Grave Matters poster, New England Museum Association first prize (2003).

Distinguished Alumnus Award, Wesleyan University (May 1998)

Hiding, Bookbilders West Book Show, Award for Excellence (1998)

Hiding, American Association of University Presses Book Jacket Award (1998)

Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching National College Professor of the Year (1995)

Nots, American Academy of Religion Award for Excellence (1994)

Keck Foundation (1994)

Rector's Medal, University of Helsinki (1993)

Research Fellow, Graham Foundation for Fine Arts (1990)

Altarity, AAR Award for Excellence (1988)

Deconstruction in Context: Literature and Philosophy, Outstanding Academic Book (1988)

American Council of Learned Societies Travel Grant (1984)

Fulbright Travel Grant (1983)

Fellow National Humanities Center (1982-1983)

John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellowship (1978-1979)

Grants for Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (Summer 1975, 1978)

Harvard University: Graduate Prize Fellowship; Graduate Prize Traveling Fellowship

Wesleyan University: Phi Beta Kappa (Junior); Magna Cum Laude; High Honors in Religion; Griffin Prize in Religion; Eljabar Foundation Scholarship (1968)