Book Review of Losing Susan

I have contributed a book review of Victor Lee Austin’s gripping theologically-informed reflection on loving and carrying for his dying spouse, Losing Susan: Brain Disease, the Priest’s Wife, and the God Who Gives and Takes Away, to the most recent edition of Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith.  You can read the review here beginning on page 200.  More importantly read the book!

Reading with the Fathers

For many years now I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to teach a course on the Church Fathers.  In January, the day will finally arrive.  I’ve recently finished drafting my syllabus for the course I’ll be offering in the winter term entitled:  “Theologians of the Church: Reading with the Fathers.”  The course will consist of a combination of lectures and seminars around primary readings from the Fathers.  You can read the course description below.  As there are many students who come from Mennonite and evangelical traditions where the Church Fathers are either ignored or perhaps even looked upon with suspicion, it seemed important to cast the description in an apologetic key. Continue reading Reading with the Fathers

Back in Toronto: Upcoming CSPH Conference

I am going to be back in Toronto on the weekend of September 29 to present a paper at the Canadian Society of Presbyterian History annual conference at Knox College.  The subject of my paper is the curious case of J.J.A. Proudfoot, the son of the distinguished 19th century Southwestern Ontario Presbyterian church planter William Proudfoot. Continue reading Back in Toronto: Upcoming CSPH Conference