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.
Thomas Schlag is Professor of Practical Theology with a focus on Religious Education, Church Theory and Pastoral Theology at the Faculty of Theology, University of Zurich. Since January 1, 2021, he has served as Director of the University Research Priority Program 'Digital Religion(s): Communication, Interaction and Transformation in the Digital Society.' He is also Chairman of the Board of the Center for Church Development (ZKE), which he co-founded in June 2010. Previously, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Theology (2014-2016) and Vice Dean for Teaching (2012-2014). 1965: Born in Stuttgart 1980-1985: Attended Protestant seminaries Maulbronn and Blaubeuren 1986-1993: Studied Protestant Theology and Political Science in Tübingen and Munich 1993-1996: Doctorate at University of Munich 2004-2005: DFG research fellowship at University of Tübingen 2005: Appointed Assistant Professor at University of Zurich 2009: Habilitation at University of Tübingen 2011: Appointed Professor at University of Zurich Professor Schlag's work centers on the intersection of theology, education, and digital transformation. His research examines how religious practices adapt to digital environments, with particular focus on religious education in schools, confirmation work, and church youth programs. He explores theological-anthropological interpretations of digital transformation and investigates the relationship between church, state, and civil society through the lens of 'Public Theology.' His current projects analyze digital media practices in church educational offerings and investigate how churches negotiate digital worship services and sacraments. His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on digital religion, with numerous articles examining digital media in confirmation work, religious leadership in digital contexts, and the challenges churches face in adapting to digital transformation. His work spans practical theology, religious education theory, and ecclesiology, with a particular focus on Swiss religious contexts while maintaining international comparative perspectives. The research demonstrates increasing interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with scholars examining digital innovation in religious contexts. As Director of the University Research Priority Program 'Digital Religion(s),' Professor Schlag leads a significant interdisciplinary research initiative exploring how digital technologies transform religious communication, interaction, and practices. His work has practical implications for church development, religious education, and theological reflection in the digital age. He actively collaborates with international research networks including the European Network for Confirmation Work and the International Academy of Practical Theology.
Neil Pembroke is a Lecturer in Studies in Religion at the University of Queensland , affiliated with the School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry . His academic work bridges theology, philosophy, and pastoral care, with a focus on spiritual formation, healthcare ethics, and the intersection of psychology and religion. Education : B.Eng (Agric.), B.Th (B.C.T.), BA (Hons), PhD (Edin) Teaching interests : Jung and Human Spirituality, Religion and Health, Mysticism, Psychology of Religion, Religion and Psychotherapies His research explores therapeutic preaching, spiritual maturity, and the role of empathy in Christian and interfaith contexts. He has contributed to organizational spirituality, particularly in church-sponsored healthcare, and examined compassion fatigue through Christian and Buddhist perspectives. Publications include books like Divine Therapeia and the Sermon and Renewing Pastoral Practice , with over 50 journal articles and 10 book chapters. Collaborative projects span international studies on pastoral care models and interdisciplinary dialogues on ethics. Neil Pembroke's work emphasizes the integration of theological and psychological insights into personal and communal spiritual growth, with a particular focus on shame, identity, and the relational Trinity as frameworks for pastoral practice.
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.
Professor Martin Heimgartner is an Adjunct Professor of Church History at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg's Faculty of Theology, where he has served as a private lecturer since 2007 and as adjunct professor since 2014. He also works as a research associate at the Theological Seminary of the University of Zurich since 2009. His academic career spans multiple institutions including the Universities of Zurich and Basel where he completed his doctoral and habilitation work. Heimgartner's research focuses on Syriac Christianity, particularly the works of the East Syrian Patriarch Timotheus I (780-823), Christian-Muslim relations in early Islam, philosophy and theology of Syrian Christians, John Chrysostom, Greek and Syrian florilegia literature, and 2nd century Christian apologists. His scholarly work demonstrates deep engagement with primary sources through critical editions and translations of Syriac texts. His publication record shows consistent scholarly output with emphasis on Timotheus I's writings, with multiple monographs published through prestigious series like Corpus Scriptorum Christianorum Orientalium (CSCO). His work bridges historical theology, textual criticism, and interreligious studies, particularly examining early Christian-Muslim dialogue. The articles reveal a progression from textual editions toward more thematic studies on theological concepts like Trinitarian doctrine in interreligious contexts. His scholarly contributions include numerous encyclopedia entries in major reference works such as Religion in Geschichte und Gegenwart (RGG) and Der Neue Pauly, covering figures from early Christianity. He has also collaborated on editorial projects including a volume on Apollinarius. Notably, Heimgartner maintains a dual scholarly identity, combining theological research with musicology. His musicological editions, particularly for Cecilia Bartoli's Malibran project, demonstrate expertise in historical musical works from the 19th century, showing his interdisciplinary approach to historical scholarship across different cultural domains.
Nils Arne Pedersen is an Associate Professor in Church History at Aarhus University's Faculty of Theology/Arts since 2004. His academic career includes roles as a Full-time scholar supported by the Carlsberg Foundation (1990–1995) and Danish Research Council grants. He specializes in Manichaeism, Patristics, and the historical reception of biblical texts. His research focuses on early Christian and Manichaean theological texts, especially Coptic and Syriac manuscripts. Research Interests : Pedersen’s work explores Manichaean literature, Patristic theology, and the interplay between biblical sources and early religious movements. He has edited critical editions of Manichaean texts and studies their transmission across languages like Syriac, Coptic, and Persian. Key Projects : Biblia Manichaica (Old and New Testament studies in Manichaean contexts), textual editions of Manichaean homilies, and analyses of anti-Manichaean polemics. Awards & Leadership : Honorary member of the International Association of Manichaean Studies (2022), former President (2017–2022). He has received significant grants, including €887k for the Biblia Manichaica project (2012–2015) and €233k from the Carlsberg Foundation (1990–1995). Grants & Funding : Danish Council for Independent Research, Danish Research Council for the Humanities, and Carlsberg Foundation grants have supported his work on Manichaean textual traditions and comparative religious studies.
Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed ChurchHungary
Sara Toth is an Associate Professor at the Department of English Literatures and Cultures within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Károli Gáspár Reformed University in Budapest, Hungary. With a PhD in Literary Studies from ELTE (2004), her academic career spans decades of research at the intersection of literature, religion, and cultural studies. Prior to her academic appointment, she served as Editor-in-Chief at Harmat Publishing House, bringing practical editorial experience to her scholarly work. Dr. Toth earned her MA in English Language and Literature from ELTE in 1991 before completing her doctoral studies there in 2004. Her dissertation, The Other Side of Imagination: Literature and Religion in the Critical Work of Northrop Frye , established the foundation for her ongoing research into the relationship between literary theory and religious thought. Her research focuses on the intricate connections between 18th-20th century British literature, literary theory, and religious studies, with particular expertise in Northrop Frye's critical framework, Protestant spirituality, and the works of contemporary American author Marilynne Robinson. Dr. Toth has made significant contributions to understanding how religious experience manifests in literary form, exploring themes of sacramentality, transcendence, and the sacred-profane dialectic. Her scholarship demonstrates how literary works can serve as vehicles for theological reflection and spiritual exploration, particularly within the Protestant tradition. Analysis of Dr. Toth's recent publications (2020-2025) reveals a sustained engagement with Protestant spirituality, particularly through the lens of North American literature. Her work consistently examines the interplay between literary narrative and theological concepts, with a strong emphasis on Marilynne Robinson's fiction and Paul Tillich's theology. The publications demonstrate increasing sophistication in analyzing how literary form conveys religious experience, with growing attention to specific religious practices (baptism, preaching) and theological concepts (forgiveness, restoration, the sacred). Publication of the Year (shared) - Gaspar Karoli Reformed University (2015) Dr. Toth has served as an opponent at doctoral defenses, including for Palatinus David Levente's dissertation on "Framing the Body, Staging the Gaze" (PPKE, 2009) and Ruth Karin Lévai's work on "The Concept of Truth in Four Works" (ELTE BTK, 2020). She participates in the Fundamentalism research group (2020-present) and the Canadianist research group, contributing to interdisciplinary scholarly conversations. Her language proficiency in English and Spanish supports her international scholarly collaborations and research. As a member of the Central European Association for Canadian Studies, Dr. Toth contributes to cross-cultural academic dialogue. Her current research activities within the Fundamentalism research group demonstrate her ongoing commitment to understanding the complex relationship between religion, literature, and contemporary cultural phenomena. Her work bridges literary scholarship with theological reflection, creating a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to studying the spiritual dimensions of literature.
Thomas Schlag is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Zurich , with research foci in religious education, church theory, and pastoral theology . He directs the university-wide research focus "Digital Religion(s): Communication, Interaction and Transformation in the Digital Society" , exploring the intersection of theology and digital culture. His career includes roles as Chairman of the Center for Church Development (ZKE) and Dean of the Faculty of Theology (2014–2016). Key Research Areas : Digital religion, public theology, interreligious education, confirmation work, church development, and socio-political theology. Academic Leadership : Directed international studies on confirmation work, co-edited interdisciplinary theological compendiums, and contributed to debates on state religious education and digital ethics. Recent Publications (2024–2025) examine digital media in religious education, Swiss church reform, theological responses to polarization, and interfaith educational models. His "Digital Religion(s)" program analyzes church-state-civil society dynamics in digital societies. He teaches courses on existential religious education , digital transformation , and ecclesiological-practical semesters . Collaborations include the European Network for Confirmation Work , International Academy of Practical Theology , and projects with Swiss and international theological institutions. His work bridges digital innovation , democratic education , and pastoral care in virtual environments .
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.
Inmaculada Delgado Jara is an Associate Professor of Greek Philology at the Facultad de Ciencias Humanas y Sociales, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, specializing in Biblical Studies and Patristics. Her academic profile shows extensive engagement with ancient Greek texts, particularly focusing on San Juan Crisóstomo, Erasmus of Rotterdam, and Septuagint studies. Her educational background includes a doctorate from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca with the thesis "Sermones in Genesim de San Juan Crisóstomo estudio temático, estilístico y traducción" (1999), supervised by Dr. Alfonso Ortega Carmona. She is a member of the research groups "Humanismo, reformas y ciencia: del Medievo a la Ilustración" and "ICS. Innovación en Ciencias Sociales". Delgado Jara's research interests center on Greek Philology, Biblical Philology, Patristics, Septuagint Studies, Erasmus of Rotterdam studies, and San Juan Crisóstomo studies. Her scholarly work demonstrates deep expertise in ancient Greek language and literature, particularly as applied to biblical and patristic texts. She has made significant contributions to understanding the intersection of classical literature and early Christian thought. An analysis of her recent publications reveals a consistent focus on textual criticism, philological analysis of biblical and patristic works, and the reception history of classical texts in Christian contexts. Her work often bridges linguistic analysis with historical and theological interpretation, particularly examining how ancient Greek texts were transmitted, interpreted, and utilized in later periods. Her scholarly activity includes numerous books, edited volumes, and academic papers, with recent work focusing on Erasmus's biblical scholarship, San Juan Crisóstomo's homilies, and the Septuagint. Despite her extensive publication record, no specific scientific awards are mentioned in the available information. Delgado Jara is actively involved in academic supervision and research direction, as evidenced by her editorial work on major scholarly projects and her participation in academic conferences. Her work shows collaboration with numerous scholars across Spain and internationally, particularly in the fields of Biblical Studies and Renaissance Humanism.
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