wfn.org | Special Service Commissions Authors of New Theological Book Series

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28-September-1998 
98302 
 
    Special Service Commissions Authors 
    of New Theological Book Series 
 
    by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
LOUISVILLE, Ky.-The 12 Presbyterian authors who will collaborate on a new 
series of books on   theology for laypersons were "commissioned" in a 
special service in the Presbyterian Center Chapel  Sept. 4. 
 
    The commissioning service, attended by Presbyterian Center staff and 
members of churches in  Louisville Presbytery, included the sacrament of 
the Lord's Supper and a commissioning liturgy built  around the 
reaffirmation of baptism. 
 
    The book series, which has until recently had the working title 
"Foundations of Christian Faith," will view basic tenets of the Christian 
faith from a Presbyterian perspective and will be aimed at a broad 
audience.  The books will attempt to avoid complex academic language and 
will be pitched to 12th grade readability. 
 
    Coordination of the project will be done by the Office of Theology and 
Worship in the Congregational Ministries Division, with Charles Wiley 
serving as general series editor.  Geneva Press, a division of the 
Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, will be the publisher. 
 
    The series will attempt to update and build on the popularity of The 
Layman's Theological Library, a series of short books "for the intelligent 
layman" that were published in the 1950s by Westminster Press. 
 
    "While much remains commendable in the original offering, parts of it 
are out of date, starting with the title of the series," Wiley said. 
"However, the new series will retain the original format of short books on 
doctrinal topics, suitable for personal or group use." 
 
    Wiley said the group of authors will meet twice a year during the 
project and each author will integrate theology, ethics and worship into 
his or her writing.  "In [the series] the authors will reexplore Christian 
faith in an effort to help the church understand what Christian faith is 
today," he explained. 
 
    The first volumes in the series are expected to be published in about 
two years, Wiley said. 
 
    Participating authors and their topics are 
 
   *   Michelle J. Bartel, Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. - Being 
       Human 
   *   the Rev. John M. Buchanan, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago - The 
       Church 
   *   the Rev. Philip W. Butin, Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian 
       Church, Albuquerque, N.M. - The Trinity 
   *   the Rev. Ronald P. Byars, First Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, 
       Mich. - Worship and Sacraments 
   *   the Rev. Kathryn J. Cameron, First Presbyterian Church, Greensboro, 
       N.C. - Suffering and Evil 
   *   the Rev. Gregory Scott Cootsona, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, 
       New York City - Creation and Last Things 
   *   the Rev. Thomas W. Currie III, First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, 
       Texas - Confessing Christ in a Pluralistic World 
   *   the Rev. Mateen Elass, First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs, 
       Colo. - The Holy Spirit 
   *   the Rev. Luther D. Ivory, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Memphis, 
       Tenn. - Political and Social Engagement 
   *   the Rev. Michael L. Lindvall, First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, 
       Mich. - The Life of Faith 
   *   the Rev. Portia Turner Williamson, Duke University, Durham, N.C. - 
       Holy Scripture 
   *   Leanne Van Dyk, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, Mich. - The 
       Person and Work of Christ. 

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