Faculty Member, Theological Studies
Prof. Theological Studies (Old Testament, Peace Studies)
Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts
About
Although my basic work is in Old Testament Studies, I have wide-ranging interests in relation to this. Specifically, I am interested in the period of roughly 600-200 BCE, Babylonian Exile through mid-Hellenistic Period. Keen interests in subjects of exile, and comparative anthropological and sociological studies of forced migration, refugee studies, and trauma studies that I use to try to better understand Biblical texts.
A strong secondary interest in cross-cultural, especially indigenous and minority, approaches to Biblical Texts. So, for example, I have an interest in Spirituals as a form of early African-American analysis of Scripture; the Maori Prophets of New Zealand as Interpreters of the Text; Aboriginal Australian appropriations of Scripture, etc. I do a course on Christianity and Native America, for example, because I am interested in the creative fusion of indigenous culture and identity with Christian faith. I entirely reject the argument that indigenous peoples cannot appropriate Christianity as a legitimate part of their identity and cultural expression, as long as they are free to express that faith in their own terms in dialogue with others.
A strong tertiary interest is nonviolence, peacemaking, and pacifist, both in history, and also in relation to Biblical textual analysis. However, I have keen interests in nonviolence as expressed in Judaism and Islam (and yes, there ARE Muslims and Jews who are committed to Nonviolence and far more articulate about that commitment than I will ever dream of being!!).
Contact Information
| Address: | Dept. Theology |
| Telephone: |
310-338-2875 |
