Dr. Heather Martin

Arguing that the convictions by which we live create the contours of actual lives, Dr. Heather Martin claims that a valid and relevant critical examination of religious beliefs can begin with individual biographies. With a specialized degree in religion and literature, Martin's academic studies have focused on spiritual biography and autobiography, early and medieval historical Christian theology, the Bible, and spirituality. 

Scholarly Interests

Martin's area of scholarly interest and research explores the intersections of theology and spirituality, particularly as evidenced in nonfiction literature, poetry, film, and American culture.

Contributions to Field

Martin's dissertation on Jack Clemo filled a current gap in the scholarship on the poetics of nonconformity as her research affirmed that English aesthetics are almost exclusively devoted to the dominant Anglican tradition.

Awards

Alpha Delta Pi Top 100 Professor, Baylor University, 2007 and 2008

Memberships and Affiliations

• American Academy of Religion
• Modern Language Association
• Popular Culture Association

Publications and Presentations

• “An Orthodox Carnival: The Devil and Ivan Karamazov,” Midwest American Academy of Religion, Ada, OH, 2014.
• “'Priest and Lover’: Jack Clemo’s Vocation to Erotic Christian Marriage,” Kindling the Scarp: A Jack Clemo Conference, Cornwall, U.K., 2013.
• “Faith in a Cosmic Context: Religion, Film, and Little Green Men,” Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association, National Meeting, Boston, MA, 2012.
• “Blurring the Line Between Prophet and Comedian: Social Injustice,” Popular Culture Association/American Culture Association, National Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 2011.

For additional publications and presentations, please see the CV below.