Christopher Buck, Ph.D., J.D., publishes broadly as an independent scholar in a wide range of fields, including American studies, Native American studies, African American studies, religious studies, Islamic studies, and Baha’i studies. His Ph.D. (University of Toronto, 1996) is in the academic study of religions, and his law degree (2006) is from the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Dr. Buck’s latest book, Bahá’í Faith: The Basics (2021), is an introduction to this independent world religion that promotes unity among religions, races and nations. (See https://www.routledge.com/Bahai-Faith-The-Basics/Buck/p/book/9781138346161 and the selected excerpts from book reviews below.)
Buck’s prior books include: God & Apple Pie: Religious Myths and Visions of America (2015), introduction by J. Gordon Melton (Distinguished Professor of American Religious History, Baylor University); Religious Myths and Visions of America (2009, “an original contribution to American studies,” Journal of American History, June 2011); Alain Locke: Faith & Philosophy (2005); Paradise & Paradigm: Key Symbols in Persian Christianity and the Bahá’í Faith (1999); Symbol & Secret: Qur’an Commentary in Baha’u’llah’s Kitáb-i Íqán (1995/2004) (“represents the first book-length attempt in the English language to analyse one of the major works of Bahá’u’lláh”—Moojan Momen, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, July 1997); Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations (co-author 2011).
Buck has contributed book chapters to such books as: Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (2021); Winds of Change: The Challenge of Modernity in the Middle East and North Africa (2019, three chapters); The Bahá’í Faith and African American History (2019, two chapters); British Writers: “Ninian Smart” (2018); American Writers: “David Bottoms” (2018); Wiley-Blackwell Companion to the Qur’an (2017); American Writers: “Deganawida, the Peacemaker” (2016); British Writers: “Edward Granville Browne” (2015); ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Journey West: The Course of Human Solidarity (2013); Observing the Observer: The State of Islamic Studies in American Universities (2012); American Writers: “Kahlil Gibran” (2010); The Islamic World (2008); and American Writers: “Alain Locke” (2004).
Buck has published a number of academic journal articles and encyclopedia articles as well. As for popular, online articles, Buck has contributed 418 articles so far to www.bahaiteachings.org and has collaborated with the late Kevin Locke (Tokaheya Inajin in Lakota, translation “First to Arise”), renowned Lakota hoop dancer and flutist, in the ongoing “Indigenous Messengers of God” series (109 articles). In 2021, Buck and Locke teamed up to teach an online course through the Wilmette Institute, “The Great Spirit Speaks: Voices of the Wise Ones” — offered twice in 2021, by popular demand, and offered again in February 2022.
A former university professor, Buck taught at Pennsylvania State University (2011), Michigan State University (2000–2004), Quincy University (1999–2000), Millikin University (1997–1999), and Carleton University (1994–1996). He currently practices law as an attorney in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he lives with his wife, Nahzy Abadi Buck, and their sons, Takur Buck, M.D., and Taraz Buck, Ph.D.
