Michael J. Sleasman, PhD, is Associate Professor of Bioethics and the Director of Bioethics Degree Program for Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). He previously served for 12 years as the the Managing Director and Research Scholar for The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD), and has served as an affiliate professor, adjunct instructor, and online course tutor at the college and graduate level in the areas of philosophy, theology, ethics, and cultural engagement.
Michael completed his doctorate in theological studies with a concentration in systematic theology from TEDS. His doctoral research explored the theological and ethical dimensions of eschatological hope in light of virtue theory. His areas of research specialization include the theological engagement of bioethical issues with particular emphasis on biotechnology, other emerging technologies, and human futures, as well as the intersection of technology, ethics, and culture in general.
He is a co-editor of Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends with Kevin J. Vanhoozer and Charles A. Anderson, which also has been distributed in Korean, Chinese traditional script, and English-language for Indonesia editions. He has published a number of essays, book chapters, articles, and book reviews in the areas of theology, bioethics, and technology, including contributing the entry on "Bioethics" to the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Academic, 2017), entries on "Nanotechnology" and "Robots" to the Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics, edited by Henk ten Have (Springer, 2016). Michael serves on the Board of Reference for the Christian Institute on Disability for Joni & Friends, International, as a consulting editor for the Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability, and is the editor for Ethics & Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics published by the Bioethics Department of Trinity International University.
He has been interviewed on a range of bioethical issues by such media sources as ABC News Radio, Atlanta Magazine, CNS News, Family News in Focus, Medill News, Northwestern College Media, and SRN News, and has delivered workshops, lectures, and presentations for CBHD, Crown College, Lincoln Christian University, Joni & Friends, the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, the International Academy for Bioethical Inquiry, the Evangelical Theological Society, and the American Scientific Affiliation. He and his wife Cindy reside in the northern suburbs of Chicago with their three children.
Essays & Other Publications by Michael Sleasman:
- Co-author, Megan Best, Michael Sleasman, Elizabeth Hegedus, and Timothy E. Schlub, "Protestant Christian Attitudes to ART" Human Reproduction Online 3 (2019).
- "Ethics in the Era of Precision Medicine" in Principles and Applications of Engineering in Medicine (ed. Lawrence Chan and William Tang, CRC Press, 2019).
- "Bioethics" in Evangelical Dictionary of Theology 3rd ed. (ed. Daniel Treier and Walter Elwell, Baker Academic, 2017).
- Co-author, Michael Sleasman and Gregory W. Rutecki, "A Christian Physician: Combining Conscience, Philanthropia, and Calling" Christian Bioethics 22, no. 3 (2016): 340–362.
- "Robots" in Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics (ed. Henk ten Have, Springer, 2015, 2016).
- "Nanotechnology" in Encyclopedia of Global Bioethics (ed. Henk ten Have, Springer, 2015, 2016).
- "Bioethics in Transition" Dignitas 21, no. 2 (Summer 2014): 1, 4–5, 9
- "Who Will Be the Last Human? Or, Are We Even Still Human?" Dignitas 19, no. 2 (Summer 2012): 1, 3.
- Co-author, Paige Comstock Cunningham and Michael Sleasman, "Exploitation in the Global Medical Enterprise: Bioethics and Social Injustice" in Social Injustice: What Evangelicals Need to Know About the World (ed. William Moulder and Michael Cooper; Timothy Center Press, 2011).
- “Bioethics Past, Present, and Future: Important Sign Posts in Human Dignity” in Beyond Suffering Study Guide (Joni & Friends, Intl, 2011).
- “New Technology and Christianity” in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization (ed. George Kurian; Blackwell, 2009, 2012) vol. 3, 1666–1667.
- “Post-Conservative Theology” in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization (ed. George Kurian; Blackwell, 2009, 2012) vol. 3, 1851–1853.
- "Biotechnology Meets Primetime TV" Dignitas 16, no. 2 (Summer 2009): 4–5.
- "Beyond Perfectionism" Dignitas 15, no. 1&2 (Spring/Summer 2008): 5.
- Co-editor, Kevin Vanhoozer, Charles Anderson, Michael Sleasman, eds. Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends (Baker Academic, 2007).
- “Swords, Sandals and Saviors: Visions of Hope in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator” in Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends (Baker Academic, 2007), 132–151.
- Co-author, Jeremy Lawson, Charles Anderson & Michael Sleasman “The Gospel according to Safeway: The Checkout Line and the Good Life” in Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends (Baker Academic, 2007), 62–79.
- Co-author, Charles Anderson & Michael Sleasman “Putting it into Practice: Weddings for Everyday Theologians” in Everyday Theology: How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends (Baker Academic, 2007), 228–244.
Letters:
- Filed a letter with Michael Sleasman on behalf of CBHD with the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues emphasizing the need to welcome religious values and perspectives in the public square (July 2015)
Reviews by Michael Sleasman:
- “Marilyn E. Coors: The Matrix: Charting an Ethics of Inheritable Genetic Modification” Ethics and Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics 23, no. 1 (2007): 57.
- “Edwin C. Hui: At the Beginning of Life: Dilemmas in Theological Bioethics” Ethics and Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics 22, no. 2 (2006): 120–121.
- “Sam Van Eman: On Earth as it is in Advertising? Moving from Commercial Hype to Gospel Hope” Reviews in Religion and Theology 13, no. 4 (2006): 524–526.
- “Oliver O’Donovan: The Ways of Judgment” Reviews in Religion and Theology 13, no. 3 (2006): 409–410.
- “Stan Nussbaum: American Cultural Baggage” Reviews in Religion and Theology 13, no. 2 (2006): 252–253.
- “Derek Jeffreys: Defending Human Dignity” Trinity Journal 26, no. 2 (2005): 346–348.
- “Dennis Hollinger: Choosing the Good” Trinity Journal 25, no. 1 (2004): 127–129.
- “Quentin Schultze: Habits of the High-Tech Heart” Trinity Journal 24, no. 2 (2003): 313–14.
