Fr. Dennis E. Tamburello O.F.M.

Fr. Dennis Tamburello is Professor of Religious Studies at Siena College in Loudonville, NY. He received a B.A. in Modern Languages (French) in 1975 from Siena College, an M.A. in Theology in 1980 from the Washington Theological Union, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology in 1990 from the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. His areas of scholarly research are the Reformation (especially John Calvin), mysticism, and interreligious dialogue. Fr. Dennis is a Friar in Residence in Snyder Hall (student residence) and for over 21 years he served as a chaplain at several New York State correctional facilities. He is the author of Union with Christ: John Calvin and the Mysticism of St. Bernard (Westminster John Knox Press, 1994), Ordinary Mysticism (Paulist Press, 1996), and Bernard of Clairvaux: Essential Writings (Crossroad Publishing Co., 2000).

My Siena Experience

My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching Philosophy focuses on the education of the whole person. Education is not just about nourishing our heads, but also about transforming our hearts so that we will be good citizens in the world, making it a better place. I believe that students learn best when they are actively involved in their own education. I try to make my classes as interactive as possible, and to allow students to express freely their thoughts and their questions.

What I Love About Siena

I love teaching at Siena for many reasons. Our students are a joy to be with, and most of them strive very hard to succeed academically. I also love that I can live with them in the Residence Halls, and serve as a chaperone on their service trips. I think I am teaching in a different way in these contexts. I am blessed with wonderful colleagues, who are deeply committed to good pedagogy and to excelling in their fields -- and many of whom have become dear friends, both in my department and in the college in general. Finally, I love that I am here with a great group of friars and that we can share our experiences of the Franciscan tradition with the Siena community.

My Favorite Courses to Teach

• The Reformation of Christendom, because this is my area of research AND because it is infinitely fascinating. There are so many great stories to tell: some sad, some humorous, all interesting.
• Introduction to Religious Thought. Although this is an 'intro' course, I never tire of teaching it, because it involves a comparative study of the thought of three great traditions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) and its relevance for the world today.
• First Year Seminar. I love teaching freshmen, and helping them to develop the crucial skills of critical thinking, careful reading of texts, and good writing. Plus, it allows me to explore a theme that I am passionate about. Right now I'm teaching about Technology and its impact on the human community.

My Professional Experience

Current Research

Reformation studies Calvin studies Mysticism Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue

Articles & Book Reviews

• Theological Themes
  Lectionary Homiletics
  2008
• Brian J. Pierce. We Walk the Path Together: Learning from Thich Nhat Hahn and Meister Eckhart
  MultiCultural Review
  2006
• John R. Sommerfeldt. Bernard of Clairvaux on the Life of the Mind
  Theological Studies
  2005
• Theological Themes
  Lectionary Homiletics
  2005
• John Calvin and Mysticism: An Introduction
  Hungryhearts
  2004
• Stephen Fanning. Mystics of the Christian Tradition
  Journal of Religion
  2003
• Theological Themes
  Lectionary Homiletics
  2003
• Theological Themes
  Lectionary Homiletics
  2002
• Dorothee Soelle. The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance
  Christian Century
  2001
• How NOT to Write a Book Review
  Voices
  2001
• Anthony N. S. Lane. Calvin and Bernard of Clairvaux
  Sixteenth Century Journal
  2000
• Richard Lennan, Ed. An Introduction to Catholic Theology
  New Theology Review
  2000
• Bernard of Clairvaux as Spiritual Guide
  Chicago Studies
  1999
• David Steinmetz, Calvin in Context
  Church History
  1997
• Kaspar Elm, Ed., Bernhard von Clairvaux: Rezeption und Wirkung im Mittelalter und in der Neuzeit
  Church History
  1997
• Theological Themes
  Lectionary Homiletics
  1997
• Theological Themes
  Lectionary Homiletics
  1996
• Jill Raitt, The Colloquy of Montbéliard
  Journal of Religion
  1995
• Karen Campbell, Ed., German Mystical Writings
  Cistercian Studies Quarterly
  1994
• Bernard of Clairvaux in the Thought of Meister Eckhart
  Cistercian Studies Quarterly, vol. 28
  1993
• Derek Beales and Geoffrey Best, eds. History, Society, and the Churches: Essays in Honor of Owen Chadwick
  Journal of Religion
  1987
• David Walsh, The Mysticism of Innerworldly Fulfillment
  Journal of Religion
  1985
• Donald P. McNeill et al., Compassion
  Cord
  1982
• Avery Dulles, The Resilient Church
  Cord
  1978
• Christ at the Center: The Legacy of the Reformed Tradition
  Bulletin of the Institute of Reformed Theology [IRT Bulletin]
  Winter, 2004

Awards & Distinctions

• Award given on October 10, 2018 at the Albany Country Club.
  
  Category: Service-Professional
  Capital Area Council of Churches, 2018
• Award given to an alumnus/a for contributions to improve the Siena community.
   
   
   
   
  
  Category: Service-University
  Siena College Alumni Association, 2015
• Matthew T. Conlin Distinguished Service Award recipient.
   
   
   
   
  
  Category: Service-University
  Siena College, 2014
• Raymond C. Kennedy Excellence in Scholarship Award recipient.
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
   
   
  
  Category: Research
  Siena College, 2014
• Spring 2007 Nominee for Raymond Kennedy Scholarship Award.
   
   
   
    
   
  
  Category: Research
  Siena College, 2007
• Spring 2001 Nominee for Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award.
   
  
  Category: Teaching
  Siena College, 2001
• Spring 1997 Nominee for Jerome Walton Excellence in Teaching Award.
   
  
  Category: Teaching
  Siena College, 1997

Books & Book Chapters

• Student Life in Catholic Higher Education: Advancing Good Practice
  Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities
  2017
• Learning from the Past: Essays on Catholicity and Dialogue in Honour of Anthony N. S. Lane
  Bloomsbury
  2015
• The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to Christian Mysticism
  Wiley-Blackwell
  2013
• Justified: Essays on the Doctrine of Justification
  Modern Reformation
  2010
• John Calvin and Roman Catholicism: Critique and Engagement, Then and Now
  Baker Academic
  2008
• Should the Legal Drinking Age Be Lowered?
  Greenhaven Press
  2008
• Truth as Gift: Studies in Medieval Cistercian History in Honor of John R. Sommerfeldt
  Cistercian Publications
  2004
• Concord Makes Strength: Essays in Reformed Ecumenism
  William B. Eerdmans
  2002
• Bernard of Clairvaux: Essential Writings
  Crossroad Publishing Company
  2000
• Historical Handbook of Major Biblical Interpreters
  InterVarsity Press
  1998
• Ordinary Mysticism
  Paulist Press
  1996
• Union with Christ: John Calvin and the Mysticism of St. Bernard
  Westminster John Knox Press
  1994

Presentations

• Discussion of Reformed-Catholic Dialogue
  2020
  Calvin Worship Symposium, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• The Long Road to Humility: John Calvin on the Path to Self Knowledge
  2012
  Capital Region Theological Center, Loudonville, New York
• Union with Christ and the Sacraments
  2012
  Calvin Worship Symposium, Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Respondent to paper: 'What Roman Catholics Can Teach Us About John Calvin'
  2009
  Reformed Institute of Metropolitan Washington (D.C.), Washington, District of Columbia
• Calvin and Sacramentality: A Catholic Perspective
  2007
  Calvin Studies Society, Notre Dame, Indiana
• Panelist for Roundtable Discussion: 'Developing Pedagogical Strategies for Teaching the Franciscan Tradition'
  2006
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Respondent to two papers at the session Calvin, Calvinism, and the Medieval Tradition: Union and Usus in the Theology of Jerome Zanchi by Patrick O'Banion, A Spare Aesthetic: Franciscan Asceticism and Calvinist Iconoclasm by Laura Smit
  2006
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• 'Creating an Information Literacy Plan for First-Year Students: Librarians and Faculty Collaborate.' (Co-presented with Catherine Crohan, Librarian)
  2005
  Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries October Conference, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
• Calvin's Spirituality: A Casualty of Post-Reformation Dogmatics?
  2005
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Bernard of Clairvaux: Forerunner to St. Francis?
  2003
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Dominus Iesus: A Stumbling Block to Catholic-Reformed Relations?
  2001
  Center for Reformed Church Studies, New Brunswick Theol. Seminary, N/A, Unknown
• The Role of Christ's Humanity in the Thought of Bernard of Clairvaux
  2000
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• The Franciscan Mystical Spirit
  1998
  Washington Theological Union, Washington, District of Columbia
• Response to Bernard McGinn: 'The Trinitarian Theology of Nicholas of Cusa'
  1996
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• Response to John Burkhard: 'Ministry, Sacramentality, and Symbolism'
  1995
  Franciscan Leadership Conference, Denver, Colorado
• Expanding Needs, Shrinking Resources: A Faculty-Centered Approach to Advising [co-presented with Dr. Douglas Astolfi]
  1994
  National Academic Advising Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada
• John Tauler and Martin Luther: A Case Study in Periodization
  1993
  American Academy of Religion, Washington, District of Columbia
• Bernard of Clairvaux in the Thought of Meister Eckhart
  1990
  International Medieval Congress, Kalamazoo, Michigan
• John Calvin's Mysticism and the Treatise 'Against the Libertines'
  1990
  American Academy of Religion, New Orleans, Louisiana
• John Calvin and Mysticism
  1987
  American Academy of Religion, Boston, Massachusetts
• Luther and the Mystical Tradition
  1983
  Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, Illinois