Medieval Scrolls: Purpose and Persistence in Book Era

Timothy M. Baker completed his Doctor of Theology at Harvard Divinity School in 2015, specializing in medieval religious history and manuscript traditions. His academic journey includes a BA from Dartmouth College, an MTS from Harvard Divinity School, and a Diploma in Manuscript Studies from the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies. His doctoral dissertation, "'Be You as Living Stones Built Up, A Spiritual House, A Holy Priesthood': Cistercian Exegesis, Reforms, and the Construction of Holy Architectures," explored twelfth and thirteenth-century Cistercian interpretations of monasteries as sacred spaces. Baker's scholarly work spans medieval Christian theology, manuscript studies, and monastic traditions, with significant publications including collaborations with Beverly Mayne Kienzle on monastic preaching and contributions to the Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. He has taught at both Harvard and Dartmouth College, offering courses in Latin, Classical Studies, and Medieval Christianity. His expertise in manuscript studies led him to co-curate an exhibition on medieval scrolls at Harvard's Houghton Library and contribute to HarvardX's online educational platform. Baker's work combines detailed textual analysis with broader historical and theological perspectives, particularly focusing on how medieval monastics understood their physical and spiritual environments