Professional record · Updated August 2026

Curriculum
Vitae

Michael J. Morris is a biblical scholar specializing in the Dead Sea Scrolls, early Jewish and Christian demonology, and the Synoptic Gospels.

View source CV ↗

Education

  • 2016

    PhD, Biblical Studies

    Trinity College Dublin · Thesis: Apotropaic Traditions in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Synoptic Gospels · Advisor: Benjamin Wold

  • 2008

    MA, Scripture

    Augustine Institute · Thesis: Victory Motifs and Genesis 3:15 · Advisor: Edward Sri

  • 2006

    BA, Business Administration

    University of Mary · Minors in Theology and Philosophy

Academic appointments

  • 2025–present

    Adjunct Professor of Sacred Scripture

    Holy Apostles College and Seminary

  • 2018–2023

    Assistant Professor of Theology

    University of Mary

  • 2017–2018

    Faculty Instructor

    Denver Catholic Biblical School and St. Francis School of Theology for Deacons

  • 2016–2017

    Adjunct Instructor

    St. John Vianney Theological Seminary

  • 2011–2015

    Teaching Assistant

    Trinity College Dublin

Publications

Explore selected scholarship →

Academic reviews

  • Review of Loren T. Stuckenbruck, The Myth of Rebellious Angels, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 80.1 (2018), 171–174.
  • Review of A. K. Harkins, K. C. Bautch, and J. C. Endres, eds., The Fallen Angels Tradition, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 78.3 (2016), 571–573.
  • Review of Ida Fröhlich and Erkki Koskenniemi, eds., Evil and the Devil, Dead Sea Discoveries 23.1 (2016), 121–123.

Professional presentations

  • 2022

    Wicked Woman or Demoness in 4Q184: An Exploration of Gender in the Demonologies of Qumran

    Trinity Center for Biblical Studies research seminar, Trinity College Dublin

  • 2021

    Do the Demonologies of the Dead Sea Scrolls Influence Modern Ideas of Demonic Possession?

    Ancient and Modern Ideas of Possession conference, University of Innsbruck

  • 2020

    Aetiologies of Evil in Enochic Literature: A Response to Ryan E. Stokes

    International Enoch Seminar

  • 2015

    The Use of Deuteronomy in the Matthean and Lucan Temptation

    Irish Biblical Association annual meeting, Dublin

  • 2014

    Scriptural Apotropaism in the Temptation

    Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting, San Diego

  • 2014

    A Devilish Ploy: Satan’s Use of Psalm 91

    International Society of Biblical Literature annual meeting, Vienna

  • 2014

    Apotropaic Tactics in the Temptation

    Irish Biblical Association annual meeting, Dublin

  • 2013

    Apotropaic Prayer in Matthew’s Gospel

    Trinity College Dublin seminar for biblical studies

Teaching record

University courses taught

  • Basic Catholic Beliefs
  • Search for God
  • Letters of the New Testament
  • Benedict: Yesterday and Today
  • Sacred Scripture
  • Prophetic Literature
  • Judaism and Early Christianity
  • The Mystery of Israel
  • Applied Catholic Theology Thesis

Public scholarship

Lecture topics

  • The Biblical Origins of Spiritual Warfare
  • Introduction to the Prophet Isaiah
  • Overview of the Biblical Prophets
  • Introduction to the Four Senses of Scripture

Additional record

Curriculum and leadership

  • Project contributor, Word of Life curriculum, Augustine Institute (2023)
  • Director, Christian Leadership Center, University of Mary (2018–2022)
  • Project contributor, Bible in a Year, Augustine Institute (2017)

Other publications and media

  • “How to Get the Hell Out of Your House — The Spiritual Authority of a Dad,” Man Catholic Podcast (2022)
  • “A Fall to Babylon,” original poem, Saint Austin Review 22.2 (2022), 14
  • “Sealing Confession: A Theological Justification for Keeping a Lid on It,” Prime Matters (2021)

Ancient languages

Biblical Greek and Biblical Hebrew (proficient reading competency); Biblical Aramaic (basic).

Awards and funding

J. Murphy-O’Connor Postgraduate Prize for Excellence in Biblical Scholarship (2015); Trinity College Dublin travel grants (2014).

Professional memberships

Society of Biblical Literature · Catholic Biblical Association · Irish Biblical Association · British New Testament Society