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Gordon A. Rixon, SJ

A.B.; M.Div.; S.T.L.; Ph.D.

President-Designate, Regis College
Associate Professor, Systematic Theology

gordon.rixon@utoronto.ca
Room 314; ext. 225

Teaching Level: Basic Degree, GCTS Full (Regular Faculty)
Specializations: Systematic Theology
Departments: Theological

Gordon Rixon, SJ completed undergraduate studies in philosophy and mathematics at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, a Master of Divinity and Licentiate in Theology at Regis College, Toronto, and doctoral studies in theology at Boston College. In addition to serving on the Regis Faculty, Gordon is a Research Scholar at the Lonergan Research Institute and a past member of the Institute’s Board of Directors.  He is a literary trustee for the estate of the Canadian Jesuit philosopher and theologian Bernard Lonergan.  Gordon complements his academic work by preaching regularly in local parishes and offering educational seminars in the community.

 

Gordon joined the Regis faculty in 1996 after working on the program staff at the Jesuit Center for Social Faith and Justice in Toronto. He has been a Senior Resident at Massey College at the University of Toronto and a Scholar in Residence at the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research at St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. He served on the Board of Directors of Covenant House, Toronto, Bureau des Gouverneurs, Université St. Paul, Ottawa, and represented the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on the Churches’ Council on Theological Education. He was the Dean of Regis College from 2005 to 2014.

  • Research Interests and Expertise

    Gordon is a specialist in Lonergan studies, systematic theology, and the relation of mysticism and co-developmental (personal, cultural, social and ecological) transformation. He is presently working on a manuscript entitled Transforming Dynamics of Grace: Faith that Does Justice and Appreciates Beauty.

     

    Gordon particpates in a collaborative pilot project with Crivella West Inc, a knowledge firm based in Pittsburgh, the John M. Kelly Library of the University of St. Michael’s College, the University of Toronto Press, the Lonergan Research Institute and other partners to explore the application of advance algorithms to the analysis of digitized corpuses of theological authors.

  • Courses

    • RGT2943HF – Social Faith, Eco-Justice and Transforming Beauty
    • RGT6333HS – Transforming Dynamics of Grace
    • RGT3333HS – Transforming Dynamics of Grace
    • RGT5920HS – Ignatian Mysticism in the World: Reconciliation and Transitional Justice after a Secular Age
    • RGT1101HF – Foundations of Theology
    • RGT3570YY – Lonergan’s Insight
    • RGT6570YY – Lonergan’s Insight

  • Selected publications

    • “The Rhetoric of Leadership: Deepening Responsible Autonomous Agency and Broadening the Scope of Participation through an Ignatian Contemplation of the Parable of the Good Shepherd” in Science et Ésprit 74/2-3 (2022), pp. 371–385.
    • “A Slain Lamb Standing: Journeying in Reconciliation” in International Ignatian Reconciliation Conference: From Crisis and Confrontation to Healing and Forgiveness, How is Reconciliation Possible? (Bogotá: Editorial Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, 2022), pp. 455-474.
    • “History Illumined by Discernment,” in Intellect, Affect, and God: The Trinity, History, and the Life of Grace: Essays in Honor of Robert M. Doran, S.J.,” Milwaukee, WI: Marquette University Press, (2021), pp. 262-273.
    • “Breathing through Cascading Ecologies: The Gift of Hope,” Toronto Journal of Theology 36/1 (2020), pp. 44-53.
    • “Artificial Intelligence as a Theological Challenge,” Toronto Journal of Theology 36/1 (2020), pp. 78-80.
    • “Dwelling on the Way: Pope Francis and Bernard Lonergan on Discernment,” Irish Theological Quarterly 84/3 (2019), pp. 305-318.
    • “The Wall and the Sacred Space,” in Katharine Lochnan et al., eds., Mystical Landscapes: From Vincent van Gogh to Emily Carr, Munich: DelMonico – Prestel Books, 2016, pp. 106-109.
    • “Locating Hegel’s Aufhebung and Tracing Lonergan’s ‘Sublation’ ,” The Heythrop Journal 57/3 (2016), pp. 492-510.
    • “Engaged Collecting: Culture Transforming Mission – The Regis College Library, University of Toronto,” Journal of Jesuit Studies 2/2 (2015), pp. 265-282. Available online through open access at brill.com/jjs.
    • “Beauty, Critical Reflection and Justice,” URAM 34/2 (2011), published in 2015, pp. 130-152.
    • “The Ignatian Presupposition as a Methodological Ground for Collaboration,” in Lonergan Workshop Journal 23 (2009), pp. 413-422.
    • “Re-tensioning Lonergan’s Hermeneutical Scissors,” in URAM 30/4 (2009), pp. 156-164.
    • “Catalogue Entry,” in Patricia Bellamy, Maureen Morin and Karen Turko, eds., Books that Inspire Faculty: An Exhibition at the University of Toronto Libraries, Toronto: University of Toronto Libraries, 2009, p. 47.
    • “Religion as the Dynamic Horizon of Moral Discernment,” in H. Daniel Monsour, ed., Ethics & The New Genetics: An Integrated Approach, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2007, pp. 93-104.
    • “Transforming Mysticism: Adorning Pathways to Self-Transcendence,” Gregorianum 85 (2004), pp. 719-34. Reprinted in Paul Gilbert and Natalino Spaccapelo, eds., Il Teologo e la Storia: Lonergan’s Centenary (1904-2004), Rome: Editrice Pontificia Universita Gregoriana, 2006.
    • “Bernard Lonergan to Thomas O’Malley, November 8, 1978,” edited text with introduction and footnotes supplied, Method: Journal of Lonergan Studies 20 (2002), pp. 77-86.
    • “Derrida and Lonergan on Human Development,” American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly 76 (2002), pp. 221-36.
    • “Derrida and Lonergan on the Human Subject: Transgressing a Metonymical Notion,” Toronto Journal of Theology 18 (2002), pp. 213-29.
    • “Bernard Lonergan and Mysticism,” Theological Studies 62 (2001), pp. 479-97.

    Book Reviews

    • Gerard O’Collins. The Beauty of Jesus Christ: Filling out a Scheme of St. Augustine, Toronto Journal of Theology, 38/2 (2022), pp. 234-235.
    • Louis Roy. The Three Dynamisms of Faith, Searching for Meaning, Fulfillment and Truth, Science et Esprit 73/1-2 (2021), pp. 293-296.
    • Bronwen McShea. Apostles of Empire: The Jesuits and New France, Toronto Journal of Theology, 36/1 (2020), pp. 104-105.
    • Nicholas Shrubsole, What Has No Place, Remains: The Challenges for Indigenous Religious Freedom in Canada Today, Toronto Journal of Theology 35/2 (2019), pp. 228–229.
    • Timothy T. N. Lim. Ecclesial Recognition with Hegelian Philosophy, Social Psychology, and Continental Political Theory: An Interdisciplinary Proposal. Theology and Mission in World Christianity 6, Theological Studies 79/4 (2018), pp. 930-931.
    • Jaques Monet, S.J., et al. Conscience of a Nation: A History of Jesuits in English Canada, Journal of Jesuit Studies 5/2 (2018), pp. 301-303.
    • Randall S. Rosenberg. The Givenness of Desire: Concrete Subjectivity and the Natural Desire to See God, Theological Studies 79/1 (2018), pp. 202-204.
    • Risto Saarinen. Recognition and Religion: A Historical and Systematic Study, Theological Studies 78/3 (2017), pp. 776-777.
    • Charles Taylor. The Language Animal: The Full Shape of the Human Language Capacity, Theological Studies 78/2 (2017), pp. 511-512.
    • Bernard Lonergan. The Incarnate Word, Journal of Jesuit Studies 4/2 (2017), pp. 365-367.
    • Thomas J. McPartland. Lonergan and Historiography: The Epistemological Philosophy of History, University of Toronto Quarterly 81/3 (2012), pp. 670-671.
    • Gerard Walmsley. Lonergan on Philosophical Pluralism: The Polymorphism of Consciousness as the Key to Philosophy, University of Toronto Quarterly 79/1 (2010), pp. 404-405.
    • William A. Matthews. Lonergan’s Quest: A Study of Desire in the Authoring of Insight, University of Toronto Quarterly 77/1 (2008), pp. 360-363.
    • Joseph Fitzpatrick. Philosophical Encounters: Lonergan and the Analytical Tradition, University of Toronto Quarterly 76/1 (2007), pp. 560-561.
    • Jim Kanaris and Mark J. Doorley, editors. In Deference to the Other: Lonergan and Contemporary Continental Thought, University of Toronto Quarterly 75/1 (2006), pp. 376-378.
    • Louis Roy, O.P. Transcendent Experiences: Phenomenology and Critique, American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly 78/4 (2004), pp. 679-682.
    • Ivo Coelho. Hermeneutics and Method: The ‘Universal Viewpoint’ in Bernard Lonergan, University of Toronto Quarterly 72/1 (2003), pp. 521-23.
    • Lynne Faber Lorenzen. The College Student’s Introduction to the Trinity, Toronto Journal of Theology 16/2 (2000), pp. 295-45.

  • Recorded Lectures

    Bernard Lonergan: Christianity’s Response to a Secular Age, Rockville, MD: Now You Know Media, 2018.

  • Currently Teaching