Sally Douglas’ research spans biblical studies and theology, as she reflexively engages with early church texts, and the potential implications of these in contemporary context. She is passionate about exploring questions of meaning, purpose, practice, and ethics as these relate to ancient and contemporary sources.

 Sally’s interdisciplinary doctoral research investigated early church christology and was published in the LNTS series by Bloomsbury as Early Church Understandings of Jesus as the Female Divine: The Scandal of the Scandal of Particularity in 2016. She continues to publish research in international journals and monographs. In 2021 The Church as Salt: Becoming the Community Jesus Speaks About was published by Coventry Press. This was followed in 2023 with the publication of Jesus Sophia: Returning to Woman Wisdom in the Bible, Practice, and Prayer by Cascade Books in 2023. Sally continues to give papers at academic conferences including SBL, EABS, and ANZATS.

 Sally’s work focuses on questions of christology, soteriology, and discipleship. Ancient and contemporary expressions of ecclesiology, and practices of faith and spirituality are also key areas of exploration in her current research. She engages with the work of early church authors, including texts that have been minimised in more recent centuries, and with Womanist and Feminist readings. With precision and energy, Sally is able to excavate and underscore the disruptive importance of diverse biblical and theological sources.

 Before embarking on biblical and theological studies as a candidate for ordained ministry, Sally completed a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Teaching, and was a teacher in adult, secondary, and primary school settings. Within the University of Divinity, Sally has taught for both the United Faculty of Theology and for Pilgrim Theological College across the fields of New Testament Studies, Theology, and Spirituality as an Associate Lecturer. During this time, Sally created, co-created and taught units including The Gospel of Mark in Context, Cross and Resurrection in Early Christianity, and Jesus, Justice, and Discipleship. After being an Honorary Research Associate for many years within the University of Divinity, in 2024 Sally joined the Faculty of Pilgrim Theological College as Lecturer in New Testament Studies.

 Sally is often invited to speak on podcasts about her research. These include interviews on ABC Radio National’s Soul Search and God Forbid podcasts, as well as the Spiritual Misfits, Love, Rinse, Repeat and Inverse podcasts. She is also a co-host for the By the Well lectionary podcast, and regularly writes popular level articles.

 Sally is a Uniting Church minister. She has served beloved congregations in rural and inner-city contexts, and for ten years she has worked in the mode of ‘scholar pastor’. Sally’s articles, books, and liturgies are utilised across the church, and she is regularly a keynote speaker at local, state, and national events

University Appointments

Lecturer, New Testament (Pilgrim Theological College)
Lecturer (Pilgrim Theological College)