2021
All dressed up and nowhere to go (launch to June 17)
I finished my Ph.D. in 2020 and graduated into the abyss of the Great Nothingness. With the global pandemic still raising the mortality rate and academia trying to decide whether to evolve or come to a complete stop, I turned my attention to research and writing.
Blogging, Reading, Blogging, Podcasting (June 17 to ..)
After a whole round of academic post applications, which resulted in mostly rejection emails, I am resigning for a while to focus on reading and writing. My current book contract will be complete soon. Then I look forward to diving back into my dissertation research and reforming the research into a book so that others can enjoy reading about the topic that I have loved working on for so many years.
You can find a selection of topics by selecting from the topic list (see menu) or browse recent blogs (below). Please subscribe by entering your email address to update you with new topics, ideas, and threads. If there are topics you would like to see covered, feel free to reach out to me with your ideas. Blessings to you and yours. Stay safe and find peace in this crazy world.
Prepping for Autumn Term (Sept 2 to …)
This has been a summer of writing about religion in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica (2004) for my upcoming book, So Say We All. I’ve also been thinking about the broader influences of science fiction as commentary on social ethics. In addition, I have logged a significant amount of time watching science fiction films and tv series and reading science fiction novels. My efforts serve a secondary purpose as I prepare to teach a course on religion in cinema starting late September. Feel free to browse my blogs on various topics and weigh in the discussion whenever you are inspired. Please consider submitting your email address to receive occasional updates. Meanwhile, I wish you the best on your journey. Find a place of peace in this world.
Teaching, Research, & Writing
Autumn leaves turn fiery orange and gold, preparing to fall to the earth a feed the winter soil, which rests and awaits springtime. I am teaching a group of Honors College students in a University course on Cinematic Religion. I profoundly enjoy exploring portrayals of God, Gods, Spiritual Beings, and Religious Advocates in Film. I have just completed a full draft of my upcoming book So Say We All: A Religious Commentary on Battlestar Galactica. I am looking forward to my next project writing about Ethics in the Psalter, focusing on justice advocacy (the theme of my dissertation research). I will also be participating in the Oxford Interfaith Forum: Reading the Psalms in Interfaith Contexts. Watch for more on the Psalms, Justice, and a smattering of reviews about fiction I am currently reading.
2022
New Year’s Greetings & Goals(Jan…)
With the fall term behind me, I am forging the path for my next great adventure. This year I plan to keep up with blog posts that summarize and share scholarly insight on biblical, theological, and related topics. I am also blog casting many posts and interviewing other scholars on my podcast. Since I also just acquired a large stack of sci-fi novels, you can expect posts about sci-fi themes and religious themes in science fiction. My forthcoming book on religion in Battlestar Galactica (TRS) is tentatively slated to come out later this year. Onward in 2022!
The sun is shining on my computer. It’s time to write! (May …)
The sun is shining on my computer. It’s time to write! After a major life transition that moved my family across the country, I am resettling myself, my children, and my partner. We are indeed strangers in a strange land, but we are together, and home is where the heart is as they say. My book on Religion in Battlestar Galactica has moved through the copy editing phase and is looking more like a book. I have three conference presentations in the works, and I have relaunched my Writing Coaching Business to support authors in the writing process. And I am packing my bags for a short trip to London, Bristol, and Paris. Check back soon for summaries, photos, and updates.
Autumn Leaves and All That (Sept …)
School is in session, and summer evenings are cooling to manageable temperatures. I am preparing to teach an in-person five-week class on reading psalms ethically that will be converted to a downloadable online course later this fall. So Say We All: Religion, Spirituality, and the Divine in Battlestar Galactica will be published soon, and I am planning to venture out to Comic and Sci-Fi Conventions to promote my book. I am also ready-ing my dissertation to be published. The contract is signed, and the author’s guidelines are nearly complete.
Conference Time (Nov …)
I am traveling to Denver, CO, this week for the annual SBLAAR meeting. I will be presenting at two sessions on Saturday. If you are at the conference, reach out to meet up. My newly published book will be at the Wipf & Stock book display. Read more about So Say We All: Religion, Spirituality, and the Divine in Battlestar Galactica on my website. I have just submitted the full manuscript of my dissertation on Psalm 82 to the publisher, and it should be available for order next year.
My first presentation will be Saturday morning in the Academic Teaching and Biblical Studies section, entitled, Cinematic Religion: Evaluating Cinematic Portrayals of the Divine with University Students in an A-religious Setting. You can find resources and handouts related to this presentation on this website at Religion and Pop Culture Resources. I will also be presenting at the section Biblical Ethics as a member of the panel reviewing John Goldingay’s new book, Old Testament Ethics: A Guided Tour.
2023
A New Year for Writing (Jan …)
Twenty-twenty-three follows a season of major transition in our family and also for many others in the world. I have just sat down to draft my annual goals and create a list of quarterly objectives. My book, So Say We All: Religion, Spirituality, and the Divine in Battlestar Galactica can be found for purchase wherever books are sold. The manuscript for my dissertation is in process and is expected to be published in 2023. Read more about Divine Council, Ethics, and Resistance in Psalm 82.
I am currently working on four book proposals and developing a draft for a textbook on the ancient world of the Bible. My next conference is a long way off in the summer. Meanwhile, I am also developing ways to help writers accomplish their goals of publication and completing manuscripts at TheBookWritingCoach.com.
Spring Forward and Get On With It (March …
Twice per year, we have a recycled complaint and discussion in our home: why we have to change the clocks back and forward, followed by all the reasons it’s a bad idea. Then, a couple of days pass, and everyone is on to the next thing. For me, that’s ramping up blog topics and reviewing unfinished blog posts. Springtime starts a season of writing. Abstracts are due for conference proposals, I have a paper to finish so it’s ready to present at the summer conference, and since all the winter festivities have gone into hibernation, I finally have some time to queue up writing goals for the year.
This month, my book on the topic of my dissertation was published by Pickwick Publications. Divine Council, Ethics, and Resistance in Psalm 82 is available for order. I expect to post a few blogs to explain some of the features discussed in my book. These can be found by searching Psalm 82.