On October 21, 2008, Polebridge Press will release a very special title, When Faith Meets Reason: Religion Scholars Reflect on Their Faith Journeys. In its pages, Fellows of the Jesus Seminar address a question that troubles many people: What happens to faith when the creeds and confessions can no longer be squared with historical and empirical evidence? Most critical scholars have also wrestled with this question. Some have found ways to reconcile their personal religious belief with the scholarship they practice. Others have chosen to reconstruct their view of religious meaning in light of what they have learned. But few have shared those views publicly. At the behest of editor Charles W. Hedrick, thirteen scholars have taken up the challenge to speak candidly about how they negotiate the conflicting demands of faith and reason.
The October 1, 2008 issue of the Library Journal describes the book as follows,
In a slender book rich with large and profound ideas, Hedrick collects 13 essays solicited from scholars in religion (including himself) that answer the broad question of how faith is understood when it conflicts with reason, science, or scholarship. Their answers are remarkably varied, painfully honest, and profoundly respectful of Christian tradition and newer truths alike.
According to Richard Holloway, Bishop of Edinburgh and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church (retired),
The great thing about this book is that it is not trying to convert you to anything. Here you’ll find a group of scholars letting us in on some of their most precious and private convictions. The book is descriptive, not prescriptive. It tells you what the writers see from the very different places where they now stand. This book could lead to a dangerous epidemic of honesty among religious thinkers.
Fred Plumer, President of the Center for Progressive Christianity, wrote “I love the book.” He went on to say,
This book would be of great value just for the quality and extent of the scholarship that it offers. However the personal testimonies about the respective journeys of faith that these thirteen talented writers share with the reader give the book a perspective and a dimension that would not be found in most scholarly books. We are offered a unique window into the thoughts, the doubts, struggles, and conclusions of these highly educated people as they “wrestle with their angel of faith.” As I read the book I felt honored that I had been invited to hear their sometimes very personal stories. It would make a wonderful book for study groups, personal retreats or family discussions over the dinner table.
Contributors include:
- Charles W. Hedrick, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at Missouri State University
- Glenna Jackson, Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Otterbein College
- Nigel Leaves, Warden and Dean of Studies, John Wollaston Anglican Theological College in Perth, Australia
- Robert M. Price, Professor of Theology and Scriptural Studies, Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary
- Paul Alan Laughlin, Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Otterbein College
- James M. Robinson, Professor Emeritus of Religion, Claremont Graduate University
- Mahlon H. Smith, Professor Emeritus of Religion at Rutgers University
- Theodore J. Weeden, Sr., Colgate Rochester Divinity School (retired)
- Walter Wink, Professor Emeritus at Auburn Theological Seminary
- David Galston, Ecumenical Chaplain at Brock University in Ontario
- Darren J. N. Middleton, Associate Professor of Theology and Literature, Texas Christian University
- Susan M. Elliott, independent scholar, Red Lodge, Montana
- Hal Taussig, Visiting Professor of New Testament, Union Theological Seminary in New York