F. LeRon Shults
Professor of Theology and Philosophy
University
of Agder
Institute for Religion, Philosophy and History
4604 Kristiansand
Norway
+47 381 42 071
Selected Links:
Education and Research
- Research Fellowship, Templeton Oxford Seminars on Science and Christianity: Oxford University (Summers 2003-2005).
- Ph.D. in Theology and Philosophy (Interdisciplinary Studies): Princeton Theological Seminary (1998).
- Faculty Research Fellow: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, The Netherlands (Spring 1997).
- Ph.D. in Education (Adult Learning Theory): Walden University (1991).
- M.A. in Theology: Fuller Theological Seminary (1987).
- B.A. in Religion and Philosophy: Roberts Wesleyan College (1985).
Books
Philosophy, Science and Divine Action (edited with R.J. Russell and Nancey Murphy). Leiden: Brill Academic Publishers, 2009.
Christology and Science. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Series in Religion and Science, and Eerdmans Pub. Co, 2008.
The Holy Spirit (with Andrea Hollingsworth). Eerdmans "Guides to Theology" series. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2008.
Transforming Spirituality: Integrating Theology and
Psychology (with Steve Sandage). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2006.
The Evolution of Rationality: Interdisciplinary Essays in Honor of J. Wentzel van Huyssteen (editor). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006.
Reforming the Doctrine of God. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005.
Reforming Theological Anthropology: After the Philosophical Turn to Relationality. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2003.
The Faces of Forgiveness: Searching for Wholeness and Salvation (with Steve Sandage). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2003.
The Postfoundationalist Task of Theology: Wolfhart Pannenberg and the New Theological Rationality. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1999.
Books in Progress
Christology and Ethics, with Brent Waters (editors). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. In press (Spring 2010).
Saving Desire, with Jan-Olav Henriksen (editors). In dialogue with publishers. Estimated publication, Fall 2010.
Science, Religion and Philosophies of Difference. Brill Academic Publishers, in process.
Transforming Compassion Among the Religions. In process.
Monographs
Sub Ratione Dei: Wolfhart Pannenberg’s Theological
Anthropology and the Postfoundationalist Task of Theology. Dissertation at Princeton Theological
Seminary, 1998.
An Open Systems Model for Adult Learning in Theological Inquiry. Dissertation at Walden University, 1991.
Scholarly Articles and Book Chapters
"A Philosophical Introduction to Divine Action," 1-16, in Shults F. LeRon, R.J. Russell and Nancey Murphy, eds. Philosophy, Science and Divine Action. Leiden: Brill, 2009.
"Religious Symbolism at the Limits of Human Engagement." Chapter in van Huyssteen, J. W. (ed), Understanding Humanity in a Scientific Age. (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, in press).
"Reforming Ecclesiology in Emerging Churches" Theology Today. January 2009.
"That Than Which Nothing More Lovely Can be Conceived." Chapter in Boyd, Craig (ed.), Visions of Agape: Problems and Possibilities in Human and Divine Love (Aldershot: Ashgate, 2008), 123-134.
"Spirit and Spirituality: Philosophical Trends in Late Modern Pneumatology" Pneuma 30 (Fall 2008): 271-287.
"Tending to the Other in Late Modern Missions and Ecumenism" Swedish Missioloigcal Themes (95/4 (2007): 415-434.
“Christology/Incarnation” and “Ideas of God,” in The Science and Religion Primer, eds., Heather Looy and Heide Campbell (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic), in press.
“Theological Anthropology” and “Freedom, Free-Will” in New Westminster Dictionary of Theology (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox), in press.
"Current Trends in Pneumatology," in Spirit and Spirituality (Copenhagen: University of Copenhagen Press, 2007): 20-38.
"Holistic Spirituality: Response to Ray Anderson" in Edification: Journal of the Society for Christian Psychology, 1/2 (2007): 36-37.
"Relational Spirituality and Transformation" (with Steven J. Sandage). Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 26/3 (2007): 261-269.
“Incorporating Figuration and Spirituality,” in Image and Imagination: A Global Prehistory of Figurative Representation, eds. Colin Renfrew & Iain Morley (Cambridge: McDonald Monagraph Series, 2007), University Press), 337-340.
"The Philosophy of Time: The Turn to Futurity in Late Modern Philosophy" Studia Theologica 61/1 (2007): 47-60.
"Relational Spirituality" (with Steven J. Sandage). Christian Counseling Today, 14/4 (2007): 63-66.
“Trinitarian Faith Seeking Transformative Understanding,” in The Oxford Handbook on
Religion and Science, ed., Philip Clayton (Oxford University Press, 2006): 488-502.
“Becoming Wise: Reflections on the Category of ‘Purpose’ in Biology, Culture and Theology,” Studies in Science and Theology, ed., Hubert Meisinger, et al. (Geneva, 2005)
“The Role of Trinitarian Reflection in the
Religion-Science Dialogue,” in Preparing
for the Future: The Role of Theology in the Science-Religion Dialogue, eds.
Niels Henrik Gregersen & Marie Vejrup Nielsen University of Aarhus Press, 2004): 27-40.
“The Philosophical Turn to Relationality: The Responsibility of Practical Theology” in Dana Wright & John Keuntzel, eds., Redemptive Transformation in Practical
Theology: Essays in Honor of James E. Loder (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004), 325-346.
“Response to David Ray Griffin,” Theology and Science (Center for Theology and the Natural
Sciences), 2/2 (October 2004),
173-175.
“Imago Dei and the Emergence of Sapiential Life” in Niels Henrik Gregersen & Christina
Hjøllund, Coping with Evil: Perspectives from Science and Theology, Forum Teologi Naturvidenskab 2
(University of Aarhus Press, 2003): 95-117.
“The Futurity of God in Lutheran Theology.” Dialog: A Journal of Theology (Spring 2003): 39-49.
“Mathematics on Mars Hill,” with Benjamin P. Shults. Metanexus Institute Online Journal: Views. www.metanexus.net/views. July 2003.
“Coherentism,” “Foundationalism,” “Nonfoundationalism,” “Postfoundationalism,” and “Postmodern Science” in Encyclopedia of Science and Religion, J. Wentzel van Huyssteen, Editor in Chief (New York: Macmillan Reference, 2003).
“Pannenberg, Wolfhart,” in Encyclopedia of Protestantism, Hans Hillerbrand, Editor (New York: Routledge Reference, 2003).
“Sharing in the Divine Nature: Transformation, Koinonia and the Doctrine of God” in Todd Speidell, ed., On Being Christian… and Human: Essays in Celebration of Ray S. Anderson (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2002): 87-127.
“The ‘Body of Christ’ in Evangelical Theology.” Word & World 22/2 (Spring 2002): 178-185.
“Relationality in Science and Theology: An Evaluation of Pannenberg’s Interdisciplinary Method” Zygon, 36/4 (December, 2001): 809-825.
“Is it ‘Natural’ to be Religious?” in The Person: Perspectives from Science and Theology [Studies in Theology and Science, vol. 6], Niels Henrik Gregersen, ed., (Geneva, Labor et Fides, 2000): 103-113.
“One Spirit with the Lord: Insights from James Loder’s Theological Anthropology” Princeton Theological Review, 7/3 (2000): 17-26.
“Pedagogy of the Repressed: What Keeps Seminarians from Transformational Learning?” Theological Education, 36/1 (Fall, 1999): 157-169.
“Faith versus Science?” The Standard 89/4 (Fall, 1999): 16-19.
“Schleiermacher’s Reciprocal Relationality: The Regulative Principle of his Theological Method,” in Schleiermacher on the Workings of the Knowing Mind, Ruth Drucilla Richardson, ed., (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1998): 177-196.
“A Theology of Everything? Evaluating Wolfhart Pannenberg’s Interdisciplinary Method” Christian Scholar’s Review 28/1 (Fall, 1998): 155-163.
“Structures of Rationality in Theology and Science: Overcoming the Postmodern Dilemma” Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 49 (December, 1997): 228-236.
“Constitutive Relationality in Anthropology and Trinity: The Shaping of the Imago Dei Doctrine in Barth and Pannenberg” Neue Zeitschrift für systematische Theologie und Religionsphilosophie, 39 (December, 1997): 304-322.
“Holding Onto the Theology-Psychology Relationship: The Underlying Fiduciary Structures of
Interdisciplinary Method” Journal of
Psychology and Theology 25/3 (Fall 1997): 329-340.
“The Pragmatist Conception of Truth and The Postliberal Research Program,” Princeton Theological Review, 4 (Winter, 1997): 26-36.
The Anhypostatis-Enhypostatis Christological Formula: From Leontius of Byzantium to Karl Barth,” Theological Studies, 57 (September, 1996): 431-446.
“Integrative Epistemology and the Search for Meaning” Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 4 (Fall, 1993):125-140.
A Theology of Chaos: An Experiment in Postmodern Theological Science” Scottish Journal of Theology, 45:2 (Spring, 1992): 223-235.
Scholarly Lectures and Presentations
“Transforming Compassion in Christianity.” Paper presented at the Parliament of the World’s Religions, Transforming Compassion in Science and Religion Group, in Melbourne, Australia: 7 December 2009.
“A Hermeneutics of Otherness, An Ontology of
Compassion.” Paper presented at
Hermeneutics, Compassion and Religious Boundaries conference at the University
of Agder, Norway: 4 September 2009.
"Spiritual Entanglement.” Presentation at Stanford University, Berkeley, CA. 06 November 2008.
"Reforming Christology.” Lecture at the Center for Theology and Natural Science. Berkeley, CA. 05 November 2008
"Reforming the Doctrine of God.” Respondent lecture at the American Academy of Religion, session on book “Reforming the Doctrine of God.” Chicago IL. 03 November 2008.
"Christology and Science: Reforming Responses.” Respondent lecture at Zygon Science and Religion Conference on book Christology and Science. Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. 30 October 2008.
“Developments in Late Modern Philosophy of Science.” Lectures at Ph.D. Seminar, Misjonshøgskole, Stavanger, Norway. 23-24 September 2008.
"The Emergence of Compassion in Science and Religion.” Lecture at Metanexus Conference on The Self and Society. Madrid, Spain. 13-17 July 2008.
“Homo Symbolicus.” Lecture at the European Conference on Science and Theology. Sigtuna, Sweden. 30 April 2008.
“Being and Advent: A Theological Response to Badiou,” Lecture at Society for the Study of Theology, Durham, England. 3 April, 2008.
"Christology, Ethics and the Philosophical Turn to Alterity.” Lecture at Christology and Ethics conference at Garrett-Evangelical Seminary. Evanston, IL. 2-3 March 2008.
"Incarnation and Evolutionary Biology.” 2008 Cody Lecturer at Loyola University Chicago. 26-27 February 2008.
“The Emergence of Compassion.” Lecture at Westmont College. Santa Barbara, CA. 23 Feb 2008.
“Transforming Spirituality in Psychotherapy.” Plenary lecture at Fuller School of Psychology Integration Seminar. Pasadena, CA. 20-22 February, 2008.
"Intensification and Emerging Churches." Three Lectures for Emergent Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 18 January, 2008.
"Christology and Science." Four lectures at Forum Scientiarium. Tuebingen, Germany. 7-8, December 2007.
"The Delightful Terror of Interdisciplinary Dialogue." Lecture at Azusa Pacific University conference, Evangelicals, Science and Culture. Azusa, CA. 15 November, 2007.
"Theological Responses to Postmodernities." Lecture at the annual conference of the Nordic Institute for Missions and Ecumenics. Turku, Finland. 19-22 August, 2007.
"Spiritual Entanglement and Religious Symbolism in the Neolithic." Presentation at Catalhoyuk Seminar in Konya, Turkey. 30 July - 3 August, 2007.
"Recent Changes in Religion and Spirituality in the United States." Paper presented at Religiøs Endring - Forskerseminar. Lesbos, Greece. 3-10 May 2007.
"The Dynamics of Forgiveness." Presentation at Forgiveness Conference in St. Katherine's, Canada. 21 April 2007.
"Difference and Sameness in Christology: Chalcedon in Late Modern Philosophical Perspective." Paper presented at Society for the Study of Theology. Cambridge University, UK. 26-29 March 2007.
"On Contextual Theology." Lecture for Endringer i Norsk Teologi i det 20. århundre Conference. Rica Norge: Kristiansand, 1-2 February 2007.
“Current Trends in Pneumatology.” Scandinavia Theological Society conference, 3-7 January 2007.
“Parousia and Physical Cosmology.” Paper presented at the American Academy of Religion, Washington, DC. November 18-21, 2006.
"Christology and Science" and "The Faces of Forgiveness." Faith Integration Lectures at at Azusa Pacific University, Los Angeles, California. November 14-15, 2006.
"Symbol and Spirituality." Presentation at Templeton Stanford Seminar, Stanford University, California. October 14-15, 2006
“Beyond Naturalism vs. Supernaturalism: Religious Phenomena and the Philosophical Category of Intensive Infinity,” paper presented at the European Conference on Philosophy of Religion, Tubingen, Germany, 1-4, September 2006
“Infinity and the Emergence of the Concept of Measure,” Discussant
Response,
"The Classical Ways of Spiritual Transformation" and "Transforming Hospitality." Society for the Study of Psychology and Wesleyan Theology. March 2, 2006. Kansas City, MO.
"De-centering the Renewal: The Disturbing Spirit in the Emerging Churches." Presentation at National Pastor's Conference. San Diego, CA. February 21, 2006.
“Contextuality, Relationality and
Interdisciplinarity,” Discussant Response presented at Cambridge University, Image
and Imagination Conference. September, 2005.
“Christology and Science: Three Case
Studies.” Lecture at the
Templeton Oxford Seminars, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. July, 2005.
“Facing, Forgiving and Feasting.” Presentation for Preaching Forgiveness conference at Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids,
MI, April 27, 2005.
“Christology and Contemporary Science.” Stead Center Lecture, Garrett-Evangelical Seminary, April 20, 2005.
“Spirituality, Theology and the Science of
Altruism.” Presentation at the
Conference on Altruism and Love, Claremont Graduate School of Theology,
Claremont, CA, April 15-17, 2005.
“Incarnation and Neuroscience.”
Presentation at the Fuller Symposium on the Integration of Faith and
Psychology: Science, Faith and Human
Nature: Reconciling Neuropsychology and Christian Theology,
“The Doctrine of Humanity.” Lecture Series at the National Pastor’s
Conference,
“Theology, Spirituality and Social Science.” Lecture for the annual meeting of the Institute for Research in Psychology and Spirituality in La Mirada, CA, January 7, 2005 [The Randall Lehmann Sorenson Annual Lecture in Psychology and Spirituality].
“Transforming Pneumatology.” Lecture at Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, MA. December 15, 2005.
“Modeling Spirituality: Psychology, Religion and the Dynamics of Transformation.” Paper presented at the American Academy of Religion, Person, Culture and Religion Group, in San Antonio , TX. Nov. 20, 2004.
“James Loder and the Future of Practical
Theology.” Conference participant and presenter, Princeton Theological
Seminary,
“Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Forgiveness.” Lecture given at the annual meeting
of the Christian Association for
Psychological Studies,
“Philosophy, Science and the Human Spirit.”
Paper presented as the inaugural lecture for the North Central Program in Science and Theology 2004-2005 series:
“Being Human: Questions from Science and Theology.” Luther Seminary,
“Rational Causative Substance:
Philosophical Categories in the Early Modern Doctrine of God.” Paper presented
at the Templeton Oxford Seminars, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
University. August, 2004.
“Philosophy and the Shaping of North American
Theology.” Lecture at the Evangelisches
Stift,
“Becoming Wise: Reflections on the Category
of ‘Purpose’ in Biology, Culture and Theology.” Paper presented at the European Conference on Science and Theology.
“Is Theology a Science?” Paper presented at the Templeton Oxford Seminars, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. July 24, 2003.
“The Futurity of God in Lutheran Theology.” Paper presented at The Future of Lutheran Theology: Charism and Context. Aarhus University, Denmark. January 17, 2003.
“The Role of Trinitarian Reflection in the Religion-Science Dialogue.” Paper presented at the Danish Forum for Theology and Natural Science. Aarhus University. Denmark. January 19, 2003.
“Temporality, Causality and the Concept of God.” Paper presented at the Upper Midwest AAR, St. Paul, MN. April 11, 2003.
"Imago Dei and the Emergence of Sapiential Life.” Paper presented at the Danish Forum for Theology and Natural Science. Aarhus, University, Denmark. November 12-13, 2001.
Dissertation
Respondent for the biannual Norwegian theological doctoral student conference;
The Norwegian Lutheran School of Theology,
“Theological Rationality” and “Theological Anthropology.” Lectures presented at Princeton Theological Seminary, October 23-25, 2000.
“The Futurity of God: An Analysis of Contemporary Theological Trends.” Paper presented at the Upper Midwest American Academy of Religion. St. Paul, MN. April 18, 2000.
“C’est pour lui que sont toutes choses: On Human Causality and Divine Futurity.” Paper presented at the European Conference on Science and Theology. Lyons, France. April 2-6, 2000.
“Neurobiology and the Image of God.” Lecture at Luther Theological Seminary. St. Paul, MN . March 17, 2000.
“The Postfoundationalist Task of Contemporary Theology.” Lecture at Fuller Theological Seminary Pasadena, CA. February 22, 2000.
“The Veritable Ideal of Systematicity: A Postfoundationalist Construal of the Task of Theology.” Paper presented at the “Christian Systematic Theology” Group of the American Academy of Religion. Boston, MA. November 21, 1999
“The Destiny of the Self.” Paper presented at the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Boston , MA. November 19, 1999.
“Pedagogy of the Repressed: Seminarians and Transformational Learning.” Paper presented at the Evangelical Theological Society (Orlando, Fl): November 20, 1998.
“The Christian Meta-Distinction: Closing the Debate on the Openness of God.” Paper presented at the Evangelical Philosophical Society. Orlando, Fl. November 21, 1998.
“Postliberal Agenda and Evangelical Credenda.” Paper presented at the Upper Midwest American Academy of Religion. St. Paul, MN. April 17, 1998.
“Are We ‘Naturally’ Religious?: An Analysis of Wolfhart Pannenberg’s Anthropology.” Paper presented at the European Conference on Science and Theology, Durham, England. March 23-28, 1998.
“Relationality and Theological Method.” Paper presented at the Groningen University Philosophy of Religion colloquium. The Netherlands. April 20, 1997.
“The Fiduciary Structures of Rationality in Theology and Science.” Paper presented at the European Conference on Science and Theology. Krakow, Poland. March 26-30, 1996.
“The Regulative Function of Reciprocal Relationality in Schleiermacher’s Theological Anthropology.” Paper presented at the American Academy of Religion, New Orleans, LA. November 23-26, 1996.
“One Spirit with the Lord: A Permutational Model for Spiritual Unity in the Dialectical Identity of the Christian.” Paper presented at the Evangelical Theological Society. November 21-22, 1996.
“The Adult Learner’s Search for Meaning: Psychological and Sociolinguistic Perspectives on Religious Education.” Paper presented at the Religious Education Association’s annual meeting: Adult Learners: Making Critical Connections. Indianapolis, IN. November 8-11, 1992.
“Towards a Postcritical Paradigm for Transformative Adult Learning in Graduate Education.” Paper presented at the Eighth Annual Conference of NUCEA: Teaching Adults in Changing Times. University of Chicago. February, 1992.
“Integrative Adult Learning Theory as a Matrix for Epistemological Transformation.” Paper presented at the 13th Annual Conference of the Association for Integrative Studies. Bemidji State University. Bemidji, MN. October 24-27, 1991.
"Integrating the Arts and Sciences: An Experiment in Interdisciplinary Epistemology.” Paper presented at the National Conference on Nontraditional/Interdisciplinary Programs, George Mason University. May 11-13, 1991.
“An Open Systems Model for Academic Advising.” Paper presented at the National Conference on the Adult Learner. Columbia, SC. May 25-29, 1991.
“The Personal Coefficient in Adult Faith Development.” Paper presented at the International Conference on Michael Polanyi. Kent State University, Ohio. April 11-14, 1991.
Selected Book Reviews
Review of Deep Pluralism, David Ray Griffin, in Religious Studies Review, 100/32 (April 2006), 100.
Review of Atonement, Christology and the Trinity, by Vincent Brümmer in Ars Disputandi (2005):
Review of Evolution and Ethics: Human Morality in Biological & Religious Perspective, by Philip Clayton and Jeffrey Schloss, eds, in Theology Today (in press).
Review of Subjektivität und Selbsinterpretation des dreifaltigen Gottes: Eine Studie zur Genese und Explikation des Paradigmas Selbsoffenbarung Gottes in der Theologie Karl Barths, by Michael Menke-Peitzmeyer, in Theological Studies (in press).
Review of God: An Open Question, by Anton Houtepen, in Religious Studies Review (in press).
Review of Participating in God: Creation and Trinity, by Samuel M. Powell, in Religious Studies Review 30/3 (July 2004), 158.
Review of In Our Image: Artificial Intelligence and the Human Spirit, by Noreen L. Herzfeld, in Worship 77/2 (March 2003)186-187.
Review of Scientism, by Mikael Stenmark, in Ars Disputandi (2002).
Reveiw of God After Darwin, by John Haught, in Tradition and Discovery, 28/1 (2001-2002)35-36.
Review of Deus Trinitas: The Doctrine of the Triune God, by David Coffey, in Pneuma 23/2 (Fall, 2001)326-328.
Review of When Science Meets Religion: Enemies, Strangers or Partners?, by Ian Barbour, in Theology Today, 58/3 (October, 2001)434-435.
Review of Provocations: Spiritual Writings of Kierkegaard, compiled and edited by Charles E. Moore, in The Kierkegaard Newsletter 41 (February, 2001)14-15.
Review of Trinity, Time and Church: A Response to the
Theology of Robert Jenson, edited by Colin Gunton, in The Princeton Seminary Bulletin, 22/1 (February, 2001)95-96.
Review of Saving and Secular Faith, by Brian A. Gerrish, in Theology Today 57/4 (January, 2001)589.
Review of Disruptive Grace: Studies in the Theology of Karl Barth, by George Hunsinger, in Theological Studies 61/3 (2000)593-594.
Review of Inquiring After God: Classical and Contemporary Readings, by Ellen Charry, in Religious Studies Review, 26/4 (October, 2000)361.
Review of Systematic Theology, Volume III, by Wolfhart Pannenberg, in The Princeton Seminary Bulletin, 20/3 (1999)321-323.
Review of God and Contemporary Science, by Philip Clayton, in Cross Currents, 49/3 (Fall, 1999)408-410.
Review of Duet or Duel: Theology and Science in a Postmodern World, by J. Wentzel van Huyssteen, in Interpretation, 53/4 (October, 1999)436.
Review of Anglo-American Postmodernity: Philosophical Perspectives on Science, Religion, and Ethics, by Nancey Murphy, in Theology Today, 55/2 (July, 1998)255-256.
Review of The Deeper Intelligence, by Andrew G. Hodges, in Journal of Psychology and Christianity 16 (Spring 1997)86-87.
Review of God, Cosmos, Nature and Creativity, edited by Jill Gready, in Theology Today, 53 (July, 1996)277.
