FACULTY PROFILE

George C. Heider, Associate Professor of Theology

Chair, Department of Theology

Huegli Hall - Room 328
(219) 464-5303
George.Heider@valpo.edu


Biography

After nearly twenty years devoted to senior academic administration, I have turned my attention in the past four years at Valpo to re-engagement with the vocation of teacher/scholar.  I find that my interests have broadened from the technical scholarly issues that one focuses on early in one’s academic career to broader matters, such as the application of biblical scholarship to the life of the church and meaningful conversation among people of various religious traditions and convictions.  Nevertheless, I retain a particular passion for the canonical Scriptures of the Old Testament and find especial satisfaction in introducing students to the “old story” and, in the words of one of my own teachers, in turning their texts like a jewel, until they shine with particular brilliance. 

Somewhere on the border between pastoral vocation and avocation, I retain a special interest in worship leadership and preaching and engage regularly in both, both on campus and off.

Education

B.A. - Concordia Senior College (Ft. Wayne, IN) 1975
M.Div. - Concordia Theological Seminary (St. Louis, MO) 1979
M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. - Yale University 1980; 1982; 1984

Courses Taught

  • The Christian Tradition (THEO 200)
  • Understanding the Old Testament (THEO 311/511)
  • Topics in Biblical Studies (THEO 319/519)
  • The Pentateuch (THEO 314/514) 
  • Biblical Hebrew (FLH 101-102, 495)
  • CORE: The Human Experience

Research Interests

Biblical Studies and Hebrew Language

Professional Affiliations

  • Catholic Biblical Association
  • Chicago Society of Biblical Research
  • Society of Biblical Literature