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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

President Serene Jones appeared Sunday, April 1, 2012 on MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry Show to Discuss Gender Roles in the Church and State.

The Huffington Post Faith Inspires series highlights Union's Poverty Initiative.  Read the article here.

President Serene Jones appeared Sunday, February 19, 2012 on MSNBC's Melissa Harris-Perry Show to Discuss Gender Roles in the Church and State.

Press contact:
Millicent Fortunoff
M. Fortunoff Communications
Cell: (917) 306-3841
Mfortunoff@mfortunoff.com

JOHNSTON FAMILY CHAIR FOR RELIGION

AND DEMOCRACY CREATED BY $3

MILLION GIFT TO UNION THEOLOGICAL

SEMINARY

Johnston Family Chair is Dedicated to Study of

Religion and Democracy

New York, NY —February 10, 2012—The Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary, announced today that Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Johnston, of Gladstone, New Jersey, have given $3 million to create The Johnston Family Chair for Religion and Democracy.   The chair, which is fully endowed upon its creation, will support scholars whose work explores the crucial role religion plays in American politics and society.

“At Union, our role is to prepare progressive faith leaders committed to keeping our nation’s democratic spirit alive and flourishing.  Christian leaders should be our culture’s strongest advocates for democratic practices.  At its core, Christianity espouses the most basic democratic principle of all—that people are fundamentally equal in worth and value,” said Dr. Jones.  “The Johnstons’ generous gift comes at a particularly auspicious moment, as our nation struggles to reaffirm its collective belief in our fundamental equality.  In many circles, people simply no longer believe in our shared human worth, particularly when it comes to economic equality.”

Dr. Jones adds, “You don’t have to be a Christian to believe in economic justice — but if you are, your faith should drive you to forms of radically inclusive democratic engagement.  It’s unavoidable.”

Union Theological Seminary is in the process of establishing an Institute for Religion and Public Life, and The Johnston Family Chair is the first step toward the full realization of this plan.  As the ninth endowed chair at Union, the Johnston Family Chair will join others such as the Reinhold Niebuhr Chair in Social Ethics and the Paul Tillich Chair in Theology, World Religions and Culture.

Michael Johnston, a retired executive vice president of the Capital Group Companies, says “I remember Mary’s mother, Virginia Bennett, talking about the social gospel, and how she used to study books by Reinhold Niebuhr and Dietrich Bonhoeffer back in the 1940’s.  This was my first introduction to progressive theology, which is the theology that’s taught at Union.  It made a lasting impression on me.”  Mr. Johnston continues, “When you look at the current state of governmental dysfunction in America, it seems an important time to remind people that separation of church and state does not mean a separation of values from democracy.”

“Religion can greatly benefit people, but it can be used for harmful purposes, too,” said Mary Johnston.   “By funding a faculty position dedicated to teaching at the crossroads of religion and democracy, our hope is that we are helping prepare future faith leaders who will be equipped to heal some of the strife that has been caused in God’s name.”

“We are deeply grateful to Mike and Mary Johnston for their generosity and for recognizing Union's pioneering role in progressive theology,” said Mary H. White, M.D., chair of the Board of Trustees for Union Theological Seminary. “At the express stipulation of the Johnstons, the first person to hold the Johnston Family Chair will be Union’s President, the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones. This spotlights the heart and soul of Serene’s presidency, which is making sure that Union’s students learn to be both religious scholars and democratically engaged leaders.”

Mr. Michael J. Johnston is a retired Executive Vice President and former member of the Board of Directors for The Capital Group Companies.  He was also a Director and onetime Chair of American Funds Distributors, Inc., a subsidiary of the Capital Group.  Prior to joining the Capital Group in 1986, he was president of Paine Webber Capital Markets, and was a director of Paine Webber Group.  Mr. Johnston is a member of the Board of Trustees of Union Theological Seminary, as well as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of The New School.  He is also a trustee and former chair of the board of Claremont Graduate University, and a member of the board of visitors for the Center for Politics and Economics at Claremont.  Mr. Johnston’s other affiliations include trustee and vice president of the Schumann Center for Media and Democracy, and membership on the advisory board of the United Nations Foundation’s Investor Network on Climate Risk.  Mr. Johnston is a past chair of the Harvard Business School Club of New York, a past trustee of American Prospect Magazine, and a past advisory board member of the Aspen Institute Initiative on Financial Security for the Poor.  He holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S. from the University of Kansas.

Mrs. Mary C. Johnston is a harpist with a degree in music from the University of Kansas.  Mrs. Johnston is a past president of The New Jersey Youth Symphony, and is the retired president of First Strings, a harp rental company.  Mrs. Johnston’s philanthropic and charitable work extends to service on the boards of several organizations, including Raritan Headwaters Association, The Life Camp, and The Truman Library Institute.

Odyssey Networks talks with President Jones about Mormonism and traditional Christian faith in light of the upcoming election.

Union trustee Kevin Jennings wins the Distinguished Alumni Award at his alma mater, Teachers College. Jennings was the Assistant Deputy Secretary on the Obama Administration for the office of Safe & Drug-free Schools. He is the CEO and president of "Be the Change" (a non-profit) and established the nation's first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA).

The New York Times features Rev. Dr. James Forbes' message of spiritual renewal in relation to college sports.  Read the article here.

Call to Worship features an article about the recent art exhibit in James Memorial Chapel, "Unweavings" by Laurie Wohl.  Read the article here.

Union is proud to announce a one-year grant of $55,000 to The Poverty Initiative from The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation’s Pathways out of Poverty Program. This award will support the year-round Poverty Scholars leadership development and training program, which seeks to lift up the hidden genius of grassroots leaders most affected by poverty, while further developing their leadership, voice, organizing skills and capacity for intellectual engagement.

The Program brings together a unique network of leading grassroots organizers (men, women and youth from urban and rural communities) – Poverty Scholars – with proven local-level success working on issues of economic justice including

The mission of The Poverty Initiative is to build generations of religious and community leaders, led by the poor, dedicated to building a social movement to end poverty. The Poverty Initiative seeks to address the root causes of poverty in the United States by bridging gaps between community organizations, religious communities, and the academy.

President Serene Jones and Dr. Cornel West address "The Role of Progressive Religion in the Occupy Movement" on Sunday, December 18, at All Saints Church in Pasadena, California.  For more information, click here.

The New York Times reports on Dr. Cornel West's move to Union.  Read the article here.

President Jones writes about Union's role in Occupy Wall Street. Read the article here.

The Chronicle of Higher Education discusses the response of Union and other schools to Occupy Wall Street.  Read the article here.

Press contact:
Millicent Fortunoff
M. Fortunoff Communications
Cell: (917) 306-3841
Mfortunoff@mfortunoff.com

DR. CORNEL WEST TO JOIN FACULTY OF UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Dr. West will return to Union Theological Seminary in July 2012
as Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practices

Union Theological Seminary to provide a platform for
Dr. West’s unique combination of religion with political activism

New York, NY —November 16, 2011—Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary, announced today that Dr. Cornel West, one of America’s most influential civil rights activists, authors, commentators and scholars will rejoin the faculty of Union Theological Seminary.  (Dr. West previously served on Union’s faculty from 1977-84 and 1987-88.)  In his new position, Dr. West will serve as Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practices.   He is currently the Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University and will maintain his ties to Princeton as Professor Emeritus.

 “Union is a place where Cornel West’s view of the world is in our life blood. Historically, Union has inspired strong public voices which speak to our nation’s ills and ideals -- be they protests against war, poverty, racism, sexism, or other societal scourges,” said Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president, Union Theological Seminary. “Some call Cornel West this generation’s Reinhold Niebuhr (a legendary Union Professor), but I think he’s in a class by himself.  Cornel is, quite simply, the leading public theologian of our age.”

As Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practices, Dr. West will teach classes in the areas of Philosophy, Theology, Social Change, Community Engagement and Christian Activism.   He will teach a full schedule of courses and, as such, will participate in shaping a new generation of religious leaders, scholars and activists.

“I am overjoyed and completely excited to hear Dr. West is coming to Union,” said current U.T.S. student, Daniel J. Rohrer, Master of Divinity and PhD Student of Christian Social Ethics at Union. “Dr. West is somebody who is really in touch with America and its religious and public policies.   His teaching will help us be more effective leaders in our churches and communities.”

When liberal activists hear “Christian,” they often think “conservative.” So committed Christians at Occupy Wall Street events have different answers to the question, “How Christian should we seem?”

Full story here.

The Union Seminary Quarterly Review has a new website. Click here to see it.

Rev. Robin H. Gorsline, M.Div. '99, is pictured in the New York Times supporting Tracy Thorne-Begland's bid for a Virginia judgeship.  Read the article here.

Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes about the Trayvon Martin case in The Huffington Post. Read the article here.

Rev. Michael Ellick '00 M.Div., was recently awarded the Bridge Builder Award by the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Read the full article here.

ELCA Bishop Mark S. Hanson '72 will address Gustavus Adolphus College on the occasion of its sesquicentennial. He will address "The Future of Lutheran Higher Education."  Read more here.

Rev. Dr. Weldon Palmer '77 has been appointed senior pastor at Kingston Congregational Church.  Read the article here.

Union alumna Kim McCrae '10 talks about Islamic Studies at Duke and funding the Mitchell-Jackson Chair.  Read the article here.

Rev. Jude Geiger '08 analyzes Rick Santorum's call for an end to religious freedom.  Read the article here.

The Rev. Heidi Johnston '11 has been installed as pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Quincy, Massachusetts.  Read the article here.

Dr. Loñieta Aurora Thompson Cornwall '73 received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award from North Carolina.  Read the press release here.

Alexandra Dyer, who earned her M.Div. from Union in 1986, has been named Executive Director of the Lower East Side Harm Reduction Committee.  Read more here.

Dr. Kate M. Ott, who eared her Ph.D. from Union in 2006, was appointed Assistant Professor of Christian Social Ethics at Drew University.  Read more here.

Father William Meninger, a Trappist Monk and one of the founders of centering prayer, will give three talks at St. Luke in the Fields and St. Joseph Churches Friday, May 18, 2012 – Sunday, May 20, 2012.

On Friday evening from 7 pm - 9 pm he will speak about his book Julian of Norwich: A Mystic for the 21st Century.  On Saturday from 1 – 4 pm he will discuss “Models of Contemplation: Theological Background of Contemplative Prayer and Meditation.”  On Sunday from 1 – 5 pm his subject will be “The Process of Forgiveness and Centering Prayer.”
 
Tickets are $25 for Friday’s talk, $75 for Saturday’s, and $50 for Sunday’s, or tickets for all three events can be purchased for $120 at http://cony.eventbrite.com/
 
For more information, go to http://www.centeringprayerny.com/

The Rev. G. Jude Geiger '08 writes for The Huffington Post about Jesus' message and contemporary politics.  Read the article here.

Early reviews praise the new book from Union alum Patrick Cheng '01, From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ.  Read more here.

Ebony Magazine speaks with Rev. Dr. Dennis R. Wiley '85 about his church's inclusivity.  Read the article here.

Rev. Paul Mowry '08 has been ordained as the first openly gay pastor of Sausalito Presbyterian Church.  Read more here.

Emily M. Brown, the 2010 recipient of the David H. C. Read Preacher/Scholar Award, is the featured preacher Feb. 12 on “Day 1” with host Peter Wallace, the nationally syndicated ecumenical radio program also accessible online at Day1.org.
 
The David H. C. Read Preacher/Scholar Award was established in 1989 by the congregation of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, N.Y. to honor Dr. Read, a renowned preacher, scholar, author, and ecumenist, on his retirement as senior minister after 34 years. The award is given to a student in the final year of a master of divinity degree program at a Protestant theological school who demonstrates special distinction in both preaching and biblical scholarship and is committed to the parish pulpit.
 
Brown is currently serving as interim associate pastor of Broadway United Church of Christ in New York, N.Y., where she served while in seminary as pastoral associate. She has also served as community minister at Judson Memorial Church.
 
Brown earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 2007. She graduated from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 2010, receiving the Kneeland Award for preaching.
 
In her sermon on “Day 1,” entitled “Jesus Interrupted,” Brown draws lessons from Jesus’ response to a man requesting healing in Mark 1:40-45.  
 
“When Jesus feels anger and then acts with compassion, he reminds us that discipleship can mean loving God and our neighbor with our actions even when we are angry, or anxious, or distracted,” she says. “Discipleship can mean responding faithfully to God’s surprises and life’s curveballs, even when it is hard. And in that endeavor, friends, we are never alone.”
 
The program includes interviews with Brown conducted by Wallace, who is also executive producer.
 
“Day 1” has been broadcast every week for nearly 67 years, formerly as “The Protestant Hour.” Featuring outstanding preachers from the mainline denominations, “Day 1” is currently distributed to more than 200 radio stations across America and overseas. The program is produced by the Alliance for Christian Media, based in Atlanta, GA.
 
For more information, call toll free 888-411-DAY-1 or check the program’s website, http://day1.org.

Marian Wright Edelman (left), founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, Union Medal recipient 2000 and Trailblazer Honoree 2010, will be the guest preacher at Trinity Wall Street's Holy Eucharist service on Sunday, January 15.  For more information, click here.

The Rev. Dr. Emma Jordan-Simpson '88 (right), Executive Director of the Children's Defense Fund New York, and current Union Trustee, will lead a Sunday school class on the 15th about how she experiences God.  For more information, click here.

Union alumna Melissa Harris-Perry gives the keynote address during Emory University's King Week. 

Union alumna Jenn Lindsay '11 writes about her travels in Israel for State of Formation.

Rev. Jennifer Crumpton '11 writes about profits and conscience on State of Formation.

Rosalind will be teaching and lecturing this week at the Theological Institute, Carl von Ossietzky University, Oldenburg, Germany.

Her classroom lecture will address the topic of Justification and Happiness from the lens of the American experience as colonizer.She will be speaking, in an evening lecture to the Institute, on Union Theological Seminary's academic work with regard to the ethical implications of the Bible, as it relates to social issues - particularly Queer rights.

Current M.Div. student John Allen writes about the political meanings of Jesus's procession to Jerusalem.  Read the article here.

Current M.A. student Felipe Luciano presents Afro-Cuban music at James Memorial Chapel.

Union student Karenna Gore Schiff provides a compelling analysis of the Slave Narrative Project  Read her article in The New York Times.

Jeff Grant, a Third Year Union M Div, was elected Vice Chairman of the Board at the September 2011 Board of Directors Meeting of Family ReEntry, a Bridgeport, CT based nonprofit serving the ex-offender community.  Jeff will also continue in his role as Corporate Secretary and will serve on the Executive and Finance Committees.

In October, at Family ReEntry's Annual Benefit, Jeff was given the Elizabeth Bush Award for Volunteerism. Mrs. Bush personally presented the award to Jeff. Entertainment at the event was provided by Roseanne Cash whose father, the late Johnny Cash, was a staunch advocate for prison reform.

In November, Jeff became a Board Member of Healing Communities Network, a NYC based nonprofit providing faith-based support services in prisons and in reentry programs, founded in 1979 by Union alumnus, Stephen Chinlund.

The Poverty Initiative's continuation of Dr. King's work has been featured in Justice Unbound.  Read the article here.