Dr. L. Patrick Burrows is an American academic and scholar specializing in Christian theology and ethics. He is recognized for his interdisciplinary research that explores the intersection of Christian thought with contemporary social issues, particularly through the lens of critical theories concerning gender, sexuality, and race. He currently serves as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion at Berea College.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | L. Patrick Burrows |
| Current Position | Visiting Assistant Professor of Religion, Berea College |
| Key Academic Field | Christian Theology and Ethics, Queer and Feminist Theory, Critical Theory |
| Primary Research Focus | The interplay of Christian theology and place, especially in the American South. |
| Doctorate | Th.D. (Theology), Harvard University (2021) |
| Other Degrees | M.Div., Yale University (2014); B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2010) |
| Upcoming Book | Theology in Place: Christianity, Geography, and the American South (Fordham University Press, expected 2026) |
Educational Background and Academic Trajectory
Dr. Burrows’s intellectual path is rooted in a diverse range of theological and humanities studies at highly distinguished institutions:
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Undergraduate Studies: He earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with highest distinction from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010, majoring in Linguistics and French.
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Theological Foundation: He went on to earn a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Yale University in 2014.
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Doctoral Work: He completed his rigorous theological training at Harvard University, receiving his Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) degree in 2021.
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Teaching Experience: Prior to joining Berea College, he was an Instructor of Humanities at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, teaching courses that spanned American studies, Southern studies, and the study of religion.
Research and Interdisciplinary Focus
Dr. Burrows’s scholarship is dedicated to making historical Christian reflection relevant to contemporary ethical and social challenges.
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Queer and Feminist Thought: A significant portion of his research involves engaging Christian theology with queer and feminist theory, particularly in the realms of sexual ethics and relationality.
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Theology in Place: His forthcoming first monograph, Theology in Place: Christianity, Geography, and the American South, establishes a methodology for analyzing how Christian theology both forms and is formed by the places where it is practiced, using the lived spaces of Southern religion as his main case study.
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Other Interests: His wider academic interests include sacramental theology, philosophical and religious reflections on crisis, and the aesthetics of “dazzlement.”
Teaching and Community Engagement
At Berea College, Dr. Burrows teaches courses covering a wide spectrum of religion and ethics, including:
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Christian Ethics
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Sexual Ethics
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Queer Theologies and Religions
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General interdisciplinary humanities courses
Beyond academia, his professional experience includes prior work in community organizing and nonprofit administration in Boston, and in refugee resettlement case management in New Haven, Connecticut.