Michael Stoltzfus

Mike Stoltzfus joined the faculty of Georgia Gwinnett College as a professor of religion in 2015 and is the coordinator for the religious studies minor. Prior to GGC, he taught religious studies and philosophy at Valdosta State University for 16 years. He is interested in how divergent religious and spiritual practices transform everyday life and has taught many courses including world religions, religion and culture, Buddhism, Asian religions, inter-religious dialogue, comparative religious ethics, human sexuality, Japanese spiritual traditions, and spirituality, health and well-being. Most recently, Stoltzfus' research has investigated how distinctive religions of the world represent and respond to people living with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. His publications include numerous articles and four books, Disability and Religious Diversity: Cross-Cultural and Inter-religious Perspectives, Disability in Judaism, Christianity and Islam: Sacred Texts, Historical Traditions, and Social Analysis (co-edited with Darla Schumm, 2011), Chronic Illness, Spirituality, and Healing: Diverse Disciplinary, Religious, and Cultural Perspectives (co-edited with Rebecca Green, 2013), and World Religions and Disability Studies (Baylor University Press 2016).

Stoltzfus has co-directed eight Japan Summer Study Abroad Programs in the past ten years where students learn about Japanese spiritual and cultural traditions along with survival Japanese language. The program is affiliated with Otemon Gakoin University in Osaka and incorporates multiple Kyoto and Nara excursions, two days Hiroshima, five days in Tokyo, and much more.

• Doctorate – religion, ethics and society – Vanderbilt University
• Master's – religious studies – Pacific School of Religion
• Bachelor's – interdisciplinary studies – Goshen College

• Religious pluralism and dialogue
• Religion and culture
• Buddhism and Asian religions
• Spirituality, health and well-being
• Religion and sexuality
• Mediation and contemplative practices
• World religions