User:Chrysologus

Why I'm here

I use Wikipedia frequently to look up items of general or popular interest, for which cases I, along with many other people, find it extremely helpful. However, as a specialist in historical theology and early Christianity, I find the articles on theology of mixed quality. I have heard it said that Wikipedia's science articles are extremely accurate, rivaling some print encyclopediae. If this is true, it must be because a sufficient number of scientists spend free time making this so. This dose not seem to be the case with many articles about early Christianity. Moreover, articles of a religious nature are often subject to dubious information provided by people who think that their personal faith makes them experts in religion, and, worse, by those who try to put forward fringe or idiosyncratic viewpoints because they personally believe in them. Some theological articles contain seemingly random or esoteric information from an unusual or unreliable source, while at the same time ignoring important parts of an issue or person's biography.

I recently read of some music professors editing some important articles on issues related to music because they knew that their students were using Wikipedia and, rather than trying to get them to stop, instead decided to try to make Wikipedia better. With that mindset, I would like to try my hand at improving some important articles related to early Christianity.

My creds

Ph.D., Historical Theology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

Certificate in Ancient Greek and Latin, The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

M.A., Religious Studies, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington

B.A., Religious Studies, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

My research interests

Origen, St. Basil of Caesarea, biblical hermeneutics, relationship between religion and science, early Christianity, historical theology

My hobbies

Science fiction, fantasy, NES games, Magic: The Gathering