Brent is a leading scholar of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and a widely respected teacher, author, and interpreter of Scripture. His research spans biblical poetry, biblical law, the Psalms, ancient Near Eastern iconography, and Old Testament theology. He currently teaches at Duke University, with previous positions at Asbury Theological Seminary and Emory University. Brent has contributed to major translations of the Bible (Common English Bible, New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition), and speaks regularly in academic and church contexts. First ordained in the Church of the Nazarene, he is presently an Elder in The United Methodist Church.