Joel N. Lohr

Joel N. Lohr is a contributing writer to Mitka’s Secret, a project for which he has served as a visionary. Currently the president of the cutting-edge Hartford Seminary in Hartford, Connecticut, Joel is an award-winning author, scholar, and passionate leader in interreligious relations and higher education. Prior to joining Hartford Seminary, he was Dean of Religious Life at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California where he held academic appointments in the School of Education and the Department of Religious Studies.

Joel is a first-generation college graduate, the son of Dutch immigrants to Canada who adopted children from Bangladesh and Laos early in his life. This formative childhood experience would leave an indelible mark, eventually becoming the impetus for his graduate work and eventual research on religious inclusion and exclusion. He earned a BA in Religious Studies (Trinity Western University, Vancouver, Canada), an MA in Theological Research (University of Durham, England) and a Ph.D. in Religion and Theology (University of Durham, England). Following his doctoral work, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto.

Joel’s research has focused on the outsiders in the Bible, specifically within the Torah/Pentateuch, as well as Jewish-Christian relations and dialogue, Abrahamic faith dialogue, and Intercultural Competence, Diversity, and Leadership in Higher Education. He has written and contributed to numerous books, both academic and popular. His first monograph, Chosen and Unchosen: Conceptions of Election in the Pentateuch and Jewish-Christian Interpretation, was awarded the R.B.Y. Scott Award by the Canadian Society of Biblical Studies for “outstanding book in the areas of Hebrew Bible and/or the Ancient Near East.” Another was awarded an American Library Association CHOICE book award. All of his publications, both technical and popular, tie into his love and passion for dialogue.

Joel has contributed to the writing of Mitka’s Secret in many ways. His knowledge of Judaism and his understanding of causes and impacts of anti-Semitism have been invaluable in establishing the context for Mitka’s story. His skills as an author and his attention to detail have strengthened the text. And his perspectives on the power of faith to heal have helped the authors understand and convey the role of faith in Mitka and Adrienne’s life and healing.

Joel is also a master (journeyperson) carpenter who, of late, has had scant time for this type of work, despite his love for it. He and his family do, however, make time to indulge their passion for the outdoors as they hike, snowboard, ski, and explore parks and nature.