Simon Cunningham

Curriculum vitae

Competencies
Christian phenomenology (Michel Henry), existential theology, biblical studies, trust, techne

Interests
Relation between divine passivity and phenomenological affectivity/effort, transcendental philosophy, intersubjectivity, technology


Education

PhD – Existential theology, 2026 – University of Nottingham, UK
Under the supervision of Conor Cunningham, my PhD was on the phenomenology of Michel Henry, resolving Henry’s monism. Henry does not achieve a rigorous phenomenology of exteriority because of an overcommitment to the Life of God as a mere unity. Through phenomenologically recognizing God as a paradox of both unity and difference, what is exteriorly given in Henryan life gains new reality. All relation operates via Biranian force, and the world is made real.

Masters of Divinity – Biblical studies, 2008 – Africa International University, Nairobi, Kenya
Divinity degree with focus on biblical languages, anthropological fieldwork with the Masai


Publications

Book resolving Michel Henry’s monism (in talks with publisher)

The Crush of Life’s Passion: Interiority in Michel Henry as Potential for the Experience of GodReligions 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
– Pontifical University of the Holy Cross – June 25, 2026 – CoTP
– Institut Catholique de Paris – Jun 10, 2026 – INPR
– 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 – CoTP

Janicaud’s Critique of the Theological Turn and the Affective Givenness of Michel Henry
University of Nottingham – May 27, 2023 – CoTP


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, LendingMemo.com
Peer-to-peer lending educational site

Roots Church 2009 – 2013 | Seattle, Washington
Church planter in urban Seattle as a minister in the CRCNA

Various aid work 2005 – 2008 | Kenya and Sudan, UpfromtheStump.com


Affiliations

CoTP – Centre of Theology and Philosophy – TheologyPhilosophyCentre.co.uk

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