Jon Paul Sydnor

Professor of Theology and Religious Studies

Dr. Sydnor enjoys teaching world religions as lived realities. Hinduism, for example, is not an abstract bundle of ideas but a way of life for almost a billion people. So, students in Dr. Sydnor's classes don't just learn about a religion. Instead, they encounter it both sympathetically and critically. Through lectures, discussions, readings, films, and documentaries Dr. Sydnor tries to engage his students' imaginations and make the religion come alive.

Academic Interests
Comparative Theology; Aesthetic Theory; Critical Theory; Theology of Religion; Theology of Religions; Interreligious Cognition; Liberation Theology; Feminist Theology; World Christian Theology

Ph.D., Boston College; M.Div., Th.M., Princeton Theological Seminary; B.A., University of Virginia

  • THRS2135: World Religions
  • THRS2116: Science and Religion
  • THRS2202: Hinduism
  • THRS2212: Buddhism: Beliefs and Practices
  • THRS2221: Progressive Christianity
  • THRS2154: India: Religion, Culture, Justice (travel course)
  • HONOR2405: Interreligious Ethics 
  • THRS3203: World Religions in Conflict and Dialogue

Monograph

  • The Great Open Dance: A Progressive Christian Theology. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Press of Wipf and Stock Publishers. 2024
  • Rāmānuja and Schleiermacher: Toward a Constructive Comparative Theology. Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers (Princeton Theological Monograph Series). 2011. 

Edited volume

  • Nondualism: An Interreligious Exploration. Jon Paul Sydnor, Editor. Anthony Watson, Associate Editor. Lexington Books. 2023. 

Articles and Chapters (Refereed)

  • “Dynamic Community of Joy: A Doctrine of the Trinity Based on Agapic Nondualism.”  In Nondualism: An Interreligious Exploration. Jon Paul Sydnor, Editor. Anthony Watson, Associate Editor. Lexington Press. 2023. 
  • “God in All Things: Ramanuja’s Divine Ontology for Christian Panentheism.” Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology 6:2:2023 (153-171). DOI: 10.1558/isit.19095
  • “Embodiment in the Hindu and Christian Traditions.” In Routledge Handbook of Hindu-Christian Relations. Edited by Chad Bauman and Michelle Voss Roberts. New York: Routledge. 2020.
  • “Does God have a body? Rāmānuja’s challenge to the Christian tradition.” Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies. 31:1:2018 (18-36).
  • DOI: 10.7825/2164-6279.1696
  • “God is not eternal, nor are we: On the blessedness of being in time.” Process Studies. 47:1-2:2018 (172-190). DOI: 10.5840/process2018471/210
  • “Blessed Transgression: On Serving Communion to Jews.” Journal of Interreligious Studies 22:1:2018 (64-87). http://irstudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Sydnor.pdf
  • “All is of God: Joy, Suffering, and the Interplay of Contrasts.” Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology 2:1:2018 (83-104). DOI: 10.1558/isit.32682
  • “Interformation: The Ethics of Interreligious Ritual Participation.” Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology 1:2:2017 (187-205). DOI: 10.1558/isit.33604. 
  • “What is a Person? Rāmānuja’s Vedāntic Anthropology.” Journal of Vaishnava Studies 25:1:2016 (85-98). 
  • “Rāmānuja and Schleiermacher on Scripture: An Essay in Comparative Theology.” International Journal of Hindu Studies 20:3:2016 (55-81). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s1140
  • “Christ was not an inerrantist, so Christians should not be either: How Jesus read his Bible.” Open Theology 2:2:2016 (744-758).
  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/opth-2016-0056. 
  • "The Dance of Emptiness: A Constructive Comparative Theology." In Comparative Theology: Insights for Christian Systematic Reflection. New York: Fordham University Press. 2016.
  • "Jaimini, Sankara, and the Alvars: Ramanuja's Enduring Synthesis."Journal of Vaishnava Studies 22.2:2014.
  • "Ramanuja and Schleiermacher on Language: Comparative Theology for Constructive Theology." Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies 22:1:2009 (32-38).
  • "Ramanuja's Philosophy of Divinity: From Brahman to Narayana."Journal of Vaishnava Studies 16:2:2008 (3-26).
  • "Beyond the Text: Revisiting Jacques Dupuis' Theology of Religions." International Review of Mission 96:380/381:2007 (56-71).
  • "Complementarity Reasoning in Interreligious Dialogue." Studies in Interreligious Dialogue 15:2:2005 (165-181).
  • "Shaivism's Nataraja and Picasso's Crucifixion: An Essay in Comparative Visual Theology. "Studies in Interreligious Dialogue 15:1:2005 (86-100).

Publications (Non-refereed)

  • Book review. Hagiography and Religious Truth: Case Studies in the Abrahamic and Dharmic Traditions.” Edited by San Chirico, Monge, and Smith. Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies 32:1:12 (2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.7825/2164-6279.1738.
  • Book review. Body Parts: A Theological Anthropology by Michelle Voss Roberts. Interreligious Studies and Intercultural Theology 4:1 (2020) 124–127. ISSN 2397-3471.
  • Blog. “Save the Enlightenment, Save America.” The Daily Kos. July 20, 2019. 
  • Blog. “No, Mr. Kristof, you don't have to believe in the virgin birth to be a Christian! Merry Christmas!” Daily Kos. December 25, 2018. 
  • Blog. “In the liberal arts vs. economism, the liberal arts must win.” Daily Kos. May 24th, 2018.
  • Blog. “Why online learning will never replace the college campus.” Daily Kos. May 10th, 2018. 
  • Blog. “Jesus Versus Evangelicals: Progressive Christianity 101.” Daily Kos. November 9th, 2017.
  • Essay. “Public Theology.” Theologians and Philosophers Using Social Media: Advice, Tips, and Testimonials. Edited by Thomas Jay Oord. San Diego: Sacrasage Press, 2017. 401-404. 
  • Essay. “God is not the Jealous Type.” The Uncontrolling Love of God: Essays Exploring the Love of God. Edited by Thomas Jay Oord. San Diego: Sacrasage Press, 2017. 105-108. 
  • Blog. “What do God and statistics have in common? Neither wants you to be afraid.” Daily Kos. April 14, 2017.
  • Blog. “Mr. Kristof, God loves you and Jesus is inspirational: No worries!” The Huffington Post. February 10, 2017. 
  • Book review. Tastes of the Divine: Hindu and Christian Theologies of Emotion by Michelle Voss Roberts. Anglican Theological Review 98.3.2016 (596-599).
  • Book review. Pentecostals, Proselytization, and Anti-Christian Violence in India by Chad M. Bauman. International Journal of Hindu Studies 20:3:2016. 
  • Book review. From Hagiographies to Biographies: Rāmānuja in history and tradition by Ranjeeta Dutta. The Book Review (New Delhi) 39:3:2015 (2-3). 
  • Book review. The Divine Body in History: A comparative study of the symbolism of time and embodiment in St Augustine and Ramanuja by Ankur Barua. Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies. Volume 27, article 22. 2014.
  • Essay. "Science, Religion, and the Galileo Affair." Newsletter from the Values-Based Education Program. Emmanuel College. Spring 2014.
  • Book review. Journal of Vaishnava Studies 20.2 (Spring 2012). In Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies, vol. 26, article 18. 2013.
  • Essay. "Faith and Science at Emmanuel." Newsletter from the Values-Based Education Program. Emmanuel College. Fall 2012.
  • Guest Editorial. "Jefferson's University on Path of Deterioration." The Daily Progress (Charlottesville). www2.dailyprogress.com. June 24, 2012.
  • Book review. Comparative Theology and the Problem of Religious Rivalry by Hugh Nicholson. Journal of Hindu-Christian Studies. Volume 24, article 20. 2011.
  • "Paul Tillich as Proto-Comparative Theologian." Bulletin of the North American Paul Tillich Society 35:1:2009 (19-24).
  • "Religion as Art." Dialogue and Alliance 16:2:2002 (67-88).

Presentations

  • Panelist. “Are Religions Wise? Jñāna Mārga, Gnosticism, and the Christian Wisdom Tradition.” Panel: Christianity through Hindu Categories: Christianity as Dharma, Mārga, Samprādya, Panth, Darśana. Society for Hindu-Christian Studies. American Academy of Religion Conference, San Antonio: November 21, 2023.
  • Panelist. “Where Is Home When You’re on a Pilgrimage? An Epistemology without Walls Based on Agapic Nondualism.” Panel: Dualisms and Nondualisms. Theology Without Walls. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Denver: November 18, 2022). 
  • Respondent and Organizer. “Comparative Nondualisms: Deep Relationality in an Unequal World.” Units: Comparative Theology and Open and Relational Theology. Conference: American Academy of Religion. (San Antonio, November 21, 2021). 
  • Presenter and Organizer. “What is nondualism? An interreligious debate” (Teleconference: March 20, 2021). Paper: “The Social Trinity as a Ground for Christian Nondualism.” 
  • Respondent. "The Challenge of Spirituality in a Comparative Perspective.” Units: Comparative Theology and Mysticism. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Teleconference: November 18, 2020). 
  • Panelist. “Rāmānuja’s Celebratory Panentheism: The Case for a Nondual Theological Epistemology.” Panel: Subjectivity, Emotions, and Feelings. Conference: Dharma Academy of North America at the American Academy of Religion (San Diego, November 22, 2019).
  • Panelist. “Strengthening Causes: Exploring Political Polarization and Political Apathy through the Global Urban/Rural Divide.” Emmanuel College (Boston, November 1, 2019). 
  • Lecture. “The rise of right-wing nationalism: why now?” Emmanuel College Faculty Speakers Series (Boston, September 23, 2019).
  • Panelist. “Dynamic Community of Joy: The Social Trinity in Process.” Panel: Dynamic Relationality Compared: Jewish and Christian Approaches. Conference: New England-Maritimes Region of the American Academy of Religion (Boston, March 2, 2019). 
  • Panelist. “Theology as Spiritual Journey.” Panel: Religious Belonging, SBNR, and the Task of Theology. Unit: Theology Without Walls. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Denver, November 19, 2018). 
  • Panelist. “Emergent and Progressive: Liberating Praxis in an Experimental Christian Community.” Panel: Emergent/ing Church, Millennials, and Gender. Unit: Emerging Church, Millennials, and Religion Seminar. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Denver, November 17, 2019). 
  • Conference paper. “Rāmānuja and the Varieties of Religious Experience: Exegetical Theology as Comprehensive Phenomenology.” Conference: International Seminar on Bhagavad Rāmānuja (Hyderabad, India, August 5, 2018). 
  • Panelist. “Globalization, Minoritization, and the Retreat into the Local: The Indian Case for Hope.” Panel: The Impact of Globalization, Nationalism, and Neoliberalism in India and Indian Americans. Conference: South Asian Studies Association (Los Angeles, March 24, 2018). 
  • Panelist. “What if Rāmānuja was right? On the possibility of Godhead embodiment in the Christian tradition.” Panel: Rāmānuja at 1000: The Heritage and Promise of the Study of Rāmānuja in a Christian-Hindu Comparative Theology. Unit: Comparative Theology and Society for Hindu-Christian Studies. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Boston, November 18, 2018).
  • Invited discussant. Expert Meeting: Multiple Religious Belonging. Unit: European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Boston, November 17, 2017). 
  • Panelist. “Reformation (Over)reactions and Corrections.” Panel: The Reformation at 500. (Emmanuel College, November 1, 2017). 
  • Panelist. “All is of God: Hindu Nondualism for Christian Theodicy.” Panel: Evil, Suffering, and Open Providence. Unit: Open and Relational Theologies. Conference: American Academy of Religion (San Antonio, November 21, 2016). 
  • Lecture. “Yes, you can be Progressive and Christian.” Belleville Congregational Church. (Newburyport, Massachusetts, May 11, 2016). 
  • Panelist. “The Scriptural Hermeneutic Utilized by Jesus Christ.” Panel: Open and Relational Theologies of Scripture. Unit: Open and Relational Theologies. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Atlanta, November 23, 2015). 
  • Panelist. “Phenomenological Analysis of Interreligiously Shared Monoreligious Rites.” Panel: The Liturgical Turn in Comparative Theology. Unit: Comparative Theology. Conference: American Academy of Religion (Atlanta, November 22, 2015).
  • Panelist. “Only the Particular is Universal.” Panel: Theology from the Ground Up. Conference: American Academy of Religion (New England-Maritimes Regional Conference, Boston, March 21, 2015). 
  • Panelist. "Networks of Resistance: Nagarjuna's Emptiness and Moltmann's Sociality as Resources for a Relational, Dynamic, Embodied, Egalitarian Concept of the Soul." Panel: The Divine and Human Image in Many Mirrors: Comparative Perspectives on Theological Anthropology. Conference: American Academy of Religion (San Diego, 2014).
  • "Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama: What is their appeal?" Panel: Pope Francis (The First Year). Emmanuel College, Boston. March 4, 2014.
  • Lecture. "The Dance of Emptiness: A Constructive Comparative Theology of the Social Trinity." Conference: The Promise of Pluralism. Wake Forest University. March 1, 2014.
  • Keynote Speaker. "Comparative Theology in the Bible: On the Interreligious Nature of Revelation." Engaging Particularities Conference. Boston College. March 22, 2013.
  • Speaker. "Religious Diversity in American Culture." Massachusetts Facilities Administrators Association. Fall Conference: Connecting Maintenance with Diversity. September 27, 2012.
  • Panelist. "Ritual as the Expression of Theological Commitments." Panel: Interreligious Ritual Participation: Reverence, Flippancy, or Betrayal? Conference: Society for Hindu-Christian Studies of the American Academy of Religion (Chicago, November 19, 2012).
  • Lecture. "The Dance of Emptiness: Sunyata and Perichoresis in a Constructive Comparative Theology." Center for the Study of World Religions. Harvard Divinity School. March 30, 2012.
  • Panelist. "The Beauty of Religions: Art Critical Theory for Comparative Theology." Panel: Art and Non-Textual Media as Paradigms for Comparative Theology." Conference: Comparative Theology and Art, Literature, and Religion session of the American Academy of Religion (San Francisco, November 20, 2011).
  • Section and Guest Speaker. "Social Issues in Religious Organizations." Invited by Prof. Braja Bihari Dasa. University of Wales (Lampeter). May 20, 2010 (Teleconference).
  • Conference Paper. "Transsexualism: A Christian Medical Ethical Analysis." Conference: Ethics of Sexuality/Gay and Lesbian Issues of the Society of Christian Ethics (San Jose, California, January 9, 2010).
    Panelist. "Documentaries and Films in the Online Religion Course." Panel: Online Learning? An Oxymoron? Conference: Teaching Religion Section of the American Academy of Religion (Montreal, Quebec, November 10, 2009).
  • Conference Paper. "Paul Tillich as an Advocate of Comparative Theology." Conference: North American Paul Tillich Society of the American Academy of Religion (Chicago, Illinois, October 31, 2008).
  • Panelist. "Shaivism's Nataraja and Picasso's Crucifixion: An Essay in Comparative Visual Theology." Panel: Pushing the Boundaries: Exploring New Methods and Theories in Comparative Theology. Conference: Comparative Theology Group of the American Academy of Religion (San Diego, California, November 17, 2007).
  • Conference Paper. "Comparative Theology in Abraham Kunnuthara's Schleiermacher on Christian Consciousness of God's Work in History." Conference: International Schleiermacher Society of the American Academy of Religion (San Diego, California, November 16, 2007).
  • Conference Paper. "Interreligious Dialogue for Mission." Conference: Mission Congress 2005 of the Catholic Mission Forum (Tucson, Arizona, October 13-16, 2005).
  • Panelist. "Let No One Join What God Has Put Asunder: Cognition and the Religions." Conference: Engaging Particularities: New Directions in Comparative Theology, Interreligious Dialogue, Theology of Religions, and Missiology (Boston College, April 1-3, 2005).
  • Conference Paper. "Beautiful Other: The Promise of Schleiermacher's Theology of Religion." Conference: Engaging Particularities: New Directions in Comparative Theology, Interreligious Dialogue, Theology of Religions, and Missiology (Boston College, April 4-6, 2003).
  • Respondent to Francis X. Clooney: Hindu God, Christian God: How Reason Helps Break Down the Boundaries Between Religions. Meeting: Society for Comparative Theology (Andover Newton Theological School, February 7, 2003).
  • Marion and Jasper Whiting Fellowship - 2011

Dr. Sydnor practices comparative theology, or theology which draws on more than one religious tradition. In particular, Dr. Sydnor enjoys studying Hinduism and Buddhism both in their own right and as dialogue partners with Christianity. He attempts to produce new Christian theology informed by a broadened religious conversation.