Heft, James

James Heft (born 1938) is an American Catholic priest and theologian who has made significant contributions to the dialogue between faith and academic scholarship. As a member of the Marianist order, Heft served as Professor of Theology at the University of Dayton and later as Alton Brooks Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California. His work focuses on the intellectual life of faith, particularly examining how Catholic scholars integrate religious commitment with rigorous academic inquiry. In "Believing Scholars: Ten Catholic Intellectuals," Heft explores the relationship between faith and reason through biographical studies of prominent Catholic thinkers, demonstrating how religious belief can enhance rather than hinder scholarly work. His scholarship addresses the false dichotomy between intellectual rigor and religious faith, arguing for their compatibility and mutual enrichment in the pursuit of truth.