‘Shelf,’ noun:
A place for stories & books | Submerged ledge sloping down into the deeper places
This is the personal website of Kristofer Zimmitti. I am a historian of religion and an aspiring minister. On this shelf you can find my stories and scholarship that are my way of entering and exploring the deeps.
As an academic I focus and specialize in the histories of archaeology, science and religion, religion and empire, literalism and biblical interpretation, the reception of ancient stories in modern contexts, religion in America, modern theories of religion, and the life and enchantment of J.R.R. Tolkien.
As an anam cara (or ‘soul-friend’) I am passionate about preaching, education and formation in congregational spaces, engaging han and hurt with those healing from difficult church experiences, cultivating deep and good approaches to scripture and sexuality, fostering fellowship and community in congregations, and ecumenical work and partnerships.
By going further into The Shelf you can find updates and information around my two book projects: Shadows & Solid Things: A History of Religion and Archaeology as well as Inside a Very Great Story: The Life and Wonder of J.R.R. Tolkien.
The blog page contains writing both academic and personal. I intend to use it as a creative space for myself that hopefully sparks creative encounters or provides encouragement for those in deep places. Also feel free to subscribe to my Substack @kristoferbzimmitti!
“This was a story of empire through unity, and unity
through uniformity.”
– from “American Babel” article
There are historical consequences for being both Rome and Jerusalem.
– from “A New Jerusalem” article
Please feel free to reach out to me if you need copies of either of these two articles!
