Welcome to the Theology Department
Boston College is a world-class center of theological study, comprising both the Theology Department and a dedicated Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry (CSTM). Students in each have access to courses and faculty in both entities—enhancing the breadth and depth of theological study at BC. Combined, the Theology Department and CSTM represent the nation's largest theological faculty.
Facts & Figures
News & Notes
Boston College places 13th worldwide in theology, divinity, and religious studies
The prestige and global reputation of the Theology Department in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences and the Clough School of Theology and Ministry helped Boston College to place 13th worldwide among schools of theology, divinity, and religious studies in the QS 2025 Rankings, released on March 12, 2025 in London.
QS rankings
Candlemas Lecture 2025: Dr. Graham Ward
2025 Annual Candlemas Lecture: Dr. Graham Ward: “Loneliness: A Theological Appraisal”
Dr. Graham Ward is the Regius Professor of Divinity at the University of Oxford and Extraordinary Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecclesiology at the University of Stellenbosch.
Among his books are Cities of God, Cultural Transformation and Religious Practice, True Religion, Christ and Culture, The Politics of Discipleship, Unbelievable, and Unimaginable.
For the last ten years he has been working on Ethical Life, a major four-volume systematic theology, which includes two already-published volumes How the Light Gets In and Another Kind of Normal and the upcoming Salus.
New hire: Dr. Jos Moons, SJ
We are very pleased to announce that, in Fall 2025, Dr. Jos Moons, S.J. will join our faculty as Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology.
A graduate of Tilburg University (The Netherlands), as a Catholic theologian his areas of theological expertise encompass ecclesiology, pneumatology, and synodality.
We look forward to his theological contributions and to his teaching.
New Minors and Expanded Major
The Theology Department has launched three new minors and an Expanded Theology Major.
The new minors are Catholic Education and Theology, offered in conjunction with the Lynch School of Education and Human Development; Theology and Philosophy, in partnership with the Philosophy Department; and Interreligious Studies.
Compared to the Theology Major, the Expanded Theology Major has increased credit hours and an optional thesis.
The Theology Department continues to offer its Theology Minor as well as its popular minors in Religion and Public Life and Faith, Peace, and Justice.
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New hire: Dr. Roberto De La Noval
We are very pleased to announce that, in Fall 2025, Dr. Roberto De La Noval will join our faculty as a full-time Assistant Professor of the Practice in Christian Theology.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Dr. De La Noval will contribute to the Perspectives program by teaching two sections of Perspectives on Western Culture each year.
We look forward to benefit from his competence and his involvement in the life of the Department.
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Top 100 Books of the Century
Darald and Juliet Libby Millennium Professor of Theology and Law Cathleen Kaveny’s 2016 book Prophecy without Contempt: Religious Discourse in the Public Square has been chosen by the online journal Current as 36th of the top 100 books of the 21st century.
Our Students
Lay and religious students from around the world form our diverse community—one that represents a range of ages, interests, and experiences. Explore some of their stories.
Dorie Goehring Dorie Goehring
Dorie Goehring
4th year PhD Candidate, Boston College
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Hometown
Mechanicsburg, PA
Graduation Year
2025
Favorite Class
It's honestly too hard to choose just one, so I'll give my top 4, in no particular order: Comparative Theology and Theology of Religions with Catherine Cornille, Christian Ethics and Gender Identity with Lisa Cahill, Women, Gender, and Islam with Natana DeLong-Bas, and Biotechnology Seminar with Andrea Vicini. I loved the intellectual rigor coupled with the freedom to explore. While some of my coursework experience was indelibly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was also an amazing opportunity to see the pedagogical creativity employed by professors to teach under uncertain circumstances.
What do you like most about BC?
I love that BC is a place where I've had the freedom to really craft a fairly individualized program for myself. I mean, where else can you find an Episcopal priest studying Comparative Theology, minoring in Theological Ethics, with a concentration in Catholic Healthcare Ethics? Somehow, it works here--and I'm forever grateful for it!
I chose BC's Theology program because of its incredible academic reputation globally, especially in Comparative Theology; its location in Boston, where I was engaged in formation for the Episcopal priesthood; its emphasis on training teachers as well as scholars and researchers; and its Jesuit identity and mission. As someone deeply formed by Ignatian spirituality, I knew I wanted an environment where I could bring my entire self, not just an "scholarly" self or a "spiritual" self. I'm thrilled to say that I've had that experience here.
I began the PhD program in September of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. While many, if not most, of my interactions with the BC community happened on Zoom, the amount of kindness and care from the department absolutely stunned me. From regular check ins with a professor to ensure that I was figuring everything out, to a Zoom movie night with some other grad student colleagues, I could tell that this was a place where I was more than just a cog in an academic machine. In a similar vein, I've loved getting to hear from my colleagues in the weekly reflections distributed by our Departmental Chaplains. I've also really enjoyed working with the Catholic Healthcare Ethics concentration, including working with the Ethics department at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. It's been an amazing way to see how so many of the ideas and concepts I study in the classroom are put into direct practice.
Shinjae Lee Shinjae Lee
Shinjae Lee
Second-Year PhD student in Comparative Theology in the Theology Department
Hometown
Seoul, Korea
Graduation Year
2027
Favorite Class
My favorite professor is Dr. Catherine Cornille. Dr Cornille is a professor of comparative theology who is deeply committed to teaching, advising, and caring for her students. She is one of the leading researchers in comparative theology with creative and well-structured perspectives. Through courses with her, she helped me to expand my understanding of religions that can contribute beyond their boundaries.
What do you like most about BC?
Throughout the campus, Buildings, paths, and nature provide spiritual insights. The campus is well-kept, safe, and amazing to walk through to think and meditate on the relationship with God. And thanks to its form, the campus is full of energy of its students.
I am a Methodist with a robust Protestant theology and background. However, comparative theology has been founded within Catholic theology and its understanding of interreligious relations with other religions. The theology department has prominent and diverse faculty members of not only Catholic study but also ecumenical study. Moreover, Boston City is the most excellent place for studying various religions and their theologies through the BTI consortium and religious diversity.
I have enjoyed being in the nurturing community among Ph.D. students and my cohorts in the department. Through conversation and hanging out, we comfort and inspire each other. In addition, with annual gatherings and occasional events, faculty members always try to listen to my voices and concerns about both academic and personal matters.
Fr. Jeffery Jordan, OFM Fr. Jeffery Jordan, OFM
Fr. Jeffery Jordan, OFM
Teaching Fellow at Boston College / Bible
Hometown
Royston, GA
Graduation Year
2024
Favorite Class
Dr. Angela Kim Harkins. Her work on 2nd Temple Judaism and religious experience has inspired my research interests and current dissertation project
Why BC?
I particularly like how the curriculum and the community espouse and promote Jesuit, Catholic values in shaping the future of academia.
It is one of the best theology programs in the world! You have a very dedicated faculty with multiple expertises coupled with the collaborative spirit of the department.
I have enjoyed the my course work as well as working one-on-one with many different faculty members.
Events
Faculty Publications
An Analogy of Grace
University of Notre Dame Press, 2025
Sacred and Social: Theological Foundations for Catholic Social Teaching
Georgetown University Press, 2025
Catholic Fundamentalism in America
Oxford University Press, 2025
The Future of Synodality: How We Move Forward From Here
Liturgical Press, 2025
Marion, Love, and Nihilism: A Dialogue with Nietzsche, Heidegger, and Nishitani
Lexington Books, 2025
The Resurrection as a Messianic Anticipation: Grieving, Memory, and Hope from the Survivors’ Perspective
Alios Ventos Ediciones, 2025
The Moral Vision of Pope Francis: Expanding the US Reception of the First Jesuit Pope
Georgetown University Press, 2024
Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations
Journal of Moral Theology, 2023
The Difference Nothing Makes: Creation, Christ, Contemplation
University of Notre Dame Press, 2023
Doing Theology and Theological Ethics in the Face of the Abuse Crisis
Wipf & Stock, 2023
Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being, 2nd ed.
Fortress Press, 2023
The Moral Life: Eight Lectures
Georgetown University Press, 2023
The Rising Global Cancer Pandemic: Health, Ethics, and Social Justice
Wipf & Stock, 2023
Why the Cross? Divine Friendship and the Power of Justice
Cambridge University Press, 2023
A History of Catholic Theological Ethics
Paulist Press, 2022
Islam, Revival and Reform: Redefining Tradition for the Twenty-First Century
Syracuse University Press, 2022
Atonement and Comparative Theology
Fordham University Press, 2021
Augustine and Tradition: Influences, Contexts, Legacies
Winner of prize from Catholic Press Association
Eerdmans, 2021
Christianity and the Law of Migration
Routledge, 2021
Desire, Darkness, and Hope: Theology in a Time of Impasse: Engaging the Thought of Constance FitzGerald, OCD
Book Award in Theology, Second Place, Catholic Media Association, 2022
Liturgical Press, 2021
Before Truth: Lonergan, Aquinas, and the Problem of Wisdom
Catholic University of America Press, 2020
Enabling Dialogue about the Land: A Resource Book for Jews and Christians
Paulist Press, 2020
Meaning and Method in Comparative Theology
Wiley, 2020
University Ethics
Journal of Moral Theology, 2020
Building Bridges in Sarajevo: The Plenary Papers from CTEWC 2018,
Orbis Books, 2019
Contingent Faculty
Journal of Moral Theology, 2019
The Donatist Controversy, vol. 1
New City Press, 2019
The Gospel and Nothingness
Chisokudo, 2019
Street Homelessness and Catholic Theological Ethics
Orbis Books, 2019
Humanity in Crisis: Ethical and Religious Response to Refugees
Georgetown University Press, 2019
Amoris Laetitia: A New Momentum for Moral Formation and Pastoral Practice
Paulist Press, 2018
Islam: A Living Faith
Anselm Academic, 2018
The Parables in Q
T&T Clark, 2018
Shariah: What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press, 2018
The Structure of Theological Revolutions: How the Fight Over Birth Control Transformed American Catholicism
Oxford University Press, 2018
The Fragility of Consciousness: Faith, Reason, and the Human Good
University of Toronto Press, 2017
Knowledge, Love, and Ecstasy in the Theology of Thomas Gallus
Oxford University Press, 2017
A Lúcás Chan Reader: Pioneering Essays on Biblical and Asian Theological Ethics
Dharmaram Publications, 2017
Moral Wisdom: Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition, 3rd ed.
Sheed and Ward, 2017
The Works of Mercy: The Heart of Catholicism, 3rd ed.
Sheed and Ward, 2017
The Bible and Catholic Theological Ethics
Orbis Books, 2016
A Culture of Engagement: Law, Religion, and Morality
Georgetown University Press, 2016
Drones and the Ethics of Targeted Killing
Rowman & Littlefield, 2016
Go Into the Streets! The Welcoming Church of Pope Francis
Paulist Press, 2016
Grace and Friendship: Theological Essays in Honor of Fred Lawrence, from his grateful students
Marquette University Press, 2016
Life in the Spirit: Trinitarian Grammar and Pneumatic Community in Hegel and Augustine
University of Notre Dame Press, 2016
Prophecy without Contempt: Religious Discourse in the Public Square
Harvard University Press, 2016
Suffering and Evil in Early Christian Thought
Baker Academic, 2016
Christian Identity between Secularity and Plurality
Dharmaram Publications, 2015
A Church with Open Doors: Catholic Ecclesiology for the Third Millennium
Liturgical Press, 2015
Conscience and Catholicism
Orbis Books, 2015
Dela Usmiljenja: Srce Katoliške Vere
Celjska Mohorjeva družba, 2015
Etica Teologica Catolica: Passado, Presente e Futuro: A Conferencia de Trento
Editoria Santuario, 2015
Jewish Liturgy: A Guide to Research
Rowman & Littlefield, 2015
Just Sustainablility: Technology, Ecology, and Resource Extraction
Orbis Books, 2015
The Legacy of Vatican II
Paulist Press, 2015
A Step Along the Way: Models of Christian Service
Orbis Books, 2015
An Unfinished Council: Vatican II, Pope Francis, and the Renewal of Catholicism
Liturgical Press, 2015
The Text of Marcion’s Gospel
Brill, 2015
Thinking Prayer: Theology and Spirituality amid the Crises of Modernity
University of Notre Dame Press, 2015
University Ethics: How Colleges Can Build and Benefit from a Culture of Ethics
Rowman & Littlefield, 2015
Metaphor, Narrative, and Parables in Q
Mohr Siebeck, 2014
Rekindling the Christic Imagination: Theological Meditations for the New Evangelization
Liturgical Press, 2014
Catholic Theological Ethics, Past, Present, and Future: The Trento Conference
Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2013
Global Justice, Christology and Christian Ethics
Cambridge University Press, 2013
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Islam and Women
Oxford University Press, 2013
Through a Lens Darkly: Films of Genocide and Ethnic Cleansing
Peter Lang International Academic, 2013
The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Inter-Religious Dialogue
Wiley-Blackwell, 2013
First Corinthians
Baker Academic, 2012
Interreligious Dialogue and Cultural Change
Cascade Books, 2012
Keys to the Council: Unlocking the Teaching of Vatican II
Liturgical Press, 2012
Kinship Across Borders
Georgetown University Press, 2012
Reading the New Testament, 3rd edition rev.
Paulist Press, 2012
When the Magisterium Intervenes: The Magisterium and Theologians in Today's Church
Liturgical Press, 2012
Cursing the Christians? A History of the Birkat HaMinim
Oxford University Press, 2011
Genética Humana e Bem Comum
Loyola; São Camilo, 2011
The Yehud Stamp Impressions
Eisenbrauns, 2011
The American Catholic Revolution: How the '60s Changed the Church Forever
Oxford University Press, 2010
Driven from Home: Protecting the Rights of Forced Migrants
Georgetown University Press, 2010
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Humanist Biography in Renaissance Italy and Reformation Germany: Friendship and Rhetoric
Ashgate Publishing Group, 2010
Interreligious Hermeneutics
Wipf & Stock, 2010
Le Opere di Misericordia: Cuore del Cristianesimo
Edizioni Dehoniane Bologna, 2010
Paul and Virtue Ethics: Building Bridges Between New Testament Studies and Moral Theology
Rowman and Littlefield, 2010
The Theology of Hugh of St. Victor: An Interpretation
Cambridge University Press, 2010
Christ Our Companion: Toward a Theological Aesthetics of Liberation
Orbis Books, 2009
Christian Memories of the Maccabean Martyrs
Palgrave Macmillan, 2009
Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being
Fortress Press, 2009
Gambling: Mapping the American Moral Landscape
Baylor University Press, 2009
Grammars of Resurrection: A Christian Theology of Presence and Absence
Herder&Herder/Crossroad, 2009
Moral Wisdom: Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition, 2nd ed.
Sheed and Ward, 2009
Catholics and Politics
Georgetown University Press, 2008
Genetica umana e bene comune
San Paolo Edizioni, 2008
Hope & Solidarity: Jon Sobrino's Challenge to Christian Theology
Orbis Books, 2008
Human Evolution and Christian Ethics
Cambridge University Press, 2008
The Im-possibility of Interreligious Dialogue
Crossroad, 2008
The Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Studies
Oxford University Press, 2008
Refugee Rights: Ethics, Advocacy, and Africa
Georgetown University Press, 2008
Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad, rev. ed.
Oxford University Press, 2008
Marriage, Celibacy, and Heresy in Ancient Christianity: The Jovinianist Controversy
Oxford University Press, 2007
The Works of Mercy: The Heart of Catholicism, 2nd ed.
Sheed and Ward, 2007
Notable Muslims: Muslim Builders of World Civilization and Culture
Oneworld Publications, 2006
Prophetic and Public
Georgetown University Press, 2006
Sexuality and the U.S. Catholic Church: Crisis and Renewal
Herder & Herder, 2006
Genetics, Theology, Ethics: An Interdisciplinary Conversation
Crossroad, 2005
Modern Catholic Social Teaching: Commentaries and Interpretations
Georgetown University Press, 2005
Theological Bioethics: Participation, Justice and Change
Georgetown University Press, 2005
The Works of Mercy: The Heart of Catholicism
Sheed and Ward, 2005
Bioethics and the Common Good
Marquette University Press, 2004
Knowing God by Experience: The Spiritual Senses in the Theology of William of Auxerre
Catholic University of America Press, 2004
Moral Wisdom: Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition
Sheed and Ward, 2004
Religion and the Death Penalty: A Call for Reckoning
Eerdmans, 2004
Anti-Catholicism in America: The Last Acceptable Prejudice
Crossroad, 2003
Cnoty na codzien
WAM, 2003
The Global Face of Public Faith: Politics, Human Rights, and Christian Ethics
Georgetown University Press, 2003
The Sacred and the Sovereign: Religion and International Politics
Georgetown University Press, 2003
The Common Good and Christian Ethics
Cambridge University Press, 2002
The Ethics of Aquinas
Georgetown University Press, 2002
Les Vertus: Un Art de Vivre... Tout Simplement
Les Editions de l’Atelier, 2002
Wahhabi Islam: From Revival and Reform to Global Jihad
Oxford University Press, 2002
Os Dez Mandamentos: A Rocha da Ética Cristã
Edições Loyola, 2001
Women in Muslim Family Law, 2nd ed.
Syracuse University Press, 2001
Catholic Ethicists on HIV/AIDS Prevention
Continuum, 2000
Family: A Christian Social Perspective
Fortress, 2000
Augustine: Marriage and Virginity: The Works of Saint Augustine, I/9
New City Press, 1999
Commandments of Compassion
Sheed and Ward, 1999
Virtudes de un Cristiano
Mensajero, 1999
Herod the Fox: Audience Criticism and Lukan Characterization
Sheffield Academic Press, 1998
To Worship God Properly: Tensions between Liturgical Custom and Halakhah in Judaism
Hebrew Union College Press, 1998
Sex, Gender, and Christian Ethics
Cambridge University Press, 1996
Virtues for Ordinary Christians
Sheed and Ward, 1996
The Context of Casuistry
Georgetown University Press, 1995
On Character Building: The Reader and the Rhetoric of Characterization in Luke-Acts
Westminster/John Knox Press, 1992
Goodness and Rightness in Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologiae
Georgetown University Press, 1992
Preaching in the Patristic Age: Studies in Honor of Walter J. Burghardt, S.J
Paulist Press, 1989
Nuclear Ethics: A Christian Moral Argument
Paulist Press, 1983
Studying Theology at BC: World-Class Breadth & Depth
Boston College is a world-class center of theological study, comprising both the Theology Department and a dedicated Gloria L. and Charles I. Clough School of Theology and Ministry (CSTM). Students in each have access to courses and faculty in both entities—enhancing the breadth and depth of theological study at BC. Combined, the Theology Department and CSTM represent the nation's largest theological faculty.
The Theology Department houses the University's undergraduate and doctoral programs in theology as well as a Joint M.A. in Philosophy and Theology.
CSTM hosts master's and certificate programs in theology and ministry, as well as a sequence of ecclesiastical degrees (STB, STL, and STD) and an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in theology and education.