Union Faculty News

Professor David Carr on George Zimmerman's comment

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:06:00 GMT

"When things go horribly awry, it's not uncommon for people to look to God as the one who drew up the plan, says David M. Carr, professor of Old Testament at Union Theological Seminary." Read More>>

Navigating the Rivers of Episcopal Identity

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Prof. Cameron writes about Episcopal identity in the latest issue of The Episcopal New Yorker. Read more >>

ON Scripture: Death of John the Baptist, Featuring Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:57:00 GMT

Biblical Standards for Marriage

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:10:00 GMT

Associate Professor of Old Testament Esther Hamori writes about the biblical standards for marriage. Read the article here.

Love as a Public Virtue

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:04:00 GMT

Prof. Thatamanil writes about love as a public virtue in the Huffington Post. Read the article here.

Kantian Reason and Hegelian Spirit

Mon, 07 May 2012 14:55:00 GMT

In this thought-provoking new work, the world renowned theologian Gary Dorrien reveals how Kantian and post-Kantian idealism were instrumental in the foundation and development of modern Christian theology.

Presents a radical rethinking of the roots of modern theology
Reveals how Kantian and post-Kantian idealism were instrumental in the foundation and development of modern Christian theology
Shows how it took Kant's writings on ethics and religion to launch a fully modern departure in religious thought
Dissects Kant's three critiques of reason and his moral conception of religion
Analyzes alternative arguments offered by Schleiermacher, Schelling, Hegel, and others - moving historically and chronologically through key figures in European philosophy and theology
Presents notoriously difficult and intellectual arguments in a lucid and accessible manner

"I have always told students that one cannot understand modern theology, including Barthian theology, without a firm grasp of Kant. Dorrien's work substantiates this claim with an attention to detail that is nothing short of breathtaking. This book is a brilliant and much needed account of the influence of Immanuel Kant and the tradition of post-Kantian idealism on modern theology." —William Stacy Johnson, Princeton Theological Seminary

"This is a brilliant and much needed book. Dorrien's magisterial achievements to date lend his voice a special authority, but in this book, the reader is simply compelled by the deft interplay of nuance and overview to trust his mentorship. Dorrien has masterfully approached this most intimidating and yet indispensable corpus of texts with depth and breadth of analysis, and with an extraordinarily fresh perspective." —Catherine Keller, Drew University

"Gary Dorrien is a superstar as an interpreter of modern religious thought. This unique, fascinating, aggressively revisionary book will have no competition until books appear to argue against it." —Frederick Ferré, University of Georgia

"This is an extraordinarily fine book, a delight to read, a real page-turner, and a brilliant interpretation, all of which one expects of such an accomplished scholar and author as Dorrien. As a theologian and historian, Dorrien is in top form. As a theologian and philosopher, he writes with precise, analytical control over the ideas involved, offering, among other things, the best treatment I know of the evolving relations among Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel. No one else I know could have written this book, which will be the dominant treatment of its subject. Kantian Reason and Hegelian Spirit is a magisterial interpretive history of one of the most important theological deltas of our time." —Robert C. Neville, Boston University

Prof. Cruz on Multiculturalism of Hispanics

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:34:00 GMT

On May 19, Prof. Cruz will be the keynote speaker at the New Jersey Conference of Methodist Churches. He will address "The Multiculturalism of Hispanics."

Dean Daisy L. Machado will appear as a featured guest and speaker at SMU, Perkins School of Theology

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 16:15:00 GMT

Dean Daisy L. Machado will appear as a featured guest and speaker at SMU, Perkins School of Theology program on the subject of “Ecocide and Femicide on the Border: Ecofeminism and the Maquiladora Murders” on Thursday, April 26. Read more here.

America's 'Angriest' Theologian Faces Lynching Tree

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:38:00 GMT

The CNN Belief Blog reports on the latest work by Prof. James H. Cone. Read the article here.

Why Progressives Should Support Obama

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:32:00 GMT

Ian Reifowitz of The Daily Kos review's Prof. Dorrien's new book, The Obama Question. Read the review here.

Beyond Fear and Silence

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:28:00 GMT

Professor Barbara Lundblad on Mark 16:1-8 for ON Scripture

"This story leaves us wondering and longing for more. Mark's Easter gospel (Mark 16: 1-8) ends with silence rather than 'Alleluia!' That wasn't the word the women said at the end of their long night of waiting. That's not what they said when the Sabbath was over as they made their way to the tomb. They had been there on Friday when Jesus died and the sky turned dark at midday. Mark remembers all three women by name: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. They looked on from a distance when Jesus was crucified."

Read the full article here.

The Undeserving and the Common Good

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:06:00 GMT

"Today the Republican Right is preaching a very aggressive version of the former social vision, a throwback to Social Darwinist ideology. The story of our time, in this view, is that a great people is being throttled by a voracious federal government. Americans are over-taxed; government is always the problem; somehow the federal government caused the financial crash; we have a debt crisis because we have too much government; another whopping tax cut for the upper end is always in order; and taking down Obama is more important than anything."

Read the full article here.

Interview with Professor John McGuckin

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 19:55:00 GMT

by Eastern Christian Books

"The different strands to my life, of course, are all interwoven. The theological task is the chief coloration of my priestly service to the Church. Living in both worlds of Academy and Ekklesia is interesting-- but no more strange than most men and women will experience in the contemporary world where multiple identities and roles often overlap, and sometimes ‘grind’ against one another. I have long held it necessary to bring critical historical scholarship to the illumination of deep truths. "

Read the full interview here.

Text, Image and Christians in a Graeco-Roman World: A Festschrift in Honor of David Lee Balch

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:07:00 GMT

Niang, Aliou C. and Carolyn Osiek, editors. Text, Image and Christians in a Graeco-Roman World: A Festschrift in Honor of David Lee Balch. Princeton Monograph Series. Eugene, OR: Pickwick Books, 2012.

What Kind of Country?

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

Prof. Dorrien asks "What Kind of Country? Economic Crisis, the Obama Presidency, the Politics of Loathing, and the Common Good" in the March issue of Cross Currents. Read the article here.

Imagining the Hateful Obama

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 16:28:00 GMT

Prof. Dorrien writes about how President Obama has been the target of fear and loathing. Read the article here.

The Obama Question

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:21:00 GMT

The election of Barack Obama to the presidency in 2008 was hailed by many as a historic event and by some as the end of the Reagan era in American politics. But conservatives have condemned Obama from the beginning of his presidency, and many progressives charge that Obama has betrayed the causes that he espoused in 2008.

THE OBAMA QUESTION BY GARY DORRIEN offers a brilliant critique of Obama's presidency and a powerful case that progressives should not give up on Obama. Gary Dorrien, described by Princeton philosopher Cornel West as "the preeminent social ethicist in North America today," argues that Obama is a figure of "protean irony and complexity." Obama has been a bitter disappointment in many ways, Dorrien contends, yet Obama also has historic achievements to his credit that are too often discounted.

Dorrien emphasizes the importance of Obama's story to his career and devotes chapters to the economic crisis, the health care reform debate, war and foreign policy, banking regulation and the federal budget, and the case for a progressive politics of the common good. Ultimately, Dorrien says, the Obama question is whether or not Obama's presidency will mark the end of the Reagan era—when giant corporations and the wealthy got whatever they wanted, military budgets soared, and American politics was ruled by the fantasy of tax cuts paying for themselves.

Dorrien argues that there is still time to redeem the hope of the 2008 election, bringing an end to the Reagan era. The Obama Question will stand as an insightful evaluation of a tumultuous presidency long after the next election has passed.

“Gary Dorrien’s noted gifts for critical analysis, rigorous argument, and beautiful writing are on full display in this important book. He examines the complete Obama from Hawaii to the White House, exploring Obama's mind, policies, and politics—and contending persuasively that progressives must not give up on Obama or the nation’s common good.” — Ronald Stone, author of Prophetic Realism and Moral Reflections on Foreign Policy in a Religious War

“An incisive and original account of the well known challenges and largely unrecognized achievements of the Obama presidency. Dorrien has produced a masterwork of political and ethical analysis that compels us as citizens to take up the essential work of sustained, constructive political engagement. A must-read for this election year and beyond!” — Sharon Welch, author of Real Peace, Real Security

Lent: The Wilderness within and without

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:22:00 GMT

Prof. Dorrien offers a Lenten reflection on Jesus' temptation and the financial crisis. Read the article here.

The Reagan Era, Still Going

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:19:00 GMT

Prof. Dorrien talks about the ways in which the Reagan era has not ended. Read the article here.

Why I Still Support Barack Obama

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:03:00 GMT

Prof. Dorrien explains Why I Still Support Barack Obama for Fox News.

The Bible Is Pro-Birth Control

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:10:00 GMT

Prof. David Carr discusses the biblical basis for debates about birth control. Read the article here.

Professor Dorrien on the Occupy Movement

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Prof. Dorrien writes about the future of Occupy Wall Street and gives an interview about the movement's background.

Obama's Communitarianism

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 17:34:00 GMT

Prof. Gary Dorrien analyzes Obama's communitarianism in The Huffington Post.

Imagining the Fighting Obama

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:08:00 GMT

Prof. Gary Dorrien writes for The Huffington Post about a different vision for Obama's presidency. Read the article here.

America's Original Sin: A Q&A with James H. Cone

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Union trustee Susan Reed interviews Dr. Cone for Oprah Magazine. Read the interview here.

Dr. Forbes' Message of Spiritual Healing

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:38:00 GMT

The New York Daily News reports on Dr. James Forbes' vision for his work at Union Theological Seminary. Read the article here.

Wall Street Dialogues

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:18:00 GMT

Dr. Gary Dorrien launched the series "Wall Street Dialogues" at Trinity Wall Street. He spoke on the topic "What Is a Just Distribution of Wealth and Power?" Watch the video here.

The Current State of Bible Scholarship

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:07:00 GMT

Alan Brill interviews Dr. David Carr about his new book, The Formation of the Hebrew Bible: A New Reconstruction, and developments in the field of biblical scholarship. Read the article here.

The Gospel of the Penniless, Jobless, Marginalized and Despised

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:00:00 GMT

Chris Hedges talks to James Cone about his new book, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Read the article here.

Strategy and Memory for Progressive Believers

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:36:00 GMT

Tikkun praises Prof. Gary Dorrien's Economy, Difference, Empire. Read the review here.

"The Cross and the Lynching Tree" Named One of the Best Religious Books of 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:52:00 GMT

The Huffington Post has named Dr. James H. Cone's The Cross and the Lynching Tree one of the ten best religious books of 2011!

Read the article and view the slideshow here.

Gary Dorrien on Economic Democracy

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:25:00 GMT

Click here to watch footage of Dr. Dorrien's Immanuel-Grace Lecture on economic democracy.

The Cross and the Lynching Tree

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:30:00 GMT

Dr. James H. Cone gives an interview on WNYC about his latest book, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Listen here.