Close Menu
Susan A . Calef, BA, PhD

Assistant Professor

Contact

College of Arts and Sciences
Theology
DHHC - Dowling Hall/Humanities Center - 125

Susan A . Calef, BA, PhD

Assistant Professor

Teaching Interests

  • New Testament & Christian origins

Research Focus

Narrative Criticism of the Gospels; Feminist Hermeneutics; Bible in Public Discourse; Biblical Spirituality; Early Christian Social History: the Body in Christian Self-Definition;  The Legacy of Paul in the First – Third Centuries (Acts of Paul & Thecla)

Department

Theology

Position

Assistant Professor

Books

  • "By Grit and Grace: Women and the Early Christian Frontier"
    in M.G. Lawler & G. S. Risch, Practical Theology: Perspectives from the Plains (2000), p. 78-103 2018
  • "The Radicalism of Jesus the Prophet: Implications for Christian Family"
    Todd Salzman et al., eds., Marriage in the Catholic Tradition. Scripture, Tradition, and Experience (2004), p. 53-65 2018
  • "The Shape of Family and Family Values: 'The Bible Tells Us So,' or Does It?"
    R. Simkins and G. Risch, Religion and the Family (2008), p. 223-246 2018
  • "Women in the New Testament"
    in R. Miller, ed., Women and the Shaping of Catholicism (2008), p. 12-37 2018
  • Oxford University Press
    'Reading Guide to the Gospel of Mark,' for the Catholic Study Bible, Third Edition
    Oxford University Press, 2016, p. RG 428-442 2015
  • Anselm Academic Press
    'Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels,' Anselm Companion to the Bible, ed., Corinne L. Carvalho. Winona, MN (2014), p. 309-319 2014
  • Orbis Press
    'Taking Up the Cross: Suffering and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark,' in Richard Miller, ed., Suffering and the Christian Life. Maryknoll, NY , p. 49-79 2013
  • Anselm Academic Press
    “Introduction to the Gospels,” in Anselm Academic Study Bible. Winona, MN: , p. 1549-1554 2013
  • Holiness and the Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie (
    'The One Sent: Mary Magdalene and Jesus, the Christ' (a reflection on artist Janet McKenzie's painting), p. 102-106 2009
  • Prayer and the Catholic Tradition
    Prayer in the New Testament
    in R. Miller, ed., Prayer in the Catholic Tradition, p. 18-40 2007
  • Thecla 'tried and true' and the inversion of romance
    Amy-Jill Levine, ed., A Feminist Companion to the New Testament Apocrypha, p. 163-185 2006

Articles

  • Horizons
    Review of Embracing the Human Jesus: A Wisdom Path for Contemporary Christianity. By David Galston. Salem, OR: Polebridge, 2012.
    41, p. 397-399 2014
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    ' 'Prophet Margins' in the Economy of Salvation: Having, Being, and Doing in the Gospel of Luke'
    Journal of Religion & Society, Supplment Series 10, p. 106-131 2014
  • Liguorian
    “Coming to a Parish Near You: John’s Good News"
    March 2011, p. 23-26 2011
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    'Charting New Territory: Religion and 'the Gender-Critical Turn'
    5, p. 1-5 2009
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    'Kephale, coverings, and cosmology: the impenetrable 'logic' of 1 Corinthians 11:2-16'
    5, p. 21-44 2009
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    editor, Women, Gender, & Religion
    Journal of Religion and Society, Supplement Series 5 2009
  • Journal of Religion & Society
    'Charting New Territory: Religion and 'the Gender-Critical Turn', p. 1-5 2009
  • Catholic Biblical Quarterly
    review of G. Aichele & R. Walsh, eds., Those Outside: Noncanonical Readings of Canonical Gospels
    69, p. 847-849 2007
  • Liguorian
    Coming To A Parish Near You: Luke's Good News
    December 2016, p. 8-12 2006
  • Theological Studies
    review of Bruce Winter, Roman Wives, Roman Widows: The Appearance of New Women and the Pauline Communities
    66, p. 930-931 2005
  • "Introduction to the Synoptic Gospels and Acts of the Apostles"
    in C. Carvalho, ed., Anselm Companion to the New Testament (2014), p. 189-199

Publications

  • Dictionary entry: "Acts of Paul and Thecla"
    New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 5 (2009), p. 550 2018
  • Dictionary entry: "Acts of Paul"
    New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol 4 (2009), p. 402-403 2018
  • Liguorian
    "The Real Mary Magdalene: Replacing Fiction With Fact"
    October 2004, p. 22-26 2018
  • “The Real Mary Magdalene.” The New Freeman (St. John, New Brunswick, Canada)
    May 27, 2005 , p. 13-15 2018
  • "The Mary Magdalene of The DaVinci Code: Fact or Fiction?"
    Creighton University Magazine , Summer 2006, p. 15-21
  • “The Mary Magdalene of The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction?” The Leaven (Kansas City, Kansas)  
    November 26, 2004 , p. 8-9

Editing and Reviews

  • review of Klaus Berger, Identity and Experience in the New Testament
    Journal of Religion and Society 7 (2005). 2018
  • review of Satoko Yamaguchi, Mary and Martha. Women in the World of Jesus
    Theological Studies 64 (2003) , p. 658-659 2018
  • review of John L. White, The Apostle of God. Paul and the Promise of Abraham.
    Theological Studies 62 (2001) , p. 610-611 2018
  • review of Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Rhetoric and Ethic. The Politics of Biblical Studies.
    The Journal of Religion 81 (2001) , p. 278-280 2018
  • Theological Studies
    Review of Laurel K. Cobb, Mark and Empire. Feminist Reflections.
    76, no. 3, p. 634 2015
  • Horizons
    review of Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, Democratizing Biblical Studies: Toward an Emancipatory Educational Space, p. 370-371 2010
  • review of Gregory W. Dawes (ed.), The Historical Jesus Quest. Landmarks in the Search for the Jesus of History.
    Journal of Religion and Society 3 (2001)
  • review of John G. Gager, Reinventing Paul
    Theological Studies 62 (2001), p. 201-202
  • review of John J. Pilch, Healing in the New Testament. Insights from Medical and Mediterranean Anthropology
    Theological Studies 61 (2000) , p. 788-789
  • review of Halvor Moxnes (ed.), Constructing Early Christian Families as Social Reality and Metaphor
    The Journal of Religion 80 (2000) , p. 120-22
  • review of Margaret Y. MacDonald, Early Christian Women and Pagan Opinion: The Power of the Hysterical Woman
    The Journal of Religion 78 (1998) , p. 621-22

General

  • review of Robert Jewett, Saint Paul Returns to the Movies: Triumph Over Shame.
    Journal of Religion and Society 2 (2000)

Presentations

  • "'So be it . . .': Gender, Family, and Sacrificial Theology Envisioned in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ." Religion and the Visual Symposium: Exploring the Visual Communication of the Sacred. 2015
  • "Hearts Burning Within: Scripture, Story, and Spirit-Life," fifteen lectures, Summer Festival of Learning, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Eastern American Province, Sag Harbor, NY, July 6-11, 2014. 2014
  • "Suffering in the Gospel of Mark: Reflections for the Lenten Journey," Campus Ministry Lenten Lunch Series, Creighton University 2014
  • "The Bible in Public Discourse and Theological Reflection on War and Violence." Guest lecture in JPS/THL 588. 2013
  • "Discipleship for the Reign of God: Being Body of Christ in the Contemporary Context," Staff Retreat, St. Wenceslaus Parish, Omaha, NE. 2013
  • "The Passion in Scripture and Cinema: Teaching Critical Attention to Gender." College Theology Society 2013
  • "Faith, Spirituality, Health, and Healing: The Research Findings." Guest lecture in WGS/SRP/COMM 477. 2013
  • Center for Health Policy and Ethics: "Day Away, Women Who Rock." 2013
  • "Jesus as Prophet Mighty in Word and Deed: Reflections on Prophetic Ministry for the Contemporary Context," a series of lectures, Academy of Spiritual Formation, United Methodist Nebraska Conference, St. Benedict Spirituality Center, Schuyer, NE. 2013
  • "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?" Good Friday Service, Kountze Memorial Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE. 2013
  • "'Profit Margins' and the Lukan Economy of Salvation: An Analysis of Being, Having, and Doing in the Gospel of Luke." Kripke Center Symposium on the Bible, the Economy, and the Poor. 2013
  • "Early Christian Table Fellowship in Socio-Cultural Context." Guest lecture ion SRP 455. 2013
  • "Women Living Prayer: A Morning of Reflection," West Hills Church, Omaha, NE. 2012
  • "A Prophet Might in Word and Deed: The Lukan Jesus as Model for Prophetic Ministry," Theological Education Workshop, Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, Tarrytown, NY, September 28-29, 2012. 2012
  • "Discipleship for the Reign of God: Reflections on Being Body of Christ in Today's World," Ministerial Staff Retreat, St. Vincent DePaul and St. James Parishes, Knowles Mercy Spirituality Center, Waterloo, NE. 2011
  • "Taking Up Your Cross: Suffering and Discipleship in the Gospel of Mark." Conference on the Church in the 21st Century, Kansas City, Missouri. 2011
  • "Women and the Word," lecture and table talk, Knowles Mercy Spirituality Center, Waterloo, NE. 2011
  • "Women Living Prayer: A Morning of Reflection," St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and St. James Parishes' Tenth-Annual Women's Day of Reflection, Omaha, NE. 2011
  • "The Genesis of 'authority' (exousia) on her head' (1 Corinthians 11:10). AAR-SBL-ASOR Rocky Mountains Great Plains Region Annual Conference, 2010. 2010

Other

  • Kripke Center for the Study of Religion and Society Grant

Awards

  • Excellence in Teaching Award
    Delta Zeta Sorority
  • Volunteer of the Year
    Nebraska Humane Society
  • Outstanding Faculty Award
    Gamma Phi Beta Sorority
  • Mary Lucretia and Sarah Emily Creighton Award
    Creighton University

Consulting

  • Consultant
    External expert
    Consultant for graduate project on feminist theology
    UNO graduate student Kani Rubango
    2014
};