Zachary Moon

Professor Moon is a leading voice in the study of moral injury and moral distress, and publishes and consults widely on the topic. His broader research interests include pastoral and practical theologies, psychology, and trauma studies. He is the author of four books, Coming Home: Ministries That Matter with Veterans and Military Families (Chalice Press, 2015), Warriors between Worlds: Moral Injury and Identities in Crisis (Lexington Books, 2019), Goatwalking: A Quaker Pastoral Theology (Brill, 2021), and Doing Theology in Pandemics: Facing Viruses, Violence, and Vitriol (Pickwick, 2022). His articles have been published in the Journal for Pastoral Theology, Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Journal of Religious Education, Journal of Pastoral Psychology, International Journal of Narrative Therapy and Community Work, Christian Century, Christianity Today, Huffington Post, Religion Dispatches, among others. He has served as a chaplain in multiple contexts, and specializes in working with military veterans and their families, training faith communities in post-deployment reentry and reintegration, and building sustainable social movements for justice through holistic compassionate care. Moon was raised in the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) and is currently ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

“Theology is a constructive task consequential to real persons, embodying real needs and gifts, challenged by real circumstances. Theology without urgency, responsibility, and humility can willingly and unwillingly perpetuate violence, dehumanization, and destruction. Those preparing for ministry should consider such a calling to be both sacred and dangerous, and critically important to the future of our world. A proliferating multitude of public spaces and discourses fraught with moral, religious, and spiritual significance demand our attention and engagement.”