Jeffrey Morrow, Jewish Atheist turned Catholic Christian
March 23, 2016
Marcus Grodi welcomes Jewish convert and former Evangelical Protestant Jeffrey Morrow to discuss his journey from atheism into belief in God, Christianity, and ultimately, Catholicism. Jeffrey grew up not knowing that Christmas or Easter had anything to do with Jesus! Not only was he not familiar with Christianity, but he simply didn’t belief any God existed! Challenged by peers in college, he realized that Christianity is one of the most historically-defensible ideologies. He realized his atheism took more faith than belief in God. After coming to know Jesus Christ, and becoming an Evangelical Christian, he learned the ways that Catholicism brought him to fulfillment of his Jewish roots.
NOW:
SENIOR FELLOWS
Dr. Jeffrey Morrow
Dr. Jeffrey L. Morrow is a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and is an Associate Professor of Catholic Theology at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology, in the program on the U.S. Catholic Experience, from the University of Dayton. His specialization is in Historical Theology and the History of Exegesis, particularly in the Modern Period and in the U.S.
Dr. Morrow was raised culturally Jewish, attended Hebrew school and had a bar mitzvah. He earned his B.A. from Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio, with majors in both Comparative Religion and Classical Greek and with a minor in Jewish Studies. At Miami he became an evangelical Protestant, and then entered the Catholic Church, Easter Vigil of 1999. His M.A. from the University of Dayton in Theological Studies focused on Biblical Studies.
Dr. Morrow has published and forthcoming articles in a variety of academic journals and popular periodicals, including Scottish Journal of Theology, Evangelical Review of Theology, Josephinum Journal of Theology, Renascence, Fides Quaerens Intellectum, This Rock, and The Catholic Answer. He is currently engaged in research in three related areas: 1) examining the role of politics in the rise of modern biblical criticism; 2) increasing our understanding of the role of Catholics in biblical and ancient Near Eastern/Semitic studies in the U.S. during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, with a focus on the role of the Modernist Crisis on post-Vatican II Catholic biblical scholarship; 3) recovering a sacramental/liturgical hermeneutic for interpreting Scripture, utilizing the best of modern historical and traditional patristic exegesis from the heart of the Church.
He resides with his wife Maria and their three children in northern New Jersey, where his wife is completing her Ph.D. in Theology, also in the U.S. Catholic Experience, specializing in Moral Theology.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Ph.D., Theology; University of Dayton, Ohio, 2003-2007. Dissertation: “Evangelical Catholics and Catholic Biblical Scholarship: An Examination of Scott Hahn’s Canonical, Liturgical, and Covenantal Biblical Exegesis”
M.A., Theological Studies; University of Dayton, Ohio, 2001-2003. Thesis: “Matthew 16:17-19 in its Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Context: Implications for Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Dialogue on the Papacy”
B.A., Comparative Religion and Classical Greek; Miami University, Ohio, 1997-2001
TEACHING
2013-Present: Associate Professor, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University
2009-13: Assistant Professor, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University
Summer 2010: Faculty, William J. Toth Summer Institute for Family Spirituality, Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University
2008-09: Lecturer, University of Dayton, Department of Religious Studies
2007-08: Adjunct Professor, University of Dayton, Department of Religious Studies
Summers 2002-04, 07-08: Adjunct Faculty, Junior State of America, Princeton University Campus
2006-07: Doctoral Fellow, University of Dayton, Department of Religious Studies
Summer 2006: Adjunct Faculty, Junior State of America, Northwestern University Campus
2002-03, 04-06: Instructor, University of Dayton, Department of Religious Studies
2001-02, 03-04: Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, University of Dayton, Department of Religious Studies
M.A. Thesis Directed
Rodriguez, Israel. “Colossians 1:24 and Romans 8 in John Paul II’s Salvifici Doloris: Towards a Theology
of Suffering” (Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University) (in progress)
Graduate Courses Taught
Revelation and Faith
Ecclesiology
The Eucharist
Old Testament Spirituality
The Eucharist and the Family
Graduate Independent Study Directed
Jeong Gyeong Kim, The Eucharist
Undergraduate Independent Studies Directed
Peter Dill, The History of Apologetics
Peter Dill, The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
Undergraduate Courses Taught
The Theology of Pope Benedict XVI
The Pentateuch
Theology of the New Testament
Theology of the Old Testament
The Eucharist and the Family
Jesus Christ and the Mystery of the Church: Introduction to Christology and Ecclesiology
Christianity and Culture in Dialogue
Religion and Literature
Religion and Film
Apologetics
The Bible: Word of God and Book of the Church
To Know God: Introduction to Roman Catholic Doctrine
The Journey of Transformation
Introduction to Religion: Catholic Option: Social Justice Cohort
Introduction to Religion: Catholic Option
Introduction to Religion: General Option: World Religions
Speech Communication
Teaching Training
2004-06: Teaching Seminars and Group Discussions on teaching effectiveness funded by a $70,000 Wabash grant to the University of Dayton’s Department of Religious Studies
2002-03 and 2004-05: Graduate Student weekly teaching training led by the Graduate Advisor and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies
PUBLICATIONS
Journals
“Historical Criticism as Secular Allegorism: The Case of Spinoza.” Letter & Spirit 8 (2012-2013): 189-221.
“Alfred Loisy’s Developmental Approach to Scripture: Reading the ‘Firmin’ Articles in the Context of Nineteenth- and Twentieth-Century Historical Biblical Criticism.” International Journal of Systematic Theology 15, no. 3 (2013): 324-344.
“Work as Worship in the Garden and the Workshop: Genesis 1-3, the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, and Liturgical Hermeneutics.” Logos 15, no. 4 (2012): 159-178.
“The Sword that Pierces Sin.” Through Her Intercession (2012): 24-28.
“Pre-Adamites, Politics and Criticism: Isaac La Peyrère’s Contribution to Modern Biblical Studies.” Journal of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies 4, no. 1 (2011): 1-23.
“Leviathan and the Swallowing of Scripture: The Politics behind Thomas Hobbes’ Early Modern Biblical Criticism.” Christianity & Literature 61, no. 1 (2011): 33-54.
“French Apocalyptic Messianism: Isaac La Peyrère and Political Biblical Criticism in the Seventeenth Century.” Toronto Journal of Theology 27, no. 2 (2011): 203-213.
“The Early Modern Political Context to Spinoza’s Bible Criticism.” Revista de Filosofía 66, no. 3 (2010): 7-24.
“‘Arise and Eat’: 1 Kings 19:3-8 and Elijah’s Death, Resurrection and Bread from Heaven.” Journal of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies 3, no. 1 (2010): 1-7.
“The Modernist Crisis and the Shifting of Catholic Views on Biblical Inspiration.” Letter & Spirit 6 (2010): 265-280.
“The Politics of Biblical Interpretation: A ‘Criticism of Criticism.’” New Blackfriars 91, no. 1035 (September 2010): 528-545.
“The Bible in Captivity: Hobbes, Spinoza and the Politics of Defining Religion.” Pro Ecclesia 19, no. 3 (Summer 2010): 285-299.
“Creation as Temple-Building and Work as Liturgy in Genesis 1-3.” Journal of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies 2, no. 1 (2009) : 1-13.
“Stanley Hauerwas and Pope John Paul II on Peace, Truth, and Life.” Josephinum Journal of Theology 13, no. 1 (Winter/Spring 2006) : 46-65.
“J.R.R. Tolkien as a Christian for our Times.” Evangelical Review of Theology 29, no. 2 (April 2005) : 164-177.
“Media Portrayals of American Catholic Concerns About the US War in Iraq.” With Biff Rocha, Global Media Journal 3, no. 5 (Fall 2004) ISSN: 1550-7521.
“J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis in the Light of Hans Urs von Balthasar.” Renascence 56, no. 3 (Spring 2004) : 181-196.
“Papal Primacy in the Early Church: St. Augustine and the Case of Antoninus of Fussala.” Fides Quaerens Intellectum 2, no. 2 (Spring 2003) : 305-326.
Book Chapters
“Dancing on the Wall: An Analysis of Barack Obama’s ‘Call to Renewal’ Keynote Address.” With Biff Rocha. In What Democrats Talk About When They Talk About God: Religious Communication in Democratic Party Politics, ed. David Weiss, 129-154. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books, 2010.
Book Review Essays
“The Enlightenment University and the Creation of the Academic Bible: Michael Legaspi’s The Death of Scripture and the Rise of Biblical Studies.” Nova et Vetera 11, no. 3 (2013): 897-922.
Book Reviews
Review of Temple Building and Temple Cult: Architecture and Cultic Paraphernalia of Temples in the Levant (2. – 1. Mill. B.C.E.): Proceedings of a Conference on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Institute of Biblical Archaeology at the University of Tübingen (28th-30th of May 2010), ed. Jens Kamlah. Review of Biblical Literature (January 2014).
Review of Karl Heinrich Grafs Arbeit am Alten Testament: Studien zu einer wissenschaftlichen Biographie, by Joachim Conrad. Review of Biblical Literature (July 2013).
Review of Pope Alexander III (1159-81): The Art of Survival, ed. Peter D. Clarke and Anne J. Duggan. Catholic Books Review (2013)
Review of The Historical Jesus of the Gospels, by Craig S. Keener. Nova et Vetera 10, no. 4 (2012): 1220-1226.
Review of Cassian’s Conferences: Scriptural Interpretation and the Monastic Ideal, by Christopher J. Kelly. Catholic Books Review (2012)
Review of The Bible and American Culture: A Sourcebook, ed. Claudia Setzer and David A. Shefferman. Horizons 39, no. 1 (Spring 2012): 124-125.
Review of History of Biblical Interpretation Volume 4: From the Enlightenment to the Twentieth Century, by Henning Graf Reventlow. Review of Biblical Literature (May 2012).
Review of Jewish-Christian Dialogue and the Life of Wisdom: Engagements with the Theology of David Novak, by Matthew Levering. The Thomist 75, no. 2 (2011): 336-340.
Review of L’invention critique de la Bible: XVe – XVIIIe siècle, by Pierre Gibert. Review of Biblical Literature (July 2011).
Review of Jérusalem centre du monde: Développements et contestations d’une tradition biblique, by Jacques Vermeylen. Review of Biblical Literature (April 2011).
Review of Jewish Biblical Interpretation and Cultural Exchange: Comparative Exegesis in Context, ed. Natalie Dohrmann and David Stern. Review of Biblical Literature (March 2011).
Review of The Bible and the University, ed. David Jeffrey and C. Stephen Evans. Review of Biblical Literature (February 2011)
Review of El Padrenuestro desde el arameo, by Jesús Luzarraga. Review of Biblical Literature (December 2010)
Review of Deep Exegesis: The Mystery of Reading Scripture, by Peter Leithart. Catholic Books Review (2010)
Review of Opera exegetica In Genesim: Volume 1: Gregorii Nysseni In Hexaemeron, edited by Hubertus Drobner. Review of Biblical Literature (September 2010)
Review of The Apocryphal Adam and Eve in Medieval Europe: Vernacular Translations and Adaptations of the Vita Adae et Evae, by Brian Murdoch. Review of Biblical Literature (July 2010)
Review of The Jewish Pesach and the Origins of the Christian Easter, by Clemens Leonhard. Review of Biblical Literature (January 2009)
Review of Ver a Jesús Y Sus Signos, Y Creer en Él, by Fernando Ramos Pérez. Review of Biblical Literature (February 2005)
Conference Proceedings
“Babylonian Myths and the Bible: The Historical and Religious Context to Loisy’s Application of ‘Myth’ as a Concept.” Papers of the Nineteenth Century Theology Group 44 (2013): 43-62.
“Newman, the Scholars, and the Jews: Newman’s Use of the Old Testament in Grammar of Assent in Contrast with 19th Century Biblical Criticism.” Center for Catholic Studies, Seton Hall University, Summer Seminar Proceedings: “John Henry Newman” 8 (2011): 20-22.
“The Political and Evangelical Context of Pope John Paul II’s Outreach to the Marginalized.” The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2006) : 100-130.
“Revisiting the Seventeenth-Century European ‘Wars of Religion.’” The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2005) : 66-80.
“Historiographical Conflict Within Biblical Studies: A Case Study of Nuzi and the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis.” The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2004) : 53-65.
“The ‘Sign of the Cross’ in the Acts of Paul and Thecla?” Proceedings of the Eastern Great Lakes & Midwest Biblical Societies 23 (2003) : 91-100.
“75 Years of Comparative Religion at Miami University.” The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2003) : 81-87.
“Pope John Paul II and the Theory of Evolution.” Proceedings of the Institute for Liberal Studies : Science and Culture 13 (2002) : 38-44.
“The Historicity of Jesus’ Empty Tomb.” The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2002) : 43-62.
“A Rhetorical Analysis of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.” With Biff Rocha. The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2002) : 63-76.
“The Bishop as a ‘Type’ of God the Father in the Letters of Ignatius of Antioch.” The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2001) : 119-126.
“The Word of God Alone.” With Biff Rocha. The Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers (2001) : 127-132.
Entries in Reference Works
“Bea, Augustin Cardinal (1881-1968).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization Volume I: A-D, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 217-218. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Reprint of “Augustin Cardinal Bea (1881-1968).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 1: Genres and Types/Biographies A-G, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 205-206. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Benedict XVI, Pope (b. 1927).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization Volume I: A-D, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 228-229. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Reprint of “Pope Benedict XVI (1927-).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 1: Genres and Types/Biographies A-G, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 208-209. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Hahn, Scott Walker (b. 1957).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization Volume II: E-L, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 1088-1089. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Reprint of “Scott Hahn (1957-).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 2: Biographies H-Z, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 352-353. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“John Paul II, Pope (1920-2005; pontificate from 1978).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization Volume II: E-L, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 1251-1253. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011.
“Lagrange, Marie-Joseph (1855-1938).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization Volume II: E-L, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 1291-1293. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Reprint of “Marie-Joseph Lagrange (1855-1938).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 2: Biographies H-Z, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 417-418. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Yamauchi, Edwin Masao (b. 1937).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization Volume IV: S-Z, ed. George Thomas Kurian, 2549-2550. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Reprint of “Edwin M. Yamauchi (1937-).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volumes 1-2, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 653-654. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Primate Attitudes toward Death.” In World History Encyclopedia: An Introduction to World History: Volume 1, ed. Mark Aldenderfer, 302-303. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO, 2011.
“Bible: Genesis.” In Milestone Documents of World Religions: Exploring Traditions of Faith Through Primary Sources: Volume 1: 2404 BCE – 200 CE, ed. David M. Fahey, 118-137. Dallas: Schlager Group, 2011.
“Augustin Cardinal Bea (1881-1968).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 1: Genres and Types/Biographies A-G, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 205-206. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Pope Benedict XVI (1927-).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 1: Genres and Types/Biographies A-G, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 208-209. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Scott Hahn (1957-).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 2: Biographies H-Z, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 352-353. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Marie-Joseph Lagrange (1855-1938).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volume 2: Biographies H-Z, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 417-418. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
“Edwin M. Yamauchi (1937-).” In The Encyclopedia of Christian Literature Volumes 1-2, ed. George Thomas Kurian and James D. Smith III, 653-654. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press, 2010.
PRESENTATIONS
Invited Academic Paper Presentations at Meetings of International Associations
“Babylon in Paris: Alfred Loisy and the Discipline of Assyriology.” La Société Internationale d’Études sur Alfred Loisy, Baltimore, Maryland, November 24, 2013.
“Doctrinal Development: Alfred Loisy, Biblical Criticism and the ‘Firmin’ Articles.” La Société Internationale d’Études sur Alfred Loisy, San Francisco, California, November 20, 2011.
Academic Paper Presentation at International Scholarly Meeting
“The Political Background to the Separation of the Bible from Theological Ethics Prior to Vatican II.” The Second International Conference on Catholic Theological Ethics in the World Church, Trent, Italy, July 25, 2010.
Academic Paper Presentations at National Scholarly Meetings
“Histoire Critique and la Question Biblique: Alfred Loisy’s Use of Richard Simon Prior to the Modernist Controversy.” American Catholic Historical Association Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C., January 5, 2014.
“Babylonian Myths and the Bible: The Historical and Religious Context to Loisy’s Application of ‘Myth’ as a Concept.” American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, Nineteenth Century Theology Group, Baltimore, Maryland, November 24, 2013.
“A Biblical Method to End Religious Conflict: The Socio-Political Context to Spinoza’s Battle for the Freedom to Philosophize as it Relates to Academic Freedom and Biblical Studies.” Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting, Metacriticism of Biblical Scholarship Unit, Baltimore, Maryland, November 23, 2013.
“The Theological Politics of the Quest for Objectivity: The Common Origins of Modern Biblical Studies and the Academic Study of Religion.” American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, Cultural History of the Study of Religion Group, San Francisco, California, November 21, 2011.
“Genesis 1-3 and the Exultation of All Creation Around God’s Throne.” College Theology Society, May 31, 2009.
“Spinoza’s Historical Biblical Criticism in Context: The Seventeenth Century Socio-Political Background to the Tractatus theologico-politicus.” Society of Biblical Literature, November 24, 2008.
“From Living Word to Ossified Text: Hobbes, Spinoza, the Bible, and the Redefinition of Religion.” American Academy of Religion, November 1, 2008.
“The Politics Behind Thomas Hobbes’s Early Modern Biblical Criticism.” Society of Biblical Literature, November 19, 2007.
“Genesis 1-3 in a Liturgical Context: The Role of Liturgy in Christian Theological Interpretation of Scripture.” Society of Biblical Literature, November 17, 2007.
“The Visual Depiction of Sin in Tolkien.” National Communication Association, November 23, 2003.
Academic Paper Presentations at Regional Scholarly Meetings
“The French Connection: Isaac La Peyrère and the Rise of Modern Biblical Criticism in 17th Century France.” American Catholic Historical Association Spring Meeting, March 13, 2010.
“The Political and Evangelical Context of Pope John Paul II’s Outreach to the Marginalized.” Ohio Academy of Religion, April 1, 2006.
“Revisiting the Seventeenth-Century European ‘Wars of Religion.’” Ohio Academy of Religion, April 2, 2005.
“Glimpses of Mary in the Writings of J.R.R. Tolkien.” Mideast Conference on Christianity and Literature, October 23, 2004.
“Historiographical Conflict within Biblical Studies: A Case Study of Nuzi and the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis.” Ohio Academy of Religion, April 17, 2004.
“Bar-Jonah: A Sign of Divine Inspiration.” Central States Communication Association, April 2, 2004.
“Ecumenical Rhetoric in Fides et Ratio.” Central States Communication Association, April 2, 2004.
“J.R.R. Tolkien vis-à-vis Friedrich Max Müller’s Religionswissenschaft.” Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, March 18, 2004.
“J.R.R. Tolkien and Christianity.” Mideast Conference on Christianity and Literature, October 17, 2003.
“The ‘Sign of the Cross’ in the Acts of Paul and Thecla?” Eastern Great Lakes Biblical Society, April 11, 2003.
“75 Years of Comparative Religion at Miami.” Ohio Academy of Religion, March 29, 2003.
“A Test Case in Authority: The Bishop of Rome in the Case of Antoninus of Fussala.” Eastern International Regional Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, March 21, 2003.
“Tolkien and Lewis in the Light of Von Balthasar.” Mideast Conference on Christianity and Literature, October 19, 2002.
“Pope John Paul II and the Theory of Evolution.” Institute for Liberal Studies’ Interdisciplinary Conference on Science and Culture, April 4, 2002.
“The Historicity of Jesus’ Empty Tomb.” Ohio Academy of Religion, March 23, 2002.
“Things Are Not Always As They Appear: The Dissonance Between the Physical and the Spiritual in Tolkien.” Mideast Conference on Christianity and Literature, October 20, 2001.
“Bishop as ‘Type’ in Ignatius of Antioch.” Ohio Academy of Religion, March 24, 2001.
Invited Academic Paper Presentations at Scholarly Symposia and Colloquia
“Elijah’s Resurrection and Mystical Communion with Angelic Bread: 1 Kings 19:3-8and its Reception.” The Reception History of the Bible: A Colloquium: Biblical Exegesis as Mystical Experience in Judaism and Christianity, Duquesne University, April 22, 2010.
“Creation and Liturgy: The Liturgical Background of Genesis 1-3.” Trends of Ancient Jewish and Christian Mysticism Seminar, University of Dayton, February 26, 2008.
Academic Paper Presentations at Home Institution Colloquia
“Tolkien’s Christian Fiction.” Stander Symposium, University of Dayton, April 6, 2005.
“Matthew 16:16-19 and the Papacy in Light of Volf.” University of Dayton’s Department of Religious Studies Colloquium, November 6, 2002.
Joint Academic Paper Presentations of Co-Authored Works at National & Regional Scholarly Meetings
Co-authored paper (with Biff Rocha), “Barack Obama, the Aqedah and the Role of Religion in Public,” presented by Biff Rocha at the Religious Communication Association, November 13, 2010.
Co-authored paper (with Biff Rocha), “A Rhetorical Analysis of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification,” presented by Biff Rocha at the Ohio Academy of Religion, March 23, 2002.
Co-authored paper (with Biff Rocha), “The Word of God Alone,” presented by Biff Rocha at the Ohio Academy of Religion, March 24, 2001.
Invited Lectures and Speaking Engagements
“Faith and the Family: Pope Francis on the Role of the Laity.” New Energies Lenten Series. Church of St. Joseph the Carpenter, Roselle, New Jersey, April 7, 2014.
“St. Peter and St. Paul: The Biblical Roots of the Papacy and the Universal Call to Evangelize.” The Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi Family Centered Class, Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, New Jersey, April 6, 2014.
“Laying the Foundation of Faith: Pope Francis and the Sacraments.” New Energies Lenten Series. Church of St. Joseph the Carpenter, Roselle, New Jersey, March 31, 2014.
“Morning Prayer/Penance and Forgiveness.” RCIA program, St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, New Jersey, March 30, 2014.
“The Forgiveness of Sins and God’s Mercy.” Lenten Lecture Series. Our Lady of Victories Parish, Harrington Park, New Jersey, March 25, 2014.
“The Light of Faith and the Joy of the Gospel: Pope Francis on Faith and the New Evangelization.” New Energies Lenten Series. Church of St. Joseph the Carpenter, Roselle, New Jersey, March 24, 2014.
“The Eucharist.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, March 2, 2014.
“Penance.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, February 2, 2014.
“Catholic Apologetics for the New Evangelization.” Intellectual Formation for the New Evangelization Session Two Lecture for the Formation Program at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, January 24, 2014.
“The Moral Life.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, November 3, 2013.
“Sacraments and the Life of Grace.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, October 6, 2013.
“How to Turn a Hectic Life into a Holy Life.” The Avila Lecture Series, St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, New Jersey, September 18, 2013.
“St. James: A Jewish Catholic Bishop and His Message.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 25, 2013.
“Baptism and Conversion.” Vacation Bible School, St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, New Jersey, June 25, 2013.
“The Sacrament of Joy: Confession in the Bible and Today.” The Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi Family Centered Class, Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, New Jersey, May 12, 2013.
“Living with Purpose: How and Why God is Counting on You, and What You Can Do About it.” New Energies Easter Seminars for the Year of Faith. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, April 16, 2013.
“Sacraments Make a Happy Family: How the Church’s Sacramental Life Transforms Busy Family and Work Lives into Happy Fulfilled Lives and Empowers Evangelization Rooted in Prayer, Good Example, and Courage.” New Energies Easter Seminars for the Year of Faith. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, April 9, 2013.
“Continuing Conversion.” Talk for the RCIA program at St. Teresa of Avila’s Parish, Summit, New Jersey, April 7, 2013.
“Too Busy to Pray? On Turning a Hectic Life into a Holy Life.” New Energies Easter Seminars for the Year of Faith. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, April 2, 2013.
“Holy Week III: Triduum.” Lecture for Palm Sunday Retreat for RCIA Program. St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, March 24, 2013.
“Holy Week II: The Last Supper: From Passover to Mass.” Lecture for Palm Sunday Retreat for RCIA Program. St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, March 24, 2013.
“Holy Week I: The Passover Seder.” Lecture for Palm Sunday Retreat for RCIA Program. St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, March 24, 2013.
“The Eucharist.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, March 17, 2013.
“Pope Benedict and the Interior Life.” Colloquium on the Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI presented by the Faculty of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, February 27, 2013.
“Penance.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, February 10, 2013.
“The Moral Life.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, October 14, 2012.
“The Sacraments: Source of Grace and Life.” Adult Education program for parents of children in CCD. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, September 16, 2012.
“Ephesians Through Jewish Eyes.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 26, 2012.
“Come, Let Us Adore Him: The Eucharist and Eucharistic Adoration.” St. Luke’s Parish, Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, April 17, 2012.
“St. Thomas More, Jane Colt and Alice Middleton.” Holy Lives, Holy Marriages Retreat Series. Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. St. Aloysius Parish, Jersey City, New Jersey, April 14, 2012.
“Holy Week III: Triduum.” Lecture for Palm Sunday Retreat for RCIA Program. St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, April 1, 2012.
“Holy Week II: The Last Supper: From Passover to Mass.” Lecture for Palm Sunday Retreat for RCIA Program. St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, April 1, 2012.
“Holy Week I: The Passover Seder.” Lecture for Palm Sunday Retreat for RCIA Program. St. Mary’s Church, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, April 1, 2012.
“Kneeling Before the Majesty of God: Eucharistic Adoration.” Family Formation Program. Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Mountainside, New Jersey, March 25, 2012.
“Mission of Love: Bringing God to the World.” New Energies Lenten Scripture Seminars. St. Theresa’s Parish, Kenilworth, New Jersey, March 21, 2012.
“Feast of Faith: The Eucharist as the Source and Summit of Our Lives.” New Energies Lenten Scripture Seminars. St. Theresa’s Parish, Kenilworth, New Jersey, March 14, 2012.
“Family Spirituality: How to Turn a Hectic Life into a Holy Life.” The Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi Family Centered Class, Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, New Jersey, March 11, 2012.
“The Most Holy Eucharist: Root and Center of the Interior Life.” St. Anne’s Parish, Fair Lawn, New Jersey, March 6, 2012.
“Sign of Hope: Reconciliation and God’s Mercy.” New Energies Lenten Scripture Seminars. St. Theresa’s Parish, Kenilworth, New Jersey, February 29, 2012.
“Elizabeth and Zechariah.” Holy Lives, Holy Marriages Retreat Series. Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church, Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, February 11, 2012.
“The Mass: A Vision of Heaven on Earth: Part 3: The Mass and the Spiritual Life.” Growing In Faith and Theology Lecture, St. Mary’s Parish, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, February 1, 2012.
“The Mass: A Vision of Heaven on Earth: Part 2: Bread from Heaven.” Growing In Faith and Theology Lecture, St. Mary’s Parish, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, January 25, 2012.
“The Mass: A Vision of Heaven on Earth: Part 1: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” Growing In Faith and Theology Lecture, St. Mary’s Parish, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, January 18, 2012.
“The Lamb’s Supper Part 2.” St. Mary’s Parish, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, November 5, 2011.
“Catholic Apologetics: Explaining the Faith that is Within You.” The Avila Lecture Series, St. Teresa of Avila Church, Summit, New Jersey, November 2, 2011.
“Elizabeth and Zechariah.” Holy Lives, Holy Marriages Retreat Series. Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology. Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Morristown, New Jersey, October 22, 2011.
“The Lamb’s Supper Part 1.” St. Mary’s Parish, Pompton Lakes, New Jersey, October 8, 2011.
“The Gospel of Matthew: Both Jewish and Catholic.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 28, 2011.
“The Eucharist: Bread of the Presence of God.” William J. Toth Summer Institute, Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, June 4, 2011.
“The Eucharist.” The Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi Family Centered Class, Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi, Metuchen, New Jersey, May 1, 2011.
“Bread from Both Tables: The Word of God and the Eucharist.” Liturgical Practicum, St. Luke’s Parish, Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey, March 26, 2011.
“The Eucharist: Its Origins in the Old Testament and in the Experience of the Early Church.” “Lent…and Beyond” Speakers’ Series, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Union, New Jersey, March 21, 2011.
“The Fountain in the Desert.” Formational Evenings at the School of Theology Lectures, Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, February 17, 2011.
“The Sword that Pierces Sin.” Formational Evenings at the School of Theology Lectures, Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, February 3, 2011.
“Biblical Christmas.” New Energies Advent Scripture Seminars. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, December 21, 2010.
“New Testament People of God.” New Energies Advent Scripture Seminars. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, December 14, 2010.
“O Come, O Come Immanuel.” New Energies Advent Scripture Seminars. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, December 7, 2010.
“The Old Testament Prepares for Christ and His Church.” New Energies Advent Scripture Seminars. Assumption Parish, Roselle Park, New Jersey, November 30, 2010.
“O Come Immanuel: Advent and the Eucharist in the Thought of Pope Benedict XVI.” St. Paul’s Parish, Princeton, New Jersey, November 13, 2010.
“The Old Testament Roots of the Eucharist.” The Avila Lecture Series, St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, New Jersey, November 10, 2010.
“Messianic Wine and the New Eve at Cana: John 1-2 in Light of Genesis 1-2 and Jewish Traditions of Interpretation.” Serra Club Meeting, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, November 8, 2010.
“The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life.” STEPS (Seminary’s Theological Education for Parish Services) Program, Immaculate Conception Seminary. Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Ridgewood, New Jersey, November 6, 2010.
“The Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sins of the World.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 29, 2010.
“Heavenly Temple and Heavenly Worship on Earth: A Jewish Reading of the Book of Revelation.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 29, 2010.
“Priesthood and Politics: Mystagogical Exegesis and a Sacramental Hermeneutic as a Solution to the Crisis in Modern Biblical Criticism.” Letter & Spirit Summer Institute, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, June 22, 2010.
“The Eucharist: Source and Summit of the Christian Life.” Catholic Center for Family Spirituality, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey, June 10, 2010.
“Dei Verbum: Its History, Content, and Reception.” Oratorians, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 21, 2010.
“Jewish Passover and Catholic Eucharist.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 30, 2009.
“Paul through Jewish Eyes.” The Catholic Paul? The Coming Home Network International and the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, Columbus, Ohio, May 16, 2009.
“No Salvation Outside the Church? A Study of the Book of Jonah.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, May 13, 2009.
“St. Paul’s Use of the Old Testament.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 24, 2008.
“The New in Light of the Old: A Jewish Convert’s Reading of St. Paul.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 24, 2008.
“The Book of Genesis Part III: The Road to Egypt.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, June 11, 2008.
“Modern Biblical Interpretation and the Sacramental Hermeneutic.” Letter & Spirit Summer Institute, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, May 28, 2008.
“The Book of Genesis Part II: The Birth of the People of God.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, May 14, 2008.
“The Book of Genesis Part I: In the Beginning.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, April 9, 2008.
“Did Easter Happen? A Look at the Historical Evidence for the Resurrection.” Theology on Tap, Dayton, Ohio, March 27, 2008.
“Scripture Matters.” Jesus Jams, Youth Ministry Program at St. Agatha Catholic Church, Columbus, Ohio, February 17, 2008.
“Holy Mary, Mother of God Part I: Mary in Scripture and in the Church Fathers.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, October 10, 2007.
“Old Testament Signs of Peter and the Eucharist.” Applied Biblical Studies Conference. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 26, 2007.
“For Forgiveness Sake: Understanding the Sacrament of Reconciliation Part I: The Biblical Basis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, February 15, 2007.
“The Historical Reliability of the Bible.” Christian Legal Society, Law School, University of Dayton, February 1, 2007.
“My Word: How to Read, Understand, and Pray the Bible.” Ite Missa Est, the Adult Education Program at Immaculate Conception Parish, Dayton, Ohio, October 11, 2006.
“Testimony.” Defending the Faith Conference. Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio, July 30, 2006.
“Dominus Iesus.” Catholic Life, University of Dayton, October 23, 2003.
“Trust in the Lord.” Campus Crusade for Christ, University of Dayton, December 5, 2001.
Popular Periodicals
“A ‘Sharing between Friends’: The Art of Mental Prayer.” Homiletic & Pastoral Review (2 November 2012).
“Jesus in History.” The Catholic Answer (May/June 2003) : 32-35.
“‘Son of Jonah’ and Papal Infallibility.” The Catholic Answer (September/October 2002) : 38-39, 41.
“The Song of Mary.” The Catholic Answer (May/June 2002) : 32-34.
“Our Daily Bread.” The Catholic Answer (January/February 2002) : 8-10.
“Finding Faith.” Worldwide Challenge (March/April 2001) : 25-27.
“To Remain in Christ.” The Catholic Answer (March/April 2001) : 37-39.
“In the Crosshairs of the Canon.” This Rock (November 2000) : 22-27. Translated online into Croatian as “Na nišanu kanona.”
“A Spiritual Journey from Jerusalem to Rome.” New Oxford Review (September 2000) : 27-30, 32-33.
GRANTS, FINANCIAL AWARDS, ASSISTANTSHIPS & HONORS
2012: Researcher of the Year, Seton Hall University, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology
Summer 2009: University of Dayton Faculty Fund for Vocational Exploration Research Grant, $3,000 for the research project entitled, “Dialectic of Faith and History: A Vocational Exploration of the Early Modern Theological and Historical Discussions Concerning Biblical Interpretation”
Aug 2006-May 07: Competitive Doctoral Fellowship, funded by the University of Dayton’s Department of Religious Studies to work on doctoral dissertation and teach undergraduate courses
Summer 2006: University of Dayton Summer Student Fellowship Grant, $2,000 for the research project entitled, “Evangelical Catholics and Biblical Hermeneutics: A Test Case of Scott Hahn’s Method of Biblical Interpretation”
Summer 2005: Invited as Visiting Research Scholar for the Summer Scholars’ Program at Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem
Summer 2005: University of Dayton Summer Student Fellowship Grant, $2,000 for the research project entitled, “Baruch Spinoza and the Founding of Modern Biblical Criticism”
Summer 2004: University of Dayton Summer Student Fellowship Grant, $1,500 for the research project entitled, “Media Analysis and the War with Iraq”
Aug 2003-May 06: University of Dayton, Religious Studies Department, Assistantships to pursue a Ph.D. in Theology
Summer 2003: University of Dayton Summer Student Fellowship Grant, $1,500 for the research project entitled, “J.R.R. Tolkien Vis-à-vis Friedrich Max Müller’s Religionswissenschaft”
May 2003: Awarded “Honors” on Master’s Thesis, University of Dayton, Religious Studies Department
Summer 2002: University of Dayton Summer Student Fellowship Grant, $1,500 for the research project entitled, “The Relationship Between Nuzi Customs and the Patriarchal Narratives in Genesis”
Aug 2001-May 03: University of Dayton, Religious Studies Department, Assistantships to pursue an M.A. in Theological Studies
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY
Senior Fellow, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology
Manuscript Reviewer: Journal of Religious History; Modern Theology
2005-06: Editor, Ohio Academy of Religion Scholarly Papers
2005-06: Vice President, Ohio Academy of Religion
2005-06: Conference Organizer, Ohio Academy of Religion
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
La Société Internationale d’Études sur Alfred Loisy, American Academy of Religion, Society of Biblical Literature, Catholic Biblical Association, Catholic Theological Society of America, American Catholic Historical Association, College Theology Society, Nineteenth Century Theology Group
LANGUAGES
Reading: Catalan, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Ladino, Latin, Portuguese, Samaritan, Spanish
Speaking: Spanish
TRAVEL, MISSION, SERVICE & STUDY ABROAD
Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Grand Cayman Islands, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Palestine, Puerto Rico, Spain, Vatican City
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Born: October 5, 1978 in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
Married to: Maria C. Morrow
Children: Maia; Eva; Patrick; Robert.
Hobby: Martial Arts
SOURCE: https://stpaulcenter.com/about/staff/view/Dr.-Jeffrey-Morrow