Emmanuel College

Theology & Religious Studies

Science Building

 Reverend Thomas L. Leclerc

Reverend Thomas L. Leclerc, M.S.

Chair, Department of Theology & Religious Studies; Associate Professor of Theology & Religious Studies
Th.D., Harvard University; M.A. Washington Theological Union; B.A., Merrimack College

Office hours: Monday, Wednesday 12:00-1:45 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Other times by appointment

Office: Administration Building, Room 456
Phone: (617) 975-9352
E-mail: leclerth@emmanuel.edu

My specialty is biblical studies with particular interest in the prophets and the gospels. I am particularly interested in how the great works of art interpret, rather than merely present, biblical stories.

Courses Taught

  • THRS 1111 - Introduction to the Bible
  • THRS 2102 - In the Beginning: Genesis to Deuteronomy
  • THRS 2114 - The Prophets: Power, Politics, and Principles
  • THRS 2205 - The Gospels: Portraits of Jesus
  • THRS 2223 - The First Christians
  • THRS 3201 - The Bible in Art
  • THRS 1101 - Introduction to Religious Studies
  • THRS 1103 - Introduction to Catholic Theology
  • THRS 2151 - Religious Traditions of Rome (Travel course, co-taught)
  • FYS - Women of the Bible

Professional Highlights

2011

  • "The Transformation of the Divine Warrior in Isaiah 59:15b-20. Annual Regional Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature at ANTS on April 29, 2011.
  • "The Origins of Lent and Its Structure in Year A," Topsfield, MA.

2010

  • "Introducing the Bible: Canons, Inspiration, and Interpretation." Cambridge, MA.
  • "The Origins of Lent and Its Structure in Year C," Topsfield, MA.
  • "The Transfiguration in Text and Art," Topsfield. MA.

2009

  • "Women of the Bible in Art." Topsfield, MA.
  • "The Origins of Advent and Its Structure in Year C," Topsfield, MA.

2008

  • "Divine and Human Justice in the Bible." VOTF, Natick, MA
  • "The Ministry of the Laity in the Sunday Liturgy." Cambridge, MA.

2007

  • "Jesus' Gospel of Love in Paul's Epistles." VOTF North Shore, Lynn, and Seacoast, Danvers, MA.

2006

  • "Introducing the Year of Luke (Cycle C)." Topsfield, MA
  • "Jesus' Gospel of Love in Mark and Matthew." VOTF North Shore, Lynn, and Seacoast, Danvers, MA.
  • "Jesus' Gospel of Love in Luke's Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles." VOTF North Shore, Lynn, and Seacoast, Amesbury, MA.
  • "Jesus' Gospel of Love in John's Gospel and Epistles." VOTF North Shore, Lynn, and Seacoast, Danvers, MA.
  • "The Passion According to Mark: Jesus, the Suffering Son of God." Cambridge, MA.
  • "The Passion According to John: Jesus, the King of Glory." Cambridge, MA.

2005

  • "Passover, Passion, and Annunciation: Texts and Art." Rosary Academy, Watertown, MA.
  • "Introducing the Sunday Lectionary." VOTF, Winchester, MA.
  • "Creation in the Bible and the Ancient Near East." Paulist Center, Boston, MA.
  • "Abraham, Isaac, and Child Sacrifice in the Ancient Near East." Paulist Center, Boston, MA.
  • "The Exodus and the Canaanite Baal Epic." Paulist Center, Boston, MA.
  • "Creation and Redemption in Second Isaiah." Paulist Center, Boston, MA.

2004

  • "Light in the Old Testament." National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette, Attleboro, MA.
  • "The Book of Ruth," a three-part presentation. Topsfield, MA.
  • "Portraits of Jesus in the Four Gospels." Seacoast Chapter of Voice of the Faithful, parishes in the Archdioceses of Boston and Atlanta.
  • "The Theology of St. Paul." Seacoast Chapter of Voice of the Faithful, parishes in the Archdioceses of Boston and Atlanta.
  • "The Passion of the Christ according to John." Marietta, GA.

Professional Memberships

  • Catholic Biblical Association
  • Society of Biblical Literature
  • Catholic Theological Society of America

Awards/Honors Received

  • Book Awards from The Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada: for Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities. Author with Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Thomas A. Greisen, and Kathleen Harmon. (Collegeville: The Liturgical Press.)
    • 2004: Second Place in Liturgy
    • 2003: Third Place in Liturgy
    • 2002: First Place in Liturgy
    • 2001: Second Place in Liturgy
  • Dean's Dissertation Fellowship, Harvard University (1998)
  • Harvard Certificate for Distinction in Teaching (1997, 1995)

Significant Publications/Presentations/Panels

Books

  • Introduction to the Prophets: Their Stories, Sayings, and Scrolls. Paulist Press, 2007.
  • Yahweh Is Exalted in Justice: Solidarity and Conflict in Isaiah. Fortress Press, 2001.
  • Nine volumes of Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities. Author with Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Thomas A. Greisen, and Kathleen Harmon.
    • Year A, 2008 (Liturgical Press, 2007)
    • Year C, 2007 (Liturgical Press, 2006).
    • Year B, 2006 (Liturgical Press, 2005).
    • Year A, 2005 (Liturgical Press: 2004).
    • Year C, 2004 (Liturgical Press: 2003).
    • Year B, 2003 (Liturgical Press: 2002).
    • Year A, 2002 (Liturgical Press: 2001).
    • Year C, 2001 (Liturgical Press: 2000).
    • Year B, 2000 (Liturgical Press: 1999).
  • Living Liturgy for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 2007. Author with Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Thomas A. Greisen, and Kathleen Harmon. Liturgical Press, 2006.
  • Living Liturgy for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, 2008. Author with Joyce Ann Zimmerman, Thomas A. Greisen, and Kathleen Harmon. Liturgical Press, 2007.

Recent Articles and Reviews

  • Review of The Desert Will Bloom: Poetic Visions in Isaiah eds. A. Joseph Everson and Hyun Chul Paul Kim (Society of Biblical Literature, 2009). Forthcoming.
  • The Catholic Prayer Bible: Lectio Divina Edition. New York / Mahwah, N.J.: Paulist Press, 2010. Commentary and nßotes on the following books:
  • "Daniel," 1414-1441;
  • "Nahum," 1493-1497;
  • "Habakkuk," 1499-1503;
  • "Zephaniah," 1505-1510.
  • "Resurrection: Biblical Considerations." Liturgical Ministry 18 (Summer 2009): 97-106
  • "The Sunday Gospels of Ordinary Time: Hearing His Voice, Entering His Mystery." Liturgical Ministry, 17 (Fall 2008) 173-182.
  • "The Branch." Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception. Walter de Gruyter Press.
  • "Isaiah and the God of Justice," The Bible Today 43 (November 2005) 359-64.
  • "The Sunday Lectionary as Bible Interpreter," Liturgical Ministry: 13 (Fall 2004) 169-180. (Invited article).
  • "Community Conflicts and Decision-Making in the Early Church." July 2002. Online: http://www.voiceofthefaithful.org; July 2002.
  • "Faith-in-Action: Biblical Aspects," Liturgical Ministry, 9 (Fall 2000) 184-95. (Invited article).
  • "The Gospel Meets the World: Translation and Inculturation." La Salette America." January 2010, 9-11.
  • "What the New Testament Says about the Laity." La Salette America (April 2008): 9-11.
  • Review of Reading Isaiah: Poetry and Vision by Peter D. Quinn-Miscall (Louisville / London / Leiden: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001) in Biblical Interpretation: A Journal of Contemporary Approaches. (Vol. XII, No. 1, 2004: 97-99).
  • Review of Injustice Made Legal: Deuteronomic Law and the Plight of Widows, Strangers and Orphans in Ancient Israel by Harold V. Bennett. (Grand Rapids, Michigan / Cambridge, U.K.: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002) in Review of Biblical Literature. (Fall 2003).
  • Review of Isaiah 40-55 (Anchor Bible 19A) by Joseph Blenkinsopp (New York: Doubleday, 2002) in Review of Biblical Literature (2003: 271-74)