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“The Rev. Dev.” I’m Josh Steele, a pastor-turned-programmer (“Rev[erend]"-to-“Dev[eloper]”) who solves problems with a programmer’s eye for detail and a pastor’s heart for people. As a software engineer, I work mainly on backend development in Java, SQL, and Python for a cybersecurity company. But I’m also an ordained Anglican priest (currently resigned from active ministry), trying to figure out what, if anything, to do with three degrees in theology. After a long time away (for those theology degrees), I’m back in my hometown ofToledo, OH, where I live with my wife and three young children. ...

You can add the following caveats to everything I write online. If it doesn’t directly apply to you, feel free to move along I’m usually writing for a broad audience and just trying to get people thinking. If I’m interested in starting a debate or argument with a specific individual, I will say so directly. If you think reality is more complicated than what I wrote, you’re right All communication is an oversimplification of reality. The shorter my post, the more I’ve purposefully left out. I will (almost) never get into extended arguments online If you still think you really need to say something, write your own post, write me an email, send me a letter, etc. (Just don’t call me, I’m a Millennial!) Finally, I’m just as susceptible to cognitive biases and logical fallacies as anyone else. Nevertheless, I’d like to do my best to stick to the following Rules of Civil Conversation. And I ask that you consider doing the same. ...

If you’d like to ask if I’m interested in guest content on my blog, please don’t. I’m not interested. For all other matters, the best way to contact me is to send an email to blog@joshuapsteele.com. I’ll do my best to read and reply as soon as possible! If you’d like to reach out to me elsewhere online, I try to keep links to all my social profiles updated on my homepage here and also over at steele.omg.lol. ...

(For a brief profile of what I’m like and what makes me tick as a worker, read this self-assessment. You can also view my resume on LinkedIn.) EXPERIENCE Software Engineer II - Proofpoint February 2023 - Present Led the design and development of a major user provisioning integration project, demonstrating leadership and technical skills. Authored scripts for system testing and delivered a technical presentation on the system. Mentored and trained new developers, showcasing leadership and interpersonal skills. Expanded technical skills by learning a new programming language to merge PRs in other areas of the codebase. Advocated for AI-assisted coding tools, assisting the VP of Engineering in research and presentation of findings. Delivered a technical presentation on “How to Use GitHub Copilot” to over 200 colleagues, demonstrating communication and teaching skills. Achieved personal learning goal of gaining familiarity with cloud computing, evidenced by certification and building a cloud-based prototype. Actively shared knowledge with colleagues, providing reading recommendations and stimulating discussions. Established a mentoring relationship with a Senior Engineer, demonstrating initiative and independence. Assumed extra responsibilities as an interim Technical Project Manager, showing problem-solving drive, good judgement, and ability to handle disagreements constructively. Recognized with a substantial raise after 6 months on the job due to exceptional performance and contributions. Resolved customer issues during the user provisioning project’s early access phase and took the lead in addressing a production bug. Coordinated upgrade efforts, assisting other teams based on previous experience. Improved system logging for better development, debugging, and customer support. Participated in research, revision, and planning of a new effort, demonstrating project management skills. Software Engineer I - Proofpoint January 2022 - February 2023 Prepared End User Sync Simplified for EA and GA Release (Q1-Q2 2022) Constructed Okta Integration (Q2-Q3 2022) Responsibilities included: software development (Java, MySQL, JavaScript, Python); bug fixes; research; planning. Managing Editor - Anglican Compass August 2018 - July 2021 Grew monthly users from 10K to over 30K (300% growth) Grew email list from 2K to 10K subscribers (500% growth) Edited guest posts for over 100 authors Managed the publication and/or promotion of 6 books Responsibilities included: project management; research; writing; editing; copyediting; proofreading; content marketing; email marketing; social media marketing; web design (WordPress, HTML, CSS, Squarespace); book publication; book marketing. Pastor/Clergy (Anglican Priest) Church of the Savior (Wheaton, IL); November 2019 - Present Diocese: Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO) Areas of ministry as a Deacon (see below) and now a Priest have included: preaching (public speaking, teaching), teaching, presiding at Holy Communion, providing pastoral care, leading musical worship, volunteering in student ministry, facilitating small group ministry, facilitating men’s ministry, designing and managing church website, and managing the rollout and use of our church management software. (Note: to read/listen to my sermons, go here.) ...

(Note: Since writing the essays below, I’ve left the academy and now work as a software engineer. Nevertheless, I’m keeping these around for posterity.) Wheaton College Graduate School (2017 - ) (Here’s the elevator pitch for my dissertation proposal: “Scriptural, But Not Religious: Karl Barth, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and a Biblical Critique of Religion.”) The Guilt of Karl Barth: Strengths and Weaknesses of Barth’s Römerbrief Reading of Romans 9:30–10:21 The Tree of Religion: Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the Tree of Knowledge in Genesis 2:4–3:24 When will Thy Kingdom Come? The Timing and Agency of the Kingdom of God in the Lord’s Prayer Theological Hermeneutics Essay: The Hermeneutical Implications of Scripture’s Theological Location Beeson Divinity School (2013-2016) To Be or Not To Be Religious: A Clarification of Karl Barth’s and Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Divergence and Convergence Regarding Religion A Crucicentric Credo What Does It Mean To Be Human? Divided Desires? Or Divine Discourse? Disunity as Ecclesiological Impossibility: A Barthian Analogy Dogmatic Essay on Scripture Cedarville University (2009-2013) Reconciliation and the Lack Thereof: Atonement, Ecclesiology, and the Unity of God Creation and Doxology: A Portrait of Biblical Creation Theology Exposition Paper: Deuteronomy 6:1-15 Yahweh’s Rîb Against Israel: Gerichtsrede and the Message of Micah Exposition Paper: Micah 6:1-16 Romans 13:1-7 - A Contextually-Appropriate Reading The Argument/Story of Romans Exegetical Paper: Hebrews 10:19-25

This is a /lists page, where I keep track of the lists I’m working on! Last Updated: 2025-05-14 Habits of Good Citizens (From The Bill of Obligations: Ten Habits of Good Citizens by Richard Haass) Be Informed: Citizens should actively seek accurate, diverse, and reliable information to make thoughtful decisions, especially in an era of disinformation. (See my Information Sources list below.) Get Involved: Participation in civic life—voting, community service, and public discourse—is essential to a functioning democracy. Stay Open to Compromise: Democracy requires negotiation and finding common ground, even when it means not getting everything one wants. Remain Civil: Engaging respectfully with others, including those with differing views, helps maintain a healthy public sphere. Reject Violence: Violence undermines democratic processes and must be unequivocally condemned as a means of political expression. Value Norms: Beyond laws, unwritten norms—like respecting election outcomes and institutional integrity—are vital to democracy. Promote the Common Good: Citizens should prioritize the well-being of the community and nation over narrow self-interests. Respect Government Service: Recognizing and valuing the role of public servants fosters trust and encourages effective governance. Support the Teaching of Civics: Educating current and future generations about democratic principles and responsibilities is crucial. Put Country First: Loyalty to democratic ideals and the nation should take precedence over partisan or personal loyalties. Information Sources News Associated Press The Economist Ground News Reuters Newsletters Adam Kinzinger’s Newsletter Heather Cox Richardson’s Newsletter Timothy Snyder’s Newsletter Questions See my Questions page! Websites: Interesting and/or Useful 12ft BlueSky Profile Cleanup City Guesser Cool Tools Effective Shell Fold N’ Fly Hacker Laws InterNACHI Home Inspection Image Gallery McMaster-Carr Online Catalog OpenTimes Sketchplanations YouTube Channels Budget Mechanic ChrisFix Essential Craftsman First Class Amateur Grand Roofing Home RenoVision DIY The Honest Carpenter Practical Engineering Project Farm Silver Cymbal Smarter Every Day Stumpy Nubs This Old House Veritasium

Note: I haven’t updated this “My Story” page in quite some time. Check my “Now” page for more recent updates. But here’s the TL;DR: We’ve got three kids now. I quit my Ph.D. program, resigned from active ministry, and now work full-time as a software engineer. But I’m leaving this old “My Story” page up as a window into how I summarized my story back in 2021. From Childhood to College God’s faithfulness to me is linked with his faithfulness to my parents. They both grew up in nominally Roman Catholic homes, and came to relationship with Christ shortly before my birth. When I came along, their church environment was a mixture between conservative Baptist and non-denominational. And yet, their departure from the Roman Catholic Church was still recent enough that my grandmother persuaded them to have me baptized as a baby. This was when the first seeds of faith were sown into my life. ...

These days, I’m: Living in Toledo, OH (my hometown!) Raising 3 young kids (6yo, 4yo, 2yo) with my wife Enjoying my work as a software engineer Trying to lose weight (current weight: 220lbs; goal: 200lbs) Working on home repair projects Buying too many books and tools (This is a now page, and if you have your own site, you should make one, too.) Last updated: 2025-05-19

(Note: Since writing this “philosophy of ministry”, I have since resigned from active ministry. I now work full-time as a software engineer, and am trying to discern what my Christian “vocation” looks like, going forward. Nevertheless, I will leave what I’ve written below for posterity.) Every Christian is a theologian. I consider it my life’s work to help “everyday Christians” grow in their knowledge and love of God so that we all can put our gifts to good use by joining with God’s redemptive work in the world. In biblical terms, I’m called to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” and to “build up the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). ...

This is a /questions page, where I keep track of the questions I’m asking! Last Updated: 2025-03-15 Questions I’m Asking (These are in addition to these “self-elicitation” questions, which are always worth asking yourself!) Are “/questions” pages like this a thing? Can we make them a thing? If you have a /questions page, please let me know! What’s a good “budget” version of a Veto Pro Pac TP-LC tool bag? What are the most useful lengths and kinds of rope to have on hand? ...