Short Bio
2004—2008: Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management at Instituto de FormaçãoTurística, , Macau
2008—2012: Bachelor of Christian Studies at the University of Saint Joseph, Macau/ Sacrae Theologiae Baccalaureus at Universidade Católica Portuguesa
2012—2013: MA in Theology and Religious Studies at Katholieke UniversiteitLeuven, Belgium
2013—2014: Master of Advanced Studies in Theology and Religious Studies /Sacrae Theologiae Licentiatus at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium
2014—Feb 2019: Doctor of Theology / Sacrae Theologiae Doctor at KatholiekeUniversiteit Leuven, Belgium
Sep 2019—Present: Assistant Professor at FRSP, USJ
May 2023––Present: Head of Department of Catholic Theology; Programme Coordinator of Bachelor of Christian Studies and Foundation Year in Philosophy
Publications
Journal Articles (Peer-Reviewed)
“Does Romans 2:14 Refer to the Natural Law?”. Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies, no. 6 (2021): 57–74.
“What Goes Around Comes Around? The (Non-)Existence of (Divine) Retribution in Ancient Chinese Literature and the Hebrew Bible.” In Sacred and the Everyday: Comparative Approaches to Literature, Religious and Secular. Edited by Stephen Morgan. 183–196. Macau: University of Saint Joseph Press, 2021.
“The Magnificat: Read from Its Sources?” Orientis Aura: Macau Perspectives in Religious Studies 2 (2017): 7-38.
“Hybridity as Given and Gift: Macao and Samaria.” Hapág: A Journal of Interdisciplinary Theological Research 10 No. 2 (2013): 69-84.
Monograph
A Cognitive Semantic Study of Biblical Hebrew: The Root šlm for Completeness-Balance. Studies in Semitic Languages and Linguistics 104. Leiden: Brill, 2021.
Conference Presentations (Selected)
“Heaven Beyond Heavens: Heaven/Sky in Ancient Chinese Philosophies and the Hebrew Bible.” 2021 Singapore-Hong Kong-Macau Symposium on Chinese Philosophy. University of Saint Joseph, Macau. May 14–15, 2021.
Public Lectures
“A Glimpse of Joseph Ratzinger’s Theology of Creation, Sin, and Redemption: Reviewing His Canonical Interpretation of Genesis 1–3.” The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI (1927-2022). University of Saint Joseph, Macau. 18 May 2023.
Modules
Year 1 Master
The aim of this course is to give a comprehensive and intercultural understanding of hermeneutics as well as a methodological foundation for research in cross-cultural philosophy. It intends to examine and discuss the philosophical borrowings from one cuture to another through the study of the most important thinkers.
This course explores the field of comparative or intercultural aesthetics. Besides studying the latest issues in the comparing the philosophy of beauty and art of different cultures, we will also investigate the artistic cross-fertilisation between cultures, and look into some of the contemporary issues in comparative aesthetics. Focus will be on Chinese, Japanese and Indian aesthetics, and the rethinking of the East-West dichotomy in aesthetics.
Year 2 Bachelor
The history and faith of Israel are examined from the earliest beginnings through the reign of Solomon. The text is interpreted with regard to the cultural context of the Ancient Near East. The early prophetic tradition is explored in light of Torah and the historical writings of the Hebrew Scriptures. Special attention is given to the theological significance for Christian faith.
This course explores the origins, structure and general character of Matthew, Mark and Luke with special emphasis on the theological thrusts of each gospel. Select pericopes, chosen to create an awareness of the difficulties and problems of New Testament interpretation, are taken for extensive exegesis.
An exegesis in light of the ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish world with attention to the exegesis of narrative, historical accuracy and context, theological themes, structure, and application.
Year 3 Bachelor
This course studies the prophets of Israel and the world in which they lived, from the division of the Israelite kingdom to the Maccabean period, to understand their message as well as the nature of the prophetic tradition and its relevance for the church today.
The course explores the development of the wisdom tradition in ancient Israel and in the New Testament. Attention will also be given to the various adaptations of this important and wide-ranging theological tradition in post-biblical Judaism and in Gnosticism, as well as to different methodological approaches, such as historical, literary, and feminist.
With consideration of the context of the historical situation of the community in which and for which the Johannine texts were written, this course offers an examination of the Gospel and Letters of John. Emphasis is given to the theology (Christology, Ecclesiology, Eschatology, Ethics) of the texts and their significance for contemporary Christian faith.
As an integral part of the Licenciate studies, all undergraduate students at USJ are required to prepare and present a portfolio of their work. The portfolio is assembled over the entire duration of their undergraduate studies, and is to consist of selected pieces of work that they have produced during their studies. A student’s portfolio may contain examples of assignment work, tests and examination answer scripts, presentations and project reports, and other work done by the student during his or her studies.
Year 2
This course is a thorough and rigorous introduction to biblical Hebrew, with emphasis on grammar, in preparation for translation of biblical prose. Daily preparation and active class participation are mandatory. Readings in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament will increase in complexity throughout the year.
Year 3
This course is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to read pointed Hebrew texts, with primary attention to the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia. There four main objectives: (a) correct pronunciation of biblical Hebrew, (b) accurate translations into good English/Mandarin style, (3) facility with standard reference grammars and lexicons, and (d) mastery of Hebrew grammar. In addition to the ability to read pointed text, some translation from English/Mandarin into standard biblical Hebrew will be required.
