John David Penniman
jpenniman@fordham.edu
M.T.S. - Emory University
B.A. - Elon University
CV at Academia.edu
John Penniman received his BA in Religious Studies from Elon University in North Carolina where he wrote his senior thesis on the political theology of St. Augustine. This project was the impetus for John's graduate work in Historical Theology at Emory University's Candler School of Theology. While at Emory, John worked with Lewis Ayres on Patristic theology in general and the development of Augustine’s theology specifically. He also studied Ancient ascetic and contemplative practices with Richard Valantasis. His MTS thesis explored the form and function of sorrow within the Bishop of Hippo’s interpretation of the Psalms of Ascent. At Fordham, John's interests have shifted towards the reception of Classical ideals within early Christian thought and practice. In a current project, John is exploring both the ancient backgrounds to and Christian reception of biological metaphors for moral/intellectual development. One major facet of this project will emphasize the significance of 1 Corinthians 3 (and the paradigmatic trope of moving from milk to solid food) as a foundational text for the construction of a Christian alternative to Greek paideia. In addition to his research, John has taught courses such as Early Christian Writings and Faith and Critical Reason to Fordham undergraduate students.
Research Interests: History of Late Antiquity, Reception of Classical Thought in Early Christianity, Development of Christian Doctrine, Roman Imperial Ideology and Christian Rhetoric, Contemporary Critical Theory (esp. Pierre Bourdieu and Judith Butler), Medieval Reception of Patristic Thought, Modern and Ancient Historiography
