Susan M. Calef, MA, PhD

Assistant Professor

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Contact

SUSANCALEF@creighton.edu
College of Arts and Sciences
Theology

Susan M. Calef, MA, PhD

Assistant Professor

After majoring in Philosophy as an undergraduate, Susan M. Calef earned an M.A. in Theology (concentration in Biblical Literature and Languages) from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago), which included studies in Greece, Turkey, Israel, and Egypt; then a second M.A. and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Early Christianity in the Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity program at the University of Notre Dame. She has taught New Testament courses for both undergraduate and graduate students and for Creighton’s Christian Spirituality Program as well as courses for local parishes and the archdiocesan deacons. Her administrative roles have included service as the Director of Graduate Studies in Theology and Director of the Women's and Gender Studies Program.

Prior to doctoral studies Dr. Calef worked in various ministries in both urban and rural settings: tutoring young men diverted from incarceration to a Job Corps Program in southwest Virginia; social service work with runaway teens at Covenant House and 'shopping bag' ladies in New York; tutoring and recreational work with inner city children in the South Bronx; house-mothering for pregnant teens; social justice advocacy at a center for justice and peace; pastoral and social ministry in Colorado and Southwest Virginia; teaching religion, coaching, and retreat work in Catholic schools. These experiences inform the 'lenses' through which she sees the world and are the basis of her commitment to study the Gospels' transformative potential for a more just world, including a more just economic system.

Dr. Calef's regular course offerings include a course designed for future healthcare professionals and others whose profession will address human suffering; another on gender, economy, and violence in biblical traditions; an upper-division course on Bible, Spirituality, & American Public Life which, in its focus on the intersection of race, gender, and economics, explores the ways in which a biblical spirituality can contribute to a 'Spirited citizenship' that attends to racialized and gendered economic disparities. Her upper division course on Women and the Bible highlights women’s insights into the meanings of biblical texts and the impact of biblical texts on women's lives.

Initially, Dr. Calef's scholarship focused on gender in biblical traditions and in early Christianity, including reconstruction of the roles of women in Jesus' reign of God movement and in the earliest communities of Jesus-believers. Her primary interest in this work was Mary Magdalene, the women in Pauline communities, and the figure of Thecla in the apocryphal Acts of Paul and Thecla. Her publications also include a study of Paul's argument for women's head coverings in 1 Cor. 11:2-16 as well as a critical analysis of the roles of Genesis and Pauline texts in the biblical construction of “authority” as a masculine prerogative. In recent years, due to her interest in the Scripture as a source of theology and spirituality, Dr. Calef has turned her attention to the Gospels, publishing primarily on Mark and Luke, including a Reading Guide on the Gospel of Mark for the Catholic Study Bible. Reflective of her primary interest in biblical spirituality, her current projects - Cross Connections for a World in Denial and Word Made Flesh: Toward an Incarnational Spirituality - share the fruit of her teaching in the Christian Spirituality Program. Both projects include attention to the signs of the times, the impact of the current political economy, and the urgent need for ministries of hope.

Dr. Calef speaks to church and women’s groups on biblical topics and gives Scripture-based retreats and days of recollection. She is especially interested in identifying each Gospel’s transformative potential for life in the world, including their implications for our shared public life and a Spirited citizenship.

Teaching Interests

  • New Testament & Christian origins

Research Focus

Narrative Criticism of the Gospels; the Gospels as Source of Theology, Spirituality, and Catholic Social Teaching; Incarnational Spirituality; the Bible in American Public Life; Cross Connections in Biblical Traditions


Department

Theology

Position

Assistant Professor

Articles

  • "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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Liguorian
    “Coming to a Parish Near You: John’s Good News"
    March 2011, p. 23-26 2011
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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