Academic Alert IVP Academic’S Book Bulletin for Professors | Volume 15, Number 2 | Spring 2006

Academic Alert IVP Academic’s Book Bulletin for Professors | Volume 15, Number 2 | Spring 2006

Inside

4 New & Noteworthy 5 Introducing Veritas Forum Books 6 Understanding Cultural Dynamics Roland Chia provides Hope for the World and InterVarsity Press launches a new line of books in Three new books address local and global aspects of Timothy Laniak’s Shepherds After My Own partnership with The Veritas Forum. multiethnic and crosscultural issues. Heart explores the theme of the shepherd/pastor.

Can Postmodernism Serve Faith?

As How Postmodernism Serves (My) Faith was nearing publication, InterVarsity Press editor Gary Deddo took the opportunity to interview author and professor of English my relationship with Christ but also my understanding of postmodernism. This leads to the primary and film Crystal Downing about how this unique book came about and why she postmodern element in my style: the juxtaposition approached her subject in such a distinctive, engaging and, well, postmodern fashion. of the personal with the theoretical, the humorously whimsical with the seriously analytical. The great Deddo: Crystal, your book analyses of postmodernism have been published by Marxist critic of postmodernism, Fredric Jameson, How Postmodernism Serves (My) Christians. However, as far as I can tell, all of them called such juxtapositioning “pastiche.” Readers of Faith is just about to come out. have been written in the form of traditional modernist my book will definitely get a sense that my book is a That book has a little more scholarship. My book seems to be the first to employ pastiche of the light and the heavy, the silly and the autobiography in it than most a style more consonant with postmodernism itself. serious. But rather than being gratuitous, my funny books of its kind. Tell us a Because postmodernism addresses the “situatedness” and/or personal stories operate as illustrations or little about what motivated of a person, in contradistinction to the modernist parables for the more heavy theoretical content, you to write this book. privileging of an objective reason that can transcend making difficult ideas more accessible. That, at least, Downing: Many intelligent the positionality of the body, I discuss my own “situ- was my goal in writing the book. Crystal L. engagements with and/or atedness,” using stories from my life to reflect not only Deddo: We are coming to realize that postmodern- Downing continued on page 2

Separating Myth from Reality in the Life of John Wyclif

With the forthcoming publication of John Wyclif: Myth & Reality by Gillian R. Evans, InterVarsity Press makes its initial academic foray into the genre of biography. This is makes for an unbeatable combination and hope that you’ll think so too! an area in which we hope to publish more, and we can’t imagine anyone better suited IVP Academic associate editor Joel Scandrett to help us get started than Gill Evans. recently had the opportunity to interview Professor Evans about her forthcoming book. Gill is Professor of Medieval intellectual history, including a number of intellectual Scandrett: Gill, perhaps you can begin by telling our Theology and Intellectual biographies of ancient and medieval authors such as readers what prompted you to write this particular History at the University of Augustine, Gregory the Great, Anselm and Bernard biography. What is it about John Wyclif that intrigues Cambridge and was British of Clairvaux. Her recent books include A Brief History you? Academy Research Reader in of Heresy (Blackwell), Fifty Key Medieval Thinkers Evans: I was asked by the U.K. publisher Lion to Theology from 1986 to 1988. (Routledge) and Faith in the Medieval World (Lion suggest a subject for a biography. They were keen to She is a prodigious scholar Hudson/InterVarsity Press). try to develop a new kind of book for their list that and has written extensively We’re delighted to have a scholar of Gill’s stat- would be a solid contribution to knowledge about in the areas of ecumenical ure writing our initial biographic volume on such a its subject but would also make sense to the general G. R. Evans theology, church history and pivotal historical figure as John Wyclif. We think this reader who might not have much specialist knowl-

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Postmodernism, continued from page 1 ism is not easy to define. But perhaps you could erator. Such equalizing has both positive and conference this year, sponsored by an organization tell us what part of the story often gets left out as negative consequences. Unfortunately, many stu- that helped make literary postmodernism famous, we attempt to understand what’s going on in that dents, like culture at large, have assimilated what was called “God Is Undead”! Postmodernism realm of our Western intellectual culture. I call “the worst of postmodernism”: the commod- gives intelligent Christians an opportunity to Downing: Among all the brilliant Christian ification of identity. In other words, people define share their faith in the academy; my book, in fact, books on postmodernism, none has grappled themselves by the commodities they purchase. gives a dramatic example from my own life. with the arts (other than illustrative references Both the Internet and consumer goods reflect Deddo: Other than reading your book, of course, to film and TV). This is a bit ironic, since the an emphasis on surfaces that marks one form of what would you recommend to our readers for word postmodernism began in the art world! My postmodernism. seeing into and grasping the best of postmodern-

Unfortunately, many students, like culture at large, have assimilated what I call “the worst of postmodernism”: the commodification of identity. In other words, people define themselves by the commodities they purchase.

But students today also reflect the best ism? In particular what films or literature would of postmodernism: a willingness to be open to you put on the top of your list? Any works of art the perspectives of “the other.” What they often or exhibits? haven’t thought through, however, is how to Downing: For visual art, I would read A Broken vigorously stand for one’s own beliefs while still Beauty, edited by Theodore Prescott (Eerdmans, respecting “the other.” This is what my book 2005). It discusses how postmodernism has book, therefore, is the first Christian reflection addresses, showing how the most sophisticated returned art to an interest in the human body and (as far as I know) on how developments in the postmodern thinkers do not say “Everything the significance that has for Christians. For films, arts—especially painting, architecture and is relative,” or “Tolerance is the greatest good.” I suggest the following, along with the essays I literature—reflect and affect the fundamental Unfortunately, many assume that’s what post- have published (mostly for Books & Culture) that philosophical and theological questions that mark modernism says and, even worse, agree with it! explain how they illustrate postmodernism: the transition from modernism to postmodernism. Deddo: Crystal, as you look out, what do you War of the Worlds: “Rime of the Ancient Deddo: You’ve been teaching college students for think is at stake in the church’s getting a better Martian,” Books & Culture 11 (Sept./Oct. 2005): some years now and have been interacting with grip on postmodern thinking and sensibilities? 45. them about postmodern themes, especially in Is it a big deal? Some say that it’s mostly over. Is it? Chicken Run and X-Men: “Yolking with literature and film. Would you say that today’s Downing: Many people who say that philo- Postmodernism,” lead article for the Books & students really think as postmodernists do? Have sophic postmodernism is over never liked it in the Culture website (Oct. 2000 to Oct. 2001). you seen a certain shift over the years? first place. These people, usually committed to Any Given Sunday: “Playing the Postmodern Downing: Just as there are many different kinds Marxism or scientism, are especially disdainful Field,” Books & Culture 6 (May/June 2000): 9-10. of Christianity, there are many different kinds because postmodernism is now known as “the Waking Ned Devine: “Richard Rorty for the Silver of postmodernism. And some kinds have been religious turn” or “postsecularism.” As modern- Screen: Waking Ned Devine as Apologetic for assimilated by students more readily than others. ists they believe that humanity must progress Postmodernism,” Books & Culture 5 (Sept./Oct. Students can’t help reflecting postmodernism beyond the need for religion, and since postmod- 1999): 8-10. since, according to many theorists, the Internet ernism turns us back to religion they are horri- Crimes and Misdemeanors: “Woody Allen’s is its preeminent symbol: the ultimate equalizer, fied. Villanova University continues to sponsor Blindness and Insight: The Palimpsests of Crimes since anyone can publish his or her ideas and get conferences on postmodernism and religion, and Misdemeanors,” Religion and the Arts 1 (1997): read with no jury to assess their accuracy. And believing it to be alive and well. Its next confer- 73-92. much of postmodernism, especially in the arts, ence is “Religion and Postmodernism: Athens The Moderns: “Pos(t)ing Modernism: The was about breaking down the elitist and Jerusalem on the Polis” (Oct. 26-28, 2006). Postmodernism of The Moderns,” Pacific Coast distinction between High Culture and the The “religious turn” is precisely why Christians Philology 29 (Sept. 1994): 109-18. culture of the masses—a culture that High need to take postmodernism seriously: it has cre- Modernists regarded as similar to the culture ated an openness to religious vocabularies that growing on food left in the back of the refrig- has dramatically affected academia. One “secular” Spring 2006

John Wyclif, continued from page 1 edge. That’s the most difficult kind of book to to be the “Morning Star” of the Reformation and produced an edition from which we can begin write of course—quite a challenge. I spent a good really did him no service, because they overstated to see what was agitating would-be reformers and deal of time thinking about possibilities. Most of what a single individual of his generation could popular preachers in the generation or two after my work in the past has been on the key figures do. It is like the modern adulation of celebrities: Wyclif. That pushes Wyclif into the background of early Christianity in the West and the earlier you lose sight of the real person, and it becomes of those events, where I think he really belongs. Middle Ages. But I’ve also written on ecumeni- difficult to make a fair estimate of his or her real He made a lot of noise of course, and drew the cal dialogue and on the history of universities. I achievement. That was what I was interested fire of the authorities. He was “demonized.” wanted to find someone who was interesting for in, because here we have someone who has been Everything the authorities disapproved of tended what he thought and said more than for what he credited with an enormous achievement which to be blamed on him. But that created a fog of did, and whose reputation was important in itself really wasn’t his, or certainly not entirely his. misleading assumptions which modern scholar- in the history of Christianity. I tried out various Wyclif was part of a trend. He did not ship has gradually been penetrating.

For the modern theologian who teaches in a university there is the extra interest of seeing how the realities of academic life affect the theological “project,” shaping it with tough criticism and the chance to try out ideas in debate.

start a movement on purpose. There had been I ought to emphasize how much my book “dissidents” in Europe for a couple of centuries, is indebted to this pioneering twentieth-century followers of Waldes of Lyons and others, who work. All I can claim to have brought to it is an were challenging the authority of the institutional interpretation of the facts as we can now begin church and reading the Bible for themselves. to see them—and a bit of specialist knowledge of There were “popular” preachers in Wyclif’s the world of medieval universities perhaps, and lifetime in England who were encouraging that especially of the way they did theology there. possible subjects and then suddenly Wyclif was kind of thinking. Wyclif was really an academic Scandrett: Fourteenth-century Oxford was a standing there, the obvious choice. at heart, not a popular demagogue. Once he very different world from twenty-first-century Wyclif was not a man I felt I “knew” as a became well known for his controversial opinions England, not to mention the U.S. What are some person, and the process of getting to know him on some fairly technical theological questions, features of life in this period that will surprise our was unusually interesting. First there was the and especially once he got into trouble with the readers, either in regard to their strangeness or need to get behind the myths. There an ecumeni- ecclesiastical and government authorities, the their familiarity? cal training comes in very useful. You learn to be “popular” movement that was going on anyway Evans: In one way it would seem very familiar. open-minded to the possibility that there have borrowed his name and his reputation. And we The U.S. has a strong focus on the local commu- been misunderstandings. And any theologian is don’t know how much he was involved in the nity from which people look out and try to make going to be interested in a writer whose struggles English Bible project, but he was certainly not its sense of the world. The fourteenth century was to understand the truth are so painful and frank. main instigator, let alone the chief translator. a bit like that, and especially for the students and In that way, Wyclif is a bit like Augustine. But Scandrett: This is the first major biography to scholars of Oxford. Then, as now, the academic for the modern theologian who teaches in a uni- be written on Wyclif in nearly a century. What world was really international, and new books versity there is the extra interest of seeing how new light has been shed on Wyclif and his con- were read all over Europe. And they got just the the realities of academic life affect the theological text in the intervening period? same tough reviews as they do today! “project,” shaping it with tough criticism and the Evans: The main thing has been the move away For those who know modern Oxford well chance to try out ideas in debate. Wyclif enjoyed from treating Wyclif as a hero. Once it became the continuities of tradition are very striking. all that, though he sometimes found it rather possible to take a hard look at the evidence They had the essence of the university there bruising. without trying to make it tell a particular story, already in Wyclif’s day. There’s something about Scandrett: The subtitle of this book is Myth & it was obvious that the contribution Wyclif the excitement of debate and the way topics Reality. What are some of the myths about Wyclif actually made to the trends which were going become controversial for a time and everyone is that you deal with in the course of the book? to lead to the Reformation was very nuanced lecturing on them, which is still part of the flavor Evans: Wyclif was turned into a hero (or a vil- and hard to pin down. Anne Hudson’s work on of life in modern Oxford. It’s partly because it lain) in the adversarial polemic of the sixteenth- the “Wycliffite” sermons has been particularly is still run as an academic democracy where the century Reformation. Those who made him out important. She has worked with the manuscripts dons can challenge the management. You may

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New & Noteworthy

Writing from Southeast wisdom thoroughly engaging. The book con- cause. Interest in Job was not strong in the first Asia—“the ‘second front’ cludes with an annotated bibliography of further Christian generations; not until Origen do we find in the war against terror- resources. evidence of a systematic treatment of the whole ism”—Roland Chia argues work, known to us only through the testimony in Hope for the World that Shepherds After My Own Heart of Jerome to a translation from Hilary of Poitiers. “hope . . . always emerges by Timothy Laniak explores The first flurry of more intense interest awaited from a specific historical and the theme of the shepherd/ the end of the fourth century and the beginning of cultural context.” Israel’s con- pastor through the whole of the fifth. text shaped its anticipation Scripture. It entails a study of This new ACCS volume draws on Greek of the Day of the Lord; Christ gives context to our ancient Near Eastern under- texts from Origen, Didymus the Blind, Julian the hope for eternal life under a sovereign God; and standings of the shepherd Arian, John Chrysostom, Hesychius of Jerusalem the resurrection carries the church—and with it metaphor: its uses and devel- and Olympiodorus. Latin writers range from Julian the hope of the world—through the valley of the opment in the Old Testament of Eclanum and Philip the Priest to Gregory the shadow of death. and its employment by the apostolic writers to Great, while Syriac writers include Ephrem the describe the significance of Jesus Christ in his Syrian and Isho‘dad of Merv. Jim Sire’s new book, Why earthly ministry and ascended lordship. In doing Good Arguments Often Fail, so, it articulates key elements of a biblical theology In Engaging the Soul of Youth takes a close look at the of pastoral ministry and leadership. Culture Walt Mueller digs frustrations of many earnest deep into his own philo- apologists. Why do our Manlio Simonetti (a lead- sophical and theological best arguments often fall ing expert in patristic exe- training, and into the cultural flat? Well, sometimes our gesis from the Augustinian world of today’s teenagers. arguments simply aren’t Patristic Institute and the Taking cues from Paul’s that good. How can we University of Rome) and walk through Athens, Walt make them better? At other times our approach Marco Conti (Ph.D., explores how young people or demeanor inhibits the message. How can we Leeds, and a research see the world and communicate their needs and improve our engagement with our audience? fellow at the Augustinian expectations. When young people are seen and Drawing on wisdom borne of years of formal and Patristic Institute) have heard, they can be met with the God who fulfills informal experience, Sire helps readers learn to assembled a vibrant collection of excerpts on Job, their longing. For classroom use in youth ministry frame better, more persuasive arguments for the the drama of a righteous man struggling to make and theology of culture studies. Christian faith. Students will find Sire’s wit and sense of the evil that has befallen him without

Meaningful Design: Phillip Johnson and the Genius of Nature

Two books in our current list touch on subjects related to the intelligent design discussion in new and invigorating ways. Darwin’s Nemesis presents a solid collection of essays by scien- tists, philosophers, theologians and apologists presented to Phillip Johnson in his honor. This festschrift, including essays by two of his critics, provides insight into the man, the movement and Phil’s leadership of it, and continuing issues facing ID. It makes a significant contribution to the current discussion and reveals the personal dimension of this remarkable and controversial movement. From a new but complementary angle Ben Wiker and Jonathan Witt attempt to expand the discussion of signs of intelligence beyond the mere biological. Exploring literature, geometry, the history of science, physics, chemistry and cosmology, they make the case for a meaningful world displayed in the genius of the arts and sciences. This wide-ranging and fascinating book will make the heart of any liberal arts student or teacher glad. Spring 2006

John Wyclif, continued from page 3 have read something in the press about some done about such individuals. I’m really pleased causing a dangerous escalation of tensions. And pretty exciting events there at present. Wyclif that a great Christian publisher is opening up in within the Christian church itself there are several would have loved it. He would have been writing this direction, because I think it is a good way for topics which are being seen as church-dividing in a fierce articles for the Oxford Magazine and letters people to understand what the faith has meant in quite disproportionate way. Wyclif is a particularly to The Times, and his students would have rushed different generations. good example of what happens when someone to his lectures to hear how outrageous he was going to be that day. There’s as much politics as theology in his story. Scandrett: Finally, biography is not a genre in It is important . . . to try to understand how the peren- which InterVarsity Press has published much before. However, you’ve published a consider- nial questions of Christian theology and the interpre- able number of biographies in the course of your career. What is it about this genre that you find so tation of Scripture interact with the way people are compelling? What would you say to commend it thinking about other things. to our readers? Evans: I’ve been drawn to the way individuals who have made a mark on history, particularly It is important to look at both the inside is “demonized” or “lionized” and then “used” by Christian history, have thought things through. and the outside of what happens in history, and opposing sides in ways which do not have much to Conventional history traditionally concentrates to try to understand how the perennial questions do with the writer’s original concerns or what he on political events and social and economic of Christian theology and the interpretation was actually saying. So I suppose I see this kind of trends, but that only shows you the outside. Some of Scripture interact with the way people are study as a small contribution to encouraging open- people in every generation were writers, and that’s thinking about other things. We can see why it mindedness and clarity about matters which have where you get a glimpse of what they wanted to is so important in the world at present. Mutual become destructively controversial and adversarial. challenge in what everyone took for granted, and misunderstanding about the faith of other faith It’s an ecumenical approach. But it’s also about the why. So it is “intellectual biography” that I’ve communities and ignorance of the way other soci- pursuit of truth. tried to write here, and in the other books I’ve eties see things and how they set their priorities is

Introducing Veritas Forum Books

academically rigorous and responsible scholarship that contributes to current and ongoing discus- In the early 1990s, a group of Christians at sions in the university world. Harvard wondered what would happen if their The first book in this new partnership is university was challenged to consider the mean- Finding God Beyond Harvard: The Quest for Veritas by ing of their school motto, “Veritas.” Their efforts Veritas Forum founder Kelly Monroe Kullberg, became known as The Veritas Forum, in which editor of Finding God at Harvard. In her new book, top Christian scholars from across academic Kelly tells her story and the story of The Veritas disciplines gathered to investigate the plausibility Forum as it spreads across the country, providing of the Christian worldview in the university envi- a narrative apologetic as she invites readers to join ronment. Since then, Veritas Forums have been her in the search for truth. As a result, readers dis- held at dozens of colleges and universities across cover that ultimately, Veritas is a Person, embod- the country, involving almost a quarter-million ied in Jesus of Nazareth. students and faculty. Finding God Beyond Harvard is an intellectual Now InterVarsity Press is pleased to road trip and a creative model of doing apologetics announce a publishing partnership with The in today’s postmodern context. As Mark Noll says, Veritas Forum, known as Veritas Forum Books. “Kelly Monroe Kullberg’s memoir-cum-institu- The purpose of Veritas Forum Books is to con- tional history offers a most stimulating introduc- nect the pursuit of knowledge with the deepest tion to The Veritas Forum. . . . The focus on Jesus questions of life and truth. Authors will include Christ as the Truth has also been the focus of To learn more about Veritas Forum Books, visit established and emerging Christian thinkers who her own peripatetic, energetic and thought- veritas.ivpress.com. For more information about will grapple with challenging issues and offer provoking life.” The Veritas Forum, visit veritas.org.

Academic Alert Understanding Cultural Dynamics Book Bulletin for Professors Both Locally and Globally Andy Le Peau Editorial Director InterVarsity Press has long lauds, “This is the first James Hoover championed books about comprehensive book Associate Editorial Director multiethnic and crosscultural about Asian American and Senior Editor for IVP Academic issues. In addition to the previ- churches written by the Daniel G. Reid ously announced Subverting the leaders of those churches Senior Editor, IVP Academic Power of Prejudice by Sandra themselves. The essays Gary Deddo Barnes, this season brings sev- in this volume are theo- Associate Editor, IVP Academic eral key titles that should serve logically sound and well as helpful resources in racial informed, thoroughly Joel Scandrett Associate Editor, IVP Academic and ethnic discussions. based on the Scripture, Beyond Racial Gridlock: and refreshingly honest.” Al Hsu Embracing Mutual Responsibility Duane Elmer is Associate Editor, IVP Books comes from sociologist George Yancey, who collaborated with already well known in missiological circles as the author Ellen Hsu researcher Michael Emerson and others on the landmark of Cross-Cultural Conflict and Cross-Cultural Connections. Rights Manager study of multiracial churches, United by Faith. Yancey points He completes his trilogy with his new book, Cross- Emily Varner out a variety of approaches to racial issues that Christians Cultural Servanthood. Here he shows how Westerners Academic Sales & Marketing Manager have used (colorblindness, Anglo-conformity, multicultur- often inadvertently Brooke Nolen alism and white responsibility), each of which has its own communicate arrogance, Print Publicity Manager strengths and limitations. The problem with all of them is superiority and pater- Heather Mascarello that they are largely secular models that have been imported nalism when serving in International Sales Coordinator and adopted without much distinct Christian reflection. cross-cultural contexts. Yancey argues for an alternative model, mutual responsibil- Elmer helps students ity, that acknowledges that different racial groups contribute planning for short-term different but mutually supportive aspects to the question of or long-term interna- The IVP Academic Alert is published racial justice. tional work to know how three times a year by InterVarsity Press. To order any books featured in In recent years Asian Americans have seen significant to serve in ways that are this bulletin, return the accompanying demographic growth, and this is reflected in the growing received well by host cul- reply card or contact: enrollment of Asian American seminarians. Yet little has tures. Wheaton’s Scott InterVarsity Press been written to assist Asian Americans in pastoral work. Moreau commends, P.O. Box 1400 Downers Grove, IL 60515-1426 Filling the gap is Growing Healthy Asian American Churches, “Simply put, this marvelous book opens significant (630) 734-4321 edited by Peter Cha, Steve Kang and Helen Lee. The editors doors to more effective cross-cultural service. If all mis- [email protected] ivpress.com/academic bring together contributions from leading Asian American sionaries lived out the lessons Elmer presents, the effect pastors and church leaders, offering key insights, practices on missionary service and outreach—not to mention the Manuscripts and book proposals should be sent to the appropriate aca- and examples for helping Asian American churches handle church—would be incalculable.” demic editor. Questions, comments, such issues as intergenerational conflict and leadership devel- change of address notifications and all other correspondence may be sent to opment. Sang Hyun Lee of Princeton Theological Seminary [email protected].

For information about translations of InterVarsity Press titles, please contact More Multiethnic and Crosscultural Titles Ellen Hsu, Rights Manager, at [email protected], or visit our website at ivpress.com/info/ translations.

Academic journal editors, for media copies visit ivpress.com/media.