Marina Hofman
Marina Hofman (PhD) is the award-winning author of Women In The Bible Small Group Bible Study, a professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and a regular media guest providing biblical perspectives of current issues, women's issues, and parenting.
She is an advocate for freedom and inspires audiences to find courage by highlighting examples of women in the Bible. Marina is a homeschool mom of a 5-year-old, a survivor of a life-threatening trauma, and a champion for women.
Marina engages readers with fresh insights and a positive, encouraging, and life-giving perspective. As a survivor of a life-threatening trauma, Marina is passionate about sharing her incredible testimony of God’s redemption and the healing and the hope she has in Christ.
Since 2018, Marina has been the keynote speaker at leadership and women's conferences in the United States, Canada, South America, and Africa.
Follow
@marinahofman
on Instagram for
HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT!
Community Leadership
When the crisis of loneliness, anxiety and depression hit an all-time high in 2022, Marina organized an outreach to help moms and families find community and rebuild friendships. Her efforts transformed the lives of Marina and other women in Palm Beach.
In 2023, Marina and her close friends established Partners For Family Values, a leading voice for family values and faith in Palm Beach County. Through education, media, and action, this organization is reaching far beyond Palm Beach community to impact families and youth in Florida and across the United States.
Marina works with a team of wonderful women and partners across the nation to bring a message of hope through events that create community and offer leadership training.
Curriculum Vitae
Marina Hofman teaches at Palm Beach Atlantic University, and has taught at the undergraduate and graduate level, on campus and online, in Canada, the United States, Colombia (South America), and The Gambia (West Africa).
She has published academic, peer-reviewed articles in the fields of
biblical studies, theology, psychology, trauma, education, ministry, and bioethics
. Her awards include
Emerging Old Testament Scholar
award by the Institute of Biblical Research at the Society of Biblical Literature, and
Best Paper
by the Canadian-American Evangelical Theological Association.
Marina speaks at women's conferences on a variety of topics in South America, Africa, Canada, and the USA.
Education
- PhD in theology (University of Toronto)
- Post-doctorate certificate in Teaching Higher Education (Ontario Institute for Studies in Education)
- MA in Christian Studies (McMaster Divinity College)
- BA in Religious Studies (Tyndale University College)
Publications: Faith Magazine Articles (select)
OUR PLANS, GOD’S PREPARATION
Our Plans, God's Preparations in Insight For Living
I saw my husband pointing at me and felt relief to finally see him. Oddly, he didn't seem as relieved to see me. Later he confessed that he didn't recognize me.
SEEING THE ORDINARY WITH WONDER
Seeing the Ordinary With Wonder: God's miracles can take shape in everyday life in Faith Today Canada
Consider how the story of the midwives in Exodus 1 captures the wonder of a miracle that is accomplished through the everyday …
HAVE YOU LOST THE WONDER?
Have You Lost the Wonder? in Indoubt by Back to the Bible
The uncertainty of the last year, the fear of wading through unchartered territory and the tension that has strained relationships has wearied us ...
Celebrating Women of the Bible in Love Is Moving by Evangelical Fellowship of Canada
... courage and determination by ordinary women who played an extraordinary role in history.
Publications: Peer-Reviewed (select)
FEMALES IN THE MINOR PROPHETS
Portrayal of the Female Figure in the Twelve: A Fresh Perspective in Canadian Theological Review
While negative portrayals of the female figure are present in the Book of the Twelve these are often counterbalanced by both equally negative portrayals of the male, and positive portrayals of the female. A variety of texts are …
RETELLING HAGAR’S STORY
Retelling Hagar’s Story: Reading Trauma in The Other Journal (The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology)
Understanding trauma theory provides insight into some of the questions raised by this chapter: Why does Sarah abuse Hagar when her plan to have a child through Hagar is seemingly a success? What makes Sarah so angry? Why does Hagar …
TAMAR, UNSUNG HERO
Tamar as the Unsung Hero of Genesis 38 (McMaster University)
Despite her powerless status, Tamar achieves heroine status—she courageously risks her life and honour for the good of the community, overcoming major social limitations and procuring the enviable position of matriarch of the …
MINISTRY TO TRAUMA VICTIMS - I
Ministry to Trauma Victims: Lessons from the Prophet Joel | Part 1 in Intersections: Christian Life+Medicine+Technology (bioethics)
Ministry in the context of trauma can be a challenge. Having survived a devastating traumatic event myself, and having a profession that requires me to respond to students who face trauma every semester, the question of how to …
MINISTRY TO TRAUMA VICTIMS - 2
Ministry to Trauma Victims: Lessons from the Prophet Joel | Part 2 in Intersections: Christian Life+Medicine+Technology (bioethics)
How does Joel’s response to trauma victims give us direction today? How does Joel bring hope while acknowledging the painful reality the people face? Can we follow Joel’s lead and bring hope to trauma victims and those suffering …
DREAMS IN THE BIBLE
Old Testament Dream Type-Scene: Structure and Significance (University of Toronto)
Dreams are common to the human experience, and so it is no surprise that dreams have a role in the biblical text. How should we understand and interpret dreams according to the biblical narratives? Do dreams have secret meanings that …
CHRIST-CENTERED EDUCATION
When Personal Trauma Leads to Classroom Transformation by CRU, Faculty Commons
> When we experience a personal trauma, we are faced with a hard decision: do we try to hide our situation, or do we openly share our struggle and pain? …
COVID Creates Unique Opportunity for Christian Faculty by Palm Beach Atlantic University News
> During times of crisis, Christian educators are uniquely positioned to be conduits of hope, encouragement and comfort to students by …
Ways to Connect with Students in a (Suddenly) Online Environment by Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion
With the spike of mental health issues, and the fear, loss, and uncertainty students are facing, connecting with students is …
Creating a Safe Space in Your Class During a Crisis in Academic Impressions
How can instructors create a safe space for students to grow and learn?
ADDITIONAL
- Mary Ellen Chase in Handbook of Women Biblical Interpreters: A Historical and Biographical Guide (Baker Academy)
- Handmaiden, Hannah, Let There Be Light, Light, and Widow of Zarephat in Dictionary of Bible and Western Culture: A Handbook for Students (DBWC, Baylor University Press)
Article Sample Topics ...
- 3 lessons Hannah teaches us about depression and an uncertain future
- Hagar: Encountering God in our darkest moments
- How did women of the Bible respond to the challenges we face today?
- How can we overcome limitations?
- What does Naomi teach us about suffering and God's redemption?
- Why are stories of women in the Bible important for us to study?