Curriculum Vitae

BRYCE E. RICH

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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
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