Rev. Michael Ufok Udoekpo (2011)
S.T.D., Angelicum University, Rome
M.A., St. John’s University (New York)
Hebrew Certificate, Hartman Institute, Israel
B.Ph. Urban University Rome
S.T.B. Urban University Rome

Dissertation: “Re-Thinking the Day of YHWH and Restoration of Fortunes in the Prophet Zephaniah: an Exegetical and Theological Study of 1; 14-18; 3:14-20.”

Thesis: “John 4:4-42: A Postcolonial Interpretation of the Discourse with the Samaritan Women: A Theological Implication in an African Context.”

Special Interests: Biblical Studies: OT Exegesis: Prophetic Literature, particularly Late-pre-exilic Prophets, Deuteronomic History, Biblical Hebrew and Greek, Syriach Literature and Aramaic Targum Fourth Gospel, Ecumenism/Cultural and Religious Dialogues

Publications:

• Udoekpo, Michael Ufok, “Welcoming “the Weak” and “the Strong” into the Church –Family in Africa: Perspectives from Romans 14:1-15:13.” In The Mustard Seed, Catholic Institute of West Africa Publications, 15 edition, vol. 2., (2019), pp.4-7.
• Udoekpo, Michael Ufok, “Blessing (brk) and Curses(‘rr): Reading Canaan’s Curses in Gen 9:18-27 in Light of African Values,” in Acts of the Catholic Biblical Association of Nigeria (CABAN), Vol 11, edited by Ukwuegbu Bernard, and co., Port Harcourt, Nigeria: CABAN Publications, 2019, 1-18.
• Rethinking The Prophetic Critique of Worship in Amos 5 For Contemporary Nigeria and the USA. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick, 2017.
• “Zephaniah, Book of, Critical Issues,” in Lexham Bible Dictionary, Lexham Press, 2015.
• “Nahum, Book of, Critical Issues,” in Lexham Bible Dictionary, Lexham Press, 2015
• “Theological Functions of “Seek the Lord” (bᾱqqaš ʾădōnᾱy) in Zephaniah 2:1-3, for Contemporary Society,” Winter, 2015: Volume 6 Number 2 of International Journal of African Catholicism, pp.77-91.
• “Biblical Reflections on the Identity of the Catholic Priesthood Today: Essay in Honor of An African Bishop.”IJAC, volume 6, No. 1, summer, 2014.
• “Habakkuk’s Faith and God’s Sovereignty: A Paradigm for the Suffering righteous Today.” in American Journal of Biblical Theology, volume 15, No.36, 2014.
• “Nahum Book of, Critical Issues in Lexham Bible Dictionary, forthcoming.
• “Zephaniah, Book of, Critical Issues,” in Lexham Bible Dictionary, forthcoming.
• “Joel, Book of, Critical Issues,” in Lexham Bible Dictionary, forthcoming.
• “The Sovereignty of God in Habakkuk: Its Significance for Today.” Forthcoming Testamentum Imperium, 2014.
• “Prophet Zephaniah and the Deepening of Faith in Ecclesia (churches) in Africa and America,” in International Journal of African Catholicism(IJAC), vol.4/2, (2013), pp.25-51.
• “Paul’s Theology of the Church as the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27): Its Missionary Implications for the Church in (Africa) Nigeria” the International Journal of African Catholicism 4:1 (2013).
• Re-thinking the Day of YHWH and Restoration of Fortunes in the Prophet Zephaniah: An Exegetical and Theological Study of 1:14-18; 3:14-20. Das Alte Testament im Dialogue= an Outline OT Dialogue Vol 2.Bern: Peter Lang, 2010. (Reviewed in: Old Testament Abstracts, Vol. 34 :2011 ; Theological Book Review, Vol. 23, No. 2, 2011 ; Estudios Biblicos, Volumen LXIX, 2011 Cuaderno 3, pp.354-355)
• “Liturgy as the Primary Role of the Priest,” in Reconciliation and Renewal of Services in the Church, Lineamenta of the Synop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese , Nigeria , 2002.
• “New Evangelization” in the Lineamenta of the Synop of Ikot Ekpene Diocese, 2002.
• The Limits of a Divided Nation. Enugu , Nigeria ; Snaap Press, 1999.
• Family Functions and Children Education in Modern Society . Pathom Graphic, Ikot Ekpene , Nigeria , 1997.
• Corruption in Nigerian Culture: The Liberating Mission of the Church. Enugu , Nigeria : Snaap Press, 1994.
• “Psalm 126 and the Prophecy of Zephaniah: A Comparative Study.” (Upcoming – Catholic Biblical Quarterly.)
• “Seek the Lord (bagaš ‘ adonay) in the Prophet Zephaniah 2:1-3: Towards an Hermeneutics of Faith.” (In progress.)
• Blog: Sharing the Word of God

Book reviews:

• Review of Michael S. Moore, What Is This Babbler Trying to Say? Essay On Biblical Interpretation (Oregon: Pickwick, 2016). PP. xix+ 348. Paper $ 42.00 in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, vol. 79, no. 4 (October 2017), 732-734.
• Review of Uzukwu, Gesila Nneka. The Unity of Male and Female in Jesus Christ: An Exegetical Study of Galatians 3.28c in Light of Paul’s Theology of Promise (London; New York: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2015) in Theological Book Review 27:1 (2016) 42-43.
• Review of Heil, John Paul. 1-3 John: Worship by Loving God and One Another to Live Eternally (Cambridge: James Clarke & Co., 2015) in Theological Book Review 27:1 (2016) 44-45.
• Review of Song, Angeline M. G. A Postcolonial Woman’s Encounter with Moses and Miriam (Postcolonialism and Religions; New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015) in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 79:1 (2017) 129-131.
• Review of Joseph Blenkinsopp, Abraham: The Story of a Life (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2015.) In the Catholic Biblical Quarterly,Vol. 78. n.3 (July 2016): 526-528.
• Review of Alan Lenzi and Jonathan stokl  (eds.). Divination, Politics, and Ancient Near Eastern Empires (Ancient Near East Monographs 7; Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2014). Pp. x + 208. I in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, vol. 77. n.4, 2015, pp.787-789.
• Review of Andrew Chester, Future Hope and the Present Reality. vol 1, Eschatology and Transformation in the Hebrew Bible (WUNT 293; Tubingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012). pp. xvii + 384.$109, in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly, vol.77n.2 (April 2015), 338-339.9.
• Mark J. Bodd and Lissa M. Wray Beal (eds.), Prophets, Prophecy, and Ancient Israelite Historiography (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2013). Pp. xxii+400. $54.50. CBQ (January, 2014).
• Forthcoming: Lee Martin McDonald, Formation of the Bible: The Story of the Church’s Canon . Peabody: Hendrickson, 2012. pp. xii+178. Paper. ISBN: 978-1-59856-838-7. Theological Book Review.
• Ignatius M.C. Obinwa, “I Shall Feed Them with Good Pasture” (Ezek 34:14):  The Shepherd Motif in Ezekiel 34:  Its Theological Import and Socio-political Implications (Forschung Zur Bibel, Band 125; Würzburg:  Verlag, 2012).  Pp. 526. Catholic Biblical Quarterly , vol. 75, No.3 July 2013, pp. 561-63
• Roberto Martinez, The Question of John the Baptist and Jesus’ Indictment of the Religious Leaders: A Critical Analysis of Luke 7:18-35. Cambridge: James Clarke & Co, 2012. pp. xiii + 231. Paper $27.00.ISBN: 978-0-27768-011-7 (Theological Book Review Vol.25, no. 1. 2013). pp 29-30.
• Martinez, Roberto. “The Question of John the Baptist and Jesus’ Indictment of the Religious Leasers: A Critical Analysis of Luke 7:18-35.Cambridge: James Clarke & Co, 2012. pp. xiii + 231. Paper $27.00.ISBN: 978-0-27768-011-7 (Forthcoming in the Theology Book Review).
• Obinwa, Ignatius M.C. “I Shall Feed Them with Good Pasture” (Ezek 34:14): The Shepherd Motif in Ezekiel 34: Its Theological Import and Socio-political Implications (Forshung Zur Bibel, Band 125; Wüzburg: Verlag, 2012). Pp. 526. Paper 30 Euro. (Forthcoming in July Catholic Biblical Quarterly).
• Walter Brueggemann, David and His Theologian: Literary, Social, and Theological Investigation of the Early Monarchy (Eugene, Ore: Cascade, 2011). The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Vol. 75, No.1, January 2013, 112-114.
• Ruiz, Jean-Pierre, Readings From the Edges: The Bible & People on the Move . (Studies in Latino/Catholicism; Maryknoll , New York : Orbis Books, 2011). Pp. xii + 185. Paper $28.00. ISBN: 978-1-57075-944-4, Theological Book Review, vol 24. 1, 2012.
• Ignatius M.C. Obinwa, “I Shall Feed Them with Good Pasture” (Ezek 34:14):  The Shepherd Motif in Ezekiel 34: Its Theological Import and Socio-political Implications (Forschung Zur Bibel, Band 125; Würzburg:  Verlag, 2012) in Catholic Biblical Quarterly 75:3 (2013) 561-563.