Bio: Dr. Erik Ranstrom
Dr. Erik Ranstrom holds scholarly expertise in theological research alongside deep spiritual care practitioner experience. Rooted in the Roman Catholic tradition, he has a Ph.D. in comparative theology from Boston College, where he defended a dissertation on the interreligious Christology of Raimon Panikkar. His scholarship includes contributions to Panikkar studies, theologies of religious pluralism, comparative theology, and contemplative studies. Current research focuses on an Ignatian approach to chaplaincy, comparative theological explorations of chaplaincy perspectives emerging within diverse faith traditions, and the history and practice of the Twelve Steps as exemplifying potentialities for spiritual and theological flexibility. Professionally, Erik has served in psychiatric hospitals, hospice chaplaincy, addiction rehabilitation programs, and trauma units. His method is informed by lived, contemplative theological reflection arising from spiritual care encounters. Formed by Clinical Pastoral Education and the Ignatian spiritual tradition, he is particularly attentive to contemplation as a form of theological knowing. He teaches in the areas of chaplaincy, spiritual care, faith development, addiction and recovery, and theological education.
Degrees and Institutions: Ph.D., Boston College, 2014; M.A., Boston College, 2006; B.A. Westfield State College, 2002
Publications and Works:
- "A Fowlerian Perspective on the Faith of the Comparativist." The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Comparative Theology: A Festschrift in Honor of Francis X. Clooney, S.J., Wiley Blackwell: 2023.
- "Raimon Panikkar." The Routledge Handbook of Hindu-Christian Studies. Routledge: 2020.
- "Panikkar's Dharma, the West's Karma: Panikkar and Hinduism." Raimon Panikkar: A Companion to his Life and Thought. James Clarke & Co: 2018.
- "Without Ceasing to be a Christian": A Catholic and Protestant Assess the Christological Contribution of Raimon Panikkar. Co-authored with Bob Robinson. Fortress: 2017.