Francis Schüssler Fiorenza

Profile

Francis Schüssler Fiorenza, Stillman Professor of Roman Catholic Theological Studies, came to HDS in 1986, having taught previously at the University of Notre Dame, Villanova University, and the Catholic University of America. His primary interests are in the fields of fundamental or foundational theology, in which he explores the significance of contemporary hermeneutical theories as well as neo-pragmatic criticisms of foundationalism. His writings on political theology engage recent theories of justice, especially those of John Rawls and Jürgen Habermas, and have dealt with issues of work and welfare. He has also written on the history of nineteenth- and twentieth-century theology, focusing on both Roman Catholic and Protestant theologians. In addition to more than 150 essays in the areas of fundamental theology, hermeneutics, and political theology, his publications include the books Foundational Theology: Jesus and the Church; Systematic Theology: Roman Catholic Perspectives, edited with John Galvin; Habermas, Modernity, and Public Theology, edited with Don Browning; and Modern Christian Thought, volume 2, The Twentieth Century, written with James Livingston. He is presently completing a book entitled "Human Rights in the Crossfire: Political Theology Faces the Cultural Challenges to Rights." He was awarded the Henry Luce III Fellowship for 2005-06 for research in the history of twentieth-century Roman Catholic theology, namely, the direction known as la nouvelle théologie.