Associate Professor
University of Notre Dame - Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary - Master of Divinity
Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Wallenberg Scholar
Haverford College - B.A. in English
Dr. Lawrence enjoys bringing literature, movies, music, and art into discussions of religious traditions, beliefs, and practices. As an ordained minister, he is interested in questions of faith and belief but tries to discuss these issues in class in a way that can engage students from different religious perspectives, even those who do not consider themselves religious. He often uses service learning and site visits as a way to introduce students to the religious history of Buffalo and issues of justice in the community. He is currently engaged in a study of religious diversity in Buffalo and is compiling an online map of Buffalo's religious communities including oral histories and other historical data.
Awards
- Pittsburgh Theological Seminary - Distinguished Alumnus in Education
- Canisius Mission and Identity Summer Research Grant
- USIA Research Fellowships in Jerusalem and Amman for Dissertation Research
Publications
Book: Washing in Water: Trajectories of Ritual Bathing in the Hebrew Bible and Second
Temple Literature Society of Biblical Literature - Academia Biblica Series 2006
“The Use of Water as a Healing Ritual” Plainviews 13(7). July 20, 2016. (plainviews.healthcarechaplaincy.org) Co-written with Miriam Berkowitz and Paula Rose July 2016
Voices of Justice in Buffalo – Edited film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JwSxCdq7no August 2013
Listening to Diverse Voices – TEDxBuffalo - http://youtu.be/tZWFqA7ytJs October 2012
Seeking Water, Seeking God – Interfaith Film Festival (Online) 2011
Recipient: IFFF 2011CE "Nature Appreciation" Award
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFA45A3C1AC6491AB
“Finishing the Page” Broad Magazine –A Feminist & Social Justice Magazine
Issue 53, December 2012, p. 32 2012