Prof. Dr. Patrick Becker

• Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Würzburg Theological Distance Course
• Member of the accreditation commission of the accreditation agency AKAST
• Expert report ("agency reviewer") of the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR)

• Escola International de Filosofia Intercultural E-Barcelona (founding member)
• European Academy of Religion
• European Society for Catholic Theology
• Network Theology and University Didactics
• Society for the Study of Theology

Monographs

1. Beyond Fundamentalism and Arbitrariness. On a Christian understanding of truth in (post-)modern society, Freiburg (Herder) 2017. Reviews in: Theologische Literaturzeitung 2018/11, sp. 1168-1169; Herder Correspondence 10/2017, 53.
2. No place for God? Theology in the Age of Natural Sciences, Regensburg (Pustet) 2009; reviews in: Christ in der Gegenwart 42/2009, 471: "important factual contribution"; ekz ID 52/09; Bücherboard Graz 4/2009; Theologisch-Praktische Quartalschrift 158 (2010), 420; ThRv 109 (2013), sp. 151; Beuroner Forum 8/9 (2016/2017), 283.
3. In the consciousness trap? Mind and Brain in the Discussion of Theology, Philosophy and Natural Sciences, Göttingen (V&R) 2009; reviews in: ESSSAT News 19.3 (2009), "a book that should not be on the shelf, but right in front of you, on the table within reach" (Hans C. Mohl), 16; Estudio Augustiniano 44 (2009), 533-534; ThRv 106 (2010), sp. 405-407; Evangelium und Wissenschaft 33 (2012); translated into Croatian by Mijo Nikić and Danijel Tolvajčić: U stupici svijesti? Duh i mozak u raspravi teologije, filozofije i prirodnih znanosti, Zagreb 2015.
4. smaller monograph together with Ulrich Lüke: Teaching Letter Natural Science and Theology of the  Würzburger theologischen Fernkurses, Würzburg 2014.

Editorial

1. together with Knut V.M. Wormstädt: "Development" as Paradigm. Reflections on sustainable international cooperation, Bielefeld (transcript) 2023.
2. together with Christina Kumpmann: Habitus formation in the study entry phase. Reflections on a hybrid model [Theologie und Hochschuldidaktik 12], Münster (Lit) 2021.
3. together with Steffen Jöris and Annette Meuthrath: The soul. On the genesis, topicality and diversity of a forgotten concept [Quaestiones disputatae 318], Freiburg (Herder) 2021.
4. Gustave Martelet: Resurrection, Eucharist, and the Becoming of Man. Der Glaube an Christus [Faith in Christ], ed. and imported by Patrick Becker, translated by Mechtildis Hofmann, Paderborn (BRILL/Ferdinand Schöningh) 2020.
5. together with Andreas Herrler and Steffen Jöris: Problem Based Learning (PBL) in Theology. Experiences from practice and ideas for implementation, Münster (Lit) 2020.
6. together with Jörg Fündling, Guido Meyer, Simone Paganini and Axel Siegemund: Introduction to Theology. Aachen Perspectives, Aachen (Shaker) 2018; 2nd expanded edition 2019.
7. together with Christiane Heinrich: Theonomic Anthropology? Christian Images of Humans and Humanity, Freiburg (Herder) 2016.
8. together with Ursula Diewald: The Future of Religion and Church in Germany. Perspectives and forecasts, Freiburg (Herder) 2014; reviews in: Publik Forum 16/2014, 56; Pastoralblätter 11/2014, 884 f; Theologische Literaturzeitung 141 (2016), 557 f.
9. together with Ursula Diewald: Zukunftsperspektiven im theologischnaturwissenschaftlichen Dialog/Prospects of the Dialogue Between Theology and Natural Science, Göttingen (V&R) 2011; reviews in: Theo-Web 10 (2011), 463-4; Concordia 61 (2012), 91-95: "important reference work" (Thomas Fornet-Ponse).
10. Academic reform in theology, Münster (Lit) 2011; reviews in: Theologische Literaturzeitung 136 (2011), sp. 1007-1008; Ordenskorrespondenz 52 (2011), 505-506.
11. together with Stephan Mokry: Youth today - Church today?, Würzburg (Echter) 2010. review in: Stimmen der Zeit 229 (2011), 719-720.
12. together with Birgitta Kleinschwärzer-Meister and Miriam Rose: Thinking the social how? The Future of the Welfare State in Interdisciplinary Discussion, Münster (Lit) 2007.
13. together with Georg Pelzer: Career opportunities for theologians, Freiburg (Herder) 2006; 2nd completely revised and updated edition January 2012; reviews in: Theologische Revue 104 (2008), Theologie der Gegenwart 50 (2007), and Publik Forum (3/2007).
14. together with Thomas Gerold: Theology at the University. A location determination, Münster (Lit) 2005.

Series Editions

1. together with Claudia Jahnel: Global Religion - Religion global, Paderborn (BRILL).
2. together with Axel Siegemund: Technik und Religion - Technology and Religion, BadenBaden (Nomos).

Contributions from 2015

1. in press: Relativizing Experiences as a Starting Point for Religious Education, in: Christian Masrourchehr/Marie Meyer/Christian Ratzke (eds.): Bild - Bildnis - Bildung. Religious Education Explorations, forthcoming. Münster/New York 2024.
2. in press: Towards a European Culture-Sensitive Theology, forthcoming. HAPAG Journal of St. Vincent School 2023.
3. in press: The Understanding of Scripture in Religious Fundamentalism, in: Pierre Van Hecke (ed.): The Soul of Theology. On the Role of the Study of Scripture in Theology, forthcoming. Leuven 2023.
4. From the Eternal Soul to the Infinite Spirit. Beyond Loss and Technical Progress, in: Ludger Jansen/Rebekka Klein (eds.): Seele digital. Mind Uploading, Virtual Consciousness and Hope for Resurrection, Regensburg 2022, 109-126.
5. together with Elmar Nass: The Social Danger of Christian Fundamentalism. Plea for a Coalition of Church and Secular Society, in: Rajendra Baikady/S. Sajid/Voroshini Nadesan/Jaroslaw Przeperski/M. Rezaul Islam/Jiangou Gao (eds.): The Palgrave Handbook of Global Social Change, online 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-87624-1_136-1.
6. The Experience of the (Very) Other. Zu einem kultursensiblen Umgang mit (religiösen) Überzeugungen, in: Martin Breul/Klaus Viertbauer (eds.): Religiöse Erkenntnis? Gegenwärtige Positionen zur Religiösen Epistemologie [Religion in Philosophy and Theology 117], Tübingen 2022, 233-257.
7. Declining tolerance of ambiguity in religion? On the Politicisation of Beliefs in Modernity, in: Marlene Deibl/Katharina Mairinger (eds.): Eindeutig mehrdeutig. Ambiguities in the Field of Tension between Society, Science and Religion, Göttingen 2022, 215-232.
8. Religions and Worldviews in Modern Germany. An Asynchronous Lecture Series as "Introduction to Theology," in Patrick Becker/Christina Kumpmann (eds.): Habitusbildung in der Studieneingangsphase. Reflexionen zu einem hybriden Modell [Theologie und Hochschuldidaktik 12], Münster 2021, 70-91.
9. together with Christina Kumpmann: Habitus formation as a motivation-driven process. Concluding Reflections on the Design of the Study Entrance Phase, in: Patrick Becker/Christina Kumpmann (eds.): Habitusbildung in der Studieneingangsphase. Reflections on a hybrid model [Theologie und Hochschuldidaktik 12], Münster 2021, 140-157.
10. Identity in Development. On the 'soul' as a current theoretical offer for an integrative conception of the human being, in: Patrick Becker/Steffen Jöris/Annette Meuthrath (eds.): Die Seele. Zur Genese und Aktualität eines vergessenen Konzepts [QD 318], Freiburg 2021, 325-344.
11. together with Steffen Jöris and Annette Meuthrath: Understanding the Soul in Space and Time. Culturally Sensitive Perspectives as an Impulse for a Current Debate, in: Patrick Becker/Steffen Jöris/Annette Meuthrath (eds.): Die Seele. On the Genesis and Actuality of a Forgotten Concept [QD 318], Freiburg 2021, 11-41.
12. A new horizon? Religion as an Explicit Topic of the North-South Dialogue Program, in: Raúl Fornet-Betancourt (ed.): Religionen als Lebens- und Denkformen/Religions as ways of life and thinking/Religiones como formas de vida y de pensamiento, Aachen 2020, 15- 24.
13. A Question of Worldview? On the Christian image of human and its implications for the evaluation of technical progress, in: Stephan Mokry/Maximilian Th. L. Rückert (eds.): Roboter als (Er-)Lösung? Orientierung der Pflege von morgen am christlichen Menschenbild, Paderborn 2020, 255-269; terms "relationships (human)," "Fortschrittsoptimismus," and "Menschenbild (allgemein)" in Glossary.
14. Problem-based learning in theology? Concluding Reflections, in Patrick Becker/Andreas Herrler/Steffen Joris (eds.): Problem Based Learning (PBL) in Theology. Experiences from practice and ideas for implementation, Münster 2020, 139-147.
15. Relativism without arbitrariness? Philosophical-Theological Reflections on a Church Positioning, in: Karlheinz Ruhstorfer (ed.): Zwischen Progression und Regression. Streit um den Weg der katholischen Kirche, Freiburg 2019, 169-183.
16. Towards an Integrative Understanding. Truth, Science and Wisdom in (post- )modern Discourse, in: Ulrich Lüke/Hildegard Peters (eds.): Science, Truth, Wisdom [QD 293], Freiburg 2018, 110-137.
17. Religion in Crisis? Religious Plurality in an Inner-World-Oriented Society, in Martin Kirschner/Karlheinz Ruhstorfer (eds.): Die gegenwärtige Krise Europas. Theologische Antwortversuche [QD 291], Freiburg 2018, 103-120.
18. Past the student? Prior to the conception of basic courses, a look at the prospective students is needed, in: Norbert Brieden/Oliver Reis (eds.): Glaubensreflexion - Berufsorientierung - theologische Habitusbildung. Der Einstieg ins Theologiestudium als hochschuldidaktische Herausforderung, Münster 2018, 59-70.
19. Towards a Determination of 'Freedom', 'Creativity' and 'Love' under Naturalistic Conditions of Causality, in: Ulrich Herkenrath (ed.): Zufall in der belebten Natur. Contributions of an interdisciplinary symposium November 2015, Hennef 2018, 185-200.
20. Heavenly Jerusalem? The Kingdom of God Message in the Mirror of Time and its Relevance Today, in: Steffen Jöris/Annett Giercke-Ungermann/Simone Paganini (eds.): Between Aachen and Jerusalem. Ein Gedenkband für Johannes Floß, Aachen 2018, 201-217.
21. Postmodernism, in Martin Breul/Aaron Langenfeld (eds.): Little History of Philosophy. Eine Einführung für das Theologiestudium [UTB Grundwissen Theologie], Paderborn 2017, 282-291.
22. Between Metaphysical Criticism and Tradition Consciousness. On handling the Bible in (post-)modern society, in: Markus Lersch/Rupert M. Scheule (eds.): Tora und Evangelium. Grenzgänge zwischen Altem und Neuem Testament, Würzburg 2017, 141- 169.
23. The Freedom of a Christian. Luther's understanding of freedom as an impulse for a current debate, in: Stephan Mokry/Reinhard Grütz/Ludger Nagel (eds.): Neu hinsehen: Luther. Katholische Perspektiven - ökumenische Horizonte, Paderborn u. Leipzig 2016, 198-213.
24. The Soul. On the actuality of a forgotten concept, in: Patrick Becker/Christiane Heinrich (eds.): Theonome Anthropologie? Christian Images of People and Humanity, Freiburg 2016, 202-219.
25. together with Steffen Jöris: Toward a scientific designation. Apocalypticism in biblical and modern studies - a comparative approach, in Horizons in Biblical Theology 38 (2016), 22-44.
26. Paradigm shift? The Second Vatican Council as a departure into postmodernity, in: Bernward Schmidt (ed.): Kontinuitäten und Brüche. Trent Council and Second Vatican Council in Conversation, Aachen 2015, 38-60.
27. The Beyond in Proclamation. Plea for a new old eschatological code, in: Der Prediger und Katechet 5/2015, 647-657.

Contributions until 2014

1. The Christian afterlife message in an inner-worldly society, in: Patrick Becker/Ursula Diewald (eds.): Die Zukunft von Religion und Kirche in Deutschland. Perspektiven und Prognosen, Freiburg 2014, 169-178.
2. Fundamentalism as a Current Challenge, in: Stimmen der Zeit 232 (2014), 473- 482.
3. Faith versus natural science? Towards a religious value foundation, in: Joachim F. Reuter for the Rotary District 1870 (ed.): Ethik und Moral in Staat, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, Düsseldorf 2014, 115-124.
4. Religion Functionalized. Evolutive explanations for belief in God, in: Gottlos? Von Zweiflern und Religionskritikern [Herder Korrespondenz Spezial 1/2014], Freiburg 2014, 13-17.
5. Empirically grounded arguments for academic reform, in: ET Studies 4 (2013), 296-307.
6. Where is the mind? How brain research is changing our view of humanity, in: Jürgen Audretsch/Klaus Nagorni (eds.): Der Mensch und sein Gehirn. Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Neurowissenschaften, Karlsruhe 2013, 147-164.
7. Cause versus Meaning. Transformations in the image of the world, human beings and God, in: Hubert Meisinger/Thorsten Moos/Frank Vogelsang (eds.): Gibt es eine Ordnung im Universum? Der Kosmos zwischen Messung, Anschauung und religiöser Deutung, Bonn 2012, 27-39.
8. Is physicalism right? Towards a scientifically compatible location of the mind, in: Theologie und Philosophy 87 (2012), 73-85.
9. Education in the interplay of aspiration and trust, in: Renovatio 67/4 (2011), 13-20; awarded the Communication Prize of the Salzburg University Weeks 2011.
10. Paradigm of Our Time. Scientific thinking as a challenge to faith in God, in: Streitfall Gott. Zugänge und Perspektiven [Herder Korrespondenz Spezial 2/2011], Freiburg 2011, 15-19.
11. Evolutive Utility or Transcendent Truth? The Question of God in the Face of Modern Brain and Evolutionary Research, in: Hirschberg 64/6 (2011), 350-356.
12. The Challenge of the Natural Sciences. A problem display for the introduction, in: Patrick Becker/Ursula Diewald (eds.): Zukunftsperspektiven im theologischnaturwissenschaftlichen Dialog, Göttingen 2011, 9-18.
13. Really new? What Neurodidactics Means for Religious Education and Theological Studies, in: Herder Korrespondenz 65 (2011), 144-149.
14. The basic concern of study reform, in: Patrick Becker (ed.): Studienreform in der Theologie. Eine Bestandsaufnahme, Münster 2011, 94-107.
15. Dividing worldviews? On Language and Value Barriers in the Catholic Church, in: Patrick Becker/Stephan Mokry: Jugend heute - Kirche heute?, Würzburg 2010, 35-48.
16. Fear of Empiricism? The Challenge of the Natural Sciences, in: Herder Korrespondenz 64 (2010), 254-258.
17. together with Ursula Diewald: Relativism, Postmodernism and Truth-Claim, in: Stimmen der Zeit 227 (2009), 673-684; translated into English by Ernst Förster SJ: Relativism, Postmodernism and Truth-Claim, in: www.con-spiration.de; translated into Polish by Anna Polak: Relatywizm, postmodernizm i prawda, in: Homo Dei 3/2010; translated into Albanian: Relativizmi, Postmodernizmi dhe Pohimi i të Vërtetës, in: www.erasmusi.org.
18. As bad as its reputation? The Bologna Process is ten years old, in: Herder Korrespondenz 63 (2009), 415-418.
19. Emergence - a Golden Mean?, in: Thomas Möllenbeck (ed.): Spirit - Nature. Creation between Monism and Dualism, Münster 2009, 95-111.
20. An effective God? A problem outline, in: Georg Souvignier (ed.): Gottesbilder bei Naturwissenschaftlern und Theologen, Darmstadt 2009, 83-93; awarded the Young Scientists Prize of the Foundation Theology and Nature Aachen (February 2008).
21. Pause for reflection in dialogue? Historical and Current Dimensions of the Islamic-Christian Dialogue, in: MThZ 58 (2007), 265-275.
22. Is freedom of the will only an illusion? Freedom of the Will in the Discussion between Theology, Philosophy and Natural Sciences, in: rhs 49 (2006), 255-263.
23. Occupational fields on the free labor market, in: Patrick Becker/Georg Pelzer (eds.): Berufschancen für Theologinnen und Theologen, Freiburg 2006, 14-39; completely revised for the 2nd edition 2012, 12-37.
24. Key Qualifications, in Patrick Becker/Georg Pelzer (eds.): Berufschancen für Theologinnen und Theologen, Freiburg 2006, 60-67; completely revised for the 2nd edition 2012, 49-57.
25. Worldviews of the Natural Sciences and Theological Possibilities, in: ThG 48 (2005), 219-228.
26. The Work of God in the World. On the compatibility of theism and the natural sciences, in: MThZ 56 (2005), 248-257.

1. in print: review of Elis Eichener: The future of the soul. A Poimenical Relecture of the Concept of Soul, Leipzig 2022, forthcoming in: ThRv 119 (2023).
2. Creating meaning in a growth society, in: Herder Korrespondenz online, February 14, 2023.
3. Review of Tomáš Halík: The Afternoon of Christianity. A time statement, transl. v. Markéta Barth, Freiburg 2022, in: Akademische Blätter 04/2022, 8-9.
4. Review of Corinna Klodt: Beyond self-interest. Potentials and limits of evolutionary theoretical perspectives for the description of Christian religion, Göttingen 2021, in: ThG 65 (2022), 235-237.
5. Review of Ekkehard W. Stegemann/Wolfgang Stegemann: From anti-Judaism to anti-Israelism. The change of hostility towards Jews in theological-ecclesiastical discourses, Stuttgart 2021, in: ThG 65 (2022), 148-149.
6. The Power of Narration, in: Christ in der Gegenwart 13/2022, 3.
7. European theology facing modernization and its transformation processes, in: curriculumtheologiae.de DOI 10.48604/ct.37.
8. Plurality as an Opportunity. On the future of theological institutions, in: Herder Korrespondenz 10/2020, 49-51.
9. Review of Andreas G. Weiss: The Political Space of Theology. Draft of an Incarnational Theological Event Theology in Response to Radical Orthodoxy, in: ThRv 116 (2020).
10. Review of Martin Blay: Natural Miracles?! A Reconstruction of the Concept of Miracles in the Horizon of Emergence Theory, in: ThRv 116 (2020).
11. Relativism as a social feeling?, in: Herder Korrespondenz 8/2019, 46-48.
12. Review of Martin Dürnberger: The Dynamics of Religious Beliefs. Postanalytic epistemology and hermeneutics in conversation with Robert B. Brandom, in: ThRv 115 (2019).
13. Without dialogue, prejudice dominates. Interreligious Dialogue as a Theological Challenge for a Multicultural Society, in: Forum Weltkirche 1/2019, 29- 33.
14. Systematic Theology, in: Patrick Becker et al. (eds.): Introduction to Theology. Aachen Perspectives, Aachen 2018, 46-56.
15. Fundamentalism, in: Patrick Becker et al. (eds.): Introduction to Theology. Aachen Perspectives, Aachen 2018, 123-128.
16. Review of Heichele, Thomas: The Epistemological Role of Technology in Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo Galilei in the Context of the History of Ideas, in: ThRv 114 (2018), sp. 143-144.
17. Review of Martin Rhonheimer, Homo sapiens: the crown of creation. Challenges of Evolutionary Theory and the Response of Philosophy, in: ThRv 114 (2018), sp. 50-51.
18. Hope for what? On the loss of the afterlife in society, in: Herder Korrespondenz 3/2018, 36-39.
19. together with Martin Kirschner: The crisis of Europe as a challenge to theology. Report of a conference of the German ET section, in: ET-Studies 8 (2017), 377-382.
20. Review of Hans-Dieter Mutschler: Halved reality. Why materialism does not explain the world, Kevelaer 2014, in: ThPQ 165 (2017), 99-100.
21. On the value of belief in the afterlife in the present day, in: Hirschberg 70 (2017), 462-465.
22. Review of Tomislav Ivancic: With the Spirit for a Better World, Echter 2016, in: ThRv 113 (2017), 379.
23. Review of Holm Tetens: Thinking God. An attempt on rational theology, Stuttgart 2015, in: ThRv 112 (2016), 336-337.
24. together with Steffen Jöris: The Call of the Beyond, in: Christ in der Gegenwart 67 (2015), 33-34.
25. Challenges of the Time, in: Armin Kreiner (ed.): Lebenswege. Heinrich Döring zum 80. Geburtstag, Neuried 2013, 79-86.
26. Review of Gerhard Jäckels: Naturalistic Anthropology and Modern Physics. The limits of reductionist views of people and the world, Münster 2011, in: ThRv 109 (2013), sp. 154-155.
27. Review of Katja Bruns: Anthropology between theology and natural science on Paul Tillich und Kurt Goldstein, Göttingen 2011, in: ThRv 108 (2012), Sp. 487-489.
28. Creative Evolution?, in: Christ in der Gegenwart 64 (2012), 565-566.
29. Review of Joachim Weinhardt (ed.): Natural sciences and theology. Methodological approaches and basic knowledge on interdisciplinary dialogue, Stuttgart 2010, in: ThRv 107 (2011), sp. 325-326.
30. Review of Joe Egan: The Godless Delusion. Dawkins and the Limits of Human Sight, Oxford et al. 2009, in: ThRv 106 (2010), sp. 319-320.
31. Review of Hans Kessler: Evolution and creation in a new perspective, Kevelaer 2009, in: ThRv 106 (2010), sp. 140-141.
32. Review of Ulrich Lüke/Hubert Meisinger/Georg Souvignier (eds.): The human being - nothing but nature? Interdisciplinary approaches, Darmstadt 2007, in: MThZ 60 (2009), 392-393.
33. Thinking the Social How? Ecumenical Symposium on the Church's Social Words. A Report, in: MThZ 58 (2007), 83-84.
34. On the Future of Theology, in: Transparenz 15 (2006), 8-11.
35. together with Robert Schätzle: Editorship of the "Studienführer Katholische Theologie," ed. by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Studierende der Katholischen Theologie in Deutschland (AGT) in cooperation with the secretariat of the German Bishops' Conference, Bonn 2003.

1. The soul - a concept also for the future?, interview with Maria Hässig in SKZ, March 16, 2023, 72-74.
2. Nepodceňujme sílu slov (Eng: Let us not underestimate the power of words), interview with Ondřej Elbel in Katolický týdeník, June 21, 2022, 13.
3. Theology for the Present. Questions for Patrick Becker by Stephan Langer, in Christ in der Gegenwart 18/2022, 16.
4. Interview in the context of the article "Pfarrer und mehr. Theologen erwerben im Studium ein besonders breit angelegtes Fachwissen und hohe Sozialkompetenz," Süddeutsche Zeitung No. 61, Friday, October 13, 2020, 30 ("Spezial Lernen").
5. Discussion in the SWR2 Forum of June 17, 2019, on the topic "Abschied vom Himmel - Wie viel Unglaube erträgt die Kirche?" together with Volker Gerhardt and Detlef Pollack.
6. Interview as part of the hr2 program "Camino - Religions on the Way" from April 21, 2019 on the topic "What if... Jesus had survived the crucifixion" together with Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and others.
7. Contribution "Am Sonntagmorgen" on Deutschlandfunk from March 31, 2019 on the topic "Hoffnung worauf? Beyond loss of society".
8. Where is the spirit?, internet publication on katapult.de.
9. Jesus, the happiness guru. Every second German believes that everything is over with death; Christians also have very worldly expectations of religion, in: Die Zeit 17/2014 of April 16, 2014, supplement "Christ und Welt" 4.
10. Well thought - badly done. The goal of the Bologna Process is independent students, but the new "modules" often leave them too little freedom, in: Süddeutsche Zeitung, April 14, 2009, 38.