Ferdinand Okorie, CMF

Vice President and Academic Dean

Assistant Professor of New Testament Studies

Education

MDiv, MA,  Catholic Theological Union

PhD, Loyola University, Chicago

Contact

fokorie@ctu.edu

Biography

Ferdinand Okorie is a member of the Claretian Missionaries. He received his MDiv and an MA in Theology with a concentration in Biblical Languages and Literature from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Then, he obtained a PhD in New Testament and Early Christianity at Loyola University Chicago.

His research interests include the Greco-Roman context of Early Christianity, the relationship between Paul’s letters and the Pastorals, the formation of Christian identity and the intersection between religion and culture.

Ferdinand Okorie, CMF

Achievements

Publications
Articles

Book

  • Favor and Gratitude. Reading Galatians in Its Greco-Roman Context. Lanham, MD: Lexington Book/Fortress Academic, 2021.

Co-Author

  • [with Mark Enemali]. Bible, Interpretation and Context. Reading Meaning from an African Perspective. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2023. Selected as one of the Ten Outstanding Books in Mission Studies, World Christianity, and Intercultural Theology for 2023 by the Editors of International Bulletin of Mission Research.
  • [with George Smiga] Rejoice and Be Glad: Daily Reflections for Easter to Pentecost 2023. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2022. Translated by Luis Baudry- Simón, Alégrense y Regocíjense: Reflexiones diaris de Pascua a Pentécostes, 2023. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2022.
  • [with Stephanie DePrez, M. Roger Holland, Verna Holyhead, SGS, Orin Johnson, John T. Kyler]. Living Liturgy: Spirituality, Celebration, and Catechesis for Sundays and Solemnities Year C (2022). Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2021.
  • [with Stephanie DePrez, M. Roger Holland, Verna Holyhead, SGS, Orin Johnson, John T. Kyle].  Living Liturgy for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion for Sundays and Solemnities Year C (2022). Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2021.
  • [with Stephanie DePrez, M. Roger Holland, Verna Holyhead, SGS, Orin Johnson, John T. Kyler]. Living Liturgy for Music Ministers for Sundays and Solemnities Year C (2022). Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2021.

Chapter in a Book

  • “God, Canaan, Egypt, and the Stories of Migration in Intercultural Perspective,” in Deep Inculturation: Global Voices on Christian Faith and Indigenous Genius (ed. Antonio Sison, Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2024), 158-186.
  • “Introduction,” in Bible, Interpretation and Context. Reading Meaning from an African Perspective. Edited by Ferdinand Okorie and Mark Enemali (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2023), 1-7.
  • “The Earth, Cosmology, and Context in the Book of Revelation,” in Bible, Interpretation and Context. Reading Meaning from an African Perspective. Edited by Ferdinand Okorie and Mark Enemali (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2023), 147-165.
  • “Finding Meaning within a Context: Scripture and Faith,” in Bible, Interpretation and Context. Reading Meaning from an African Perspective. Edited by Ferdinand Okorie and Mark Enemali (Lanham, MD: Lexington Books/Fortress Academic, 2023), 167-172.
  • “Mapping Paul’s Rhetorical Discourse about God in Philemon,” in God in Paul’s Letters. (Edited by Timothy Milinovich, Normand Bonneau, and Robert F. O’Toole. (CBQ Imprints 4, Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2023) 112-128.
  • “Greco-Roman καλοκαγαθός in Pauline and the Pastoral Letters” in Forget Not God’s Benefits (Psalm 103:2): A Festschrift in Honor of Leslie J. Hoppe (Edited by Barbara E. Reid, OP, CBQ Imprints 3, Washington, D.C.: The Catholic Biblical Association of America, 2022) 230-246.

Book Review

  • Jarvis J. Williams. The Spirit, Ethics, and Eternal Life. Paul’s Vision for the Christian Life in Galatians. InterVarsity Press, IL 2023. Pp. x-226 in U. S. Catholic Magazine, vol. 88, No. 12, December 2023, 39. Online: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202312/what-were-reading-this-month-december-2023
  • Caryn A. Reeder. The Samaritan Woman’s Story. Reconsidering John 4 After #Church Too. InterVarsity Press, IL 2022. Pp. viii-211 in U.S Catholic Magazine, vol. 87, No 12. December 2022, 39.
  • T. Wright. Broken Signposts. How Christianity makes sense of the World. New York, NY: HarperOne, 2020. Pp vii-198 in U.S. Catholic Magazine, vol 86, no 4, April 2021, 39.
  • Pope Francis. Christ in the Storm: An Extraordinary Blessing for a Suffering World. Ave Maria Press, 2020 in U.S. Catholic Magazine. August 28, 2020. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202008/in-pope-francis-new-book-christ-is-our-peace-in-a-raging-storm/
  • Carla Swafford Works. The Least of This. Paul and the Marginalized. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2020. Pp vii-205 in U.S. Catholic Magazine, vol 85, No 7, July 2020, 39.
  • “Dignified workplace,” U.S. Catholic Magazine, Vol. 89, No. 5, May 2024, 4.
  • “Like the Shepherds in Bethlehem, be a bearer of Good News,” in U. S. Catholic Magazine, December 22, 2023. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202312/like-the-shepherds-in-bethlehem-be-a-bearer-of-good-news/
  • “A Church for All,” in U. S. Catholic Magazine, vol 88. no 11, November 2023, 4.
  • “In times of adversity, hold onto hope: A Reflection for the twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time,” in U. S. Catholic. October 22, 2023.  https://uscatholic .org/articles/202310/a-reflection-for-the-twenty-ninth-Sunday-in-ordinary-time-3/
  • “Seek the peace of God that surpasses all understanding: A Reflection for the twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time,” in U. S. Catholic Magazine. October 8, 2023. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202310/a-reflection-for-the-twenty-seventh-sunday-in-ordinary-time-2/
  • “Faith and Service,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine, vol 88. no 5, May 2023, 4.
  • “Author’s Response: Favor and Gratitude: Reading Galatians in its Greco-Roman Context,” in Conspectus. The Journal of South African Theological Seminary (September 2023): 41-45.
  • “For Power is made Perfect in Weakness” (2 Cor 12:9): Boasting in God’s Strength,” in The Bible Today 61 (July/August, 2023): 218-224.
  • A Reflection on the Fourth Sunday of Advent: “The Gift of God and our Gifts to One Another,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. December 12, 2022. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202212/a-reflection-for-the-fourth-Sunday-of-advent-3/
  • “Let your holiday visits mirror God’s presence in the world” in U.S. Catholic Magazine, December 8, 2022. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202212/let-your-visits-mirror-gods-presence-in-the-world/.
  • “Christmas Presence,” in U.S Catholic Magazine, vol 87, No. 12, December 2022, 18-20 (First Place Award, Best Seasonal Issue, for U.S. Catholic December 2022 Issue at the Catholic Media Association 2023 Awards).
  • “Prioritize You,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine, vol 87, no 9, September, 2022, 4.
  • “A Priest Reflects on Ministry During Covid-19,” in U. S. Catholic Magazine. June 21, 2022. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202206/a-priest-reflects-on-ministry-during-covid-19/

  • “The Freedom of the Children of God: A Reflection on the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time,” in U. S. Catholic Magazine. June 20, 2022. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202206/a-reflection-for-the-thirteenth-sunday-in-ordinary-time-2/

  • “Remember the Power of Prayer this Lent,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. March 18, 2022. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202203/remember-the-power-of-prayer-this-lent/

  • “Lent, Family, and Me,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine, vol 87, no 3. March 2022, 4.

  • “A Reflection for the Baptism of our Lord” in U. S. Catholic Magazine. January 9, 2022. https://uscatholic/articles/202201/a-reflection-for-the-baptism-of-our-lord-2/

  • “Fr. Thomas H. Tobin, SJ: Scholar, Teacher and Mentor,” in The Bible Today 4 (July/August, 2021): 266-268.

  • “How Catholicism Influences President Biden,” in U. S. Catholic Magazine. July 6, 2021. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202107/how-catholicism-influences-president-biden/

  • “The fellowship of believers,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine, vol 86, no 5. May 2021, 4.

  • “For Lent, heed God’s call to repent,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. February 22, 2021. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202102/for-lent-heed-gods-call-to-repent/

  • “In times of suffering, choose hope to find Christ’s healing,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. January 9, 2021. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202101/in-times-of-suffering-choose-hope-to-finds-christs-healing/

  • “A Reflection for the Nativity of Our Lord (Christmas),” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. December 24, 2020. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202012/a-reflection-for-the-nativity-of-our-lord-christmas/

  • “Faithful Witness.” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. Vol 85, no 11. November 2020, 4.

  • “During Crisis, Prayer Leads to Peace,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. July 13, 2020. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202007/during-crisis-prayer-leads-to-peace/

  • “How to Seek Jesus Amid Covid-19,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. June 11, 2020. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202006/how-to-seek-jesus-amid-covid-19/

  • “What Church Leaders can learn from St. Paul about Race and Diversity,” in U.S. Catholic Magazine. June, 10, 2020. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202006/what-church-leaders-can-learn-from-st-paul-about-race-and-diversity/

  • “The Final Call for an Ecumenical Church in Nigeria. Why Now?” in The Insight (June 2008): 31-33.

  • “Militocracy: The Tragedy of the Nigerian State,” in The Pointer (December 2001/2002): 37.

  • “Africa: The Crisis of Authenticity,” in NAPSSEC Journal of African Philosophy (June 2001): 50-57.