my life in the U.S. and the other half in Canada. I am often aware of how being bi-national has shaped me and my kids. I am also ethnically Jewish. My dad was an Ashkenazi Jew with Romanian and Israeli ancestry. He grew up within Judaism and became a Christian before I was born in his late 20s. As a Messianic Jew, he maintained his Judaism as part of his Christianity and encouraged me to do the same. I grew up with a deep awareness and participation in Jewish traditions alongside (and as part of) my Christian upbringing.
One of my great loves is teaching. Thus, I enjoy my role as Professor of Old Testament, teaching Old Testament, Hebrew, and Biblical Theology courses at Ambrose Seminary of Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We have a large international student population at Ambrose Seminary. I appreciate the way my students offer global perspectives on the Bible. I find that we learn from one another as I teach. Besides teaching and meeting with students, I oversee two of our Seminary programs as Chair of General Theological Studies.
When I am not working at Ambrose, I am often resourcing the pastors and leaders of my denomination, Vineyard Canada, as a theological consultant and as part of the Vineyard Canada National Team. I am active at my local church, Epic Vineyard, on the worship and teaching teams. I love to sing, play piano and guitar, and draw people into deeper connections to the Bible.
In terms of my family life, I’m also a wife to Jon Stovell, who is a fellow Vineyard theologian, and the mom of 3 teenagers who keep me very busy. When we have free time as a family, we love camping and hiking in the Canadian Rockies, which are a close drive for us. Every summer we have adventures together in the thick forests and tall mountains.
How does commentary editing, writing and publishing fit into that?
Writing has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I had editor’s eyes from the start. I remember reading books as a kid and noticing typos, inelegant word choices, and thinking about how the book could be reframed or reorganized. Commentary editing, writing, and publishing continue to be part of my daily life and a dedicated part of my regular work week. During my teaching days, I can be found editing or writing between classes. I also have a specific day each week designated for editing and writing. Editing and writing continue to be two of the callings that God has placed on my life that bring sparks of light and joy during my busy days.
What do you ‘hear’ or think when you see the acronym AOTC?
When I think of the Apollos Old Testament Commentary, I think of the values of inspiration and authority of Scripture, appreciating the way that Scripture has both divine and human aspects that shape how we understand who God is, who we are in light of God, what we should do with our lives, and how we engage with the world around us. For over two decades, this series has provided valuable international voices exploring the historical, literary, and theological depth of the Old Testament in ways that help those who preach and those simply want to go deeper with understanding God’s word. The AOTC series reminds me of the enduring value of biblical theology, drawing together the past value of the Bible for God’s people then and the present value for God’s people today.
What does it mean to you to be named as the new AOTC editor, alongside David?
I am so honoured to come into this role. The AOTC has been excellently run by Gordon Wenham and David Baker for over 20 years. I want to honour what has come before, while offering my unique skills and experience as the series continues. I am aware of the great responsibility and the great joy of offering my service in this way. I am proud to work with the well-respected scholars who are the authors of the AOTC series and excited to work closely with David as the series progresses. David and I have already built a collaborative rapport that I know will benefit the series.
Which existing AOTC volumes do think are particularly strong?
My first encounter with the AOTC series came when I read David Firth’s volume on 1 and 2 Samuel over a decade ago. I was struck by Firth’s ability to offer new perspectives in ways that were both academic and pastorally helpful. As a scholar who often works in the Minor Prophets, I frequently use volumes by Joshua Moon on Hosea, Elaine Phillips on Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah, and Anthony Patterson on Haggai-Malachi. Another exemplary volume is Gordon McConville on Deuteronomy. Each Fall semester I recommend this volume to my students. It is a wonderful example of the depth, clarity, and theological meaningfulness the AOTC series offers.
What do you think you will bring to the editorial process of the AOTC going forward?
My past training and experiences shape what I will bring to the editorial process of the AOTC. I have two degrees in English language and literature at the undergraduate and master’s level alongside my degrees in Biblical Studies. I enjoy helping authors to hone their writing towards clarity and beauty. In my PhD, I focused on biblical metaphor and the use of the Old Testament in the New Testament. This training offers a unique lens to my view of biblical theology and its importance. I continue to publish in the Old Testament, predominantly in Prophetic Literature, in the New Testament, predominantly in John’s Writings, and on topics in Biblical Theology. This diverse training and experience connect me with the diversity of our AOTC authors and the goals of the series.
I also bring experience in editing and commentary work. Over the years, I have worked on several edited volumes, collaborating with international scholars, and have written for 3 different commentary series (which are currently in progress or forthcoming). I appreciate the world of commentaries; I understand the way each has a particular audience and purpose and the ways commentaries can help bridge the academic world with the Church. This allows me to continue adding to the strengths of the AOTC series.
How can we be praying for you and your family?
My main prayer is for my children. All 3 of my kids are in crucial developmental stages. Two of them will be graduating from high school soon and the third is moving from junior high to high school next year. As my teenagers move closer to adulthood, my husband and I are praying for them to be sustained in their faith through these transitions and for their love of Jesus to continue deepening into their adulthood and for the rest of their lives.
We would encourage you to pray for Beth as she takes on this responsibility, and for Gordon. The next volumes in the Apollos Old Testament Commentary, publishing soon, are Numbers 1-19 and Numbers 20-36, both by L. Michael Morales, and beyond that the volume on the Psalms, by David G. Firth. Do keep checking back for updates, and please do continue to pray for the authors and editors of this commentary series.
