Professor | Department Chair

Lisa Powell, PhD

Lisa D. Powell, Ph.D. is a professor of Theology in the College of Arts and Sciences. Powell is the author of The Disabled God Revisited: Trinity, Christology, and Liberation (2023). With a PhD in Systematic Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, Powell has research interests in Systematic Theology and Christian Ethics; Liberation theologies; Disability theology.

Prof. Powell's teaching and research in theology and ethics consider the contribution of non-dominant communities on the development of Christian thought and action. Her courses focus on liberation theologies including feminist, Black, Latinx, Queer, post-colonial, and disability perspectives.

Prof. Powell has several leadership roles on campus, including Director of the Women and Gender Studies program and Curriculum Coordinator for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

She is co-chair of the Disability Ethics Interest Group with the Society of Christian Ethics.

In her personal life, Prof. Powell enjoys camping with her family, learning to ski, and meandering walks with their 100-pound rescue pup, Hero.

Contact Us

Contact Lisa Powell for information on Theology

Christ the King Chapel 105

563-333-6045

PowellLisaD@sau.edu

Education and Training

PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary
MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary
BA, Point Loma Nazarene University, Literature

Areas of Professional Interest

Liberation Theology
Disability Theology
Feminist and Queer Theology
Theology and race

Recent Publications

The Disabled God Revisited: Trinity, Christology, and Liberation. T&T Clark, 2023.
Inconclusive Theologies: Sor Juana, Kierkegaard, and Theological Discourse, Mercer: Mercer University Press, 2013.
"Covenant Ontology and Disability" in Karl Barth and Liberation Theology eds. Kait Dugan and Paul Jones, T&T Clark, 2023.
"Resurrection and Queer Identity," in The Routledge Companion to Christian Ethics, eds. Stephen Long and Rebekah Miles. Routledge, 2022.
"Exhibitionary Commerce, The Construction of Whiteness, and the Theological Sideshow," Theology Today, 78.2 (2021) 140-157.
"Disability and Resurrection: Eschatological Bodies, Identity, and Continuity," Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics 41.1 (Spring/Summer 2021).
"The Infertile Womb of God: Ableism in Feminist Doctrine of God," CrossCurrents Journal 64 No. 1 (2015): 116-38.
"Sor Juana's Critique of Theological Arrogance," The Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion 27 No. 2 (2011).

Presentations

Invited Keynote Lectures
- “Gift exchange: Kenotic Christology, Doctrine, and Disability,” Christ Church College Annual Lecture, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, to be delivered in September 2024.
- “How can God be disabled? A Trinitarian Response” Annual Wilmot Lecture, St. John’s College, Canada, October 2024.
- “The Disabled God: Legacy and Promise,” Institute on Theology and Disability, June 2024.
  “Feminist Crip Christology,” Annual Liberal Arts Lecture, St. Ambrose University, April 2021
Respondent to the panel on The Disabled God Revisited, co-sponsored by the Christian Systematic
Theology Unit and Religion and Disability Studies Unit to be presented at the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, November, 2024.
“The Incarnation and Mary’s Humanity? A Response to McCormack’s The Eternal Humility of the Son,” invited panel presentation on McCormack’s book for the Christian Systematic Theology Unit at the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, November, 2023.
Paper on the complications of writing from women’s experience in theology and religion, organized by the
Women’s Caucus of AAR/SBL and Feminist Liberation Theologians Network, November 2023.
“Punishment and Salvation: Prison Abolition and Barth’s Just Judge,” presented at the 2023 Karl Barth Conference, June 2023.“The ‘Wild Mystic’ Angela Canonized by Francis,” presented at the Francis at 10 Conference, St. Ambrose University, March 2023.
Ecoableism: Environmentalists and Disability,” presented at the Society of Christian Ethics Annual Meeting, January 2022.
“Queer Crip Christology,” presented for the Religion and Disability Studies Unit at the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, November 2020.
“The Resurrection of the Body and Disability,” presented at the Society of Christian Ethics Annual Meeting, Washington DC, January 2020.
“The Exhibition of Humans, The Construction of Whiteness, and The Theological Sideshow,” presented at the American Academy of Religion Annual Meeting, San Diego, November 2019.

Courses Taught

Just Theology

Designed as a student's first theology course, "Just Theology" introduces Christian scripture and theological disciplines through the lens of justice. It will focus on the relationship between God and just action in the world as emphasized in the mission of St. Ambrose University. Highlights contributions to the Catholic Intellectual Tradition from racial and ethnic minorities, women and global voices.

Introduction to Christian Faith

An introduction to the methods and content of systematic theology, the division of theology that has to do with doctrine and its significance for Christian life. Explore central teachings of Christianity, how they have developed, and how they are being discussed today.

Racial Justice and the Christian Faith

Consider the Christian religion from the perspective of races typically underrepresented in Christian theology. Also considers the history of racism and colonialism/imperialism in Christianity, especially in the U.S. context.

Jesus & Mary in Christian Traditions

This course will draw from scripture and ancient sources related to the lives of Jesus and Mary to investigate the development of Christian belief about the meaning of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, as well as the significance of Marian doctrines in this history. The class will also consider contemporary interpretations of Jesus and Mary

Theologies of Liberation

Explores the development of liberation theology in the U.S. and globally. Includes recent contributions in areas such as Black, Queer, post-colonial, Latinx, and feminist theologies.

Theology, Sex, and Gender

This course explores the role Christianity has played in the construction of gender, examines feminist interpretation of biblical and theological texts from diverse global contexts, and engages contemporary work in LGBTQ studies and Christianity, also called Queer Theology.

Disability Ethics and Theology

Provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of disability studies through Christian Ethics and Theology. Draws from film, podcasts, autobiography and text.

Theory and Praxis

This course provides an in-depth study of contemporary theory and methodologies including: feminist theories, crip theory, queer theory, and critical race theory. Directly links these theoretical frameworks with the justice movements associated with the communities and activism that spurred the theory developed alongside them. Students will serve hours in a practicum placement, putting theory into practice and will reflect on the relationship between theory and praxis.