Ben Brown, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Theological Studies

Bio

Ben was born and raised in Mt. Angel, Oregon in a family of six children, of which he is the oldest. He earned his B.A. at a small, Franciscan liberal arts college, Franciscan University of Steubenville in Steubenville, OH. There he met his wife, Cindy, who earned her M.A. in philosophy from FUS in 2001. They both attended Catholic University of America in DC for their doctoral work.

Ben and Cindy have five energetic children, Dominic, Damian, Gianna, Sebastian and Gianna, who keep them both busy and entertained. They enjoy reading, taking walks and playing board games together. Ben enjoys playing sports of all kinds, especially Ultimate Frisbee.

Education

• Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, Catholic University of America
• M.A. in Theology, Catholic University of America
• B.A. in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Theology, Franciscan University of Steubenville

Areas of expertise

• Systematic Theology
• Christology
• Moral Theology    
• Marriage and Sexuality

Recent presentations

• “‘The Truth Shall Set You Free: Raymund Schwager’s Theology of Jesus the Scapegoat.”  Presented at the annual conference of the College Theology Society at Iona College, New York.  June 3, 2011.
• “Saint Anselm of Canterbury in Redemptor Hominis.”  Presented at the 46^th International Congress on Medieval Studies in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
• “Rethinking Desire: Is a Kenotic Capitalism Possible?”  Presented at the annual New Wine, New Wineskins conference at the University of Notre Dame.  June 25, 2010
• “Family as First Teacher of Good Economic Practice.”  Presented at the annual conference of the College Theology Society at the University of Portland.  June 6, 2010.
• “Justice, Grace and the God of Non-violence: An Analysis of Raymund Schwager’s New Proposal.” Presented at the annual conference of the College Theology Society at the University of Notre Dame. May 28-31, 2009.
• “Assessing Learning Community Outcomes.” Presented at the Ohio Learning Network Teaching and Learning Expo. Columbus, OH. May 19, 2008.
• “Ten Proverbs Verified by our Experience with Sakai and Online Learning Tools.” Presented at the Learning Communities Initiative Northwest Region Winter Institute. Bowling Green State University, OH. March 14, 2008.
• “Learning Community Planning and Progression.” Presented at the Learning Communities Initiative Northwest Region Fall Kick-off Workshop. Bowling Green State University, OH. Oct. 15, 2007.
• “Consuming Marriage: The Roots of Marriage as a Consumer Good in American Life and a Counterproposal.” Presented at the annual conference of the College Theology Society at the University of Dayton. May 31-June 3, 2007.

Recent publications

• “Bonaventure on the Impossibility of a Beginningless World: Why the Traversal Argument Works.” American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly 79 (2005): 389-409.
• “Apologia pro Cur Deus Homo.” Fides Quaerens Intellectum 2 (2003): 227-267.
• Review of Living the Truth: A Theory of Action by Klaus Demmer.  Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, forthcoming.
• Review of Christ Our Hope: An Introduction to Eschatology by Paul O’Callaghan.  Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org.  Fall, 2011.
• Review of Historical Jesus: What Can We Know and How Can We Know It? by Anthony LeDonne.  Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org. Summer, 2011.
• Review of The Consumer Experience of Higher Education: The Rise of Capsule Education by Dierdre McArdle-Clinton.  Teaching Theology and Religion 13, no. 4 (2010): 391-3.
• Review of Reason, Faith and Tradition: Explorations in Catholic Theology by Martin Albl.  Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org. September, 2009.
• Review of Word on Fire: Proclaiming the Power of Christ by Robert Barron.  Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org. July, 2009.
• Review of Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire by William T. Cavanaugh.  Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org. August, 2009.
• Review of Equality and the Family: A Fundamental, Practical Theology of Children, Mothers and Fathers in Modern Societies by Don S. Browning.  Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org. April, 2008.
• Review of Christian Marriage: The New Challenge by David M. Thomas.   Published at http://CatholicBooksReview.org. October, 2007.
• “Understanding the Vatican Document on Church Doctrine.”  With Fr. James Peiffer.  Catholic Chronicle.  73.7 (August, 2007): 1, 4. August, 2007

Professional affiliations

• College Theology Society    
• Catholic Theological Society of America
• Society of Christian Ethics

Recent awards and recognition

• Faculty Excellence Award, Lourdes College, 2008-09.
• Ohio Learning Network Course ReVision grant recipient (with seven-member learning community), 2007-2008.
• National Catholic Education Association Catholic Elementary School Distinguished Graduate award, 2006.
• Catholic University of America, Hubbard Dissertation Fellowship recipient, 2005.

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