I welcome opportunities to converse with others upon topics theological, philosophical, and cultural. Please see “Support” tab for information on arranging invited lectures; see “Contact” tab for general contact details.

Past Conference Presentations and Public Lectures

  • Invited Templeton Lectures, May, 2011:
    • “When Witnesses Conflict: One God of Abraham but Three Abrahamic Religions?” University of Bristol
    • “Christ’s Victory over Sin and Death: Interpreting the Icon of Christ’s Descent into Hell,” University of Oxford (Blackfriars)
    • “Von Balthasar against the Tradition: Variant Views of Christ’s Descent into Hell,” University of Oxford (Blackfriars)
    • “The Pope, the Cardinal, and the Jesuit: John Paul II, Joseph Ratzinger, and Hans Urs von Balthasar on Christ’s Descent into Hell,” Heythrop College
    • “Monster and Man: Are Morals Made Manifest in Matter?” Roehampton University and St. Mary’s University College
    • “The Importance of A Robust Theology of Christ’s Descent into Hell,” King’s College (London), University of Durham, University of Aberdeen, University of Cambridge, and University of Nottingham
    • “Why Faith and Philosophy Need Each Other,” Hope College Religion Department Searching the Sacred Series, Nov. 18, 2010
  • “Monster and Man: Are Morals Made Manifest in Matter?” Keynote Address for Whitworth University and Gonzaga University Faith, Film, and Philosophy Series, Oct. 7, 2010
  • “Witness to Hope: The Life and Legacy of John Paul II,” Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids, MI, Apr. 18, 2010
  • “Why Philosophy and Theology Need Each Other,” Gonzaga University Socratic Club, Mar. 23, 2010
  • “Theology and Epistemology in Christ’s Descent into Hell,” Gonzaga University Faith and Reason Institute, Mar. 22, 2010
  • “Dracula Meets the Pope: Classic Horror Fiction and a Catholic Christian View of the Human Person,” St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish, Oct. 28, 2009
  • “Christ’s Descent into Hell: The Paschal Significance of Holy Saturday,” St. Francis de Sales Catholic Parish, Holland, Michigan, Mar. 25, 2009
  • Response to panel on my book, Light in Darkness, Karl Barth Society Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, Nov. 17, 2007
  • “Resurrection and Ascension: The Mystery of Christian Life,” Seminary Formation Conference, Bishop White Seminary, Spokane, Washington, April 12, 2007
  • “Why Christ’s Descent into Hell Matters to Christians: A Lenten Reflection,” St. Dominic’s Parish, San Francisco, California, March 21, 2007
  • “Christ’s Descent into Hell and the Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar,” The Dumb Ox Theological Forum, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Berkeley, California, March 20, 2007
  • “Does ‘One God’ Mean One God? Whether the Three Monotheistic Religions Agree on God,” American Academy of Religion, Pacific Northwest Region Annual Meeting, Spokane, Washington, May 5, 2006
  • “The Paschal Mystery,” Seminary Formation Conference, Bishop White Seminary, Spokane, Washington, April 20, 2006
  • “Just in Time for Halloween: Catholic Philosophy of Human Nature and Classic Horror Fiction,” Diocese of Spokane’s Theology on Tap Program, October 25, 2005