Stephen A. Werner (born 1956) is a college instructor and writer from St Louis.
Biography
Teaching
For over thirty years, Werner has taught as an adjunct instructor of the humanities at several universities in the St. Louis area. Along with courses on religion, theology, mythology, and history; he has taught courses on American culture covering such figures as
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Chairman of the Board" and later called "Ol' Blue Eyes", Sinatra was one of the most popular ...
and
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...
.
Based on his years of teaching religion he wrote ''How to Study Religion: A Guide for the Curious'', an introduction to religion for college students or for those who are curious about religion.
Academic writing
He wrote ''The Handy Christianity Answer Book'': “an ideal ready reference … will interest young adults, general readers, Christians curious to learn more, and those who are spiritual but not religious and would like to explore the basics and some of the mysteries of the religion.” He also wrote ''The Handy History Answer Book'' (4th ed.). Werner holds a Ph.D. in Historical Theology and his academic writing has focused on influential St. Louis Jesuits, such as
Joseph Husslein, S.J. (1873-1952), a key figure in the development of American Catholic social thought in the early 1990s;
Daniel A. Lord
Daniel Aloysius Lord (23 April 1888 – 15 January 1955) was an American Jesuit priest and Catholic writer. He wrote 32 books, 15 booklets, and 228 pamphlets, as well as countless articles. Lord also wrote 70 plays, musicals, and pageants. He ...
, S.J. (1888-1955), one of the most influential Catholic religious figures of the 20th century; and
Dismas Clark, S.J. (1901-1963), who set up the first
halfway house
A halfway house is an institute for people with criminal backgrounds or substance use disorder problems to learn (or relearn) the necessary skills to re-integrate into society and better support and care for themselves.
As well as serving as a ...
for men coming out of prison, and was portrayed in the 1961 movie ''
The Hoodlum Priest
''The Hoodlum Priest'' is a 1961 American drama film by Irvin Kershner, based on the life of Father Charles "Dismas" Clark of St. Louis, who ministered to men in prison and men coming out of prison. During his career Fr. Clark earned the nickna ...
''.
In 2021, Werner published ''The Restless Flame, Daniel Lord, S.J.: Thinking Big a Parochial World,'' a comprehensive biography on this influential Jesuit.
Other writing
Werner's other writings include ''Life Hurts: An Exploration of the Pain and Suffering of Life'' and a humorous satire: ''Elvis and Apocalypse: The Awful Disclosures of Maria, Matron of the Hotel Dew Beanery '' (Revised edition).
Theatrical writing
He has also written and produced several theatrical works such as ''The Back Road to Bethlehem'', a children’s Christmas musical; ''A Streetcar Named Ramona Junction''; ''The Rum Luck of the Irish'', a light-hearted farce set in St. Louis during prohibition; and ''Tobit’s Triumph'' a musical based on the biblical
Book of Tobit
The Book of Tobit () ''Tōbith'' or ''Tōbit'' ( and spellings are also attested) itself from he, טובי ''Tovi'' "my good"; Book of Tobias in the Vulgate from the Greek ''Tōbias'', itself from the Hebrew ''Tovyah'' " Yah is good", also k ...
. He wrote and composed an opera, ''Damn, You Gilgamesh!'' based on the ancient story ''
The Epic of Gilgamesh''. Werner is also a composer. His song “Irish Farewell” is the most popular and is often performed at funerals around the world.
Listen to “Irish Farewell.”
/ref>
Academic articles
* [https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2021/12/29/griffin-black-me-today-242127 "Sixty Years Later, ‘Black Like Me’ is Still Relevant for the Catholic Church." ''America'' (December 29, 2021).]
“The Life, Social Thought, and Work of Joseph Caspar Husslein,” ''Annual Publication of the College Theology Society'' 38 (1992), “Religions of the Book.”
* ttps://muse.jhu.edu/article/649439 “Frank Sinatra and the Hoodlum Priest,” ''American Catholic Studies'' 129 (Winter 2016): 101-106.
“Daniel A. Lord, SJ: A Forgotten Catholic Dynamo of the Early Twentieth Century,” ''American Catholic Studies'' 129 (Summer 2018): 39-58.
"The tragedy of Joyce Kilmer, the Catholic poet killed in World War I." ''America,'' 219, No. 2 (July 27, 2018).
“‘The Birth of a Nation’ sparked decades of racial violence. This Jesuit understood its unholy power.” ''America'', 224, No. 2 (February 19, 2021).
* ttp://daniellordsj.com/SLCHP12-LordNuns.html “Daniel Lord, S.J.: Booster for the American Nun,” ''St. Louis Cultural History Project'' (Spring 2022).br>Arthur Floyd: The Pretty Boy in St. Louis," ''St. Louis Cultural History Project'' (Summer 2022).
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Werner, Stephen A.
1956 births
Living people
Academics from Missouri
Writers from St. Louis