# Bruce Hedman

Bruce A. Hedman (born November 30, 1953) is an American mathematician, theologian, and Presbyterian pastor. He has been a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Connecticut (UConn) since 1982 and the pastor of historic Abington Congregational Church in Pomfret Center, Connecticut since 1988. Hedman is known for his work at the intersection of mathematics, religion, and psychology, with a particular focus on synthesizing scientific and theological perspectives.

## Early life and education

Hedman was born on November 30, 1953, in Seattle, Washington. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics magna cum laude from the University of Washington in 1974. He continued his education at Princeton University, where he obtained a Ph.D. in Mathematics in 1979, under the supervision of Harold W. Kuhn. His doctoral research focused on higher-dimensional polytopes and their properties. While completing his doctoral studies, he also attended Princeton Theological Seminary; working with advisor Dr. James E. Loder, he earned a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) with a concentration in psychology, graduating in 1980.

## Academic career

From 1981 to 1982, Hedman was an assistant professor at St. Andrews Presbyterian College in North Carolina.
Hedman has been a professor in the Department of Mathematics at University of Connecticut (UConn) since 1982. His research interests are diverse, with a focus on the history of mathematics, Jungian psychology, and mathematical applications in cognitive science. He is noted for his interdisciplinary approach, which combines mathematics with psychological and philosophical concepts.
In 1998, Hedman was invited to spend a sabbatical year at the University of Edinburgh. During this term, he edited unpublished papers of Colin Maclaurin. Hedman uncovered work that showed that Cramer's Rule — a technique for solving a simultaneous system of equations — published by Gabriel Cramer in 1750, was in fact published two years earlier in Maclaurin’s posthumous Treatise of Algebra.
Notable publications in the field of mathematics by Hedman include:
* "Mathematical Foundations and Their Applications to Cosmology" (Journal of Mathematical Physics, 2010), which examines advanced mathematical concepts and their relevance to cosmological theories.
* "Applications of Algebraic Topology to Quantum Mechanics" (Mathematics of Computation, 2005), discussing the use of algebraic topology in theoretical physics, particularly in quantum field theory.
* "An Earlier Date for 'Cramer's Rule'" (Historia Mathematica, 1999)
* Multiple articles on clique graphs in the journals Discrete Mathematics and the Journal of Combinatorial Theory

## Pastoral career

In 1980, after his graduation from seminary, Hedman was ordained into the Presbyterian ministry in Philadelphia. Subsequently, he served churches in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, in Union, Connecticut, and in Hampton, Connecticut.
In 1988, Hedman became the pastor of historic Abington Congregational Church. In 2018, the church honored his 30 years of service as their pastor, marking a long-standing dedication to his congregation. During his tenure, he has been involved in various outreach programs and spiritual growth initiatives. His work in the church is noted for its deep integration of faith and intellectual inquiry, bridging his roles as both a mathematician and religious leader.
He has published in academic journals related to religion, theology, and the ministry, including in:
* The Expository Times
* The Christian Century

## Theology, philosophy, psychology, and mathematics

Hedman's unique combination of academic and pastoral responsibilities distinguishes him as a notable figure in both the educational and religious communities.
Hedman has authored several publications related to religion and mathematics, and religion and psychology, including:
* "Mathematics, Cosmology, and the Contingent Universe" (1989), published in Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith; for which he received a John Templeton Foundation award.
* "Essays on Jungian Psychology and Christian Thought," a collection of his writings available on the Abington Congregational Church website.
He has also contributed to the book The Infinity of God: New Perspectives in Theology and Philosophy (2019), with a chapter titled "Cantor and the Infinity of God."