about me

I grew up in the hills outside of Denver, Colorado, and have been rolling downhill ever since. With alarming regularity, friends and family say, “You are the last person I ever expected to live in New York City.” I concur wholeheartedly. There are things to like about the city, but the mountains are my home.

I started a Ph.d. in Theology at Fordham University in 2008, and have now finished both coursework and comprehensive exams. That leaves me staring down the mother of all term papers. My dissertation investigates the human-animal distinction as a “knot” at the heart of our collective ecological irresponsibility. The way that we differentiate ourselves from animals and the particular differences that we fixate upon as absolutely significant, I argue, have an enormous impact on the way that we conduct ourselves relative to what we perceive as “nature.” That is to say, the sense of entitlement that allows us to consume and pollute at rates that we know to be stupid and malicious (not to mention self-destructive)  is rooted, at least in part, in our sense that we are (and should be) categorically different than “the animals.” This is a theological project in at least two directions. First, historically there has been a huge theological investment in drawing the human-animal distinction in absolute terms. The first portion of my dissertation will investigate and interrogate this theological investment, focusing on several 4th century Christian figures. Second, I hope to follow through on the analytical/historical portion of the dissertation with a brief constructive theological anthropology. This constructive piece will focus on the theological significance (overwhelmingly disavowed) of the animality within every human being, asking questions about God’s concern and intention for the human animal and other animals.

This blog is a (occasionally and unapologetically neglected) venue for my questions, opinions, and commentary—usually orbiting around academic theology, philosophy, and history. Comments are always appreciated.

[Updated 1.11]