Education

Ph.D. in Theological Studies, ****. Wycliffe College, University of Toronto. Dissertation: “The Israel of God: Scripture, Ecclesiology, and Ecumenism in the Theology of George Lindbeck.”

M.Div. Emmanuel Christian Seminary, 2010. Concentration: Christian Doctrine. Thesis: “‘Show Don’t Tell’: The Eucharist as an Act of Proclamation and Embodied Apologetic.”

B.A. Johnson University, 2006. Majors: Bible and Youth Ministry/Preaching.

Additional undergraduate study in philosophy at East Tennessee State University (Fall 2010) and King University (Fall 2013–Spring 2014).

Research Interests

Areas of Specialization: Ecclesiology, Ecumenism, Postliberal theology, Systematic theology

Areas of Interest: Modern and contemporary theology, Theological ethics (esp., violence, disabilities, virtue), Theological interpretation of Scripture, Theologies of ressourcement

Teaching Experience

Instructor at Hope International University

BIB 4202 Biblical Theology (Online – March-May 2019)

Adjunct Instructor at Roberts Wesleyan College

PHL 202 Philosophical and Ethical Issues (Spring 2018)

Teaching Assistant for Professor Judy Paulsen at Wycliffe College (2017–2018)

Responsibilities include: filling in for professor when she was out of town and grading of written assignments

Teaching Assistant for Rev. Canon Dr. Timothy Connor (Systematic Theology II; Winter 2017)

Responsibilities include: leading weekly tutorial and grading of written assignments

Online Teaching Assistant for Rev. Dr. David Ney (Teaching the Faith: Introduction to Catechetical Theology) and Rev. Dr. Scott Scharman (Ecumenism: Past History, Present Challenges, Future Directions) (Winter 2016)

Responsibilities include: scanning of documents, laying out course materials on Blackboard, overseeing and grading discussion boards, grading of written assignments.

Educational Honors

Toronto School of Theology Graduate Students Association Conference Award (2017)

Fred P. Thompson Award for Excellence in Christian Doctrine at ECS

Isaac Errett History Award recipient at the 2010 Stone-Campbell Journal Conference for the paper “The Mercersburg Theologians and the Declaration and Address”

Member of the International Society of Theta Phi, ECS Chapter

Middle East Travel Seminar participant in May–June 2008

Graduated Summa Cum Laude from JU

Member of Delta Epsilon Chi (honors society of the Association of Biblical Higher Education)

Stone-Campbell Journal Promising Scholar (2006)

Honors Program at JU

Student Activities

Student Association Secretary at ECS (2008–2009 school year)

Friends of Amos student representative at ECS (Fall 2007–Spring 2009)

Professorial assistant for Dr. Jack Holland (Fall 2007–Spring 2009) at ECS

Teacher assistant for Dr. Dennis Gaertner (Fall 2004–Fall 2005) and Dr. Curtis McClane (Spring 2006) at JU

Publications/Presentations

Book

George Lindbeck: A Biographical and Theological Introduction. Cascade Companions. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, in progress.

Edited Volume

(with Amanda MacInnis Hackney) Theology and Star Trek. Pop Culture and Theology Series. Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, in progress.

Book Chapters

“Anakin, Obi-Wan, Luke, and Leia. Star Wars and Thomas Aquinas’ Account of Hope.” In Theology and Star Wars. Pop Culture and Theology Series. Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, in progress.

“These are Our Stories: Narrative, Tradition, and Moral Formation in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Alasdair MacIntyre.” In Star Trek and Theology. Pop Culture and Theology Series. Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, in progress.

“What is Dead May Never Die: The Drowned God and Jesus’ Call to Discipleship.” In Theology and Game of Thrones. Pop Culture and Theology Series. Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, forthcoming.

Articles

“Alexander Campbell’s Christological and Eschatological Response to Evil.” Stone-Campbell Journal, forthcoming.

“Just North of the Mason-Dixon: The Mercersburg Critique of Stone-Campbell Churches.” Disciples History Magazine 72.2 (Fall 2013), 20–22, 31.

“Paul and Wittgenstein on the Eucharist as Proclamation.” Stone-Campbell Journal 16.1 (Spring 2013), 33–47.

Book Reviews

Hunsinger, George, ed. Karl Barth, the Jews, and Judaism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2018. In Toronto Journal of Theology, 34.2 (Fall 2018), 303–304.

Migliore, Daniel, ed. Reading the Gospels with Karl Barth. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2017. In Stone-Campbell Journal 21.2 (Fall 2018): 301–302.

Meagher, Robert Emmet and Douglas A. Pryer, eds. War and Moral Injury: A Reader. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2018. In Englewood Review of Books (13 Sept 2018). http://englewoodreview.org/war-and-moral-injury-meagher-pryer-eds-review/.

Vanier, Jean and Stanley Hauerwas. Living Gently in a Violent World: The Prophetic Witness of Weakness. Expanded Edition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2018. In Reading Religion (12 Sept 2018). http://readingreligion.org/books/living-gently-violent-world.

Jones, E. Allen III et al, eds. Ecclesia and Ethics: Moral Formation and the Church. T&T Clark Biblical Studies. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2016. Reading Religion (12 Sept 2018). http://readingreligion.org/books/ecclesia-and-ethics.

Hinlicky, Paul R. Beloved Community: Critical Dogmatics after Christendom. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015. In Stone-Campbell Journal 21.1 (Spring 2018): 118–119.

Niringiye, David Zac. The Church: God’s Pilgrim People. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015. In Stone-Campbell Journal 21.1 (Spring 2018): 120.

Nelson, R. David and Charles Raith II. Ecumenism: A Guide for the Perplexed. New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 2017. In Reading Religion (11 April 2018). http://readingreligion.org/books/ecumenism.

Leithart, Peter J. The End of Protestantism: Pursuing Unity in a Fragmented Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2016. In Toronto Journal of Theology 33.1 (Spring 2017): 147–148.

Highfield, Ron. The Faithful Creator: Affirming Creation and Providence in an Age of Anxiety. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015. In Stone-Campbell Journal 20.1 (Spring 2017): 109–111.

Johnson, Keith L. Theology as Discipleship. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015. In Stone-Campbell Journal 20.1 (Spring 2017): 105–106.

Drury, John L. The Resurrected God: Karl Barth’s Trinitarian Theology of Easter. Emerging Scholars. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014. In Stone-Campbell Journal 19.2 (Fall 2016): 261–262.

Migliore, Daniel L. Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014. In Stone-Campbell Journal 19.1 (Spring 2016): 114–115.

Jones, Beth Felker. Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014. In Stone-Campbell Journal 18.2 (Fall 2015): 258–259.

Hauerwas, Stanley. The Work of Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2015. In Englewood Review of Books (Print Edition) 5.4 (Fall 2015): 14–15, 40.

Gerhardt, Elizabeth. The Cross and Gendercide: A Theological Response to Global Violence Against Women and Girls. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014. In Priscilla Papers 29.4 (Autumn 2015): 26–27.

Ferguson, Everett. The Early Church and Today, Volume 2: Christian Life, Scripture, and Restoration. Abilene, TX: ACU Press, 2014. In Stone-Campbell Journal 18.1 (Spring 2015): 90–92.

Ferguson, Everett. The Early Church and Today, Volume 1: Ministry, Initiation, and Worship. Abilene, TX: ACU Press, 2012. In Stone-Campbell Journal 17.1 (Spring 2014), 91–92.

Willimon, William. Incarnation: The Surprising Overlap of Heaven & Earth. Belief Matters. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013. In Englewood Review of Books (20 June 2014). http://erb.kingdomnow.org/william-willimon-incarnation-feature-review/.

Nation, Mark Thiessen, et al. Bonhoeffer the Assassin? Challenging the Myth, Recovering His Call to Peacemaking. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013. In Englewood Review of Books (8 Nov 2013). http://erb.kingdomnow.org/bonhoeffer-the-assassin-feature-review/.

McGrath, Alister E. The Intellectual World of C.S. Lewis. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013. In Englewood Review of Books (18 July 2013), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/alister-mcgrath-the-intellectual-world-of-c-s-lewis-review/.

Yoder, John Howard. Radical Christian Discipleship. Edited by John Nugent, Andy Alexis-Baker, and Branson L. Parler. Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2012. In Englewood Review of Books (Print Edition) 3.1 (Advent 2012), 23–24.

Rohr, Richard. A Lever and a Place to Stand: The Contemplative Stance, the Active Prayer. New York: Paulist Press, 2011. In Stone-Campbell Journal 15.2 (Fall 2012), 285, 287–288.

Smith, James K.A. The Fall of Interpretation: Philosophical Foundations for a Creational Hermeneutic, 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012. In Englewood Review of Books (22 June 2012), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/james-k-a-smith-the-fall-of-interpretation-feature-review/.

Cavanaugh, William. Migrations of the Holy: God, State, and the Political Meaning of the Church. Grand Rapids, Eerdmans, 2011. In Stone-Campbell Journal 15:1 (Spring 2012), 106, 108.

Plantinga, Alvin. Where the Conflict Really Lies: Science, Religion, & Naturalism. Oxford University Press, 2011. In Englewood Review of Books (8 Feb 2012), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/where-the-conflict-really-lies-alvin-plantinga-feature-review/.

Nugent, John C., ed. Radical Ecumenicity: Pursuing Unity and Continuity after John Howard Yoder. Abilene, TX: ACU Press, 2010. In Stone-Campbell Journal 14:2 (Fall 2011), 272–274.

Hauerwas, Stanley. Working with Words: On Learning to Speak Christian. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2011. In Stone-Campbell Journal 14:2 (Fall 2011), 259–261.

Paris, Jennell Williams. The End of Sexual Identity: Why Sex is Too Important to Define Who We Are. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2011. In Englewood Review of Books 4.12 (3 June 2011), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/featured-the-end-of-sexual-identity-jenell-williams-paris-vol-4-12/.

Pope Benedict XVI. The Virtues. Our Sunday Visitor, 2010. In Englewood Review of Books 3.43 (27 Nov 2010), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/brief-review-the-virtues-pope-benedict-xvi-vol-3-43/.

Jenson, Robert W. Canon and Creed. Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2010. In Englewood Review of Books 3.38 (22 Oct 2010), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/featured-canon-and-creed-by-robert-jenson-vol-3-38/#more-3558.

Fagenblat, Michael. A Covenant of Creatures: Levinas’s Philosophy of Judaism. Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2010. In Englewood Review of Books 3:30 (20 Aug 2010), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/brief-review-a-covenant-of-creatures-by-michael-fagenblat-vol-3-30/.

Boyd, Gregory. Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010. In Englewood Review of Books 3:25 (2 July 2010), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/featured-present-perfect-by-greg-boyd-vol-3-25/.

Poppendieck, Janet. Free for All: Fixing School Food in America. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2010. In Englewood Review of Books 3:14 (13 Apr 2010), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/review-free-for-all-janet-poppendiek-vol-3-14/.

Worthington, Everett L. A Just Forgiveness: Responsible Healing Without Excusing Injustice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2009. In Englewood Review of Books 3:4 (6 Feb 2010), http://erb.kingdomnow.org/brief-review-a-just-forgiveness-by-everett-worthington-vol-3-4/.

Bielby, James, and Paul R. Eddy, eds. The Nature of the Atonement: Four Views. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006. In Stone-Campbell Journal 11:1 (Spring 2008), 138–139.

Conference Service

Co-chair (with Kate Blakely) of Ecclesiology and Social Ethics Study Group at the Stone-Campbell Journal Conference (2018–present)

Presentations:

“Zionism in Christian Perspective.” Peace and Social Justice Study Group. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Johnson University. April 5, 2019.

“The Joint Declaration at Twenty: A Perspective in Dialogue with George Lindbeck.” 2nd Annual International Conference for Collaborative Philosophy, Theology, and Ministry. Christ the King Seminary. February 22, 2019.

“The Old Testament as Ecclesiological Textbook and the Conquest Narratives.” Canadian-American Theological Association Interdisciplinary Conference. Wycliffe College. October 20, 2018.

“George Lindbeck and Bernard Lonergan on Common Language and Ecumenism.” Lonergan on the Edge. Marquette University. September 21, 2018.

“Our Ancestors were All Under the Cloud: Lindbeck on the Church (and the Jews) as Israel.” Ecclesiology and Social Ethics Study Group. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan College. April 6, 2018.

“George Lindbeck’s Early Israelology: A ‘Catholic Protestant’ Perspective on the Reformation.” Ecclesiological Investigations Unit. American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting. Boston, MA. November 19, 2017.

“Prayer Seeking Understanding: The Reunion of Theology and Spirituality in Hans Urs von Baltahsar,” Parallel session. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. April 7, 2017.

“A Fellowship of Prayer: The Liturgical Ecclesiology of Karl Barth.” Parallel session. Eastern International Region American Academy of Religion Meeting. University of Pittsburgh. May 7, 2016.

“Alexander Campbell’s Christological and Eschatological Response to Evil.” Parallel session. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. April 1, 2016.

“Lindbeck and Tracy on Theological Method.” Panel Discussion: “The Nature of Doctrine: Revisiting the Tracy-Lindbeck Debate Thirty Years Later.” “The Impossibility of God: International Conference with David Tracy.” Sponsored by the Centre for Advanced Research in Catholic Thought at King’s Western University in London, Ontario. March 9, 2016.

“The Influence of Social Anthropology on George Lindbeck and Hans Frei.” Parallel session. Toronto School of Theology Graduate Students Association Conference. March 11, 2016.

“African Church Migration to the Western World.” Parallel session. Canadian Evangelical Theological Association Regional Conference. Tyndale University College & Seminary. October 3, 2015.

“Rule of Faith and Love: An Augustinian Corrective to Alexander Campbell’s Biblical Hermeneutic.” Parallel session. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN. April 10, 2015.

“Report on the ‘Consultation on Believers’ Baptism.’” “Shifting Conversation: Between Believers Baptism and Infant Baptism Churches.” Sponsored by Toronto Mennonite Theological Centre at the Toronto School of Theology. March 24, 2015.

“The Mountains Were Quaking: Prophetic Speech and the Problem of Surface Mining.” Ecclesiology and Social Ethics Study Group. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Johnson University in Knoxville, TN. March 14, 2014.

“These are Our Stories: Narrative Moral Formation in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Alasdair MacIntyre.” Parallel session. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. April 5, 2013.

“Paul, Wittgenstein, and Austin on the Eucharist as Proclamation.” Parallel session. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Cincinnati Christian University in Cincinnati, OH. April 8, 2011.

“The Mercersburg Theologians and the Declaration and Address.” Parallel session. “Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address: Past, Present, and Future.” Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN. September 18, 2009. Parallel session. Stone-Campbell Journal Conference. Cincinnati Christian University in Cincinnati, OH. April 9, 2010.

Academic Memberships

American Academy of Religion

Christians for Biblical Equality

Disciples of Christ Historical Society

Karl Barth Society of North America

Society for Post-Supersessionist Theology

Society of Christian Ethics

Stone-Campbell Scholars Community

Ministerial and Direct Support Experience

Residential Direct Support Professional, Heritage Christian Services, 4441 Tonawanda Creek Rd., North Tonawanda, NY 14120, July 2016–present

Associate/Youth Minister at Central Holston Christian Church, 261 Sand Bar Rd., Bristol, TN 37620, September 2008–August 2014

Youth Minister at Lily Dale Church of Christ, 1151 Martins Creek Rd., Erwin, TN 37650, July 2007–May 2008

Youth and children’s sponsor at Jefferson City Christian Church, 1439 Hicks Rd., Jefferson City, TN 37760, 2002–2007

Personal Information

Born on December 24, 1983, in Greensburg, PA

Baptized at Norwin Christian Church in Irwin, PA on August 6, 1993

Ordained at Hempfield Church of Christ in Greensburg, PA on November 26, 2006

Married Sherri Lynn O’Neal Brown on May 18, 2013

References

Dr. Joseph Mangina

Professor of Systematic Theology

Wycliffe College, Toronto

5 Hoskin Ave.

Toronto, ON M5S 1H7

ac821a@r.postjobfree.com

Dr. Ephraim Radner

Professor of Historical Theology

Wycliffe College, Toronto

5 Hoskin Ave.

Toronto, ON M5S 1H7

ac821a@r.postjobfree.com

Dr. John Berkman

Professor of Moral Theology

Regis College, Toronto

100 Wellesley St. W

Toronto, ON M5S 2Z5

ac821a@r.postjobfree.com

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