Speaking & Teaching

FORMAL ACADEMIC ADDRESSES

“Pope Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution.” Invited public lecture and classroom workshops for the University of St. Thomas Distinguished Speakers series, followed (Minneapolis, MN, 2023).

“Nuclear Fission in the Heart of Being: Eucharistic Transubstantiation and the Laity’s Role of Consecrating the World to God.” Paper to be delivered at the Benedictine College Symposium on Transforming Culture Proclaiming the Real Presence: The Body of Christ in a Secular World (Atchison, KS, 2023).

“Making All Things New: The Eucharist and Creation’s Eschatological Transfiguration.”  Presented at the Academy of Catholic Theology annual meeting (Washington, DC, 2022).

“Sinless yet Sorrowful: How the Mariology of Aquinas and Ratzinger Illumines Suffering and Death in an Evolutionary Context.” Delivered at the conference The Origin of Life and Nature Before Sin: Scientific and Theological Perspectives, hosted by the Thomistic Institute of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas / Angelicum (Rome, Italy, 2022)

“Inhabiting God’s Garden: ‘The Covenant between Man and the Environment’ according to Joseph Ratzinger.” Delivered at the symposium Recovering the Gift of Creation, hosted at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts (Merrimack, NH, 2022).

“Cosmic Communion between God, Man, and Creation: Reflections on an Underappreciated Dimension of Joseph Ratzinger’s Ecological Thought.” To be delivered at the conference Interpretation of Scripture and Ecclesial Exegesis: The Search for an Integrated Theology, hosted by St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry (Rochester, NY, 2022)

“Integration of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology in the Thought of Benedict XVI.” Professional research poster presentation at Society of Catholic Scientists conference Earth and Environmental Stewardship (Mundelein, IL, 2022).

“Catholicism on the Harmony on Faith and Science.” Member of panel sponsored by the Society of Catholic Scientists event at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2022).

“Unity in Essentials, Liberty in Accidentals, and Charity in All: Navigating Religious Controversies in Today’s World with Wisdom from Church History.” Paper delivered at the Benedictine College Symposium See How They Love One Another: Community and the New Evangelization (Atchison, KS, 2022). 

“You Prepared a Body for Me” (Heb 10:5): The Eschatological End of Evolution.” Respondent to Daria Spezzano at the U.S. Symposium of Thomistic Evolution, funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (Providence, RI, 2021).

“Does Evolution Undermine Christianity?”  Lecture to the University of Tulsa chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Tulsa, OK, 2021).

“Faith, Science, and the University.” Lecture at the Kansas City area chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists annual Gold Mass, funded by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation (Atchison, KS, 2021).

“Dust and Breath: Joseph Ratzinger on Divine and Human Causality in Human Evolution.” Panel presentation at American Catholic Philosophical Association annual meeting The Diakonia of Truth on Catholicism and Evolution (St. Louis, MO, 2021).

“The Primacy of Jesus and World Religions.” Presentation for the Reborn in Wonder lecture series at the University of Nebraska Newman Institute of Catholic Thought and Culture (Lincoln, NE, 2021).

“From the Dust of the Earth: Benedict XVI, the Bible, and the Theory of Evolution.” Keynote presentation for school meeting of the Catholic Biblical Association hosted by Holy Apostles College and Seminary (Cromwell, CT, 2021—online).

“From the Dust of the Earth: Reading Genesis 1-3 with Ratzinger and a ‘Method C’ Hermeneutic.” Paper delivered at the conference Interpretation of Scripture and Ecclesial Exegesis: The Search for an Integrated Theology, hosted by St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry (Rochester, NY, 2021).

“A Larger Idea of Divine Skill: Newman and Ratzinger on the Fittingness and Epistemic Status of Evolutionary Creation.” Presented at the international conference “St. John Henry Newman and Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI: A Theological Encounter,” hosted by Mundelein Seminary and the Institute of Theology at St. Mary’s University, London (Mundelein, IL, 2021).

“Evolution and Eschatology: Joseph Ratzinger on Jesus Christ as the Omega of Creation.” Paper delivered at the conference Hope and Death: Christian Responses, hosted by the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2021).

“How Does God Work in the World through Evolution?  Thomas Aquinas and Benedict XVI on How Not to Be an Idolater.” Paper to be delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Destroyer of the Gods: Christianity vs. the Idols of Secularism (Atchison, KS, 2021).

“Putting the Last Adam First: Aquinas, Ratzinger, and Human Origins in Light of Kenotic Christology.” Plenary address for the conference Thomas Aquinas and the Crisis of Christology, sponsored by the Thomistic Institute of the Dominican House of Studies and the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2020)

“Thomas Aquinas and Joseph Ratzinger on Human Origins in Light of Evolutionary Biology.” Address for the international symposium Thomas Aquinas on Creation and Nature, hosted by the Thomistic Institute of the Angelicum / Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Rome, Italy, 2019)

“Through a Glass, Darkly: How Certain is Faith?”  Lecture to the University of Kansas chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Lawrence, KS, 2019).

“Is the God of the Old Testament Evil?  How to Understand the ‘Dark Passages’ of the Bible.” Lecture to the Ohio State University chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Columbus, OH, 2019).

“Man, You Are Dust: On Human Origins and Dignity in Light of Evolutionary Science.”  Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Technology and the Human Person (Atchison, KS, 2019).

“The Intellectual Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.” Presentation delivered for the Lumen Veritatis Institute of Catholic Thought and Imagination (Lansing, MI, 2019).

“Unless You Believe, You Will Not Understand: Biblical Faith according to Thomas Aquinas and Benedict XVI.” Invited address for the conference Aquinas the Biblical Theologian, sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and the Aquinas Center of Ave Maria University (Ave Maria, FL, 2019)

“How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: The Problem of ‘Dark Passages’ in the Bible.”  Lecture to the University of Oklahoma chapter of the Thomistic Institute (Norman, OK, 2019).

“Accompanying, Discerning, and Integrating Weakness: Interpreting Pope Francis on Sacramental Discipline in “Irregular” Marital Situations.” Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium In the World, but Not of the World: Paradigms for the Evangelization of American Culture (Atchison, KS, 2017).

“The Theological Mind of Pope Francis: Mercy and Media Misconception.” Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Mercy and the Revolution: The Church’s Mission after the Sexual Revolution (Atchison, KS, 2016).

“Pope Francis on Sacramental Discipline for the Divorced and Civilly Remarried.” Lecture delivered to the Benedictine College Honors Program (Atchison, KS, 2016)

Panelist, Laudato Si: What the Pope’s Encyclical Means for America, hosted by the Benedictine College Gregorian Institute (Atchison, KS, 2015).

“The Theological Genius of Joseph Ratzinger and Its Role in Catholic Theological Education Today.” Keynote paper delivered for the “Contemporary Challenges in Modern Catholic Education” conference at Holy Spirit College (Atlanta, GA, 2015)

“Pope Francis and the Mission of the Church.”  Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Influential Joy: Gaudium et Spes to Evangelii Gaudium (Atchison, KS, 2015).

“Biblical Inspiration in the Theology of St. Thomas Aquinas and Fr. Matthew Lamb.” Invited address delivered at the Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal Wisdom and the Renewal of Catholic Theology conference (Ave Maria, FL, 2015).

“Vatican II at 50: Pluralism and Unity.” Paper co-presented at Benedictine College faculty colloquium (Atchison, KS, 2015).

“Benedict XVI, Catholic Doctrine, and the Problem of an Imminent Parousia.”  Paper delivered at the annual convention of the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars (Pittsburg, PA, 2014).

“That They All May Be One: John XXIII and John Paul II’s Pioneering Vision for the Reunification of All Christians.” Delivered to the Benedictine College community commemorating the canonization of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II (Atchison, KS, 2014).

“Benedict XVI’s Theology of Beauty & the New Evangelization.” Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium The Transcendentals as a Preamble for Faith (Atchison, KS, 2014).

“Benedict XVI and the Bible’s Dark Passages: Implications for Apologetics and the Spiritual Life.”  Lecture delivered to faculty and adjuncts of the Bishop Helmsing Institute (Kansas City, MO, 2013).

“Freedom in Obedience to the Truth: Implications for Christian Living & Evangelization.”  Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Building a Culture of Freedom (Atchison, KS, 2013).

“Violence Is Incompatible with the Nature of God: Benedict, Aquinas, and Method C Exegesis of the ‘Dark’ Passages of the Bible.”  Invited address delivered at the Ave Maria University conference Reading God’s Word: Ratzinger’s Erasmus Lecture a Generation Later (Ave Maria, FL, 2012).

“Benedict XVI’s Vision for Scripture within the New Evangelization.”  Paper delivered at the Institute for Missionary Activity symposium Advancing the New Evangelization (Atchison, KS, 2012).

“Catholicism, Inter-Religious Dialogue, and Social Justice.”  Presentation delivered at the Muslim-Jewish-Christian Dialogue hosted at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2012).

“The Catholic Church and Inter-Religious Dialogue.” Presentation delivered at the Hindu-Muslim-Christian Dialogue hosted at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2011).

Panelist, Ravens Respect Life Health Care Reform forum (Atchison, KS, 2009)

“The ‘Substance’ of Faith in Hebrews 11 and St. Thomas’ Theology of the History of Divine Revelation.”  Paper presented at Aquinas Center for Theological Renewal “Scripture, Doctrine, and St. Thomas Aquinas” conference (Ave Maria, FL, 2008).

“Is Theology a Science?”  Lecture given at the St. John Institute for Catholic Thought at the University of Illinois (Champaign, IL, 2008).

“How a Poor Man Becomes Rich: The Six Steps towards Vision of God in Bonaventure’s Itinerarium Mentis in Deum.”  Prepared for Ave Maria University faculty and graduate student colloquium (Ave Maria, FL, 2008).

“Two Willing Contenders in the Long Defeat: Friedrich Nietzsche and Immanuel Kant on the Philosophy of History.” Presented at Ave Maria University faculty and doctoral colloquium (Ave Maria, FL, 2007).

OTHER PRESENTATIONS

“The Gift of Self and Healing Power of Service: Insights from Pope Benedict XVI in how to Live the Experiment of Faith” Keynote address to be delivered at the annual Courage conference A Sincere Gift of Self (Atchison, KS, 2023).

“Matthew’s Gospel: Torah of the Messiah for the New and Eternal Covenant.” Workshop offered to the clergy of the diocese of Columbus (Columbus, OH, 2023).

Co-organizer and lead presenter, Religion and Ecology: Recovering Integrity of Life in Ourselves and Creation colloquium
funded by the John Templeton Foundation and co-sponsored by the Benedictine College Center for Integral Ecology and the Newman Institute for Catholic Thought & Culture at the University of Nebraska (Atchison, KS, 2022). 

“Understanding Genesis: Science, Evolution, and Faith.” North American Martyrs Catholic Church Martyrs Speaker Series (Lincoln, NE 2022).

“The Essentials of Belief: Exploring the Creed.” Workshop offered for Sophia Institute for  Teachers (Chicago, IL, 2022).

“The Mystery of the Grain of Wheat: How the Bible Reveals the Meaning of Suffering through Agriculture.” Knights of Columbus Lenten lecture series (Troy, KS, 2022).

“The Courage to Embrace the Whole Breadth of Reason: Catholicism and the Harmony of Faith and Science.” Presentations delivered to RCIA candidates at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2021).

“How to Read the Bible and Still Be a Christian: The Problem of ‘Dark Passages’ in the Bible.” Lecture to University of St. Mary of the Lake Summer Scripture conference “Interpreting Scripture in the Church” (Mundelein, IL, 2021). Postponed due to COVID-19.

“Catholic Social Teaching 101.”  Workshop offered for Sophia Institute for Teachers (Los Angeles, CA, 2021).

“St. Joseph in Scripture and Tradition.” Presentation to Lenten Men’s Retreat for the Year of St. Joseph (Mattoon, IL, 2021).

“Reading God’s Two Books: Faith and Evolutionary Creation.” Presentation delivered to Benedictine College Biology Club (Atchison, KS, 2021).

“Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics and Christian Leadership?” Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2020).

“The Interior Life: Soul of the Apostolate” and “Conformity to Christ: Darkness, Divinization, and the Little Way.”  Presentations delivered to Catholic school principals for Sophia Institute for Teachers (Springfield, MA, 2019).

“On Care for Our Common Home as a Twofold Work of Mercy.” Presentation for the Benedictine College women’s residence halls (Atchison, KS, 2018)

“Machiavelli’s The Prince and Christian Leadership.” Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2018).

“The Psalms as Scripture” and “How to Pray with the Psalms.” Presentations delivered to the permanent deacons and deacon candidates of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (Kansas City, KS, 2018).

“Who do you say that I am? How the true face of Christ is revealed to us in the Gospels” and “Lord, to whom shall we go? How to respond to today’s Bible skeptics.” Presentations delivered for the Sophia Institute for Teachers (New York, NY, 2018).

“On Care for Our Common Home as a Twofold Work of Mercy.” Presentation for the Benedictine College men’s residence halls (Atchison, KS, 2018)

“My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me? Biblical Lessons on How to Unite our Suffering with that of Christ Crucified.” Gregorian Institute Lenten lecture series (Atchison, KS, 2018)

“Machiavelli’s The Prince and Christian Leadership?” Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2017).

Panelist, Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ and Environmental Sustainability hosted by the Benedictine College Student Government Association (Atchison, KS, 2017).

“Lectio Divina and the ‘Hard Sayings’ of Scripture.” Presentation to Knights of Columbus council (Atchison, KS, 2017).

Panelist, What Pope Francis Really Said, hosted by the Benedictine College Gregorian Institute (Atchison, KS, 2016).

“Who do you say that I am? How the true face of Christ is revealed to us in the Gospels” and “Lord, to whom shall we go? How to respond to today’s Bible skeptics.” Presentations delivered over three days for the Sophia Institute for Teachers (Staten Island, NY, 2016)

“Pope Francis: Mercy and Media Misconception.” Lecture delivered to the Women of St. Ignatius organization (Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2016).

“Pope Francis: Mercy and Media Misconception.” Talk given at the inaugural Theology on Tap in Atchison, KS (2016)

“Biblical Mercy: How Mercy is Revealed in Sacred Scripture” and “Divine Mercy and the Pontificate of Francis.” Sophia Institute for Teachers workshop (Palm Beach, FL, 2016)

“Biblical Mercy: How Mercy is Revealed in Sacred Scripture” and “Divine Mercy and the Pontificate of Francis.” Sophia Institute for Teachers workshop (Grand Rapids, MI, 2016)

“Popes on a Plane: Media Misconception and Papal Continuity.” Lecture delivered for the Dinner and Discourse series hosted by the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS, 2016).

“The Church, World Religions, and Interreligious Dialogue.” Lecture delivered to the Women of St. Ignatius organization (Fort Leavenworth, KS, 2016).

“Aquinas’s De Regno and Christian Leadership.” Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2015).

“The Year of Mercy: Salvation History as the context for encountering and understanding God’s Mercy.” Sophia Institute for Teachers workshop (Manchester, NH, 2015)

“Soul of the Apostolate: The Interior Life, Catechesis, and the New Evangelization.” Morning sessions for the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd regional Lenten enrichment retreat (Leawood, KS, 2015).

“Aquinas’s De Regno and Christian Leadership.” Co-led seminar offered at the opening session of the Benedictine College Gregorian Fellows program (Atchison, KS, 2014).

“The Direction of the Church Today: The Pontificate of Pope Francis and  the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI.”  Morning workshop given for Catholic school principals of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas (Kansas City, KS, 2014).

“Reflections on Pope Francis’ Evangelii Gaudium: Implications for Catechesis.”  Lecture delivered to the catechists of St. Benedict’s Parish (Atchison, KS 2014).

“Evangelization and the Interior Life.” Presented to student leaders of FOCUS at their monthly “Upper Room” meeting (Atchison, KS, 2011).

“The Catholic Tradition of Prayer.”  Presented to members of RICA at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2011)

“Mental Prayer,” “Obstacles to Prayer,” “Inspirations of the Holy Spirit,” “Discernment,” and “The Soul of the Apostolate.”  Ongoing talks presented to Benedictine College students at the monthly Lectio Divina series (Atchison, KS, 2010-2014).

“Do Something Beautiful for God.”  An overview of the life of prayer presented to students participating in the annual Benedictine College Kick-Off Retreat (Atchison, KS, 2010).

“Newman’s Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine.”  Presented at Presidential Ambassadors “Great Books” event (Atchison, KS, 2009)

“The Sacrament of Marriage.”  Presented to members of RICA at St. Matthew’s Parish  (Champaign, IL 2009)

“Approaching Natural Theology.”  Presented at Ave Maria University Faith in Action catechist Team (Naples, FL, 2006).

Diocese of Peoria Catholic Education Conference.  A two-day conference hosted at Illinois State University for which I presented four talks on Scripture and ethics. (Normal, IL, 2006).

“The Art of Friendship.” Talk given at a conference for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students at Illinois Wesleyan University and Illinois State University (Normal, IL, 2006).

“And the Ark Came to Rest on the Rock: The Catholic Sacramental Worldview.”  Ecumenical talk given at the Evangelical fellowship Campus Crusade for Christ at Eureka College   (Eureka, IL, 2006).

“Two Rival Versions of a Contemporary Natural Law Ethics.” Philosophy thesis presented at Benedictine College (Atchison, KS, 2005)

“The Perfect Disciple.” Scriptural meditation given for “Samuel Group” at Benedictine College and at the University of Kansas (Lawrence, KS, 2005).

“The Risen Body of Christ.” Scriptural meditation given for a parish retreat (Sabetha, KS, 2005).

“The Existence of God: Philosophical and Existential Approaches.”  Conferences given for weekend “Crash Course on Catholic Education” at the St. Lawrence Catholic Ctr. (Lawrence, KS, 2005).

“The Second Vatican Council on Ecumenism” and “Ecclesia de Eucharistia and   Evangelization.” Celebrate the Faith Conference (Vandalia, IL, 2004).

“The Ascension of the Lord, the Eucharist, and the Telos of the Incarnation.” Holy Cross Church (Champaign, IL 2004).

“The Problem of Evil and Religious Pluralism.”  Guest lecturer, Introduction to Philosophy (Parkland College, Champaign, IL, 2003).

“Conversion in the Writings of John Paul II.” Firewalk of Faith Conference (Napa, CA, 2003; Vandalia, IL, 2003).

“Il sacramento della riconciliazione.”  Scripture meditation given for a parish mission (Modica, Italy, 2003).

“La chiamata universale alla santità.”  Talk given for a youth conference at the Centro San Lorenzo (Rome, Italy, 2002).