Ph.D. University of Dublin (Trinity College)
S.T.L. Gregorian University, Rome
S.T.B. Gregorian University, Rome
I hold undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in theology from the Gregorian University (Rome) and a Ph.D. in philosophical theology from the University of Dublin (Trinity College). I did my postdoctoral work at the University of Tubingen (Germany). I have also taught at universities in Ireland and the United Kingdom. I value the opportunities at Saint Michael's to work closely with students on research projects and senior theses.
Areas of Expertise:
Religion in the Context of Modern Thought and Culture, The Enlightenment, Science and Religion, Theories and Methods in the Study of Religion, Christian Theology
Courses I Teach:
- Religion: Theory and Method
- Science and Religion
- World Christianity
- Christianity: Past and Present
My scholarship and research focus on the interaction of religion with modern culture and thought; my present research is on issues in science and religion, but I am also interested in modern secular philosophy, literature, and the visual arts.
My books include God: Thoughts in An Age of Uncertainty (2001) and Religion and the Enlightenment: From Descartes to Kant (1997). I have published articles in academic journals such as Zygon and Faith and Philosophy plus many encyclopedia entries and book reviews. I am currently working on a book on the science and religion debates.
Life Off Campus:
I live in Burlington with my wife Cecilia, an interior designer, and our young son Ronan. I enjoy walking, biking, tennis, and cooking food from around the world for family and friends. I love Vermont but also travel when I can, especially to cities with good art galleries. I am a sports fan and when younger I played the Irish sport "hurling," the world's fastest field game, which I still follow avidly on Irish radio via the internet.
James M. Byrne, professor of religious studies and department chair, has an entry on "Deism" forthcoming in Volume 6 of The Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception (Berlin: deGruyter, 2013).