Editing Daniel McClellan

'''Daniel Orrin McClellan''' (born July 23, 1980) is an American [[Biblical studies|biblical scholar]]. He is well known for his activities on social media, regularly creating and sharing videos on religious topics from a [[Historical criticism|historical critical]] perspective. He is a member of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]].

In 2023, McClellan received the [[Society of Biblical Literature]]'s Richards Award for Public Scholarship. 

==Biography==

=== Early and personal life ===
McClellan was born on July 23, 1980. He did not grow up in a particularly religious household.

At age 20, McClellan joined [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] and later served as a missionary. McClellan met his wife while attending [[Brigham Young University]]; they married in May 2006 and have three daughters.

=== Education and academic career ===
From 2013 to 2023, McClellan worked as scripture translation supervisor for the LDS Church.

According to McClellan, he was expelled from the [[University of Northern Colorado]] before attending [[Collin College|Collin Community College]] in [[Plano, Texas]]. He received a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[Ancient Near East studies|ancient Near Eastern studies]] from Brigham Young University with a minor in [[Classical Greek]], a [[Master of Studies|master's degree]] in [[Jewish studies]] at the [[University of Oxford]], and [[Master of Arts|a master of arts]] in [[biblical studies]] from [[Trinity Western University]]. In 2020, he received a [[PhD]] from the [[University of Exeter]], where he wrote a dissertation under the supervision of [[Francesca Stavrakopoulou]]. A revised version of his dissertation was published in 2022, titled ''YHWH's Divine Images: A Cognitive Approach''.

McClellan's academic interests include [[Second Temple Judaism]], the early [[Israelites|Israelite religion]], the [[cognitive science of religion]], and textual criticism of the [[Hebrew Bible]]. He promotes a scholarly, historical-critical approach to biblical texts and advocates for incorporating perspectives from historically underrepresented groups.

McClellan's first full-length book titled ''The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture's Most Controversial Issues'' was published by [[St. Martin's Press]] in April 2025.

=== Social media ===
Since 2021, McClellan has been active on social media about the academic study of the Bible and religion. He leads online classes, cohosts the ''Data Over Dogma'' podcast, and is also active on [[TikTok]], [[Instagram]], [[YouTube]], and [[Twitter]]. On TikTok, he has become popular by "stitching" videos rebutting certain interpretations of the Bible.

=== Podcasting ===
In 2023, McClellan and podcast producer Dan Beecher began cohosting the ''Data Over Dogma'' podcast, which focuses on applying academic study of the Bible to popular questions about scripture. In an episode of the KUER public-radio program ''RadioWest'', the show was described as an exploration of “what the Bible actually says” that seeks to discuss disagreements about the Bible without vitriol, debate, or confrontation, instead emphasizing close attention to the details of the text.

The podcast won a gold Signal Award, as well as being included among the 2025 Listener's Choice winners.

==Reception==
McClellan's online content has gained a broad following, including religious individuals, atheists, agnostics, and those experiencing or recovering from religious trauma. His work has received both support and criticism, particularly from some conservative evangelical communities who disagree with his interpretations.

He was the winner of the [[Society of Biblical Literature]]'s 2023 Richards Award for Public Scholarship for his work in providing access to the academic study of the Bible.

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