HARLAN R. BECKLEY
Executive Director, Shepherd Higher 503 Jackson Avenue Education Consortium on Poverty Lexington, Virginia 24450 Founding Director, Shepherd Program for the Phone: (540) 460-1714 Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability [email protected] Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion, Emeritus Washington and Lee University
EDUCATION
1981-82 Post-doctoral fellow at The University of Chicago Divinity School
1978 Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Field: Christian Theological Ethics Dissertation: "Economic Justice in a Pluralistic Society: A Study in Christian Social Ethics"
1973 M.A., Vanderbilt University
1972 M.Div., Vanderbilt University Founder's Medalist (highest GPA)
1966-67 Wesley Theological Seminary
1966 B.S., University of Illinois Major: Economics
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2012- Program Director and Executive Director, Shepherd Higher Education on Poverty
1999-2014 Fletcher Otey Thomas Professor of Religion
1997-2013 Director, Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty Washington and Lee University
2005-06 Acting President, Washington and Lee University
1989-95 Chair, Department of Religion, Washington and Lee University
1989-99 Professor of Religion, Washington and Lee University
1984-91 Adjunct to Society and Professions Program: Studies in Applied Ethics (teaching Business Ethics) Washington and Lee University
1978 Ordained Elder, United Methodist Church
1974-89 Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor in Religion Washington & Lee University
1971-74 Minister, United Methodist Charge (three churches) Kingston Springs, Tennessee
TEACHING
Courses in Bible, Christian historical theology, contemporary theology and ethics, economic ethics, and business ethics. Beginning in 1997, I offered three new courses in the interdisciplinary study of poverty, including an advanced seminar for law students as well as juniors and seniors.
SCHOLARSHIP
Books:
Economic Justice: Selections from Distributive Justice and A Living Wage by John A. Ryan editor and introduction, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1996.
Passion for Justice: Retrieving the Legacies of Walter Rauschenbusch, John A. Ryan, and Reinhold Niebuhr, Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992.
James M. Gustafson's Theocentric Ethics: Interpretations and Assessments co-edited and introduced with Charles M. Swezey, Mercer University Press, 1988.
Editor:
The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics, 1991-96 (five issues with brief introductions).
Articles:
“Christians and Economics,” in Oxford Handbook of Theological Ethics.” eds. Gilbert Meilaender and William Werepehowski. Oxford University Press, 2005: 360-80
“Capability as Opportunity: How Amartya Sen Revises Equality of Opportunity,” Journal of Religious Ethics 30.1 (Spring 2002): 107-35. “The author replies” to “Comment” by David M. Craig, Journal of Religious Ethics 31.1 (Spring 2003): 161-63.
“Theology and Prudence in John A. Ryan’s Economic Ethics” in Religion and Public Life: The Legacy of Monsignor John A. Ryan. ed. Robert G. Kennedy et al., University Press of America, 2001: 35-60.
“Reflections on the Life of Monsignor John A. Ryan” in Religion and Public Life: The Legacy of Monsignor John A. Ryan. ed. Robert G. Kennedy et al., University Press of America, 2001: 5-10.
“Moral Justifications for the Welfare State.” Presidential Address in the Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics (2001): 3-22.
“Social Sciences and Theological Ethics: A Response to Mary Hobgood’s Analysis of Welfare and Poverty.” Journal of Religious Ethics 25.2 (Fall 1997): 343-50.
“A Raft That Floats: Experience, Tradition, and Sciences in Gustafson's Theocentric Ethics,” an invited response to the theological ethics of James M. Gustafson of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 30/3 (June 1995): 201-10.
“Love, Human Dignity, and Justice: Some Legacies from Protestant and Catholic Ethics.” Notre Dame Law Review, (May 1991): 1053-73.
“The Legacy of John A. Ryan's Theory of Justice.” The American Journal of Jurisprudence, (December 1988): 61-98.
“A Christian Affirmation of John Rawls' Idea of Justice as Fairness, Part II.” The Journal of Religious Ethics (Fall 1986): 229-46.
“A Christian Affirmation of John Rawls' Idea of Justice as Fairness, Part I.” The Journal of Religious Ethics (Fall 1985): 210-42.
Essays and Review Articles:
“Food Stamps,” The Sage Encyclopedia of World Poverty, second edition. Ed. Mehmet Okedko. Sage Publications, Inc. 2015. Pp. 588-589.
”Relative-Income-Based Measures of Poverty,” The Sage Encyclopedia of World Poverty, second edition. Ed. Mehmet Okedko. Sage Publications, Inc. 2015. Pp. 1007-1009.
Mark 10:32-34, p. 324, and Mark 10:35-45, p. 330, in Feasting on the Gospels, eds. Cynthia A. Jarvis and E. Elizabeth Johnson. Westminster John Knox Press, 2014.
“Walter Rauschenbusch,” for the International Encyclopedia of Ethics. Ed. Hugh LaFollette. Wiley-Blackwell, 2013. Pp. 4347-4354.
Review of major writings of William Schweiker, The Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics. (28/2, Fall/Winter 2008): 256-62.
“Empowering Groups and Respect for Individual Dignity: A Review of Michael Walzer’s Politics and Passion.” Political Theology (7/1 2006): 11-28, with a response by Michael Walzer, 91-99.
“Mind the Gap: Facing Up to Inequalities.” The Christian Century. (14 June, 2003): 24-29.
“A Big Book with an Understated Title.” A Review of Confronting the Color Line: The Br- oken Promise of the Chicago Civil Rights Movement. By Alan Anderson and George Pickering, in The Journal of Religion 69/3 (July 1989): 680-86.
Pedagogical Essays:
“Why Don’t Students Learn About Poverty?” Spotlight on Poverty, 2015
“Poverty Data Disturb and Confound,” Op. Ed. essay in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, October 4, 2011
“Introduction”, pp. xiii-xvi, to If Not Me, Then Who? by E. Cabell Brand (iUniverse, Bloomingon, IN: 2008). Revised in 2010.
“Understanding Socioeconomic Difference: Studies in Poverty and Human Capability.” Diversity and Democracy, published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities 11/3 (Fall 2008): 18-19.
“A Focus on Poverty: The Shepherd Program at Washington and Lee University.” Bonner Series on Civic Engagement. Liberal Education, published by the Association of American Colleges and Universities 93/4 (Fall 2007): 46-51.
“Students Study to Give Hope to Nation’s Poor,” Op Ed column in The Atlanta Journal Constitution, March 6, 2006.
Book Reviews and Notes:
A review of The Kingdom Is Always But Coming: A Life of Walter Rauschenbusch by Christopher Evans, Eerdmans Publishing Company in The Catholic Historical Review, October 2006: 698-99.
An Examined Faith: The Grace of Self-Doubt by James M. Gustafson in the Journal of Religion (January 2005): 151-52.
On Niebuhr: A Theological Study by Langdon Gilkey in Modern Theology (January 2003) 153- 54.
Christian Justice and Public Policy by Duncan Forrester, in Modern Theology (July 1999): 382- 84.
Testing the Medical Covenant: Active Euthanasia and Health Care Reform by William F. May, in Theology Today (January 1998)
Reforming Protestantism: Christian Commitment in Today’s World by Douglas F. Ottati in Interpretation (April 1997
Responsibility and Christian Ethics by William Schweiker, in The Journal of Religion (January 1997).
The Love Commandments: Essays in Christian Ethics and Moral Philosophy, ed. by Edmund N. Santurri and William Werpehowski, in Theology Today (1994).
Love and Justice: Selection from the Shorter Writings of Reinhold Niebuhr by Reinhold Niebuhr, ed. by D. B. Robertson, in Religious Studies Review (1994).
Transformed Judgment: Toward A Trinitarian Account of the Moral Life by L. Gregory Jones in Religious Studies Review (January 1993).
Christian Existence Today: Essays on Church, World, and Living in Between by Stanley Hauerwas in The Journal of Religion (January 1991).
Justice in Latin American Theology of Liberation, edited by Warren Copeland and Roger Hatch in The Journal of Religion (January 1990).
“Toward a Theory of Justice,” a review of Justice in Latin American Liberation Theology, by Ismael García, and Justice in an Unjust World: Foundations for a Christian Approach to Justice, by Karen Lebacqz, in Interpretation (January 1990).
Six Theories of Justice: Perspectives from Theological and Philosophical Ethics, by Karen Lebacqz, in Interpretation (April 1988).
Reinhold Niebuhr: A Biography, by Richard Fox, in The Journal of the American Academy of Religion (Winter 1987).
The Priestly Kingdom: Social Ethics as Gospel, by John Howard Yoder, in Theology Today (April 1985).
The Peaceable Kingdom: A Primer in Christian Ethics, by Stanley Hauerwas, and Christian Faith and Public Choices: The Social Ethics of Barth, Brunner, and Bonhoeffer, by Robin Lovin, in Theology Today (April 1985).
“A Social Ethic Emphasizing Church and Family,” a review of A Community of Character, by Stanley Hauerwas, in Interpretation (July 1982).
Ethical Theory and Business, edited by Tom L. Beauchamp and Norman E. Bowie, in Anglican Theological Review (1982).
The Value of Justice, edited by Charles Kelbley, in Religious Studies Review (1982).
Ethical Issues in Modern Medicine, edited by Robert Hunt and John Arras, in Religious Studies Review (1982).
Religious Reason, by Ronald Green, in Interpretation (April 1980)
Christian Faith in a Religiously Plural World, edited by Donald G. Dawe and John B. Carman in The Alumni Magazine of Washington and Lee University (September 1979)
LECTURES, PANELS, AND PAPERS FOR ACADMEIC AUDIENCES
“Beyond Poverty 101: A Consortium Approach, Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin—Madison conference on “Poverty 101,” 2013.
Lecture on “Can Cost/Benefit Analysis Advance Respect for Human Dignity?” Societas Ethica meeting in Sigtuna Stockholm, Sweden, 2003. . “Can Human Dignity Tolerate Cost/Benefit Analysis?” at Union Theological Seminar in Richmond in honor of the retirement of Professor Charles M. Swezey, March 2003.
“Capability as Opportunity: How Amartya Sen Revises Equal Opportunity,” Keynote address to the Theological Society of Southern Africa at the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, June 2003.
Reformed Theology Colloquy on Christian Faith and Economic Life at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond—multiple meetings in 2003
“John Augustine Ryan: Apostolate for a Living Wage.” Lecture at the University of Notre Dame to a student and faculty audience. Invitation for the Religion Department, 2001.
“Moral Justifications for the Welfare State.” The Presidential Address for the Society of Christian Ethics in Chicago, January 2001.
Talk on Moral Justifications for the Welfare State to the Pacific Section of the Society of Christian Ethics as part of the President’s responsibility, February 2000.
Paper on “Capability as Opportunity” in the thought of Amartya Sen, American Academy of Religion in Boston, November 1999.
“Theology and Prudence in Ryan’s Economic Ethics” for a conference on John A. Ryan on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of his death: “Religion and Public Life: The Legacy of Msgr. John A. Ryan.” at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota, September 15, 1995. Published in conference proceedings.
“John A. Ryan: Moral Theologian to the Politicians,” Banquet Address at the University of St. Thomas, September 14, 1995.
Emory Colloquy: Christian ethicists invited by James Gustafson to meet at Emory University to discuss his work in progress, 1991.
"Love, Human Dignity, and Justice: Some Legacies from Protestant and Catholic Ethics," sponsored by the Robert Marion Short Chair in Law and the Thomas J. White Center on Law and Government at the University of Notre Dame Law School, April 1990.
Review and led discussion Religion and Moral Reason: A New Method for Comparative Study, by Ronald M. Green, annual meeting of the Society of Christian Ethics, January 1989.
Talk and discussion of "The Legacy of John A. Ryan's Theory of Justice" for a graduate seminar The University of Virginia taught by James F. Childress and Gerry Fogarty, 1988.
Paper on Reinhold Niebuhr, "Justice: A Strategy for Approximating Love," to the Interest Group in American Theological Ethics at The Society of Christian Ethics, January 1988.
Presentation of a review essay, "A Big Book with an Understated Title," on Confronting the Color Line: The Broken Promise of the Civil Rights Movement, by Alan Anderson and George Pickering, at The Society of Christian Ethics annual meeting, January 1988.
"Religious Morality and State Policies," papers presented to the American Academy of Judicial Education held at Washington and Lee, July,1983.
"A Christian Affirmation of John Rawls' Idea of Justice as Fairness," presented to: Research Fellows of the Institute for the Advanced Study of Religion in January 1981; colloquium of graduate students and faculty from the Society and Ethics field at the University of Chicago in April, 1982; colloquium of graduate students and faculty at the University of Virginia Religious Studies Department in October 1982.
LECTURES AND PANELS FOR LAY AUDIENCES
“Rethinking Poverty and Inequality, Niagara University, November 2015
“Poverty Studies in Higher Education: The Case for Need and Collaboration” at Ohio University. November 2014.
“Poverty Studies: A Liberal Arts Vocation?” Opening Convocation and Transylvania University, September 2014.
“Rethinking Poverty and Inequality: Changing Higher Education, Chautauqua Institution in New York, August 2014
Washington and Lee University Baccalaureate, May 2013
Panelist for Conference on Human Rights in higher education at Yale University, April 2011.
Lectures on poverty to multiple groups at Shenandoah University, 2011
Keynote lecture on U.S poverty series at Middlebury College, sponsored by Middlebury Student Committee, October 2010
Lecture and Panel Discussion on Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle for Tom Wolfe Lecture Series, Washington and Lee University, March 2010.
Two talks at on the Shepherd Poverty Program to Kendal College of the Kendal retirement village in Lexington, and helped to arrange four other talks by Shepherd Program staff and students, September 2009.
Talk about the Shepherd Poverty Program at Furman University, October 2007.
Talk about Shepherd Poverty Program at Baylor University, August 2007
Talk at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, VA on Poverty and the Shepherd Poverty Program, March 2007. Invited for a series on poverty.
Talks to two classes on poverty studies and the Shepherd Program at the Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, VA, as part of the Paideia 2007.
“Trusting and Civil Community at Washington and Lee: What Truthfulness Adds to Honor” talk at the Institute for Honor at Washington and Lee, February 2006.
Panelist for “Summit on Poverty” at the Jepson School, the Law School at the University of Richmond, and the Virginia Poverty Law Center, February 2004.
“Why Christians Should Still Read Walter Rauschenbusch,” Shenandoah University, March 2003.
Presentation on the Shepherd Program on Poverty and Alliance to a Bonner Scholars Conference at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina—June 2002.
“Who Are the Poor?” R. E. Lee Episcopal, February 27, 2002.
“What We Can Do About Poverty?” a talk at a Roanoke College convocation, February 26, 1998.
“Equality of Opportunity: What Does It Require?” a lecture to the Duke Institute for Education in Retirement, March 28, 1996.
"Five Great Ideas that Shape Our Lives," three lectures on Catholic Social Teaching for the Washington and Alumni College, 1991
ACADEMIC CONSULTATONS
Visiting Institutions
Regis College in Boston, Massachusetts (2008)
Programs in Poverty Studies at Baylor University (2007), Furman University (2007), John Carroll University (external evaluator) (2005) and Rice University (2005)
Converse College (1996)
Evaluators for the Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indianapolis (1994);
Religion and Philosophy Department for Roanoke College (1993);
Institute for the Study of Protestantism and American Culture for the Lilly Endowment, Inc., Indianapolis (1993);
Religion Department at Lynchburg College (1992)
Reviewing Manuscripts, Articles, Appointments, and Grant Applications
Manuscripts for Presses: Baylor University Press, Blackwells, Cambridge University Press, Fortress Press, Oxford Press, SUNY Press.
Journal Articles for Annual and Journal of Society of Christian Ethics, Journal of Religious Ethics, Journal of Religion, American Academy of Religion, Journal of Religion and Law, and Political Theology. (Over 300 total manuscripts.)
Grant and Fellowship applications: NEH; National Humanities Center, Louisville Institute for the Study of Protestantism and American Culture, State Higher Education Council of Virginia.
Dissertation Reader and Adviser for Union Theological Seminary in Richmond and the University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Candidates for tenure, promotion, and professorships (by invitation) at Brite Divinity School of Texas Christian University; Bucknell University; Indiana University; Institute for Christian Studies in Austin, Texas; Marquette University; Perkins Theological School at Southern Methodist University; St. Olaf College; San Francisco Theological Seminary; University of Chicago; University of Richmond; Union Theological Seminary in New York; University of Natal in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa; Villanova University; and Vanderbilt University.
PROFESSIONAL OFFICES AND COMMITTTEEES
2011- Program Director/Executive Director, Shepherd Higher Education Consortium on Poverty
2011-14 Board of Visitors, National Campus Kitchens
2008-09 Chair, Society of Christian Ethics Lifetime Achievement Award Committee
2001-02 Convener, Joint Task Force for Association between the Society of Christian Ethics and the new Society of Jewish Ethics
2000-01 President, Society of Christian Ethics
1999-2000 Vice-President, Society of Christian Ethics
1997-99 Professional Standards Committee, Society of Christian Ethics
1996-2008 Editorial Board and Associate Editor (2009) for The Journal of Religious Ethics.
1997-2001 Board of Directors, Society of Christian Ethics
1992-1996 Editor, The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics
1988-91 Editorial Board, The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Appointed mentor for two provisional Elders seeking ordination in the United Methodist Church (2014-17)
Organized dozens of visiting lecturers and conference for Washington and Lee University and for the Shepherd Higher Education Poverty
Interviews for radio and for national newspapers and magazines Numerous sermons for area churches and a sermon for a meeting of the Society of Christian Philosophers
Religious officiant for numerous of marriages donating honoraria
Teacher for a Sunday morning theology class at Trinity United Methodist Church for fifteen years.
GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND AWARDS
2002 Outstanding Faculty Award for the State of Virginia, Awarded by Virginia State Council of Higher Education
2000 Ring-tum-Phi Award, presented annually by the Ring-tum-Phi staff to the faculty member “who makes the greatest unpublicized contribution to the Washington and Lee community”
1999 Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary member, Washington and Lee Chapter.
1997 & 2006 William W. Pusey, III Award, presented annually by the Executive Committee of the Washington and Lee student body to the faculty member or administrator who has made the greatest contribution to the University.
1995-96 Fellow, National Humanities Center, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
1987-88 NEH Fellowship for College Teachers
1981-82 Research Fellow at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Religion at the University of Chicago
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Academy of Religion (1974-2005) Society of Business Ethics (1989-91) Society of Christian Ethics (1974-Lifetime Member)
MAJOR UNIVERSITY COMMITTEES
2004-09 Omicron Delta Kappa, Faculty Advisor
2004-06 President’s Consultative Committee
2001-02 Chair, Presidential Search and Screening Committee
1990-93, 94-95, 96-2001, 2003-05 Presidents Advisory Committee (Promotion & Tenure)
2000-2001 Task Force on Inclusiveness, Co-Chair and Chair
1996-09 Faculty Review Committee
1994-95 Student-Faculty Hearing Board (Chair, Spring 1995)
1994-95 Ad hoc Committee for Proposing Procedures for Faculty Teaching Evaluations
1989-91 Confidential Review Committee
MAJOR COMMUNITY COMMITTEES AND BOARDS
2014- Board of Directors, Kendal Continuing Care Community, Lexington
2006-09 Rockbridge Area Transportation Services, Board of Directors
2003-05 Total Action Against Poverty, Board of Directors
Rev. Feb. 2016