Niagara Peace & Dialogue Awards 2008

Outstanding Fethullah Gulen Award

Paul Parker

Chairperson and Professor, Department of Theology and Religion

Elmhurst College

Paul Parker has taught at Elmhurst College since 1987. His area of specialization is Christian theological ethics, but he teaches broadly in such areas as social ethics, sex ethics, economic justice, biblical literature, comparative religions, religions of India, religions of west Asia, and religion in America. Mr. Parker regularly leads students overseas for month long courses to study religion in India, Turkey, and Jordan.

After a little good natured prodding by some of his Muslim students some years ago, Professor Parker began to develop a deeper understanding of Islam and American Muslims–and this began his journey as a passionate advocate for interreligious relationships. He has given public lectures on different aspects of Islamic mysticism at universities such as Columbia and Carnegie Mellon; published articles on prayer, suffering, and God; and edited two books–one on poverty and Christian responsibility and the other on the Holocaust. He is currently doing research on two projects: the moral influence of the religious experience of Jews, Christians, and Muslims in Israel and Palestine; and the six religions of modern Israel.

He holds the Baltzer Distinguished Chair of Theology and Religion and is a past President and current Secretary of the American Theological Society (Midwest Branch).