 | Emilie M. Townes |
Two distinguished scholars -- one a major figure in the field of "womanist theology" and the other an expert in homiletics, i.e., the art of preaching -- will join the Divinity School faculty next year.
Emilie M. Townes, currently the Carolyn Williams Beaird Professor of Christian Ethics at Union Theological Seminary, has been appointed professor of African American studies in religion and theology; and Thomas H. Troeger, now the Ralph E. and Norma E. Peck Professor of Preaching and Communications at The Iliff School of Theology, has been appointed professor of homiletics. Both appointments are effective July 1.
Townes has played a pivotal role in constructing the field of "womanist theology and ethics." Broadly defined, womanist theology is a field of theological and ethical reflection in which the historic and present-day insights of African-American women are brought into critical conversation with the traditions of Christian theology. In her work, Townes urges readers and students to think critically about womanist perspectives -- not only on traditional theological themes but also on issues such as health care, economic justice, poetry and linguistic theory.
Her first two major works, "Womanist Justice, Womanist Hope" and "In a Blaze of Glory: Womanist Spirituality as Social Witness," were groundbreaking texts in the field. In "Breaking the Fine Rain of Death: African American Health Care and A Womanist Ethic of Care," Townes develops an ethical argument for adequate health care based on empirical and scientific data.
Townes holds a B.A. from the University of Chicago, a D.Min. from the Divinity School at the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from the joint Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary/Northwestern University Program in Religious and Theological Studies.
An ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., she recently taught several courses at Yale over three semesters as a visiting scholar. At Yale, Townes will hold the senior position in African American Studies.
Troeger, a former president of the Academy of Homiletics, has earned renown both for his role as a teacher of preaching and as a major contributor to literature in the field as well. At Iliff, he has taught homiletics since 1991 -- using an unorthodox pedagogy designed to help students avoid fixed and predictable ways of encountering the biblical texts, connect their preaching to "lived experience," and develop capacities to engage the imaginations of people in the pews.
He has published six books about preaching that are used widely in the classroom and by clergy. Troeger is also a student of worship and liturgics, an accomplished musician -- he plays the flute -- and a writer with two published volumes of hymns and poetry to his credit. He has co-written five books on worship and church music.
Troeger's most recent books include "Preaching and Worship," "Above the Moon Earth Rises: Hymn Texts, Anthems and Poems for a New Creation" and "Preaching While the Church is Under Reconstruction. The Visionary Role of Preachers in a Fragmented World."
Troeger holds a Doctor of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary, an S.T.D. from Dickinson College and a B.D. from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, where he also taught 1977-1991. He is an ordained minister in both the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Episcopal Church and served as a pastor for seven years. He received his B.A. from Yale in 1967.
Troeger fills the senior position in homiletics currently held by David Bartlett, who retires at the end of the present term.
T H I S
Scholar of womanist theology and expert
on preaching to join Divinity faculty
Emilie M. Townes
Thomas H. Troeger
Thomas H. Troeger
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