Curriculum vitae
Competencies
Christian phenomenology (Michel Henry), existential theology, biblical studies
Interests
Interplay of theophilosophy and affectivity/force
Education
PhD in Existential Theology, 2026 – University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
Doctorate under the supervision of Conor Cunningham on the phenomenology of Michel Henry. My dissertation resolves Henry’s monism. Henry does not achieve a rigorous phenomenology of exteriority because of an overcommitment to the Life of God as a unity. Through resolving God as a paradox of unity and difference, what is exteriorly given in life gains new reality. Relation operates via Henryan/Biranian force, and the world is made real.
Masters of Divinity – Biblical studies, 2008 – Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya
General divinity degree with focus on biblical languages. Anthropological fieldwork with the Masai.
Bach. Social Work, 2005 – Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Publications
Book resolving Michel Henry’s monism (in progress)
The Crush of Life’s Passion: Interiority in Michel Henry as Potential for the Experience of God Religions – MDPI https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15121418
Resolves the debate around if Absolute Life can be experienced firsthand, done through clarifying both a dualism and a duality in Michel Henry. Henry’s term of the Holy Spirit is Absolute Life when given in experience.
Presentations
The Manifestation of Essence: Resolving the World of Michel Henry
Fordham University – Jun 18, 2025 – Phenomenology, Religious Experience, and Spiritual Practices
The Crush of Life’s Passion: Interiority in Michel Henry as Potential for the Experience of God
Duquesne University – Oct 30, 2024 – SoPheRE
Michel Henry and Phenomenological Divine Simplicity
University of Nottingham – Nov 4, 2023 – Centre of Theology and Philosophy
Janicaud’s Critique of the Theological Turn and the Affective Givenness of Michel Henry
University of Nottingham – May 27, 2023 – Centre of Theology and Philosophy
Work experience
Holy Ground 2024 (ongoing) | Holland, Michigan, HolyGround.com
Founded Holy Ground as a way to connect scholars to popular theology
LendingMemo 2013-2016 | Seattle, Washington
Peer-to-peer lending educational site, LendingMemo.com
Roots Church 2009-2013 | Seattle, Washington
Started a church in urban Seattle as a pastor in the CRCNA
Various aid work 2005-2008 | Kenya and Sudan
Affiliations
CoTP – Centre of Theology and Philosophy – Link
INPR – International Network in Philosophy of Religion – Network-INPR.org
AAR – American Academy of Religion – AARweb.org
SPEP – Society of Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy – SPEP.org
APA (Eastern Division) – American Philosophical Association – APAOnline.org