Dr Joanna Leidenhag
Lecturer in Science-Engaged Theology
Biography
Joanna Leidenhag joined the School of Divinity in 2018 on a project in?Science-Engaged Theology, funded by the John Templeton Foundation. She completed her?PhD in systematic and philosophical theology at the University of Edinburgh (2019), focusing on discussions in analytic philosophy of mind and the doctrine of?creation.?She?graduated with a joint Honours degree in Modern History and Theology from the University of St Andrews (MA?2013), and went on to complete a MA in Theological Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary (MA 2014). She also holds an Advanced Diploma in Fine Arts, and specialises in oil painting.?
Teaching
Joanna Leidenhag teaches a range of courses that bring Christian theology into conversation with both contemporary philosophy and natural science:
- 'Science, Religion and the Mind', explores central issues such as?evolution and biblical interpretation, quantum physics and miracles, artificial intelligence and life-after-death, and?neuroscience and?the soul.
- 'Saints and Cyborgs: The Imagination in Theology and Science' (co-taught with Dr. Rebekah Lamb) looks at the role of the imagination in our scientific and theological understandings of what it means to be human. Central topics include the imagination, the soul and technology, human creativity, cosmic despair, and the apocalypse.
- 'The Problem of Evil: Evolution, Tsunamis and God' seeks to explore the problem of evil in a new way. Instead of focusing on whether it is rationale to believe in a God who permits evil, this course pairs specific areas of scientific research, which focuses our understanding of evil and suffering within the world, with concrete responses from within Christian theology, such as models of atonement, lament, and divine participation.
- 'Holy Scripture, Sacred Earth: The Bible and Ecology' (co-taught with Prof. Michael Lyons) introduces students to the use of Christian Scripture as a resource for constructing ecotheology. This is done in conversation with empirical studies and ethical models of environmental care. She has also taught a unit on 'Bible and Ecology' within the distance-learning MLitt programme 'Bible in the Contemporary World'.?
Selected publications
-
'Be Right Back' and the Ethics of Mourning
Lamb, R. A. & Leidenhag, J. M. B., 2021, (In preparation) Black Mirror and Theology. Lexington BooksResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
-
Demarcating deification and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in Reformed theology
Leidenhag, J., 2 Jun 2020, In : Perichoresis. 18, 1, p. 77-98 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
-
Deploying panpsychism for the demarcation of panentheism
Leidenhag, J., 5 Jun 2020, Panentheism and Panpsychism: Philosophy of religion meets philosophy of mind. Brüntrup, G., Glöcke, B., Jaskolla, L., Tapp, C. & Niederbacher SJ, B. (eds.). Mentis, p. 65-90 (Innsbruck studies in philosophy of religion; vol. 2).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
-
For we all share in one Spirit: charismatic gifts and church unity
Leidenhag, J., 29 Jun 2020, In : Theologica: An International Journal for Philosophy of Religion and Philosophical Theology. 4, 1, 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
-
How to be a be a theological panpsychist, but not a Process theologian
Leidenhag, J., 14 Jul 2020, In : Philosophy, Theology and the Sciences . 7, 1, p. 10-29 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
-
On overcoming the culture-nature divide: a panpsychist proposal
Leidenhag, J., 20 Feb 2020, In : Scottish Journal of Theology. 73, 1, p. 43-54Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
-
The revival of panpsychism and its relevance for the science-religion dialogue
Leidenhag, J., 2019, In : Theology and Science. 17, 1, p. 90-106Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
-
Unity between God and mind? A study on the relationship between panpsychism and pantheism
Leidenhag, J., Dec 2019, In : Sophia. 58, 4, p. 543-561 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article
-
Flourishing in the Spirit: Distinguishing Incarnation and Indwelling for Theological Anthropology
Leidenhag, J. M. B. & Mullins, R. T., 2018, The Christian Doctrine of Humanity . Crisp, O. D. & Sanders, F. (eds.). ZondervanResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding ? Chapter
-
Forbidden fruit: Saint Augustine and the psychology of eating disorders
Leidenhag, J., Jan 2018, In : New Blackfriars. 99, 1079, p. 47-65Research output: Contribution to journal ? Article