I also imagine a particular brand of Christian scholarship and theological hermeneutic that (1) take into account different sources of knowledge and human experience in the formation of Christian thinking and spirituality; (2) give serious attention to the practice of equity and diversity in the training and formation of students for the Christian vocation and Christian scholarship; (3) and give voice to a new pedagogy that acknowledges the contributions of both women and people of color (especially the Global South) in various areas of Christian academia or academic disciplines: Theological Studies, Biblical Studies, Christian Counseling, Christian Education, Christian Leadership, Christian Philosophy, Christian Apologetics, Ecclesiastical History, Christian Preaching, etc. I propose that both theological education and Christian scholarship should be used as tools of empowerment to make us better human beings and world citizens, and permanent committed followers of Jesus Christ. The common and unifying thread in those written chapters are the eventual achievement of human flourishing and the good life in this world. In brief, this is the kind of pedagogical optimism and promissory hermeneutics that I articulate in the written pages.

I signed a book contract today with Wipf and Stock Publishers. This is the book (“Theological Education and Christian Scholarship for Human Flourishing: Hermeneutics, Knowledge, and Multiculturalism”) I have always wanted to write about the intersections of theological education, Christian scholarship, multiculturalism, and participatory democracy. As an educator and scholar, these topics are very dear to my heart and scholarship. I have an abiding interest for a theological/religious education that would engage continuously our multicultural society and our complex human condition; in those written pages, I envision a theological curriculum and pedagogy that would enrich our democracy and shared humanity, and promote both racial and gender diversity–toward holistic transformation and individual/collective growth. Such theological curriculum should inform the grammar and hermeneutics of Christian scholarship, and the selection of a diverse faculty and administrators in theological education and classrooms, respectively.

• 

• 

***My initial thought for this book began in 2002 during my first semester in seminary–that is, 19 years ago. Say a little prayer for me so I could successful submit the manuscript by August 1, 2021.