Jeffrey W. Barbeau

Jeffrey W. Barbeau is Professor of Theology and Literature at Wheaton College and Editor of The Coleridge Bulletin. His academic work centers on British Romanticism, religion and literature, and the history of Christian thought. He teaches historical and systematic theology courses while researching the religious context of British literature. Barbeau is affiliated with the Conference on Christianity and Literature, Friends of Coleridge (serving as Officer and Editor), Historical Society of the United Methodist Church, New York C. S. Lewis Society, North American Society for the Study of Romanticism, Journal of The Marion E. Wade Center (Advisory Board), and Wordsworth-Coleridge Association.

Education

• Ph.D., Marquette University

Research Interests

Barbeau's scholarship explores the intersection of theological reflection and literary expression, with particular emphasis on British Romanticism and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's philosophical theology. His work examines how religious thought and literary forms mutually enrich understanding, especially within historical Christian contexts. He investigates Methodist theology through John Wesley, analyzes C.S. Lewis's integration of literature and modern theology, and studies global Pentecostal Christianity. His expertise extends to autobiographical theology, the role of wonder in religious imagination, and Sara Coleridge's Victorian theological contributions.

Recent Publications

Barbeau's 2020-2024 publications reveal sustained engagement with Coleridgean thought, biblical hermeneutics, and theological imagination. His articles frequently bridge Romantic literature and religious belief, with increasing attention to Methodist history and global Christianity. Notable trends include examinations of figural biblical interpretation, the pedagogy of theology in postsecular contexts, and the relationship between poetic language and religious experience. His work appears consistently in The Coleridge Bulletin and major journals spanning theological, literary, and historical disciplines.

Professional Service

• Editor, The Coleridge Bulletin
• Advisory Board, Journal of The Marion E. Wade Center
• Officer, Friends of Coleridge
• Member, Conference on Christianity and Literature
• Member, Historical Society of the United Methodist Church
• Member, New York C. S. Lewis Society
• Member, North American Society for the Study of Romanticism
• Member, Wordsworth-Coleridge Association