Ingrid Faro’s theology and leadership center healing and hope

Ingrid Faro, Interim President and professor of Old Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois, is being highlighted for a career that blends biblical scholarship, personal resilience, and community-focused leadership. Her work spans teaching, writing, and urban ministry efforts aimed at helping people respond to suffering, trauma, and systemic neglect.

Why it matters: - Faro’s work connects theology to real-world pain, including abuse, trauma, and suffering. - Northern Seminary is using her leadership in a broader push to equip churches and communities for healing, justice, and practical support. - Her focus on women’s roles in theology also speaks to ongoing debates over interpretation, authority, and inclusion.

What happened: - Influential Women showcased Ingrid Faro, who serves as Interim President and Professor of Old Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. - Faro is known for scholarship on the problem of evil, suffering, and abuse. - Her teaching areas include biblical Hebrew, the Pentateuch, Poetic and Wisdom Literature, and Old Testament theology. - The profile highlighted her leadership, scholarship, and emphasis on compassionate service.

The details: - Faro previously built a career in the insurance industry, where she owned and operated multiple businesses and developed products distributed nationally. - After burnout and a disability tied to managing multiple companies, she began deep personal reflection and formal theological study. - Faro earned a Master of Divinity and a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Trinity International University, and her doctoral work received the President’s Award. - Her academic work now centers on how people understand suffering and how pain can lead to transformation. - Faro served for 10 years as Associate Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at the Scandinavian School of Theology in Uppsala, Sweden. - She also held faculty roles at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and North Park Seminary. - Her books include Demystifying Evil and Evil in Genesis, which blend biblical exegesis, theology, and personal narrative. - Faro said openness, reflection, and honest spiritual inquiry have been central to her growth. - She said meaningful work is best sustained by following joy and pursuing life-giving passions. - Faro also framed hardship as a place of growth, saying people should see themselves as “planted” rather than “buried.” - She said unresolved trauma can affect both mental and physical well-being, and she encourages people to address emotional pain directly. - Faro identified fundamentalism and legalism as major challenges in theology, especially when they limit women’s roles and contributions. - She pointed to Northern Seminary’s Christian community development work in places such as Lawndale and West Garfield Park in Chicago. - Those efforts include access to healthcare resources, job support, legal help, and social services intended to de-escalate crises before police intervention. - Faro also noted that students across the country are being trained in community development practices inspired by John Perkins. - Her leadership philosophy centers on putting people first and on patience, respect, kindness, integrity, and accountability.

Between the lines: - Faro’s story links personal hardship to public leadership, which gives her scholarship a pastoral edge. - The profile positions Northern Seminary as a place where academic theology and neighborhood-based ministry intersect. - Her critique of narrow theology suggests a broader argument for interpretations that expand, rather than restrict, human flourishing.

What's next: - Faro is likely to continue shaping Northern Seminary’s academic and community-facing work through teaching, writing, and leadership. - Her books and public profile suggest continued engagement with suffering, evil, and hope as central themes. - The seminary’s community development initiatives appear positioned to keep expanding training and practical support for underserved neighborhoods and student leaders.

The bottom line: - Faro’s message is simple and consistent: people come first, and even deep wounds can become places of growth and renewed calling.