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Trevor Bechtel is a lecturer at the School of Social Work, committed to fostering learning communities that can engage in difficult conversations. He focuses on questions of ethics and the human in his teaching and scholarship. His books include "The Gift of Ethics" (2014) and "Encountering Earth" (2018). He has taught courses in social justice, environmentalism, ethics and religion at universities throughout the Great Lakes region for the past 30 years. He is also a creative who explores the edges of the human, especially through music.
Contact Information
Education
- 2008 PhD Constructive TheologyLoyola University, Chicago, IL
- 1999 MA Theological StudiesLoyola University, Chicago, IL
- 1993 BA Religious StudiesUniversity of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA
- 1991 BTh Biblical StudiesCanadian Mennonite Bible College, WInnipeg, Manitoba, CANADA
Activities
Publications
Bechtel, T. (2022). A good story: Meat eating for Christians. In I. Markham (Ed.), Thinking Creatively. Wiley.
Bechtel, T. (2022). Creation in Pilgram Marpeck, Nancey Murphy, and Kathryn Tanner. In J. D. Weaver, G. Mast, & T. Bechtel (Eds.), Anabaptist Convictions After Marpeck. Cascadia.
Bechtel, T. (2020). Focal practices, virtuality, authenticity, and public space. In T. Wainwright (Ed.), T&T Clark Companion to Christian Ethics. London: T&T Clark.
Bechtel, T. (2018). The cruciform lap: The common life of cats, chickens and couples. In T. Bechtel, M. Eaton, & T. Harvie (Eds.), Encountering Earth. Eugene: Cascade.
Bechtel, T., Harvie, T., & Eaton, M. (2018). Introduction. In T. Bechtel, M. Eaton, & T. Harvie (Eds.), Encountering Earth. Eugene: Cascade.
Bechtel, T. (2016). [Review of the book The End of Captivity by Tripp York]. Direction, 45(2).
Bechtel, T. (2015). [Review of the book A Faith Embracing All Creatures: Addressing Commonly Asked Questions about Christian Care for Animals by Tripp York and Andy Alexis-Baker]. Mennonite Quarterly Review, 89(1).
Presentations
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Bechtel, T. (2024, January) “Teaching Restorative Justice: Exploring Traditions, Transforming Practice” presentation at the Society of Christian Ethics, Chicago, IL |
| 2024 | Bechtel, T. (2024, January) “Marine Mammals in Black Feminism, Jewish, and Christian Ethics” presentation at the Society of Christian Ethics, Chicago, IL |
| 2023 | Bechtel, T. (2023, September) “Farmed Animal Welfare: The National Discussion” presentation at the Rooted and Grounded conference, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, IN |
| 2023 | Bechtel, T. (2023, June) “Religion in Divine Texts” presented to the Mennonite Christian Shi’a Muslim Dialogue VIII, IKERI, Qom, Iran |
| 2023 | Bechtel, T. (2023, October) “Resetting the Table” presentation to the Mountain States Mennonite Conference Faith and Life Forum, Virtual Presentation |
Courses
Current & Future Courses
| Title | Instructor | Term | Course Section | Meeting Start | Meeting End | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essentials of Social Welfare Policy | Bechtel, Trevor | Fall 2026 | 006 | 09:00 am | 12:00 pm | View Course |
| Engaging Social Justice, Diversity, and Oppression in Social Work | Bechtel, Trevor | Fall 2026 | 013 | 06:00 pm | 09:00 pm | View Course |