Charles Schulz is a Professor of Theology at the University of Chicago's College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, with prior tenure at Concordia University (2001–2024) and pastoral experience at St. Thomas Lutheran Church (2005–2014). His academic journey includes degrees from Concordia University, Concordia Seminary, Washington University, and the University of Virginia. His research focuses on Patristic Exegesis, Reformation Theology, and early Christian biblical interpretation. Key publications include his 2020 PhD dissertation on Patristic citations of Psalm 82:6 and translations of Martin Luther's sermons (2017–2018). His work bridges ancient and Reformation-era theological methods, emphasizing pastoral motives in exegesis. Recent presentations address topics like Patristic interpretations of Scripture and the impact of medical science on faith. He has received prestigious awards including the E. J. Otto Award (1998) and the University of Virginia Presidential Scholarship. His teaching excellence was recognized at Concordia University in 2022–2023. Schulz actively engages in theological commissions and academic symposia, contributing to both scholarly and pastoral discourse.
Professor Mary Catherine Hilkert holds a position in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters. Her research focuses on theological anthropology, fundamental theology, Christology, feminist theologies, and the interplay between theology, preaching, and spirituality. A member of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, she has received four honorary doctorates and prestigious awards recognizing her contributions to integrating academic and pastoral theology, particularly through feminist frameworks. Education: B.A., University of Dayton; M.A. and Ph.D., Catholic University of America. Her work centers on Edward Schillebeeckx’s theology, medieval mystics like Catherine of Siena, and sacramental imagination in preaching. She has lectured globally and served on international theological commissions for the Order of Preachers. Awards include the Sophia Award and Yves Congar Award for theological excellence. Her publications explore themes like the Reign of God, liturgical spirituality, and the role of women’s voices in theology. She has advised students through her academic leadership and has been a key figure in ecumenical theological dialogues across continents.
Reyhan Durmaz is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the School of Arts & Sciences and multiple interdisciplinary programs. Her research focuses on Syriac Christianity, medieval religious dynamics, and the intersection of Christianity and Islam in late antiquity. She holds a Ph.D. from Brown University (2019) and has received prestigious fellowships such as the Dumbarton Oaks Junior Fellowship and the Charlotte Newcombe Dissertation Fellowship. Her seminal book Stories between Christianity and Islam (2022) examines the transmission of saints' stories between religious traditions, earning Honorable Mention from the Middle East Medievalists. Current projects include a study of rural Christianity in the medieval Middle East through soldier-monk narratives and an analysis of the 19th-century Arabic newspaper Kawkab America . She co-leads the Digital Photograph Archive project Visualizing Countryside , documenting medieval religious sites. Dr. Durmaz teaches courses on global Christianity, material culture, and late antiquity, and serves as co-chair of the Philadelphia Seminar on Christian Origins. Her work bridges historical analysis, textual scholarship, and digital humanities, addressing themes of religious identity, cultural exchange, and marginalized communities.
Jamie H. Ferguson is an Associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Houston, with a cross-appointment to the Honors College. He specializes in Renaissance and early modern literature, focusing on intersections between biblical hermeneutics, literary poetics, and translation theory. Renaissance Literature Shakespeare Studies Biblical Translation Great Books Tradition His research explores how theological debates shaped vernacular literary production in Early Modern Europe, with particular attention to textual materiality and interconfessional dialogues. Ferguson's publication record spans Latin, Italian, French, Polish, and English contexts. Recent projects include the annotated translation of Joachim du Bellay's Deffence et illustration de la langue françoyse and a forthcoming book on European Biblical Poetics . He has received multiple Martha Gano Houstoun Research Grants and been recognized with Honors College lecture awards.
Rochelle Scheuermann is Associate Professor of Evangelism & Leadership at Wheaton College's A. Duane Litfin Divinity School, where she also serves as Program Director for the Doctor of Ministry degree and Assistant Dean of Ministry and Evangelism. Her academic background includes a Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an M.Div. from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Ph.D., Intercultural Studies – Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Master of Divinity – Assemblies of God Theological Seminary Her research interests focus on disability and the church, theology of mission, and the intersection of preaching and culture. She explores how theological frameworks can better include people with disabilities and how cultural engagement shapes effective preaching and missional practice. Her recent publications span topics in disability theology, missiology, and homiletics, with a consistent emphasis on inclusion, contextualization, and ecclesial integrity. Her work appears in journals such as Missiology , Christian Scholar’s Review , and Trinity Journal . Knox Fellowship Award for Research in Evangelism (2022) Scheuermann has held leadership roles in the Evangelical Missiological Society, including President (2022–2024), and serves on editorial boards for Missio Dei Journal , Koinonia Journal , and Missiology . She is also a board member for Can Do Kids International and part of the Lausanne Mission and Disability Catalyst Group. Her ministry experience includes serving as Associate Pastor at a church plant in Salt Lake City, UT, and teaching internationally in Thailand, Cambodia, and Kenya. She is co-author of Preaching in the Contemporary World and co-editor of Communication in Mission and Controversies in Mission , with a forthcoming book titled Not Forgotten: Mission to Women Amid Global Crises .
Stephanie Smith Matthews is a Full-Time Associate Professor of Old Testament at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU). She holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel from Vanderbilt University, an M.T.S. in Biblical Studies from University of Notre Dame, and dual B.A. degrees in Biblical Studies & Spanish from Olivet Nazarene University. Specializes in Hebrew Bible, Gender Studies, and Theological Ethics Focuses on reproductive health narratives, prophetic imagination, and justice themes Active in Society of Biblical Literature and Wesleyan Theological Society Her research connects ancient texts with modern bioethical concerns through interdisciplinary approaches. Publications span topics from maternal pain in Genesis to Wesleyan theological applications. 2024 presentations on ancient pain narratives and AuDHD preaching 2020-2024 grants and fellowships support her theological scholarship Notable contributions include co-edited textbooks and critical analyses of gender dynamics in biblical contexts.
Professor Daniel Caner is a Core Faculty member and Director of the Program in Ancient Studies at Indiana University Bloomington's Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. He also serves as Adjunct Faculty in History, Classics, and Religious Studies. His research focuses on late antique religious and social history, particularly the intersection of monasticism, philanthropy, and ecclesiastical structures in the Byzantine world. Caner's academic work examines topics such as early Christian charitable practices, monastic mobility, and the construction of sacred authority through material culture. He has published extensively on figures like John Chrysostom and monastic figures in late antiquity, analyzing how religious institutions shaped social hierarchies and cultural memory. His recent publications explore the socio-economic dimensions of Christian charity, the role of ascetic itinerancy in promoting monasticism, and the legal/ritual frameworks defining sacred spaces. Courses taught include courses on Byzantine history, Near Eastern religions, and macrohistorical patterns of change. No research grants or advising details are explicitly noted in the provided materials. He is affiliated with IU Bloomington's Global and International Studies Building and maintains ties with interdisciplinary programs in ancient studies and religious studies.
Dr. Robert Smith Jr. is the Distinguished Professor of Divinity and Dr. Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University in Birmingham, AL. He earned his PhD at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and has spoken at over 135 universities, seminaries, and colleges globally. Current academic rank: Professor Department: Christian Preaching Research Interests include passion in preaching, African American preaching history, Christological preaching, and theological frameworks for homiletics. His work bridges academic theology with practical ministry applications. Scientific Awards : 2017 E.K. Bailey Expository Preaching Conference Living Legend 2009 Preaching Book of the Year (Doctrine That Dances) 2008 Preaching Book of the Year (Doctrine That Dances) 1996 Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Findley B. Edge Award for Teaching Excellence Dr. Smith has authored/co-edited multiple books, advised on Christian ministry, and served as a Baptist minister for 20 years at New Mission Missionary Baptist Church. His global teaching engagements span locations including Greece, Turkey, and the Holy Land.
Dr. Kenneth J. Collins serves as Professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, where he has been a faculty member since 1995. He concurrently directs the Wesleyan Studies Summer Seminar and the Wesleyan Holiness Pentecostal Studies Center, fostering global scholarship in Wesleyan traditions. Recognized with the 2008 Professor of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, his career spans international lecturing engagements across five continents including recent courses at Moscow Evangelical Christian Seminary and institutions in Costa Rica, South Korea, England, Australia, Finland, and Japan. His educational foundation includes: B.A. from State University of New York at Buffalo (1974) M.Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary (1979) Th.M. from Princeton Seminary (1980) M.Phil. from Drew University (1982) Ph.D. from Drew University (1984) Collins' research centers on Historical Theology and Wesley Studies with specialized focus on John Wesley's theology, Christian spirituality, and American religious history. His work bridges historical analysis with contemporary application through critical examination of Wesleyan thought in modern ecclesial contexts. This interdisciplinary approach integrates theological methodology with historical investigation to explore the development of Methodist traditions and their global impact. His recent publications demonstrate sustained engagement with Wesleyan theology across diverse applications, from biblical commentary and Christological studies to ecumenical dialogue and spiritual formation. These works collectively advance scholarly understanding of Wesleyan distinctives while addressing contemporary theological challenges through historically-grounded perspectives. His scientific awards include: Professor of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (Asbury Theological Seminary, 2008) Exemplary Teaching Award (United Methodist schools national competition, 1994) Black Student Movement Award for Excellence in Religious Education (Methodist University) Collins maintains active leadership in multiple professional organizations including past presidency of the Wesleyan Theological Society. He serves on editorial boards for Wesley and Methodist Studies, Methodist Review, and Australasian Centre for Wesleyan Research, while contributing to the Institute on Religion and Democracy. His directorship of the Wesleyan Studies Summer Seminar drives international collaboration through annual research intensives, with the 2023 centenary celebration marking a significant milestone in global Wesleyan scholarship.
Michael C. Magree, S.J. is an Assistant Professor in the Theology Department at Boston College. His research focuses on ascetical theology, early Christian exegesis, and the theological interpretation of Scripture, with particular expertise in patristic Christology and trinitarian doctrine. He holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame and has published widely on early Christian thought. Education: B.A. in Philosophy/Classics (Franciscan U. of Steubenville), M.A. in Classics (Ohio State), M.A. in Philosophical Resources (Fordham), M.Div. and S.T.L. (Boston College). His recent work explores themes of kenosis in early Christian theology, patristic exegesis of scriptural terms like 'prosōpon', and the intersection of apocalyptic thought in Origen's writings. He contributed to Studia Patristica on Cyril and Theodoret's Christological disputes.
Kaylin O'Dell is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of English at Skidmore College, holding a B.A. from Vassar College and M.A./Ph.D. from Cornell University. Her office is located in Palamountain Hall 336 with contact via kodell@skidmore.edu. Education: B.A., Vassar College M.A., Cornell University Ph.D., Cornell University Her research centers on Old and Middle English literature within Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages, examining performance studies, historical reading practices, rhetorical traditions, and gender dynamics. She investigates how medieval texts reflect societal structures through interdisciplinary lenses including women's studies and digital humanities, with particular focus on pedagogical applications in composition. Publication analysis reveals consistent exploration of Old English religious texts like the Vercelli Homilies and Solomon and Saturn dialogues, emphasizing gendered experiences in early medieval England. Recent works bridge historical scholarship with contemporary digital annotation methods in composition pedagogy, showing evolving methodology from textual analysis to technology-enhanced teaching.
Yung Suk Kim is a Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology, Virginia Union University. His work emphasizes transformative theology, biblical hermeneutics, and social justice. He holds a PhD from Vanderbilt University and has authored over 16 books, including Christ’s Body in Corinth and How to Read Paul . B.A., Kyungpook National University M.Div., McCormick Theological Seminary Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Dr. Kim’s research focuses on racial identity in biblical interpretation, Pauline theology, and the intersection of scripture with contemporary social issues. His recent work explores themes like the 'Other' in theological discourse, biblical pluralism, and minority perspectives in scripture. He has received major grants including the Lilly Theological Scholars Grant and the Wabash Center Fellowship. His publications demonstrate a commitment to reimagining biblical narratives through lenses of social justice and cultural diversity. Notable topics include racial identity in Paul’s letters, the socio-political context of early Christian communities, and ethical dimensions of Jesus’ parables. Recipient of Scott & Stringfellow Outstanding Professor Award (2019) Presidential Citation for outstanding service (VUU) Dr. Kim’s academic service includes editorial work for 1-2 Corinthians: Texts @ Contexts and leadership in initiatives promoting holistic human transformation through biblical studies. His current projects address decolonizing biblical interpretation and fostering intercultural theological dialogue.
Anathea Portier-Young is an Associate Professor of Old Testament at Duke Divinity School since 2011. She holds a Ph.D. from Duke University (2004), M.A.B.L. from the Graduate Theological Union/Jesuit School of Theology (Berkeley), and a B.A. from Yale University. Her research focuses on biblical prophecy, early Jewish apocalyptic literature, and second-temple historiography, with a specialization in embodiment studies as applied to religious experience and text interpretation. She is the award-winning author of *Apocalypse Against Empire* (2011) and *The Prophetic Body* (2024), exploring resistance theology and the role of the body in mediation. Educations: B.A., Yale University M.A.B.L., Graduate Theological Union/Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley Ph.D., Duke University Research Interests: Portier-Young examines embodiment through cognitive science and materiality, addressing themes like incarceration, identity, and nonviolence in biblical texts. Her work critiques imperial domination and integrates interdisciplinary methods with social justice applications. Recent projects explore Miriam’s prophetic dance and Josephus’s portrayal of memory. Publications & Media: Over 20 peer-reviewed articles and books, including co-editing *Scripture and Social Justice*. Media features include *Religion News Service* and *WorkingPreacher.org*. Recent articles analyze Daniel’s textual fluidity and the symbolic resistance in apocalyptic narratives. Teaching & Grants: Teaches courses like *Prophecy in the Body* and *Old Testament Interpretation*. Received grants such as the Catholic Biblical Association’s *Prophecy in the Body* project (2021–2022). Active in the Duke Divinity School Women’s Center, fostering community and equity in theological education.
Olehile Buffel serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and the Fred W. Meuser Professorship in Church History/Homiletics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Capital University. An ordained Lutheran minister since 1986, he brings extensive pastoral and administrative experience across multiple dioceses and parishes, and has conducted workshops for diverse denominations including Lutheran, Assemblies of God, and Dutch Reformed churches. His educational background includes: Bachelor of Theology (University of South Africa) Bachelor of Theology Honours in Practical Theology (University of South Africa) Master of Theology in Practical Theology (University of South Africa) PhD in Practical Theology (University of Pretoria) Buffel's research centers on pastoral care and homiletics within contexts of poverty, HIV/AIDS, land reform, and black liberation theology. He explores the therapeutic value of cultural rituals, the church's role in xenophobic contexts, and theology of vocation, emphasizing contextual and liberating approaches that address systemic injustice and human dislocation. His work consistently integrates Clinical Pastoral Education with community-based practices to serve marginalized populations. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2010-2022) reveals three dominant trajectories: pandemic-related theological responses (2020-2022), land justice and black liberation theology (2014-2021), and HIV/AIDS pastoral care models (2005-2014). These intersect through a consistent liberationist framework applying practical theology to South Africa's socio-economic crises, with increasing focus on vaccine nationalism and Covid-19 impacts in his latest work. His recognition includes: Fred W. Meuser Professorship in Church History/Hom Research Fellow appointment (2024) in Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology Buffel has supervised Master's and Doctoral students to completion at the University of South Africa and serves as external examiner for multiple South African universities. His editorial leadership spans Theologia Viatorum, HTS Theological Journal, Missionalia, Studia Historiae Ecclesiaticae, and the Journal of Theology in Southern Africa, where he regularly reviews submissions. He actively contributes to academic communities through memberships in Practical Theology in South Africa, South African Missiological Society, Theological Society in South Africa, Society for Pastoral Theology, and the International Association of Practical Theology, bridging scholarly work with practical church leadership across denominational lines.
Austin O'Malley is an Assistant Professor of Persian Literature at the University of Chicago , affiliated with the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations . He earned his Ph.D. in Persian Literature from the University of Chicago in 2017 and began teaching there in 2024. His research focuses on classical Persian literature, particularly performance and textuality in Sufi contexts didactic verse traditions reception of Sufi homiletic poetry narrative structures in ʿAttar's works literary misattribution in the Timurid period O'Malley's monograph The Poetics of Spiritual Instruction (2023) analyzes Sufi didacticism in Farid al-Din ʿAttar's poetry, while his current project examines forged literary works from the Timurid era.
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