For over three decades I have served as a university professor, campus minister, and co-minister of a congregation.  Most recently I served as the inaugural Irvin C. and Edy Chapman Dean of the Wallace All Faiths Chapel at the Fish Interfaith Center at Chapman University, which included an appointment as an Associate Professor of Religious Studies (August 1997 to January 2011).  At the end of January 2011, I moved to the coast of Ecuador for an extended five-year sabbatical.  I have continued my affiliation with Chapman University by creating and teaching online religious studies courses for Brandman University, a member of the Chapman University System.  U.S. News and World Report ranked Brandman’s online baccalaureate program #8 in the entire United States.

Prior to my association with Chapman, I served as co-minister (with my wife, Patricia) of a Disciples of Christ congregation in Cincinnati (1992-1997) and also taught at the University of Cincinnati (1994-1997).  My first position following seminary and graduate school was at the University of Missouri (1982-1992) where I taught in the religious studies department and was a campus minister.

In addition to teaching and ministry, I have always been active in scholarly research.  I chaired the Bible and Contemporary Theologies Group of the Society of Biblical Literature and was a member of several other SBL groups, especially those focusing on apocalyptic literature and hermeneutics.  I also served on the Advisory Council of the Process & Faith Program at Claremont School of Theology and was a founding member of Interreligious Voices for Animal Compassion.  My publications include four books and over five dozen essays and articles in the areas of biblical studies and ethics.  I appeared in a two-hour History Channel documentary, for which I also served as a project consultant.