Thomas E. Malewitz

Thomas E. Malewitz Thomas E. Malewitz Thomas E. Malewitz

Thomas E. Malewitz

Thomas E. Malewitz Thomas E. Malewitz Thomas E. Malewitz
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Author

Background

Brief Bio

Tom has authored two academic texts and has served as co-editor of two classroom supplemental volumes. He has published multiple book chapters, and has published articles in The Journal of Catholic Education, The Merton Annual, The Merton Seasonal, and NCEA's Momentum. 


Tom is an active member and has served as a peer-reviewer for the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and the International Thomas Merton Society (ITMS). He is also a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA), College English Association (CEA), and The Thomas Merton Society of Great Britain & Ireland (TMS-GBI).


Recognition: 

  • First Place Book Award, Catholic Media Association, 2021, Category: Pastoral Ministry: Youth/Young Adult, for Authenticity, Passion, & Advocacy (Wipf & Stock, 2020)


  • Drs. Robert & Kathleen Cooter Social Justice Advocate Dissertation Award, Bellarmine University (2019)

Upcoming Books

  • An Inquiry Based Approach for Using Film Based on Theatre to Explore the Human Condition from a Historical and Anthropological Perspective: Hollywood or History?  (Emerald, in process); Co-editor: Adam Zoeller
  • Hollywood or History? An Inquiry Based Approach for Using Comic Based Stories to Teach Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (Emerald, in press - anticipated Dec. 2025); Co-editor: Adam Zoeller

Book Publications

Truth and Reconciliation (Pickwick, 2024)

Framed within the lens of Robert Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership model,Truth and Reconciliation examines and explores trends through global historical accounts and examples of diplomatic leadership surrounding the Truth and Reconciliation Commissions of South Africa and Canada, as a guide to approach America’s divided identity and racial tensions. 


“This book offers a novel approach to discuss, explore, and create first steps to address deep-seated injustices in America.”  

—Jerry Abramson, former director, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (2014–17)


"This book is rich in its analysis of history and Scripture and perceptive in its diagnosis of contemporary challenges. Truth and Reconciliation is an exciting new resource for anyone looking to understand our present challenges and to make progress toward a better future." 

- David Golemboski, associate professor of government and international affairs, Augustana University


"[Malewitz] provides an in-depth examination of the cultural diaspora created for native communities when they are forced to adapt to the foreign  ideologies of a conqueror. Beyond this, he provides a way forward by examining servant leadership and highlighting historical examples of ways to successfully shift the mindset of object-oriented societies to a more other-centered worldview. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking ways to promote social justice."

- Beatriz Pacheco, director of education, Pueblo of Sandia


Official Book Page

Hollywood or History? World Religions (Information Age, 2022)

Co-editor: Adam Zoeller


This volume focuses on the use of film to assist in teaching topics related to World Religions. Each lesson plan includes classroom ready activities that align with Core Principles of Media Literacy, three State standards, and the USCCB Curriculum Framework.


SECTION I: FAITH IN ACTION. 

The Body of Christ (Big Hero 6, 2014); Death and Resurrection (The Dark Knight Rises, 2012); The Hero’s Journey (Fellowship of the Ring, 2001); The Nature of the Ten Plagues the Egyptian gods (The Prince of Egypt, 1998/Exodus: Gods and Kings, 2014)

SECTION II: HISTORICAL CONTEXTS. Catholic Social Teachings (ESPN: Brave in the Attempt, 2015); Telling the Untold Stories (Henri Dauman: Looking Up, 2020); Understanding the Effects of Residential Schools (Holy Angels, 2017); In the Face of Martyrdom (Silence, 2016)

SECTION III: RELIGIOUS FIGURES. Guidance on Non-violence (Gandhi, 1982); The Legacy of Authentic Discipleship (Revolution of the Heart: The Dorothy Day Story, 2020); The Intersection of Civil Rights and Religion (Selma, 2014/Malcolm X, 1992); On Hospitality and Interreligious Dialogue (Of Gods and Men, 2010)

SECTION IV: RITUALS. The Relationship Between Music and Traditional African Religion (Calle 54, 2000); Exorcism, Healings, and Mercy (The Island, 2006); Exploring the Egyptian Book of the Dead (The Ten Commandments, 1956); Pilgrimage as a Devotion of Cultural Awareness and Personal Renewal (The Way, 2010)

SECTION V: WISDOM LITERATURE. Reconciliation (Admissions, 2011);  Buddhism (Groundhog Day, 1993); Wisdom Literature (Thursday Appointment, 2019)

Official Book Page

Authenticity, Passion, & Advocacy (Wipf & Stock, 2020)

Authenticity, Passion, & Advocacy (Wipf & Stock, 2020)

Foreword by: Thomas del Prete


Through scholarship and practice this book explores how the life and writings of Thomas Merton may serve as a guide and bridge for ministers of adolescents, and will offer some practical suggestions for minsters, educators, and parents on topics affecting contemporary adolescents, through the lens of Thomas Merton's life and writings.


"Dr. Malewitz includes Merton’s letters and communication with adolescents, which illustrate Merton’s ability to listen, enter into dialogue, and communicate an understanding of the true self always seeking God. This is a must-read for the minister who seeks to form well the adolescents entrusted to his or her care.” 

- Joseph E. Kurtz, Archbishop of Louisville


"Thomas Malewitz provides an excellent roadmap for Christian educators to incorporate, indeed immerse, their adolescent curricula in the timeless and prescient wisdom of Thomas Merton.”   

- Paul M. Pearson, Director, Thomas Merton Center


"I sincerely believe that this is a book that could change the world one person at a time and will be of great value to anyone touched by the wisdom and vision contained within its pages." - T. Caldwell, Merton Annual 34 (2021), 242-245.


"Malewitz’s book introduced me to another side of Merton—a passionate man, seeking authenticity, leading others to authenticity, advocating for others and open to doubts. I particularly loved Malewitz’s selection of quotes." - P. M. Robertson, Novelist and Speaker, Blog (March 11, 2021)

Official Book Page

Book Chapters

2023 - Solo Chapter

CH 15: There’s always room for a goon in the life of the absurd

An exploration of the lyrics of Warren Zevon in the lens of the existential/philosophical writings of Albert Camus and Franz Kafka

In J. MacKinnon's (Ed.) Warren Zevon and Philosophy: Beyond Reptile Wisdom (Carus Publishing, 2023)


"Many of the seventeen essays are, to my mind, valuable for their examination of the philosophy of absurdism, death, or existence. Other memorable essays in this group include... Thomas Malewitz's "There's Always Room for a Goon in the Life of the Absurd" (175-84)." - J. Schlachter, Review of Warren Zevon and Philosophy: Beyond Reptile Wisdom. Teaching Philosophy 47.2, June 2024.

Official Book Page

2023 - Solo Chapter

CH 4:  The order of the soul: Leonard Cohen’s pneumatological vision 


A theological reflection of Leonard Cohen's album The Future (1992) and the use of imagery of the Spirit throughout the album


In C. Raab's (Ed.)Walk the Line: Rock Music and the Christian Imagination (New City Press, 2023)

Official Book Page

2022 - Multiple Chapters

CH 1 Unity and Community: Big Hero 6 and Paul of Tarsus’s Vision of the Body of Christ 


CH 4 The Nature of the 10 Plagues Against Egypt and the Egyptian Gods


CH 7 Understanding the Effects of Residential Schools and Initial Steps of Reconciliation 


CH 8 In the Face of Martyrdom: Testing the Bedrock of Faith


CH 9 Guidance on Non-Violence: “Gandhi”, Living for Change Through Faith


CH 12 “Of Gods and Men”: On Hospitality and Interreligious Dialogue


CH 14 Exorcism, Healings, and Mercy: The Role of the Holy Fool and Prophet in The Island


CH 15 Exploring the Egyptian Book of the Dead: Weighing of the Heart Ceremony


CH 16 The Camino de Santiago: Pilgrimage as a Devotion of Cultural Awareness and Personal Renewal


CH 19 Wisdom Literature and the Power of the Poetic Word


In T. Malewitz & A. Zoeller's (Eds.) 

Hollywood or History? An Inquiry-Based Strategy for Using Film to Teach World Religions. (Emerald/Information Age, 2022)

Official Book Page

2020 - Co-Authored Chapter w/ Beatriz Pacheco

CH 14: No soy de aquí ni soy de allá: Using multiple methods to share stories that address the cultural diaspora of American Individualism for Latino students.


Using authors such as Helena Maria Viramontes, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and Jorge Luis Borges, this chapter provides an understanding of how magical realism in Latino literature can be a conduit to understanding the natural harmony between humanity, creativity, and social change. 


In G. Liem & D. McInerney's (Eds.) Promoting Motivation and Learning in Contexts: Sociocultural Perspectives on Educational Interventions (Information Age Publishing, 2020)


"The contribution by Pacheco and Malewitz exemplifies culturally responsive teaching and uses Latino literature to address themes of isolationism immigrant students often face." - C. Samuelson, Review of Promoting motivation and learning in contexts:
Sociocultural perspectives on educational interventions by G. A. D. Liem & D. M. McInerney
(Eds.). Education Review 29, 2022.

Official Book Page

Journal Articles

Journal of Catholic Education (2019)

Journal of Catholic Education (2019)

Journal of Catholic Education (2019)

 Co-author: Adam Zoeller 


Tolkien’s allegory: Using Peter Jackson’s vision of fellowship to illuminate male adolescent Catholic education. 


Journal of Catholic Education 22(1), 66-83. 

DOI:10.15365/joce.2201042019 

Read/Download

The Merton Annual (2018)

Journal of Catholic Education (2019)

Journal of Catholic Education (2019)

From the Mountain to the Cross: Revisiting 1968 through the prophetic words of King, Kennedy, Chavez and Merton. 


The Merton Annual 31, 56-66. 

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Journal of Catholic Education (2016)

Momentum [National Catholic Educational Association] (2013)

Momentum [National Catholic Educational Association] (2013)

Co-author: Beatriz Pacheco


Living Solidarity: Helping students with 

learning differences develop dignity for all humanity.

 

Journal of Catholic Education 20(1), 324-332. 

DOI:10.15365/joce.2001162016 

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Momentum [National Catholic Educational Association] (2013)

Momentum [National Catholic Educational Association] (2013)

Momentum [National Catholic Educational Association] (2013)

Who am I? Why am I here?  

Revisiting Renewing the Vision and contemporary challenges of  Catholic adolescents – with possible solutions.  


Momentum XLIV(4), 23-25 

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Other Publications

The Merton Seasonal (2023)

Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Mining Memories of Merton: Review of Jon Sweeney’s (Ed.) Awake and Alive: Thomas Merton According to His Novices (Orbis, 2022).  


Merton Seasonal 48(1), 27-28. 

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Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Chapter Tests


In Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition]

(Ave Maria Press, 2021)

Official book page

The Old Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Encountering Jesus in the New Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

The Old Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Chapter Tests


In The Old Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition]

(Ave Maria Press, 2021)

Official book page

The Merton Annual (2020)

The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual) (2019)

The Old Testament (Student Text) [Third Edition] (2021)

Review of William Meyer’s Three Breaths and Begin: A Guide to Meditation in the 

Classroom (New World Library, 2019).  


The Merton Annual 33, 284-287. 

Official page

Your Christian Vocation (Teacher’s Manual) (2020)

The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual) (2019)

The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual) (2019)

"Chapter Assignment" Rubrics


In Your Christian Vocation (Teacher’s Manual)

(Ave Maria Press, 2020)

Official book page

The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual) (2019)

The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual) (2019)

The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual) (2019)

"Chapter Assignment" Rubrics


In The History of the Catholic Church (Teacher’s Manual)

(Ave Maria Press, 2019)

Official book page

Ph.D. Dissertation (2018)

Ph.D. Dissertation (2018)

Ph.D. Dissertation (2018)

No One is an Island: Student Experiences of a Catholic High School Curriculum Response to Bullying, Based on Themes from the Writings of Thomas Merton. 

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