Fr. Spitzer has been a member of the Society of Jesus (Oregon Province) since August 1974. He took his first vows in August 1976. He was ordained a priest in June of 1983, and made his final profession in April 1994.

Fr. Spitzer's theological interests focus on two areas: fundamental theology and New Testament scripture studies. In fundamental theology, he has recently published three articles on proofs for the existence of God, and has completed and submitted a book manuscript entitled, New Proofs for the Existence of God: Contributions of Late 20th Century Physics and Philosophy. His articles are:

"Proofs for the Existence of God - Part I: A Metaphysical Argument." International Philosophical Quarterly, 41:2 (June 2001) pp. 162-186.

"Proofs for the Existence of God - Part II." International Philosophical Quarterly, 41:3. (September 2001) pp. 305-331. Abstracted in The Review of Metaphysics, September 2001.

"Indications of Creation in Contemporary Astrophysics." Journal of Ultimate Reality and Meaning: Interdisciplinary Studies in the Philosophy of Understanding, 24:3, (September 2001) pp. 208-254.

He is currently the co-director of the Institute on Faith and Reason at Gonzaga University.

His interests in New Testament scripture studies focus on Christology, his thesis at the Gregorian University in Rome was entitled, The Influence of Sophia Speculation on Early Christological Hymns. His thesis at the Weston School in Cambridge, for which he won the American Bible Society award, is entitled, The Depth Grammar of "Pneuma" and "En Christo" in I Cor: 12. He is currently completing a book on spiritual Christology entitled, The Unconditional Love of God in Jesus Christ.

Fr. Spitzer has served the Church in a variety of different capacities: as an advisor to the Theological Committee of the Washington State Catholic Conference between 1994-98 as spiritual director to contemplative religious, as advisor to lay religious groups, and as a lecturer in Catholic Higher Education, fundamental theology, Christology, Ecclesiology, and spiritual life.

He belongs to several Catholic professional associations: the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, the American Catholic Philosophical Association, the Jesuit Philosophical Association, and the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars.