Dr. Jillian Marcantonio

Biography

Dr. Jillian Marcantonio grew up singing hymns and dreaming about Jesus among a beloved church community, but when she went to college, she found the Church so much bigger than she ever knew. She learned about sisters and brothers around the world and across time reading Scripture and facing many of the same theological and pastoral questions that she has. Christian history and the development of the Christian tradition has provided her with endless conversation partners, a renewed spiritual life, and a greater understanding of Christ.

Dr. Marcantonio’s dissertation focuses on how early Christian hymns informed the theology of the faithful participants. Looking specifically at the Holy Spirit, the project looks at the scriptural narratives told to congregations and the sensory aspects of worship services that would bring the hymns to life in their midst. More broadly, she studies how Christians envision the work of theology, communicate Scripture through song, and speak about the lives, voices, and bodies of women. She is excited to explore these topics and more with Campbell students!

Raised in a family deeply rooted in the Baptist tradition in New Jersey, Dr. Marcantonio traded bagels and pizza for NC barbecue and Presbyterianism in 2018 when she came to study at Duke University. Her time at Wheaton College (IL) and Princeton Theological Seminary (NJ) brought her closer to God and helped her discern her calling to ministry in church and academic settings. She loves driving along the Jersey Shore–– preferably listening to Jersey legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, or even the Jonas Brothers–– but considers Durham home. She is an active member of Blacknall Memorial Presbyterian Church, mentoring youth and college students, teaching Sunday School, and maintaining relationships with community partners. Dr. Marcantonio is a candidate for ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). When not at work or church, she is likely on the water in her new kayak, listening to vinyl or at a concert, keeping up with various sports, or traveling to discover more Beauty in the faces of loved ones or other parts of creation.