Biography

A. Rahel Wells is passionate about God’s Word and God’s world, and seeks to combine these areas in teaching, scholarship and ministry.

Her current research focus areas include God’s care for animals and the earth, metaphor in the Old Testament, composition of the Torah, and the books of Deuteronomy and Habakkuk. Along with various conference presentations on these topics, her recent publications include several journal articles and book chapters, and three book projects in progress. A book she co-edited and contributed to, "Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch," was published in 2020 by Eisenbrauns. She also wrote the commentary on the book of Esther for the "Andrews Bible Commentary." Rahel fosters student research and collaborative conference presentations and is also president-elect of the Adventist Theological Society.

She is married to Bill Wells, and they love doing youth and young adult ministry together, as well as backpacking, cross-country skiing, and climbing mountains.

Current Research or Professional Activities

Refereed Journal Articles

•  Schafer, A. Rahel. “Rest for the Animals? Nonhuman Sabbath Repose in Pentateuchal Law.” Bulletin of Biblical Research 22 (2013): 167–186.
•  Schafer, A. Rahel. “’Does God Care About Oxen?’:  Another Look at Paul’s Use of Deuteronomy 25:4 in 1 Corinthians 9:9.” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 21 (2010): 114–132.
•  Schafer, A. Rahel. Davidson.  “The ‘Kinds’ of Genesis 1:  What Is the Meaning of min?”  Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 14 (2003): 86–100.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Animals, Accountability, and Persons.” Sapientia, April 30, 2021. https://henrycenter.tiu.edu/2021/04/animals-accountability-and-persons/
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Eschatologie et écologie. Pourquoi prendre soin de la terre si tout va brûler?” SERVIR-Revue adventiste de théologie 4 (2019): 97–110.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “‘One Language and One Tongue:’ Animal Speech in Jubilees 3:27-31.” Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha 28 (2019): 319–337.
   

Chapters Contributed to Books

• Baker, L. S., Jr., and A. Rahel Wells. “Egyptian Language Practice: A Model for Hebrew Poetic Use?” Pages 49–65 in Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch. Edited by K. Bergland, et al. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2020. 
•  Schafer, A. Rahel. “‘All of Them Wait on You’: God’s Response to the Vocalized Suffering, Needs, and Desires of Non-Human Creatures in the Psalms.” In Los Salmos: Su interpretación y mensaje (Psalms: Its Interpretation and Message). Edited by R. Davidson and E. Horna. Vol. 1. Lima, Perú: Fondo Editorial Universidad Peruana Unión, in press.
•  Schafer, A. Rahel.. “Co-creaturely Associates or Peers? The Nature of Animals as Portrayed in Isaiah.” Pages 64–101 in Meeting with God on the Mountains: Essays in Honor of Richard M. Davidson. Edited by Jiri Moskala. Berrien Springs, Mich.: SDATS Old Testament Department, 2016.
•  Schafer, A. Rahel. “Esther.” In Andrews Bible Commentary. Edited by A. Rodriguez, et al. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2020.  
•  Schafer, A. Rahel. “How Can Environmental Care Be Grounded in Biblical Theology?” Pages 25–34 in Entrusted: Christians and Environmental Care. Edited by S. Dunbar, L. J. Gibson, and H. M. Rasi. Adventus International University Publishing, 2013.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Direction of Dependence in the Animal-Related Sabbath Laws in the Pentateuch.” In Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch, Vol. 2. Edited by K. Bergland, et al. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, forthcoming.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Reading the Eye: Optic Metaphorical Agency in Deuteronomic Law.” Pages 366–83 in Write that They May Read: Studies in Literacy and Textualization in the Ancient Near East and in the Hebrew Scriptures. Essays in Honor of Professor Alan R. Millard. Edited by Daniel I. Block, C. John Collins, David C. Deuel, and Paul J. Lawrence. Eugene, OR: Pickwick, 2020.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Why Care for the Earth if It Is All Going to Burn? Eschatology and Ecology.” Proceedings of the 4th International Bible Conference. Rome, Italy, June 20, 2018. Edited by D. Laszlo, D. Kaiser, A. Rahel Wells. Biblical Research Institute, forthcoming. 

Book Projects in Progress

• Moskala, Jiri, and A. Rahel Wells. Deuteronomy.  Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary. Pacific Press.
• Petersen, Paul B., and A. Rahel Wells. Habakkuk. Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary. Nampa, ID: Pacific Press, in press.

Professional Journal Periodical Articles

• Schafer, A. Rahel. “Does God Care about Oxen?” Perspective Digest 17, no. 3 (2012).
• Schafer, A. Rahel. “Stewardship as a Privilege: The Earth is the Lord’s and Everything in It.”  Adventist World  (August, 2012): 22–23.
• Schafer, A. Rahel. “‘Oh, How I Love Your Law!’” Adventist World 7, no. 5 (May 14, 2011): 20–21.
• Wells, Bill, and Rahel Wells. “A Love Song for the Ages.” Adventist Review 195, no. 1 (January 2018): 37–41.

Book Reviews

• Schafer, A. Rahel. Review of Joel B. Green and Jacqueline E. Lapsley, eds., The Old Testament and Ethics: A Book-by-Book Survey. Themelios 39 (2014): 519–520.
• Schafer, A. Rahel. Review of Benjamin A. Foreman, Animal Metaphors and the People of Israel.  Bulletin of Biblical Research 22 (2013): 272.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  Review of Andrew Sloane, At Hme in a Strange Land: Using the Old Testament in Christian Ethics. Bulletin of Biblical Research 21 (2011): 116–117.

Scholarly/Professional Papers Read

• Wells, A. Rahel. “The Eye as a Metaphorical Agent in Deuteronomic Law.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. Denver, Colo., November 18, 2018.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Why Care for the Earth if It Is All Going to Burn?” Paper presented at the 4th International Bible Conference. Rome, Italy, June 20, 2018.
• Zdor, R., S. M. Henson, M. Murray, B. Navia, R. Wells, and T. Goodwin. “Fostering Student Faith Development and Integration Across the Curriculum: The Andrews University Biology Department Experience.” Panel discussion at the annual Andrews University Teaching and Learning Conference. Berrien Springs, Mich., March 29, 2018.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Purim as Pedagogy.” Keynote address presented at the annual Andrews University Teaching and Learning Conference. Berrien Springs, Mich., March 29, 2018.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Direction of Dependence in the Animal Sabbath Laws in the Pentateuch.” Paper presented at the Exploring the Composition of the Pentatuech Conference. Berrien Springs, Mich., March 27, 2018.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Did the Reformers Misunderstand Righteousness by Faith? New Perspectives on Habakkuk 2:4b.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Adventist Theological Society. Boston, Mass., November 18, 2017.
• Baker, L. S., Jr., and A. Rahel Schafer. “Egyptian Language Practice: A Model for Hebrew Poetic Use?” Paper presented at the Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch Conference. Berrien Springs, Mich., April 4, 2016.
• Schafer, A. Rahel, “Possession by Pelicans: Legitimate Land Acquisition by Non-Human Animals in Isaiah 34.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. San Diego, Calif., November 22, 2014.
• Schafer, A. Rahel, “Should We Bring Our Dogs to Church? Non-Human Animals and Ecclesiology.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies. San Diego, Calif., November 21, 2014.
• Schafer, A. Rahel. “Wailing Walls and Fearful Flocks: Non-human Emotion as Portrayed in the Hebrew Bible.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Baltimore, Md., November 20, 2013.
• Schafer, A. Rahel  “Sentient or Silent? The Personification of Stones and Wood in Habakkuk 2.”  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. Baltimore, Md., November 24, 2013.
• Schafer, A. Rahel. “All Creatures Great and Small:  The Biblical Argument for a Plant-Based Diet.” Paper presented at the McElmurry Ethics and Society Lectureship. Berrien Springs, Mich., October 5, 2013.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “Indications and Implications of a Seventh Day in Psalm 104.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. Chicago, Ill., November 18, 2012.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “God Created Gaia: An Evangelical Response to Ecofeminism.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Milwaukee, Wis., November 14, 2012.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “’One Language and One Tongue’: Animal Speech in Jubilees 3:27-31.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. San Francisco, Calif., November 22, 2011.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “Co-Creaturely Associates and Peers: The Nature of Animals as Portrayed in Isaiah.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society.  Atlanta, Ga., November 19, 2010.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “The Knowledge from Creation: Condemning Glory and Hopeful Suffering in Rom 1:18-23 and Rom 8:19-23.”  Paper presented at the Adventism and Arminianism Symposium.  Berrien Springs, Mich., October 16, 2010.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “Rest for the Animals? Non-Human Sabbath Rejuvenation in Pentateuchal Law.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature.  New Orleans, La., November 23, 2009.
• Schafer, A. Rahel.  “Nomological or Inspirational? Paul’s Use of the Old Testament in 1 Corinthians.”  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society.  Providence, R.I., November 2008. Schafer, A. Rahel, H.T. Goodwin, L. Brand, H. Moon.  2004.  “Taphonomy of microfossils from the Black Mountain turtle layer, Eocene Bridger Formation, southwestern Wyoming.” Sixty-fourth annual meeting, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology; abstracts, Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 24, no. 3: 110.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Who Curses First? Direction of Dependence between the Covenant Curses in Amos and the Torah.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Virtual. Nov 19, 2020.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “The Earth is the Lord’s and Everything in it: A Theologian’s view of the Natural World.” Paper presented at the annual Autumn Conference on Religion and Science. Berrien Springs, MI, Nov 1, 2019. 
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Purim as Pedagogy.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. San Diego, CA, November 25, 2019.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Christ in the Covenant Curses? Deuteronomy 28 and the Gospel.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. San Diego, CA, November 22, 2019.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Bioethics and the Science-Theology Dialogue.” Paper presented at the 15th Annual Seminary Scholarship Symposium. Berrien Springs, Mich., Feb 15, 2019. 
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Who Curses First? Direction of Dependence between the Covenant Curses in Amos and the Torah.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. Virtual. Nov 19, 2020.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “The Earth is the Lord’s and Everything in it: A Theologian’s view of the Natural World.” Paper presented at the annual Autumn Conference on Religion and Science. Berrien Springs, MI, Nov 1, 2019. 
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Purim as Pedagogy.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature. San Diego, CA, November 25, 2019.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Christ in the Covenant Curses? Deuteronomy 28 and the Gospel.” Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society. San Diego, CA, November 22, 2019.
• Wells, A. Rahel. “Bioethics and the Science-Theology Dialogue.” Paper presented at the 15th Annual Seminary Scholarship Symposium. Berrien Springs, Mich., Feb 15, 2019.

Books Edited

• Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch.  Edited by K. Bergland, L. S. Baker, Jr., F. Masotti, and A. Rahel Wells. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2020. 

Professional Activities

• Member, American Association for the Advancement of Science (May 2013–present)
• Member, Sigma Xi (May 2012-present)
• Member, National Association of Professors of Hebrew (May 2011–present)
• Member, Institute for Biblical Research (Feb 2011–present)
• Member, Society of Biblical Literature (2008–present)
• Member, Evangelical Theological Society (2008–present)
• Member, Adventist Theological Society (2007–present)

Church-related Presentations/Sermons

• Seminar on the minor prophets at Michigan Campmeeting 2016
• Presenter on ATS Academy, Hope Channel, Year 2 (2018)
• Presenter on Inside the Bible, Hope Channel (2017)
• Speaker for the Junior Tent at Wisconsin Campmeeting 2016
• Speaker for the youth at the Zomi SDA Campmeeting, Grand Rapids, Mchigan, July 3, 2018
• Various sermons/seminars at churches in Michigan (2012–present)
  •  “Why Care for the Earth if It is All Going to Burn?” (Eau Claire SDA Church, June 30, 2018)
  • “The Value of Uncertainty” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Feb 10, 2018)
  • “Faith, Faith, or Faith” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Sept. 23, 2017)
  • “God’s  Will: To Know or Not to Know” (Eau Claire SDA Church, March 11, 2017)
  • “Rahab’s Mission: A Revolutionary Course” (Eau Claire SDA Church, March 12, 2016)
  • “Unforgivable Sins” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Aug. 31, 2013)
  • “Habakkuk’s Easter Reversal” (East Lansing SDA Church, 2013)
  • “The Canaanite Conundrum” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Aug. 23, 2016)
  • “The Choice of Joy, and the Joy of Choice” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Jan. 24, 2015)
  • “Persistence. Penitence. Power.” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Nov. 14, 2015)
  • “The Turban and the Crown” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Aug. 1, 2015)
  • “Praying for Prosperity” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Sept. 28, 2013)
  • “In Love with the Law” (Eau Claire SDA Church, July 25, 2014)
  • “God’s 10 Great Words: Property (8th commandment)” (Eau Claire SDA Church, March 9, 2013)
  • Seminar on the Jewish Feasts (2017—Troy SDA Church, 2012—Glenwood SDA Church)
  • Seminar on the minor prophets (Munising SDA Church, 2017)
  • “Sabbath” at God’s Boot Camp for Pioneer Memorial Church (September 2017)
  • “A Sword for the Lord … or for Gideon?” (Eau Claire SDA Church, March 20, 2021)
  • “Where’s the Love?” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Jan. 23, 2021)
  • “Jewels for Jesus” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Sept. 12, 2020)
  • “Bathsheba: Restoration after Great Pain” (AU One Place, June 27, 2020)
  • “Seeing the Great Light” (Eau Claire SDA Church, May 23, 2020)
  • “Faith Times Five” (Bauer SDA Church/Wyoming SDA Church, Feb. 8, 2020)
  • “Christ in the Covenant Curses” (Eau Claire SDA Church, Dec. 14, 2019)
  • “Faith, Faith, Faith, Faith, or Faith?” (Traverse City SDA Church, Oct. 26, 2019)
• Mentored youth group in a sermon (May 26, 2014)
• Mentored Pathfinders in many sermonettes for Pathfinder Sabbaths (2005–2017)
• Presenter at Mchigan Youth Summit 2016
• Presenter at yearly Master Guide and Pathfinder Leadership Award training seminars in Michigan and the Lake Union (2010–present)
• Presenter at Michigan Conference Mother/Daughter Retreat 2014
• Presenter on Scriptural Pursuit several times (2011–2017)
• Speaker for the Wisconsin Conference Officer’s Retreat, February 21–23, 2020
• Speaker for the Youth Tent at Michigan Campmeeting, June 15–22, 2019

Other Service Activities

• Conference Organization: McElmurry Ethics and Society Lectureship. Berrien Springs, Michigan, Oct. 3–5, 2013
• Conference Organization: Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch Conference. Berrien Springs, Michigan, April 3–5, 2016
• Conference Organization: Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch Conference. Berrien Springs, Michigan, March 25–27, 2018
• President-elect of Adventist Theological Society (2018–present)