Research Interests: Northrop Frye’s interpretation of language, especially the religious language of myth and metaphor; question of faith and reason as it pertains to ethics, philosophy, science, and literature. 

Short Biography
I began my academic training at Wilfrid Laurier University. It was there that I stumbled upon the idea that religion was a conduit through which modern Western civilization could be approached. In my case, I was interested in how Christianity, for the longest time the dominant source for metaphors, imagery, morality, music, etc., in our society, could now be viewed by so many as ineffectual and meaningless. As I bumbled my way through elective courses in history, philosophy, literature, and required courses in religion, I realized that in order to understand this question of “secularization,” traditional academic boundaries had to be crossed. Secularization is not only a religious question, but had implications in historical events, philosophical ideas, and is reflected in literature and art as well.

When I began reading the works of Northrop Frye, I believed that I had my first real clues as to how to approach such a vast topic. Frye’s interpretation of language, especially the religious language of myth and metaphor, partially explained modernity's endeavour to replace religion with science and rationality. We have inherited the Enlightenment’s false conception of religious language. Drawing off the work of Vico, Frye argued that conflicts between science/rationality and religion only occur when mythological language is (mis)interpreted as descriptive.

I have been a full-time member of the Religious Studies Department at The University of Prince Edward Island since completing my Ph.D. in 2002, and serve as the current Chair.  In 2004, I created the Centre for Christianity and Culture (and still serve as the Founding Director), and in 2008 I was appointed as UPEI's first Director responsible for Student Engagement and Retention.

My teaching and research areas have expanded to include the question of faith and reason as it pertains to ethics, philosophy, science, and literature. I have the privilege of spending my days and nights teaching and writing on the “big” questions of faith, God, and human existence and meaning.

In my spare moments, I enjoy reconnecting with my friends over a few beers (or scotch), and some good conversation.

Please feel free to drop me a line if you have any questions.