BRYCE E. RICH
| EDUCATION | |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. | University of Chicago (Chicago, IL): Theology, June 2017 |
| M.A. | Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA): Religion, 2009 |
| B.A. | University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY): Russian & Eastern Studies, 1993 |
| PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS |
|
| 2017–2019 | Visiting Assistant Professor of Theology, Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, TX) |
| PUBLICATIONS | |
| Books | |
| 2023 | Gender Essentialism and Orthodoxy: Beyond Male and Female. New York: Fordham University Press, 2023. |
| Book Chapters | |
| 2023 | "Ancient or Modern? A Critique of Contemporary Orthodox Constructions of Gender." In Rethinking Gender in Orthodox Christianity, edited by Ashley Purpura, Thomas Arentzen, and Susan Ashbrook Harvey, 70-84. Eugene: Pickwick Publications, 2023. |
| 2022 | "Something New Under the Sun: Sexualities, Same-Sex Relationships, and Orthodoxy." In Orthodox Tradition and Human Sexuality, edited by Thomas Arentzen, Ashley Purpura, and Aristotle Papanikolaou, 46-65. New York: Fordham University Press, 2022. |
| 2016 | "A Queer Personhood: Freedom from Essentialism." In "I am Wonderfully Made": Texts on Eastern Orthodoxy and LGBT Inclusion, edited by Misha Cherniak, Olga Gerassimenko, and Michael Brinkschröder, 37-58. n.p.: European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, 2016.
Russian translation: "Kvir-lichnost': svoboda ot essentsializma." In "Ibo ia divno ustroen": sbornik tekstov o Pravoslavii i inkliuzii LGBT-liudei, edited by Misha Cherniak, Olga Gerassimenko, and Michael Brinkschröder, 47-72. n.p.: European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, 2018. |
| 2016 | "Tradition or traditions? The Case of Sex and Gender." In "I am Wonderfully Made": Texts on Eastern Orthodoxy and LGBT Inclusion, edited by Misha Cherniak, Olga Gerassimenko, and Michael Brinkschröder, 82-99. n.p.: European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, 2016.
Russian translation: "Predanie ili predaniia? K razgovoru o pole i gendere." In "Ibo ia divno ustroen": sbornik tekstov o Pravoslavii i inkliuzii LGBT-liudei, edited by Misha Cherniak, Olga Gerassimenko, and Michael Brinkschröder, 100-120. n.p.: European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, 2018. |
| 2013 | "Reinterpreting Baptism: An Ongoing Dialogue." Chap. 7 In Queering Christianity: Finding a Place at the Table for LGBTQI Christians, edited by Robert Shore-Goss, 145-78. Santa Barbara: Praeger, 2013. |
| Book Reviews | |
| 2015 | "René Girard, When These Things Begin: Conversations with Michel Treguer. René Girard, The One by Whom Scandal Comes." The Journal of Religion 95, no. 4 (2015): 556-59. (original link) |
| Online Publications | |
| 2024 | "Transgender Experience and the Theological Limits of 'Gnosticism.'" In Public Orthodoxy, edited by Nathaniel Wood. New York: Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, 2024. (original link)
Russian translation: "Transgendernyi opyt i teologicheskie predely 'gnostitsizma.'" In Public Orthodoxy, edited by Nathaniel Wood. New York: Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, 2024. (original link) |
| 2023 | "At Fordham, Orthodox clergy and lay people urge inclusion for LGBTQ Christians." In Outreach: An LGBTQ Catholic Resource, edited by Ryan Di Corpo. New York: America Media, 2023. (original link) |
| 2022 | "Sex and Gender in the Thought of Sergii Bulgakov: An Overview." In The Wheel. Boston: The Wheel, Sumer/Fall 2021. (original link) |
| 2020 | "An Update for the Church." In The Wheel. Boston: The Wheel, Winter 2020. (original link) |
| 2019 | "Gender Essentialism in Contemporary Orthodox Conversations on Homosexuality." In Public Orthodoxy, edited by Nathaniel Wood. New York: Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, 2019. (original link) |
| 2018 | "Male, Female, and Transgender: Notes from Theological Anthropology." In Sightings, edited by Joel Brown. Chicago: The Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion, 2018. (original link) |
| 2016 | "Marriage, Family, and Scripture." In Public Orthodoxy, edited by Nathaniel Wood. New York: Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University, 2016. (original link)
Reprint: "Marriage, Family, and Scripture." Co-authors: Robert M. Arida, Susan Ashbrook Harvey, David J. Dunn, Maria Gwynn McDowell, and Teva Regule. In Toward the Holy and Great Council: Theological Reflections, edited by Nathanael Symeonides, 33-34. New York: Department of Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations, 2016. |
| 2013 | "Strange Bedfellows Scapegoat Russia's Gays." In Sightings, edited by Myriam Renaud. Chicago: The Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion, 2013. (original link)
Reprint: "Strange Bedfellows Scapegoat Russia's Gays." Chap. 62 In Sightings: Reflections on Religion in Public Life, edited by Brett Colasacco, 153-155. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2019. |
| 2012 | "Russian Church-State Relations: Variations on a Theme." In Religion and Culture Web Forum, edited by Vincent Evener. Chicago: The Martin Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Religion, 2012. (original link) |
| CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS, SEMINARS, AND ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS |
|
| 2019 | "Nature, Person, Gender: An Anthropological Postscript," Contemporary Eastern Orthodox Identity and the Challenges of Pluralism and Sexual Diversity in a Secular Age (Oxford, England) |
| 2018 | "What Else is there to Say? Pastoral Care for LGBTQ Parishioners in the Orthodox Church," Sixth Oslo Coalition Seminar on New Directions in Orthodox Theology (Oslo, Norway) |
| 2017 | "Ancient or Modern? A Critique of Contemporary Orthodox Constructions of Gender," Fifth Oslo Coalition Seminar on New Directions in Orthodox Theology (Oslo, Norway) |
| 2016 | "Something New Under the Sun: Sexualities, Same-Sex Relationships, and Orthodoxy," Fourth Oslo Coalition Seminar on New Directions in Orthodox Theology (Oslo, Norway) |
| 2015 | "Orthodox Tradition and traditions: Sex and Gender as Case Study," Seminar on Orthodox Theological Reflections on LGBT People (Läyliäinen, Finland) |
| 2015 | "Orthodox Anthropology: The Points of Commonality Between Orthodox Views of Unique, Ecstatic, and Relational Personhood and the Indeterminacy of Sexual Orientations and/or Queer Identities," Seminar on Orthodox Theological Reflections on LGBT People (Läyliäinen, Finland) |
| 2014 | "Method or Anti-Method? The Case for Eastern Orthodox Holy Tradition as a Way of Knowing," University of Chicago Alternative Epistemologies Workshop (Chicago, IL) |
| 2013 | "Reinterpreting Baptism," University of Chicago Theology Workshop (Chicago, IL) |
| 2009 | "Eucharist, Private Prayer, and Positive Mimesis in the Theology of James Alison," Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion (Montréal, Canada) |
| INVITED SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS | |
| 2019 | "The (First) Seven Ecumenical Councils: Trinity, Christ, and Creation," The Twelfth W. A. Welsh Seminar, The Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity (Dallas, TX) |
| 2018 | "Orthodoxy, Sexuality, Gender: The State of the Conversation," Working Retreat for Orthodox LGBT Persons (Helsinki, Finland) |
| 2013 | "Born this Way?" Ninth Annual University of Chicago Divinity School Ministry Conference (Chicago, IL) |
| 2013 | "Marginalized Sexualities within our Religious Communities," Ninth Annual University of Chicago Divinity School Ministry Conference (Chicago, IL) |
| 2011 | "Who is Jesus? The Patristic Jesus," St. Paul & the Redeemer Episcopal Church (Chicago, IL) |
| 2011 | "The Anglican Covenant," St. Paul & the Redeemer Episcopal Church (Chicago, IL) |
| 2011 | "What is Communion? Baptism, Eucharist, Ecclesiology," St. Paul & the Redeemer Episcopal Church (Chicago, IL) |
| 2010 | "Violence and the Bible: The Perspectives of René Girard," Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA) |
| 2008 | "The Adoption of Christianity in Kievan Rus'," Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA) |
| HONORS AND AWARDS | |
| 2017–2019 | Louisville Institute Postdoctoral Fellowship, Brite Divinity School (Fort Worth, TX) |
| 2015–2016 | Martin Marty Junior Dissertation Fellowship, University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) |
| 2010–2011 | Theologian-in-Residence, St. Paul & the Redeemer Episcopal Church (Chicago, IL) |
| 2009 | Chalice Press Book Award, Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA) |
| 2008 | Spessard Prize in Christology, Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA) |
| 2007 | Schaff Prize in Church History, Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA) |
| COURSES | |
| Brite Divinity School (Fort Worth, TX) | |
| Introduction to Christian Theology (Autumn 2018, Spring & Autumn 2017) | |
| Eastern Christianities (Spring 2019) | |
| From Gay Liberation to Queer Theologies (Spring 2019, Spring 2018) | |
| Topics in Queer Theologies (Autumn 2018) | |
| Chicago Theological Seminary (Chicago, IL) | |
| MCC Polity and Theologies (Winter 2016) | |
| University of Chicago (Chicago, IL) | |
| Introduction to Theology (Teaching Assistant, Spring 2016) | |
| Theological Criticism: Eschatology and Embodiment (Teaching Assistant, Spring 2015) | |
| History of Christianity II (Medieval) (Teaching Assistant, Winter 2014) | |
| OTHER POST-SECONDARY TEACHING EXPERIENCE | |
| Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (Lancaster, PA) | |
| English Composition (Fall 2002) | |
| Microsoft Office Professional XP (Fall 2002) | |
| RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE | |
| Lancaster Theological Seminary (Lancaster, PA) | |
| 2009–2010 | Library Coordinator of Administration |
| 2007–2009 | Library Circulation and Acquisitions Assistant |
| International Research & Exchanges Board (US and Russian locations) | |
| 1999–2002 | Director of Operations (Washington, DC) |
| 1997–1999 | Director of Programs, Business for Russia, Community Connections/Russia, Presidential Management Training Initiative (Moscow, Russia) |
| 1996–1997 | Field Coordinator, Business for Russia Program (Moscow, Russia) |
| 1995–1996 | Program Officer (Irkutsk, Russia) |
| 1993–1994 | Fellow in Communications Assistance to Russia (Novosibirsk, Russia) |
| ACADEMIC SERVICE | |
| Brite Divinity School | |
| 2017–2018 | Member, Master's Committee |
| University of Chicago | |
| 2014–2015 | Lead Student Convener for Byzantine Theology and Visual Culture Faculty Search (Divinity School) |
| 2011–2015 | Area Assistant for Constructive Studies (Divinity School) |
| 2013-2014 | Co-coordinator for the Council on Advanced Studies Theology Workshop |
| 2011–2015 | Co-organizer, The Sacred Flame (LGBTQ & Allies group) and the LGBT & Queer Divinity Studies reading group (Divinity School) |
| 2010–2011 | Administrative Student Assistant (Web Services) |
| RELATED ACTIVITIES | |
| Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) | |
| 2014–2017 | Chair, MCC Theologies Team |
| 2014–2016 | Member, Commission on the MCC Statement of Faith |
| 2010–2013 | Member, MCC Theologies Team |
| LANGUAGES | |
| French (reading) | |
| Classical Greek (reading) | |
| Russian (reading, writing, speaking) | |
| MEMBERSHIPS | |
| American Academy of Religion | |
| Colloquium on Violence & Religion | |
| Orthodox Theological Society in America | |