Faculty Directory

Dominic F. Doyle

Associate Professor of Systematic Theology

Profile

Dr. Dominic F. Doyle is an Associate Professor in Systematic Theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Born in London, England, he holds a B.A. in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge. After teaching literature and history at the British School in Colombo, Sri Lanka for two years, he earned an M.T.S. from Harvard Divinity School, followed by a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Boston College. His dissertation, directed by Professor Michael Buckley, S.J., was published by Crossroad and awarded a John Templeton Award for Theological Promise.

Most recently, Dr. Doyle led the STM’s “Neuroscience Education for Theological Training” grant from the Science for Seminaries program sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science / Dialogue on Science, Religion and Ethics. He is currently working on a book exploring the history of the theological virtues, tentatively entitled "Thematic Variations in Theological Virtue". A parishioner at St. Ignatius Church, Chestnut Hill, he is married with three children.

Selected Courses

  • Theological Virtues
  • Theological Anthropology
  • Grace
  • Theology of Culture
  • Seminar: Thomas Aquinas on God
  • Philosophy for Theological Studies
  • Seminar: Theology and Modernity

Selected Publications

Books

The Promise of Christian Humanism: Thomas Aquinas on Hope. Crossroad/Herder and Herder, 2012.

Articles

  • “Philosophical Pluralism and Theological Method: Richard McKeon and Bernard Lonergan in Conversation.”  In a volume of essays marking the 50th anniversary of the publication of Bernard Lonegan’s Method in Theology (under review with Marquette University Press).
  • “From Image to Indwelling: Aquinas’ Theological Anthropology.” In T & T Clark Handbook of Theological Anthropology, eds. Mary Ann Hinsdale and Stephen Okey. (New York, NY: T&T Clark, Bloomsbury Publishing Co., 2021), 173-182.
  • “Is Charity the Holy Spirit? The Development of Aquinas’ Disagreement with Lombard.” In Thomas Aquinas: Questions on Love and Charity, ed. Robert Miner (Yale University Press, “Rethinking the Western Tradition” Series, 2016), 313–335.
  • “The Mystagogic Structure of Anselm’s Proslogion.” Heythrop Journal, 57/2 (March, 2016), 282–92.
  • “‘A Future, Difficult, Yet Possible Good’: Defining Christian Hope.” In Christian Hope: Promise, Possibility,and Fulfillment, eds. Richard Lennan and Nancy Pineda-Madrid (Paulist Press, 2013), 16–27.
  • “Thomas Aquinas, John of the Cross, and Karl Rahner on Hope.” Irish Theological Quarterly, 77/1 (February, 2012), 18–36.
  • “From Triadic to Dyadic Soul: a Genetic Study of John of the Cross on the Anthropological Basis of Hope.” Studies in Spirituality, vol. 21 (2011), 219–241.
  • “Post-traumatic Ecclesiology and the Restoration of Hope.” Theological Studies 72/2 (June 2011): 275–95.
  • “On Spe salvi: A Thomistic Critique of an Augustinian Encyclical.” Theological Studies 71/2 (June, 2010): 350–79.
  • “Nicholas Boyle’s Who Are We Now? Christian Humanism and the Global Market from Hegel to Heaney: an appraisal by a systematic theologian.” Review Essay in Heythrop Journal, vol. 45/2 (April 2004): 233–42.

Select Appointments, Awards, & Grants

  • Project Leader for “Neuroscience Education for Theological Training” grant at BC STM. Science for Seminaries program sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science / Dialogue on Science, Religion and Ethics (AAAS/DoSER) for core course revisions, conferences, supporting student initiatives in science and religion. $75,000 (2021-22)
  • International Essay Competition on the Influence of Science on Vocation & Ministry. Re-engaging Science and Theology in Seminary Formation, John Templeton Foundation Grant. 1st prize $1,000 (2017).
  • Science for Seminaries Catholic/Orthodox Faculty Enrichment Retreat. Hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program, in consultation with the Association of Theological Schools. $1,000 stipend (2016).
  • Analytic Theology Course Award, supported by the John Templeton Foundation, the University of Notre Dame and its Center for Philosophy of Religion. $5,000 personal award + $10,000 institutional award (2011).
  • Institute Associate, Generations in Dialogue Program, Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California, with Prof. Bernard McGinn. $4,000 stipend (2011–12). 
  • John Templeton Award for Theological Promise, one of “twelve post-doctoral scholars from all over the world … for the best doctoral dissertation or first post-doctoral book related to the topic ‘God and Spirituality.’” $10,000 prize + $10,000 travel grant (2010).
  • Wabash Center, Teaching and Learning Workshop for Pre-Tenure Theological School Faculty. $3,000 stipend + $5,000 fellowship (2010–11).
  • Catherine Mowry LaCugna Award to New Scholars, “for the best academic essay in the field of theology within the Roman Catholic tradition,” Catholic Theological Society of America. $750 (2008).

Professional Activities

Reviewed: book manuscripts for major publishers, such as Oxford University Press, University of Notre Dame Press; book proposal for Yale University Press, and articles for Harvard Theological Review, Theological Studies, Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics, Heythrop Journal, Teaching Theology and Religion, Horizons, Journal of the American Academy of Religion.