Working in publishing, one the key elements of our work is trying to acquire new books that promise to be game-changers, at least in some respects, in their field. We editors are like vultures swooping around looking for talent and then dive-bombing them until they agree to give us a book.
So, in the interest of helping me foster this mission, I wish to pose a question to my theologically-astute readership: Who do you think publishers should be trying to solicit books from? What new theologians are pursuing ideas that need attention in print? Who should my next phone call be to?
Me!
All kidding aside: Paul D. Jones, Kevin Hector, Keith Johnson, Mark Husbands, Kimlyn Bender, Todd Cioffi, Paul Nimmo…
WTM,
Do all upcoming and coming theologians have to be barthians?
Note; I’m just more familiar with the up-and-coming Barthians.
“Note” = “Nope”
No, but all the good ones will be ;)
Christian Kettler. He has already published, and is looking to further key elements of T.F. Torrance’s theology.
Done and done! We’ve published him already, in fact I’ve worked with him on his projects. There are more in the works.
Halden,
that is great. I didn’t realize that you worked for the publishing company he has already worked with. I have had the privilege of learning under him the past few years (with my last two classes for my MA being with him this summer). I’ll have to mention to him that we have met (in the blogosphere). Small world.
Lastly, i am glad that more is on the way. I am aware of some of his future plans, but not all. Hopefully you both can have a long fruitful partnership.
Derek
Not sure if it falls into your purview, but I was just reading a recent article by Erland MacGillivray on re-evaluating patronage in New Testament studies, which looks potentially like a game-changer: http://www.jgrchj.net/volume6/JGRChJ6-3_MacGillivray.pdf
He does emphasize throughout a larger study is needed.
I wouldn’t say up-and coming but I’d like to be able to read more of Bernd Wannenwetsch’s work (of Erlangen and now Oxford)
Maybe part of my frustration is that his superb book “Political Worship” is now up to $254.50 on Amazon; Used $188.95 !
He has enough essays published by now that a book seems possible; wouldn’t you want to read the following ? :
“The Desire of Desire. Idolatry in Late Capitalism”
“Inwardness and Commodification: How Romantic Hermeneutics Prepared the Way for the Culture of Managerialism”
And his teacher (I think) Hans Ulrich has just published a major ethics in German, which loosely translates “How creatures live”
“What sets Ulrich’s thought apart from most other authors in the field is that his interest is not in an account of community or citizenship, but in the status politicus — the political form of existence that is bestowed on human beings as God’s creatures who are called to be `ruled by the spirit’ instead of succumbing to any form of rule by which human beings exert dominion over human beings.”
Do they let you make overseas calls ?
John, OUP is coming out w/ a paperback edition of Wannenwetsch’s Political Worship shortly, and it’s much more reasonable, though still pricey.
Thanks, you’ve made my day
Mephistopheles.
For a couple up-and-coming philosophical theologians of the evangelical stripe, there’s Thomas McCall (TEDS) and Kirk MacGregor. The former is doing a lot of good work on the Trinity and comes from a Wesleyan perspective, and the latter does good work in both philosophical and biblical theology from a quasi-anabaptist perspective.
Great suggestions, guys. Keep em coming.
Halden,
My N.T. and Christology teacher in college was Kelly Kapic. He is, most recently, the author of “Communion with God: The Divine and the Human in the Theology of John Owen.” He was the first to introduce me to the history of the historical Jesus debates and also biblical criticism in general.
Daniel Colucciello Barber and Bradley Johnson if you’re looking to publish “radical theologians” or whatever moniker fits.
Halden
back in 2007 i did a post on 10 theologians to key an eye on:
http://andygoodliff.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/06/ten_theologians.html
Certainly covered the Euro-Male theologian corner, how about some others? Are you asking about professional theologians, academics by trade or voices from within average churches? I am excited to see what more J.K. Carter produces, though he may be known by now.
Yeah, I was going to mention Carter; I’m finally trying to work through Race: A Theological Account this week. I’m about 80 pages in and it’s every bit as challenging as I’d thought. He’s a very clear writer though; the only parts I was a little confused on were on Foucault, who I’m not really familiar with at all.
I’m assuming that future projects will supplement this book, because he says as much a few times in the book. It would be interesting to read his take on some of the recent “theopolitical” conversation(s) going on. Maybe there is an essay I’m unaware of? I know he’s familiar with some of the RO positions because he teaches seminars on it at Duke (I’ve perused the course offerings many times; Duke is somewhere I’m really considering when I graduate next spring).
Carter is aware of RO and he does have a criticism. After all, studying at UVA for you phd awhile back, one would have to be aware of Milbank. But I don’t feel I can speak well to his criticism since he mentioned it in brief and hasn’t published it. Just make sure you keep a look out for it.
Thanks for the heads up. For whatever reason, I had a feeling he had some critique, and I’m curious to see it develop whenever he gets the time to throw it out there.
Christopher Boesel is a bright theologian, doing some fascinating work with Postmodern Philosophy/Theology, Social Justice issues, and Barth. He is a tenured professor of theology at Drew Theological School. Here is his first book: http://www.amazon.com/Risking-Proclamation-Respecting-Difference-Imperialistic/dp/1556355238/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1242788882&sr=8-1
Mark Driscoll.
:)
The fact of the matter is, is that we are groaning under the collective weight of all the theology that has been done, and is now being done.
And none of it has made the slightest difference to anything.
And never will.