Berge Traboulsi, D.Th, MBA

 

Dr. Berge Traboulsi
Associate Professor
Faculty of Humanities
Office: CB 405
Tel. ext.: 245
berge.traboulsi@haigazian.edu.lb
Academia: https://haigazian.academia.edu/BergeTraboulsi

 

BIO

Dr. Berge Traboulsi is Associate Professor of History, Religion and Intercultural Studies. During the last 25 years, he has presented academic papers at international conferences, given public lectures, and published academic papers at refereed publications. He has appeared on local and regional TV stations on issues related to ‘Human Rights’, ‘Politics in the Middle East’, ‘Religious Tolerance’, and ‘Political and Social Change in Lebanon’.

Dr. Traboulsi is a member of

• The European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies [www.esitis.org] (Board member, 2024 – 2028)
• The European Society for the Study of Science and Theology [www.esssat.net]
• The International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) [http://iota-web.org/]
• The European Forum for the Study of Religion and the Environment [https://www.religion-environment.com/]

 TEACHING INTERESTS

• World Religions
• Intercultural Studies
• Applied Ethics
• Leadership

Research Interest

• World Religions
• Applied Ethics
• Human Rights
• Intercultural & Interreligious Relationships
• Theology, Religion, and Science in the 21^st Century
• Higher Education in the 21^st Century: Online Learning
• Nonprofit Administration: Leadership, Change Management, Organizational Culture & Climate, Organization Development
• Church Issues: Modern Church Challenges, Church Reform and Church Administration

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

• “Eastern Orthodoxy and Glocal Sustainability: Towards Shaping a Modern Church Organizational Culture”, in Michael Fuller, Mark Harris, Joanna Leidenhag, and Anne Runehov (Eds.), Issues in Science and Theology – Global Sustainability: Science and Religion in Dialogue, (vol. 7), Zug, Switzerland: Springer, Cham 2023 (ISBN 978-3-031-41799-3), pp. 197-209 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41800-6_19
• “Eastern Orthodoxy and Church Reform”, in Public Orthodoxy (August 10, 2023) available at https://publicorthodoxy.org/2023/08/10/eastern-orthodoxy-and-church-reform/?fbclid=IwAR2Po3LvCXFMdnGODHzQ7IssqyptbCmwGIs1bxNjFOwU8FGT_Had9tDHqaY
• “Orthodox Traditionalism and Creative Pluralism: Praying with Icons and the Communication with Saints in the Digital Era”, in Michael Fuller, Dirk Evers, and Anne Runehov (Eds.), Studies in Science and Theology, vol. 18, Creative Pluralism? Images and Models in Science and Theology, Bamberg: ESSSAT, 2022 (ISBN 978-3-00-072022-2), pp. 125-136.
• “Citizenship and Participation in Public Life – Middle East” in Dietmar W. Winkler (Ed.), Towards a Culture of Co-Existence in Pluralistic Societies: The Middle East and India, New Jersey: Gorgias Press LLC, 2020 (ISBN 978-1-4632-4253-4), pp. 59-81.
• “Eastern Orthodox Theology and Naturalism: A Critical Analysis of a Controversial Relationship” in Michael Fuller, Dirk Evers, Anne Runehov, Knut-Willy Sæther, and Bernard Michollet (Eds.), Studies in Science and Theology, vol. 17, Are We Special?, Bamberg: ESSSAT, 2020 (ISBN 978-3-00-058578-4), pp. 149-165.
• “Curriculum Reform in Higher Education: Redesigning the Intercultural Studies Programs” in Arda Ekmekji (Ed), The Relevance of Intercultural Studies in the 21st Century, Religion, Education and Contemporary Concerns, Vol. 2, Beirut: Haigazian University Press, 2020 (ISBN 978-9953-585-41-3), pp. 45-54.
• “Human Uniqueness and God’s Image and Likeness: Analysis of Problematic and paradoxical Ideals in a Corrupt and Changing World”, in Dirk Evers, Michael Fuller, Anne Runehov and Knut-Willy Sæther (Eds.), Studies in Science and Theology, vol. 16, Are We Special?, Bamberg: ESSSAT, 2018 (ISBN 978-3-00-058578-4), pp. 171-191.
• “Emotions and Orthodox Spirituality during Turbulent Times: Analysis of FB Expressions over the Abduction of Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo”, in Dirk Evers, Michael Fuller, Anne Runehov and Knut-Willy Sæther (Eds.), Studies in Science and Theology, vol. 15, Do Emotions Shape the World?, Bamberg: ESSSAT, 2016 (ISBN 978-3-00-051976-5), pp. 167-181.
• “Being Fruitful and Filling the Earth: A Theological and Bioethical Dilemma about Technology and Surrogacy”, in Dirk Evers, Michael Fuller, Antje Jackelén and Knut-Willy Sæther (Eds.), Studies in Science and Theology, vol. 14, What is Life?,Halle: ESSSAT, 2014 (ISBN 978-3-00-045565-0), pp. 243-259.
• “Freedom of Thought, Opinion and Expression’ within an Eastern Mediterranean Context: Critical Reflections”, in Annales de Philosophie & des Sciences Humaines, University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], (no 28), 2012, pp. 465-474.
• “Bishop Euthymius El Saïfi and Uniatism: A Critical Reading”, in Nafhat al Moukhalliss, (vol 50), Saida, 2012, pp. 20-35.
• “The Ethical Challenges of Executive Leadership: A Stakeholder Analysis”, in Pertinence, The Antonine University [UPA], (no 4), 2011, pp. 237-253.
• “Ethical Challenges in Today’s Higher Education Institutions in Lebanon: A Stakeholder Analysis”, in Louis Colombo and Aaran Vlasak (Eds), The Public Life of Ethics, Oxford: Inter-Disciplinary Press, 2010 (ISBN: 978-1-84888-029-0), pp. 29-36.
• “Secularism in a Multi-Confessional Lebanon: Religious Obstacles and Prospective Solutions”, in Annales de Philosophie & des Sciences Humaines, University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], (no 25), 2009, pp. 269-180.
• “Religiousness and Extremism: A Dialectic Perspective” (In Arabic), Adyan, 2009, The Doha International Center for Interfaith Dialogue, (n. 0), pp. 44-55.
• “The Challenges of Teaching about Religions in a Multi-confessional Lebanon: Case Study Haigazian University (1998-2008)”, in Annales de Philosophie & des Sciences Humaines, University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], (no 24, vol 2), 2008, pp. 268-282.
• “From Pedagogy to Webagogy in Higher Education: Perspectives and Prospectives” in I-TCE Proceedings, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait, 2008, pp. 223-229.
• “Citizenship in Multicultural Lebanon: A Critical Approach”, in Annales de Philosophie & des Sciences Humaines, University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], (no 23, vol 2), 2007, pp. 97-113.
• “Some Aspects of Protestant-Orthodox Relations in Modern Times: A Historical Analysis”, in Chronos, University of Balamand, (no 16), 2007, pp. 69-94.
• “The Synodical Letter of the Council of Antioch (324/325) and the Nicene Creed (325): A Study in the History of Doctrine” (In Arabic), in Chronos, University of Balamand, (no 13), 2006, pp. 37-61.
• “Ethical Leadership in a Turbulent Lebanon”, in Annales de Philosophie & des Sciences Humaines, University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], (no 21, vol 2), 2005, pp. 21-32.
• “Cyril Lucaris, the Calvinist Patriarch” (In Arabic), in Al-Nashra (The Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon (119)4-5, April- May, 2005, pp. 288-293, 336-342.
• “The Church and Civil Marriage” (In Arabic), in Al-Nashra (The Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon), (117)6, June 2003, pp. 378-382.
• “The Theological Conflict between the Greek Orthodox and the Greek Catholics at the Antiochian Patriarchate, 1722-1848” (In Arabic), in Chronos (University of Balamand), (no 7), 2003, pp. 53-99.
• “The Greek Catholics at the Antiochian Patriarchate, from an Ecclesiastical Community to Church-Millet, 1722-1848” (In Arabic), in Chronos (University of Balamand), (no 4), 2001, pp. 91-128.

SELECTED PAPERS PRESENTED AT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

• “Navigating the Divine and the Digital: Eastern Orthodoxy and Al in Light of Mustafa Suleyman’s The Coming Wave and Pope Francis’ Artificial Intelligence and Peace” (presented at ESSAT 2024 Conference on “Sciences, Theologies, Fictions: The Construction of Narrative in Science and Religion”, Split, Croatia, August 2024)
• “The Greek Orthodox Community in Contemporary Sectarian Lebanon: Navigating Social, Political, and Theological Dynamics, Paradoxes, and Dilemmas” (presented online at the Seminar on “Orthodoxy and Democracy”, The University of Oslo-Norwegian Center for Human Rights, Oslo, Norway, December 2023)
• “Eastern Orthodoxy and Church Reform: Towards Shaping a Modern Church Culture” (presented at the International Orthodox Theological Association [IOTA] Mega-Conference on “Mission and the Orthodox Church”, Volos, Greece, January 2023)
• “Eastern Orthodoxy and Glocal Sustainability: Towards Shaping a Modern Church Organizational Culture” (presented at ESSSAT 2022 Conference on “Global Sustainability: Science and Religion in Dialogue”, Ålesund, Norway, May 2022)
• “Unsacred Protests in Lebanon 2019: Sacred Discourses in Contexts and Times of Turbulences and Chaos” (presented online at ESITIS Conference on “Sacred Protest: Religion, Power, and Resistance in an Era of Upheaval”, Bonn, Germany, March 2022)
• “Orthodox Traditionalism and Creative Pluralism: Praying with Icons and the Communication with Saints in the Digital Era” (presented online at ESSSAT 2021 Conference on “Creative Pluralism? Images and Models in Science and Religion”, Madrid, Spain, June 2021)
• “The Orthodox Bishop as a Change Leader in Multi-cultural and Multi-religious Societies: A Stakeholder Analysis” (presented at ESITIS Conference on “The Hope and Despair of Religions: Exploring the Nexus of Theory and Practice”, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, April 2019)
• “Curriculum Reform in Higher Education: Redesigning the Intercultural Studies Programs” (presented at Haigazian University Symposium on “The Relevance of Intercultural Studies in the 21st Century”, Beirut, Lebanon, January 2019)
• “Toward Reforming the Office of the Bishop in the Orthodox Church: The Importance of Modern Leadership Development” (presented at the International Orthodox Theological Association [IOTA] Inaugural Conference on “Pan-Orthodox Unity and Conciliarity”, Iaşi, Romania, January 2019), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ClkIbTEcCA&t=27s
• “Eastern Orthodox Theology and Naturalism: A Critical Analysis of a Controversial Relationship” (presented at the Seventeenth European Conference on Science and Theology [ESSSAT 2018], Lyon, France, 2018)
• “Toward a ‘Continuous Reform’ in the Orthodox Church” (presented at the International Colloquium on RE:FORMATIONS↔MODERNITIES↔ORTHODOXIES, ICED-ISCC, Rome, Italy, 2017), available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqJmiAQy-P0&t=1s
• “Breaking Down the Current Complex Refugee & Migrant Crisis in Europe: Analysis of Paradoxical Integration Values, Challenges, Strategies and Solutions” (presented at The European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies [ESITIS] Conference, University of Münster, Germany, 2017)
• “The Role of the Middle East Council of Churches vis-à-vis the Migrant and Refugee Crisis in Europe” (presented at the Middle East Council of Churches Partners Meeting, Adma, Lebanon, 2016)
• “A Clash of Value Systems: Acculturation of Migrants & Refugees from the Middle East in Europe” (presented at the International Seminar on “Interreligious and Intercultural Relations in a Time of Conflict and Migration in the MENA Region: Comparative Perspectives” – Haigazian University/Lebanon & College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University/USA, Beirut, Lebanon, 2016)
• “Human Uniqueness and God’s Image and Likeness: Analysis of Problematic and paradoxical Ideals in a Corrupt and Changing World” (presented at the Sixteenth European Conference on Science and Theology [ESSSAT 2016], Łódź, Poland, 2016)
• “Emotions and Orthodox Spirituality during Turbulent Times: Analysis of FB Expressions over the Abduction of Metropolitan Paul (Yazigi) of Aleppo” (presented at the Fifteenth European Conference on Science and Theology [ESSSAT 2014], Assisi, Italy, 2014)
• “Citizenship and Participation in Public Life – Middle East” (presented at the Fourth Colloquium Syriacum on “Towards a Culture of Co-Existence in Pluralistic Societies in the Middle East and in India” – PRO ORIENTE, Austria, 2013)
• “The Paradox of Christian Minorities: Contribution vs. Persecution” (presented at the European–Arab Conference on “The Contribution of Religious Minorities to Society” – University of Vienna, Austria, 2013)
• “Peace in a Turbulent Middle East: Cost of Change” (presented at an International Colloquium on “Solidarité et Paix” – University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], Lebanon, 2012)
• “Being Fruitful and Filling the Earth: A Theological and Bioethical Dilemma about Technology and Surrogacy” (presented at the Fourteenth European Conference on Science and Theology [ESSSAT 2012], Tartu, Estonia, 2012)
• “Islam in the European Union: A Question of Acculturation or Incompatibility?” (presented at The European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies [ESITIS] Conference, University of Marmara, Turkey, 2011)
• “Bishop Euthymius El Saïfi and Uniatism: A Critical Reading” (presented at a Symposium about Bishop Euthymius El Saïfi and the 300-year-old monastery of St. Savior –Joun, 2011).
• “Freedom of Thought, Opinion and Expression’ within an Eastern Mediterranean Context: Critical Reflections” (presented at the International Conference on “L’Espace Méditerranéen: Profils et Défis” – University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], Lebanon, 2011)
• “The ‘People of God’ between Temptation and Damnation: Challenges and Prospective Solutions” (presented at the international conference on “The People of God in Bible and Tradition: Semantic Implications and Modern Relevance”, University of Balamand, St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, Lebanon, 2010)
• “Ethical Challenges in Today’s Higher Education Institutions in Lebanon: A Stakeholder Analysis” (presented at the inter-disciplinary.net 2^nd Global Conference – Ethics in Public Life, Salzburg, Austria, 2010)
• “The Decline of the Christian Presence in a Multiconfessional Lebanon: Missions vs. Visions” (presented at the international conference on “Church and Mission in a Multiconfessional Third Millennium”, Aarhus University, Denmark, 2010)
• “Secularism in a Multi-Confessional Lebanon: Religious Obstacles and Prospective Solutions” (presented at the International Conference on “Vers une Laïcité Revisitée” – University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], Lebanon, 2009)
• “E-dialogue, e-discussion, or e-conflict about religions, human rights, and politics? A problematic use of ‘sacred’ texts in the Christian-Muslim Cyber-relationship” (presented at The European Society for Intercultural Theology and Interreligious Studies [ESITIS] Conference, University of Salzburg, Austria, 2009)
• “The Challenges of Teaching about Religions in a Multi-confessional Lebanon: Case Study Haigazian University (1998-2008)” (presented at the international conference on “Trois Religions, Un Seul Homme” – University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], Lebanon, 2008)
• “From Pedagogy to Webagogy in Higher Education: Perspectives and Prospectives” (presented at the I-TCE conference, Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait, 2008)
• “Citizenship in Multicultural Lebanon: A Critical Approach” (presented at the international conference on “La Citoyenneté, Projet d’Etat pour une Nouvelle Société”, University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], Lebanon, 2007)
• “Introduction to Election Monitoring” (Haigazian University / Foundation for Human & Humanitarian Rights-Lebanon, 2006)
• “Lebanon in the Wind: Some Remarks on the Lebanese Politics since February 14, 2005” (The Middle East Regional Workshop of the World Conference on Religion and Peace – Lebanon, 2006)
• “Ethical Leadership in a Turbulent Lebanon” (presented at the International Conference on “God and the Right to be Different” – University of the Holy Spirit-Kaslik [USEK], Lebanon, 2005)
• “Some Aspects of the Protestant Influence on Greek Orthodoxy in Modern Times” (Near East School of Theology [NEST], 2000)

 PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

Certified eLearning Director, Association of Arab Universities [AArU] , Jordan / Academy-UK , UK  (2022)

 ACADEMIC DEGREES

Master of Business Administration, Arab Open University, Lebanon/The Open University, UK (2017)
Doctorate in Theology, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece (1997)
License in Theology, University of Balamand, Lebanon (1991)