Carol Zaleski
Encyclopedia
Carol Zaleski, a religious scholar and writer, is the Professor of World Religions at Smith College
.
Zaleski previously taught at Harvard University
, where she received her PhD in the Study of Religion. She is the author of several acclaimed books on religion, including Otherworld Journeys, The Life of the World to Come and, with her husband Philip Zaleski
, The Book of Heaven and Prayer: A History (New York Times notable book; Christian Science Monitor best nonfiction books of 2005). Zaleski is celebrated for her writings on the afterlife, which include the entries for heaven, hell, and purgatory in the Encyclopaedia Britannica; she has been called “the mother of modern heaven studies.” Her published lectures include the Ingersoll Lecture on Human Immortality at Harvard (“In Defense of Immortality”) and the Albert Cardinal Meyer Lectures at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (published as The Life of the World to Come). She writes a regular column on faith for The Christian Century
, where she is also editor-at-large, and her essays and reviews appear frequently in leading newspapers and magazines, including The Washington Post
, First Things
, America
, The New York Times Book Review
. Her 2003 First Things
essay on “The Dark Night of Mother Teresa” received attention as an early exploration of Mother Teresa
’s recently publicized spiritual trials. In 2003, 2005, and 2008, she won the Associated Church Press Award of Excellence in Theological Reflection.
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
.
Zaleski previously taught at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, where she received her PhD in the Study of Religion. She is the author of several acclaimed books on religion, including Otherworld Journeys, The Life of the World to Come and, with her husband Philip Zaleski
Philip Zaleski
Philip Zaleski is the author and editor of several books on religion and spirituality, including The Recollected Heart, The Benedictines of Petersham, and Gifts of the Spirit. In addition, he is coauthor with his wife Carol Zaleski of Prayer: A History and The Book of Heaven. Zaleski...
, The Book of Heaven and Prayer: A History (New York Times notable book; Christian Science Monitor best nonfiction books of 2005). Zaleski is celebrated for her writings on the afterlife, which include the entries for heaven, hell, and purgatory in the Encyclopaedia Britannica; she has been called “the mother of modern heaven studies.” Her published lectures include the Ingersoll Lecture on Human Immortality at Harvard (“In Defense of Immortality”) and the Albert Cardinal Meyer Lectures at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (published as The Life of the World to Come). She writes a regular column on faith for The Christian Century
The Christian Century
The Christian Century is a Christian magazine based in Chicago, Illinois. Considered the flagship magazine of U.S. mainline Protestantism, the biweekly reports on religious news; comments on theological, moral, and cultural issues; and reviews books, movies, and music...
, where she is also editor-at-large, and her essays and reviews appear frequently in leading newspapers and magazines, including The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
, First Things
First Things
First Things is an ecumenical journal focused on creating a "religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society". The journal is inter-denominational and inter-religious, representing a broad intellectual tradition of Christian and Jewish critique of contemporary society...
, America
America (magazine)
America is a national weekly magazine published by the American Jesuits that contains news and opinion about Catholicism and how it relates to American politics and cultural life....
, The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review
The New York Times Book Review is a weekly paper-magazine supplement to The New York Times in which current non-fiction and fiction books are reviewed. It is one of the most influential and widely read book review publications in the industry. The offices are located near Times Square in New York...
. Her 2003 First Things
First Things
First Things is an ecumenical journal focused on creating a "religiously informed public philosophy for the ordering of society". The journal is inter-denominational and inter-religious, representing a broad intellectual tradition of Christian and Jewish critique of contemporary society...
essay on “The Dark Night of Mother Teresa” received attention as an early exploration of Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...
’s recently publicized spiritual trials. In 2003, 2005, and 2008, she won the Associated Church Press Award of Excellence in Theological Reflection.