S1:E7 Dr. Brad Embry

Guest Introduction

For the final episode of Season 1 of the Platform to Table podcast, theologian and Old Testament scholar, Dr. Brad Embry, shares his story of spiritual (re)formation.

For the last seven years, Brad has been recovering from post traumatic stress related to spiritual and institutional trauma. After suffering in the workplace for 5 years, Brad finally found the courage to surrender his 20 year career in academia for the sake of his mental and spiritual health. 

Brad’s story illustrates what it looks like to bear witness to the ministry of Christ while standing in opposition to leadership in pursuit of power, popularity, and success. 

Surrounded by a loving community at the Anglican seminary where he lives, a men's group, a spiritual director, and a new leadership circle to which he belongs, Brad and his family are well on their way towards a new season of ministry.  

During our conversation, Brad shared a poem about a flower. It reminded me of Thérèse of Lisieux, the “Little Flower of Jesus”, who said “Jesus, my Love. I found my vocation. I will be Love in the heart of the church.” It was her surrender to a simple way of life that made her a saint and “Doctor of the Church”.

Likewise, after hearing Brad’s story, I can’t help but think, when he surrendered everything that made him “Dr. Embry”, he was embracing a new vocation; not of power, popularity and success, but of Love.

Guest Bio

Brad Embry's life is dedicated to becoming a disciple of Jesus and encouraging others to do the same. He is a university professor turned deacon in training for the Anglican Church at Nashotah House Theological Seminary in Wisconsin. He also works as a pastoral assistant and is helping to start a trade school.

Brad served for 15 years as a tenured professor of Old Testament studies at two different institutions before leaving the academy to pursue carpentry and ministerial work full-time. 

Brad holds a PhD in Theology from Durham University in the UK. While in the academy, his main area of research was narrative theology and the relationship between biblical theology and traditions of the Church. In stepping away from the academy, Brad has become more interested in spiritual formation. He has since published articles on Ruth and Moses, and the poetry of George Herbert and T.S. Eliot.  

Brad enjoys woodworking, cycling, fishing, and talking with others about their experiences with God. He shares this beautiful life with his wife Kori and his four sons in Nashotah, Wisconsin.