Fr. Christopher Renz, O.P.
Academic Dean
Assistant Professor in Religion and the Arts, and Science and Theology
Office phone: (510) 883-2084
E-mail:
Website: http://popruah.opwest.org/
B.S., St. Peter's College; M.Div., Dominican School of Philosophy & Theology; M.A., Graduate Theological Union; Ph.D., Northwestern University
Whatever issue we are looking at, whether science or the creative arts, I hope students will gain a sense of the dynamic interaction between their particular religious tradition and their personal life.
Fr. Chris enjoys seeing students suddenly realize that God is at work in their lives: the wow connection which happens when studying theology in conjunction with science or art. Trained as a microbiologist, his particular research interest involves the interface between science and theology, or science and spirituality, particularly in the development of a praxis (i.e. spirituality) which integrates principles of Christian ethics into daily life choices. He also has a passion for poetry, particularly those more "contemplative" authors who make vivid connections between the Divine and daily life. While there are too many to name, some of his favorite writers include T. S. Eliot, Mary Oliver, Annie Dillard, and William Stafford. Fr. Chris is also the general editor for Ruah: A Journal of Spiritual Poetry, published annually by the DSPT.
With a preference for a seminar format for teaching, Fr. Chris engages students in discussions which help them cultivate a personal understanding of the relationship between modern biotechnology, science or art and their own spiritual life.
The courses Fr. Chris teaches are two, alternating every other year:
- Poetry and Spirituality
- Biotechnology and Spirituality
In his current role as academic dean of the Dominican School, Fr. Chris finds great excitement in our transition to a permanent home at Arch & Vine Sts. in Berkeley. "We have before us," notes Fr. Chris, "a wonderful moment in the history of our School to enliven an earlier mandate from the Master of the Order when he first sent us to the GTU in 1964: to have something relevant to say to the contemporary culture. It is my hope that our faculty will lead students into this dialogue with minds and hearts fully engaged!"
Select Publications
Theology
Review of Genetic Engineering, A Christian Response. CTNS Bulletin 21.3 (Summer 2001): 27-29.
Review of The Human Embryonic Stem Cell Debate. CTNS Bulletin 21.3 (Summer 2001): 25-27.
"Putting the Johannine Pericopes in Context: A Liturgical Approach to Preaching the Scrutinies." Catechumenate 22 (No. 6, November 2000): 20-30.
"Christian Education and the Confirmation Debate: Towards a Theology of Catechesis," Journal of Christian Education 41 (No. 1, 1998): 53-65.
Poetry
Review for Religious September/October 2001
Cresset Spring 1996; Lent 1997; Pentecost 1997.
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