I’m just back from the American Academy of Religion’s annual meeting and about to jump on the road for a family road trip to Mississippi, but I thought I’d send a quick note before we leave.
First, an update from the AAR. I wasn’t there as long as I would have liked (because of said road trip), but every moment was packed with fabulous conversations. It started off with a panel on God & Guns. I chaired the session, and Joe Slaughter of Wesleyan University presented on the Colt firearms family, on material culture and the sanctification of guns. Mike McVicar, professor at FSU and author of a book on Rushdoony I’ve found incredibly helpful, gave an excellent presentation on white conservative evangelicals’ changing views of firearms in twentieth-century America. Then Jenny Wiley Legath of Princeton presented her illuminating research on “Pastoral Discourse on the Uvalde School Schooting.” Three different methodologies, but all fascinating reflections on the relationship between faith, firearms, and violence in American history.
That afternoon I headed over to an event hosted by Zondervan. Mike Bird, Aimee Byrd, Beth Allison Barr, and I had a wonderful time reflecting on American (and global) evangelicalism and sharing some glimpses into our own journeys as public figures in the evangelical culture wars. I have such admiration for all three, and as you might imagine, it was an absolute delight to meet Mike in person for the first time. The recording will be available soon and I’ll try to remember to share it here. (Listen just for Mike’s reference to a certain theobro with the “pastoral presence of a syphylitic rhinoceros.”)
The next morning I had the pleasure of giving a paper as part of an “Author Meets Critics” session on Isaac Sharp’s new book The Other Evangelicals. It was one of my favorite academic panels yet, despite the fact that the room wasn’t properly set up and we had to make do without mics and a lectern. Between Sharp’s book and the responses of fellow panelists Jane Hong and William Stell, I think the panel offered a wonderful glimpse into the state of the field of evangelical history. David Gushee chaired the session and made sure we kept strictly to time. (I came in with 10 full seconds to spare, I’m proud to say.) The room was packed (people were sitting on the floor and latecomers had to be turned away at the door), and I would have loved to have spent another hour or two just on Q&A. It was also fun to have Jim Wallis join in on the conversation, since he’s featured in one of the chapters.
Our talks may end up being published, or at the very least I may record mine and make it available in podcast form.
Before heading home I made a quick stop at the Alamo. The weather wasn’t as bad as this picture looks, but San Antonio natives apologized profusely for the gray skies. I told them I’m from Michigan and could handle it.
Before I go, I’ll share a couple of additional resources. My conversation with Josh Vis from earlier this month is now available. It was a fun time and we covered a lot of material relating to Christian nationalism:
Finally, I just stopped by Schuler Books here in Grand Rapids to sign a stack of books for the holiday season. If you’re looking for stocking stuffers, stop by and pick one up. Schuler’s also ships, and you can order a copy here.
That’s everything, I think! Please forgive all the typos—no time to proofread. :)
Have a wonderful thanksgiving!
KDM
You visited the Alamo? Well, now Pilgrim, you were in the right place. https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR3ea8_HpCsVUUzC-YHM4ivKW0v6yeyxMkX-XfPn_Su-Ak-6nK9
I m so glad I went to the panel at Travis park church ! The panel on guns and God sounds very interesting 🧐