Curriculum Vitae (Abbreviated, Winter 2019)

Paul Parker Baltzer Distinguished Professor of Theology and Religion and Chairperson Department of Religious Studies Elmhurst College

Elmhurst College Contact Information Personal Contact Information Elmhurst College, #231 187 S York St, Unit A 190 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 Elmhurst, Illinois 60126 Cell in USA (630) 915-3963 Phone (630) 617-3559 Skype: paulp.ec.edu [email protected] [email protected]

Education Ph. D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, December 1986 Regents Park College, Oxford University, 1984 Fields: Christian Social Ethics, Theological Ethics, Contemporary Theology, and New Testament Literature Dissertation: God and the Moral Life: The Influence of Beliefs about God in the Moral Arguments of Bernard Haring and Jürgen Moltmann

M. Div. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1981 The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 1978-1979

B. S. The University of Florida, 1975 Banking and Finance, Business Administration

Employment History Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Elmhurst College 2006- Chairperson, Department of Religious Studies, Elmhurst College, 2000- Associate Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Elmhurst College 1998-2006 Assistant Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Elmhurst College 1987-1998 Instructor, Simmons Bible College; Louisville, Kentucky 1987 County Executive Director; Agricultural, Stabilization and Conservation Service, US Department of Agriculture; Tavares, Florida 1976-1978

Courses Taught (representative) HONORS 106 Christian Ethics HONORS 350 Honors Directed Reading REL 200 Biblical Faith and Our World Today REL 230 Christian Social Ethics REL 240 Introduction to World Religions REL 350 Religion in America REL 363 Special Topics: War and Peace REL 430 Niebuhr Seminar: God and Justice UMAIE T3119 The Peoples and Religions of India (taught in India) UMAIE T3524 Religious Traditions of Western Asia: Turkey & Jordan (taught in Turkey & Jordan) UMAIE T3817 Religious Diversity of Israel & Palestine (taught in Israel & Palestine)

Scholarship and Creative Work Books Dialectic Faith and the Holocaust: In Thy Light. Paul P. Parker, Editor and Introduction. Vol. 2, no.1. Spring 1994 Standing with the Poor: Theological Reflections on Economic Reality. Edited and Introduction by Paul P. Parker. (Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press) 1992

Articles and Book Chapters (selected) “God and Politics: Christian Palestinians” in Festschrift in Honor of E. Frank Tupper, ed.s Richard F. Wilson and Graham B. Walker, Jr. Perspectives in Religious Studies 4 (Summer 2019). “Freedom of Religion in Israel” in response to “Israel: Two Case Studies in Politics and Freedom of Religion” by Alon Harel, Sightings, April 9, 2015. https://divinity.uchicago.edu/sightings/israel-two-case-studies-politics-and-freedom- religion “The Challenges of Christian Ecumenism in Israel and Palestine,” republished in Jewish-Christian Relations, May 1, 2014. http://www.jcrelations.net/The_Challenges_of_Christian_Ecumenism_in_Israel_and_Pa lestine.4651.0.html?L=3 "The Challenges of Christian Ecumenism in Israel and Palestine," Sightings, January 30, 2014. http://us6.campaign- archive1.com/?u=6b2c705bf61d6edb1d5e0549d&id=aaadfee749&e=3a220a0944 “UN Membership and the Occupied State of Palestine,” This Week in Palestine, Issue number 170, June 2012, pp. 32-34. http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=3726&ed=207&edid=207 “All we are Asking is Give Peace a Chance,” Center for International Relations, International Affairs Forum, May 2012. http://www.ia- forum.org/Content/ViewInternalDocument.cfm?ContentID=7927#comments “United Nations Membership Unshackles Palestine—and Israel,” Foreign Policy Journal, April 17, 2012. http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2012/04/17/u-n-membership-would-unshackle-israel- and-palestine/ “An Evangelical Assessment of Jürgen Moltmann’s Ethics” in Jürgen Moltmann and Evangelical Theology: A Critical Engagement, ed. Dr. Sung Wook Chung (Eugene, OR: Pickwick Publications) 2012.

“Israel and Mordechai Vanunu,” SojoMail, February 15, 2006. file:///Users/paulparker/Documents/RESEARCH-- Bks,%20articles,%20&%20Presentations/I- P/Mordechai%20Vanunu/SojoNet%20Faith,%20Politics,%20and%20Culture_files/SojoN et%20Faith,%20Politics,%20and%20Culture.htm “Of Gods and Faith in Rene’ Girard and H. Richard Niebuhr” in Festschrift in Honor of Ronald Goetz (Elmhurst, IL: Elmhurst College Press) 2002. “Miracle,” Dictionary of Pastoral Care (London: SPCK; and Grand Rapids: Eerdmans) 1999 (Peer reviewed). “God’s Abandonment of Suffering Human Beings,” Journal of Family Ministry, 12 (Summer 1998) 33-37 (Peer reviewed). “Suffering, Prayer and Miracles,” Journal of Religion and Health 36:3 Fall 1997 (Blind refereed)

Grants (externally funded) The Council of Independent Colleges and the Interfaith Youth Corp national grant to study Teaching Interfaith Understanding, June 17-21, 2018. Awarded actual costs of materials, transportation, room and board. “Interfaith Leadership,” Interfaith Youth Corp national grant competition to study interfaith principles and leadership. Chicago, March 23, 2018. Awarded actual costs of registration and materials. The Council of Independent Colleges, The Council of American Overseas Research Centers, and the U.S. Department of State and held at the American Center of Oriental Research. “Teaching about Islam and Middle Eastern Culture.” December 28, 2006 through January 18, 2007; Amman, Jordan. Awarded actual costs. The Upper Midwest Association for Intercultural Education (UMAIE) Travel Grant to India during January 2004. Awarded $1500. Co-authored with N. Lee, et al., Lilly Endowment’s Implementation Grant, “The Niebuhr Center: Faith at Work in the World,” August 31, 2002. Awarded $2,000,000. Co-authored with Leah Roberts (Chicago Theological Seminary) Lilly Endowment’s Implementation Grant, “The DEPTH Program,” March 27, 2002. Awarded $1,999,162. Co-authored with N. Lee the Lilly Endowment Planning Grant, “Bridging the Gap: Developing Collegians for Ministry and Service to Society,” December 2001. Awarded $50,000.

Book Reviews (selected) Mapping Exile and Return: Palestinian Dispossession and a Political Theology of a Shared Future. By Alain Epp Weaver. The Christian Century, Fall 2014. Christians in a Land Called Holy: How We Can Foster Justice, Peace and Hope, by Charles P. Lutz and Robert O. Smith. Word and World: Theology for Christian Ministry, Vol. XXVIII Fall 2008 Number 4. Does Human Rights Need God? Elizabeth M. Bucar and Barbra Barnett, ed.s, Dialogue & Alliance: A Journal of the Inter-religious Federation for World Peace, 20 no 2 Fall-Winter 2006, p 81-83. 3

Israel and Palestine: Out of the Ashes–The Search for Jewish Identity in the Twenty-First Century by Marc H. Ellis. Journal of Palestine Studies. Winter 2004. Referred for publisher, Religion in America, 6th ed., by Winthrop S. Hudson and John Corrigan for Prentice Hall, Inc.’s internal use, July 21, 2000. Against the Nations: War and Survival in a Liberal Society by Stanley Hauerwas. The Christian Century, June 2-9, 1993.

Academic Conference Papers and Presentations (selected) “The Christians of Palestine and Israel: Diversity and Ecumenism,” American Theological Society (Midwest) October 25, 2013 “The Kairos Palestine Document: The Kingdom of God Has Come Near,” American Theological Society Semi Annual Meeting, October 30, 2010 “The Irony of History: The Continuing Relevance of Reinhold Niebuhr,” a public lecture for the Higher Studies Project of the Islamic Organization of N.A. (IONA), November 7, 2009 “Islam in Turkey Today,” A Symposium Sponsored by Middle East Institute of Columbia University; Turkish Cultural Center & Institute of Turkish Studies, November 2-3, 2007 “Rumi Today,” Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh Dialogue Foundation, October 23, 2007 “Suffering: An Interreligious Test for Dialogue,” The Gülen Movement & Interfaith Dialogue: A panel presentation for The Chicago Interfaith Gathering: Chicago. Sponsored by The University of Chicago Divinity School, Loyola University, Catholic Theological Union; Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, the Council on American Islamic Relations, and the Niagara Foundation, November 11, 2005 “For the Love of God: An Alternative Christian Spirituality,” Presented in “A Clash of Civilizations or Cooperation?” University of Houston, March 30, 2005 “Faith, God, and Gods in Rene¢ Girard and H. Richard Niebuhr,” Paper presented at the Colloquium on Violence & Religion, Purdue University, June 5-8, 2002 “Tips for Teaching Yoder,” Paper Presented at the Annual Believers Church Conference, University of Notre Dame, March 7-9, 2002 “Radical Monotheistic Benevolence: Christian Pacifism and the Work of H. R. Niebuhr,” Presidential Address, American Theological Society (Midwest Branch), The Divinity School, The University of Chicago. April 23, 1999

Scholarly Presentations for Ministers and Other Professionals (selected) “The Christians of Israel and Palestine,” Middle East Task Force, Chicago Presbytery, PCUSA, April 12, 2015. “Religion in America 2014,” The Council of International Programs Chicago, September 22, 2014. “The Christians of Palestine and Israel: Diversity and Ecumenism,” A Wide Tent for Justice: Next Steps for Peace in Palestine/Israel, FoSNA and Chicago Faith Coalition Conference, Chicago, Illinois. October 4, 2013 “The Limits and Possibilities of a Just War,” presentation to the Pastors’ Conference of Cook and DuPage Counties, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, January 9, 2003 4

Public Lectures, Seminars, and Events (selected) “It’s Worse Than Ever: Israel’s Occupation of Palestine,” Al-Nahda Community Center, October 21, 2017. “Palestine Today,” Council of Islamic Organization in Greater Chicago (CIOGC), Quarterly Parliament at Islamic Foundation of Villa Park, October 14, 2017. “Palestine as I Saw It,” First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton, September 23, 2017. Organized and managed presentation to EC’s pre-healthcare student groups, “Palestinian Healthcare” by Dr. Bishara Bisharat, September 19, 2017. “The Struggles of Palestinian Citizens of Israel” Muslim Community Center, Morton Grove, Illinois, September 14, 2017. “Palestinians’ Experience of the Occupation,” Muslim Community Center, Morton Grove, Illinois, September 7, 2017. Organized, sponsored and managed the public screening and discussion of “Voices Across the Divide” at Elmhurst College with author, physician and Jewish-American activist for Palestine, Dr. Alice Rothchild. October 13, 2016. “The Stones Cry Out.” A film screening and public presentation on the Palestinian Nakba at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. September 10, 2106. “The Israeli/Palestinian Conflict: What is it? And Why Should I Care?” St. Paul Lutheran Church, Villa Park, Illinois, March 20, 2016. “Seeking Peace Together,” Muslim Educational and Cultural Center of America, Willowbrook, Illinois, June 25, 2015. “The Six Religions of Modern Israel: Diversity and Unity Are the Christmas Message,” Lake Shore Unitarian Society, Evanston, December 14, 2014 “The Invisible Christians of Israel and Palestine,” Friends of Ibillin, First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton, October 4, 2014. “Lecture without Limits: The Invisible Christians of Israel and Palestine,” Elmhurst College, April 30, 2014. “Judaism, Christianity and Islam: One God or Three?” The Woman’s Club of Wilmette, April 2, 2014 “Judaism, Christianity and Islam: One God or Three?” The Bensenville Community Club, April 4, 2014 “Who are the Christians of Palestine and Israel?” West Suburban Faith Based Peace Initiative, April 15, 2014 “The Challenge of Ecumenism in the States of Israel and Palestine,” St. Paul United Church of Christ, February 24, 2014 “Kairos Palestine—Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering,” Lombard Mennonite Church, November 17, 2013 “The Christians of Palestine and Israel: Diversity and Ecumenism,” Lombard Mennonite Church, November 13, 2013 “Palestinian Narratives,” West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition (WSFBPC), February 21, 2012, 5

“The State of Palestine,” West Suburban Faith-Based Peace Coalition (WSFBPC), November 15, 2011 “The State of Palestine,” West Suburban Faith Based Peace Initiative, November 15, 2011 “Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: One Voice or Three?” Public Lecture delivered to the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, Oak Park, IL, April 11, 2011 “Christians and Muslims Searching for Understanding,” Seminar for Epiphany Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, IL, January 23, 2011 “The Continuing Relevance of H. R. Niebuhr’s Christ and Culture,” Presented to Elmhurst College Alumni Association, October 8, 2010 “The Continuing Relevance of H. R. Niebuhr’s Radical Monotheism,” Presented to Elmhurst College Alumni Association, October 9, 2009 “Martin Luther King, Jr., Building The Beloved Community,“ Public Lecture for the Fourth Presbyterian Church, June 6, 2009 “Interfaith Conversations with a Rabbi, a Pastor, and an Imam,” Moderated the panel discussion at Etz Chaim, November 9, 2008 “Rumi Today,” Pittsburgh Dialogue Foundation, Carnegie Hall, Pittsburgh, October 23, 2007 “Interfaith Engagement and Higher Education,” Zoroastrian Interfaith Dialogue, September 30, 2007 “Iftar Address—From Broad Statements to Daily Practices: Allaying Fears and Prejudices, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, September 26, 2007 “How is Interreligious Dialog Possible?” Eid-ul-Adha Celebration of the Abrahamic Traditions sponsored by the Niagara Foundation, Mount Prospect, Illinois, January 15, 2006 “Conversations on Interfaith Dialogue: Steps to Take,” Turkish Intercultural Club, Loyola University Chicago, March 2, 2006 “Religious Tolerance and Turkey,” Konya, Turkey; December 2004, M. Fethullah Gülen sponsored symposium, Fruit of Dialogue, televised and broadcasted “Philosophical Ethics and Theological Ethics: Two Approaches,” with William Hirstein (Chair of the Department of Philosophy, Elmhurst College) Elmhurst College Alumni Association. November 20, 2004 “When an Empire Prays for the Kingdom Come,” presentation for the National Day of Prayer May 1, 2003 to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church of Lombard, April 30, 2003 “Just War Theory and the War in Iraq” and “The Murder of Daniel Pearl and the American Peace Movement,” presentations to York High School Social Studies Department, April 4, 2003 “How to Use the Bible in Moral Decision-Making,” presentation to First Congregational UCC of Downers Grove, November 17, 2002 “Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18, 32-37,” Etz Chaim Congregation, August 31, 2002 “Decision-Making and the Bible,” St. Peters UCC, March 16, 2002 “Islam Today,” presentation to Business Luncheon of St. Peter’s, UCC, October 17, 2001 “Lament in Scripture and Contemporary History,” presentation at Etz Chaim Congregation Seniors Luncheon, winter 2001

Creative Work Photograph published in “Water and Peace: For clues to resolving the Middle East conflict, consider the case of the embattled Dead Sea.” Journal of International Affairs, Fall/Winter, 2005 “Chicago: A World Class City--Prints from the Corridor,” Curator of the Art Exhibit by Brian Bakke, Artist, July 9 through August 3, 1990

Institutional Service (selected) Seraj Library Project, Board Member and Executive Committee Member (2005- ) Seraj is a NGO that establishes children’s libraries in Palestinian villages where there are none. Niagara Foundation, Advisory Board Member (2004- ). The NF is a Turkish-American Muslim interreligious civic organization. American Theological Society (Midwest Branch), Secretary/Treasurer (2000- ) Elmhurst College, Department of Religious Studies, Chairperson (2000- ) Elmhurst College, various shared governance councils and committees (1987- ) Mennonite Palestine-Israel Network, Education Committee (2014-17) “Abraham’s Children Searching for Justice in Israel & Palestine,” A public delegation of people- to-people diplomacy in Israel and Palestine which I conceived, planned, organized and co-led with Dr. Anne Fortin, 2018. “Abraham’s Children Searching for Justice in Israel & Palestine,” A public delegation of people- to-people diplomacy in Israel and Palestine which I conceived, planned, organized and co-led with Professors Inam Haq and Anne Fortin in 2016 and 2017. “Abraham’s Children in Contemporary Israel and Palestine,” An alternative educational tour which I developed and led in the summers of 2013, 2014 and 2015. External Reviewer for Religious Studies Program of Aurora University, Aurora, IL (winter 2011) “Religious Diversity in Israel and Palestine, June 14-27, 2011.” An alternative educational tour which I developed and then co-led with Dr. Pauline Coffman. American Theological Society (Midwest Branch), President (1998-99).

Professional Societies Memberships American Academy of Religion, 1984- American Theological Society, Midwest Branch, 1988- Jewish Voice for Peace, 2016- Society of Christian Ethics, 1984-

Honors and Awards (Selected) Baltzer Distinguished Professor of Theology and Religion (2001-) Fethullah Gϋlen Award (2008)